Sunspots - Sunday August 14th 2022

Solar flux is 124 and the SSN 116. A=10 and K=2. 

UK fuel prices - NOT amateur radio

In the last few weeks the exceptional UK fuel prices have dropped back a little. They have risen because of the war in Ukraine and the exchange rate.

Last winter we would have been appalled at even today's prices. Let us hope they fall further.

These were the prices at our local co-op earlier per litre.

10m WSPR QRP TX

As my 10m antenna was available all morning, I was again on 10m WSPR TX with my 500mW beacon. Sadly, no spots. 

Thornham Parva - NOT amateur radio

Thornham Parva is a small thatched church near Eye in east Suffolk. 

The world famous architect Basil Spence is buried here. 

It is one of our favourite churches. 

8m experiment (Saturday)

Later this morning, I hope to go on 8m QRP FT8 on 40.680 MHz USB dial. With the main Es season largely over, things are now a bit "hit and miss". I may be lucky or I may not be.

UPDATE 1013z:  No spots. Now QRT as we have a guest.

Shetland - NOT amateur radio

Whilst most of the UK has been very hot and in drought, the Shetland Islands in the far north have had rain, winds and cold! This photo was on 365project recently.

30m FT8 QRP with the Miracle Whip

101 spots of me on 30m FT8 QRP despite the FT817ND and just the Miracle Whip on the shack windowsill.

Valve days....

This photo was taken about 12 years ago when we were experimenting with Sputnik valves. We made a 400mW CW transmitter (I think it was 15m) and worked the USA on a first CQ call. G4NUA is now a SK sadly.

Sunspots - Saturday August 13th 2022

 Solar flux is 120 and the SSN 97. A=7 and K=2.

Dry Ely - NOT amateur radio

Having lived hereabouts since 1970, I have never seen the grass at Ely Cathedral so dry. We need rain badly.