Sunspots - Monday October 10th 2022

Solar flux is 161 and the SSN 114. A=24 and and K=4.

8m QRP FT8 TX (Sunday)

After several hours on 8m QRP TX FT8 on 40.680 MHz (it is now 2005z) I have again failed to get any spots from the USA, or anywhere else. 

At some point I shall make it.

UPDATE 2025z:  Now QRT.

Norwich - NOT amateur radio

Norwich was forgotten by the UK industrial revolution. Today, it is a bit cut off, whereas years ago it was the second most important city in England because of the wool trade. 

I love Norwich. 

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.