Sunspots - Wednesday August 31st 2022

 Solar flux is 126 and the SSN 50. A=13 and K=3.

2m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

 

As 10m was so dire, I QSYed to 2m QRP FT8 using the FT817ND and big-wheel omni antenna. 

Almost immediately this resulted in a QSO with G3TKF (221km) as well as 9 spots of me including one by G7RAU (461km) in Cornwall (see map).

3 stations spotted on 2m FT8 RX this morning.

UPDATE 1133z: 7 stations spotted on RX and 11 stations have spotted me on 2m QRP  FT8.

UPDATE 1332z:  9 stations have been spotted on RX here today with the furthermost DO7JVK (419km) in Germany. On QRP TX, I have been spotted by 13 unique stations today. Imagine if I had a beam!

Humming bird hawk moth - NOT amateur radio

Apparently these are quite common in southern and eastern England, but I do not recall seeing one at this house before. We have been here for 9 years now. They hover like humming birds.

See https://butterfly-conservation.org/moths/humming-bird-hawk-moth .

St Barts - NOT amateur radio

 Our grandson is mad on bellringing. He has rung bells now in well over 40 different churches. St Barts survived the Great Fire of London in 1666. He rang here recently.

8m experiment (Tuesday)

Unless things improve dramatically on 10m, it is very unlikely I shall be on 8m FT8 QRP today. There is little point if my chances are so slim.

365project - NOT amateur radio

For about 9 years both my wife and I have done 365project. We use ours mainly as a visual diary. 

The idea is to add a photo every day. It is interesting to see our grandchildren grow a day at a time over all this time.

Yesterday my wife met up with an old school friend she has known for 61 years. She introduced her to 365 some years ago and loves it.

Corfu? - NOT amateur radio

This photo was taken some years ago. I think it was in Greece, possibly Corfu, although I am not sure where. I do not recognise the islands.

10m FT8 QRP (Tuesday)

Today I expect to be on 10m FT8 QRP right from the start. It cannot be worse than yesterday!

UPDATE 0820z: Gear turned on at 0545z. 2 stations have spotted me (a local G and an MM). Nothing spotted on RX.

UPDATE 0954z:   3 European stations spotted on RX. Not exactly great!

Remote islands - NOT amateur radio

Ever since I was a child, I have been fascinated by small, remote islands. At one time I could have told you almost anything about Lundy in the Bristol Channel. I have been interested in Fair Isle, St Kilda, North Rona, Pitcairn and many others. At one time I had a burning desire to visit Tristan da Cuhna. I never went and doubt I ever will now.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tristan_da_Cunha .

4m transverter

Some years ago I needed a way of getting on 4m. This transverter was the result. I have no idea where it is now! Possibly it is in a shack drawer or in the loft. I really ought to try and find it and give it another go, perhaps with a wire dipole. Several have been made since it appeared in GQRP SPRAT. It is also in my G3XBM Project Scrapbook and on my website.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/homebrew/4m-transverter

According to the webpage I listened for a local station's personal QRP 4m beacon. I cannot recall using the transverter. Maybe it was with something else.

UPDATE 1345z: I have found the transverter! It was in the shack at the back of a drawer.  Assuming it still works, I must try it out. First I have to erect an antenna for 4m.

UPDATE 1409z:  In preparation for trying the band again, I started looking for information. At one time, the place to go was the 4m website, but I get the impression this is no longer well maintained. Instead I turned to the RSGB's 4m page.

UPDATE 1428z:   I have connected the transverter to the FT817ND and the 10m antenna. At the moment I am on 70.100 MHz USB dial FT8 RX. I hope the crystal is still on frequency. I must check this. Noise goes up when the antenna is connected - a hopeful sign. Nothing copied.

UPDATE 1504z: I am puzzled what is the best frequency to try for 4m FT8 RX. Some say 70.100 MHz whereas some say 70.154 MHz. Which has the best chance of spotting anyone please? The 42 MHz crystal is oscillating and on 42.000 MHz . Currently I am monitoring 70.154 MHz USB dial.