Bell hunting - NOT amateur radio

Every other Sunday, we go bell hunting with our grandson who is nearly 15. 

He has rung now in about 50 churches. He has a YouTube channel called Ringer Luke. 

Currently he is doing a project on unringable bells. These are bells that cannot be rung in the conventional way as they are no longer safe. Today we went to Impington near Cambridge, where some of the bells were damaged by water dripping.

10m FT8 RX

 

At about 1115z I went on 10m FT8 RX.  So far (at 1137z) 147 stations spotted so far today from all over.

UPDATE 1300z:  361 stations spotted today so far on 10m FT8 RX.

Plans for the day (Sunday)

Later this morning (all being well) I expect to be on 10m FT8 RX. 

If things look promising, I shall switch to 8m QRP TX on 40.680 MHz later in the afternoon, hoping to reach the USA.  As yet, this has not been successful on 8m, but let's hope for success whilst F2 propagation is good. 

Having worked the USA handheld with QRP SSB from the bedroom with just a base loaded whip on 10m SSB, it should be easily possible on 8m FT8 if there is propagation. My main issue is there are too few 8m monitors in the USA. This means the USA may be reached on 8m QRP FT8, but not be reported!

Norwich train - NOT amateur radio

Last week, we went to Norwich by train from Ely.  Ely station is always busy. I guess this is because many lines converge here.

Sunspots - Sunday October 9th 2022

Solar flux is 157 and the SSN 137 A=12 and K=4.

King's College Chapel a year ago - NOT amateur radio

A year ago we had this practically to ourselves because of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Engineering in the future?

This photo was taken some years ago in the back of the garage in our old house. I failed with my grandson. 

Huge satellite - NOT amateur radio

A huge satellite should be clearly visible from Earth. In fact some astronomers are worried that this and its companions could be so bright they may interfere with some observations on earth.

See https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/bluewalker-launched-spacex-largest-satellite-astronomers/ .

12m FT8 RX

As 8m was drawing a blank, I went on 12m FT8 RX using the 8m (i.e. well off tune!) antenna. To my surprise, it was full of FT8 signals around 24.915 MHz. After probably less than 15 minutes, 126 unique stations spotted. I did try 15m briefly, but this was much the same.

UPDATE 1446z:  301 stations spotted from most parts of the world.

10m WSPR QRP TX (Saturday)

As the 10m antenna is available, I have remembered to go on 10m WSPR (I keep forgetting I can do this!).  No spots yet today.

UPDATE 0918z:  Several spots from the Canary Is. These look like single hop F2.

UPDATE 1650z:   21 spots so far, with lots from the USA. It appears I am romping into the USA on 10m WSPR.