8m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

My FT8 on 40.680 MHz was turned on at 1003z. No spots. Running 2.5W to the low wire dipole.

10m WSPR QRP (Thursday)

 My 500mW beacon was turned on at 1000z. No spots yet at 1006z.

UPDATE 1043z:  Lots of spots from the Canary Isles of me again.

UPDATE 1235z: 3 stations now spotting me. No USA yet.

2m FT8 activity contest

Stations on 2m FT8 RX last evening

Yesterday evening was the 2m FT8 activity contest. I worked 2 stations, but over 50 were received here including EI, GI, ON and PA (see map). 

The other map shows where I was spotted with 2.5W FT8 and the big-wheel omni antenna.

Stations spotting my 2.5W FT8 on 2m with the omni antenna

Poster - NOT amateur radio

Every year my wife creates a kitchen poster. This is the 11th. 

It usually has pictures of friends, grandchildren, sons etc. She has been doing these since 2012. 

It is amazing to see how people change.

There are several companies we could use. You do the layout and upload digital images. 

Arecibo dish

Back in 1964 (corrected - thanks John!), the amateur community benefited from 2m and 70cm EME QSOs using the huge dish in Puerto Rico usually used for astronomy research. At the time it was the biggest radio telescope in the world. Many people managed EME QSOs that would have been impossible with smaller antennas.

Sadly the antenna collapsed and will not be rebuilt.

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

Sunspots - Thursday December 8th 2022

Solar flux is 148 and the SSN 107. A=18 and K=3.

Geminids meteor shower

This normally peaks in mid December. Usually, the ionised trails result in enhanced VHF propagation during short bursts. MSK144 is often a good mode as signals may be strong, but short lived. Better equipped stations experience better bursts for longer. 

This time, I may try 8m MSK144 during the shower.

See https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/everything-you-need-to-know-geminid-meteor-shower/ .

KST chat

Personally, I find this very useful. 

When I remember, I share my current 8m activity so people know where to watch for me. 8m activity is on the 50 and 70 MHz chats.

I see others use it to arrange skeds.

See http://www.on4kst.info/chat/index.php .

8m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

Later I hope to go on 8m QRP FT8. No spots on 8m yesterday. If the MUF goes high enough today, I am in with a chance of reaching the USA again. 

Chances of a tiny 8m UK amateur band look slim, even by NoV.

UPDATE 1242z:  On 40.680 MHz QRP FT8. No spots.

8m FT8 spots
of me today

UPDATE 1807z:  2 spots of me today and I have spotted a single station on 8m FT8 RX. Sadly, it looks like I did not reach the USA on 8m today.

UPDATE 1833z:  I asked the RSGB about a tiny 8m amateur band. Reading the email reply this is very unlikely in the UK. Those in the UK who want to continue with 8m propagation research will have to get T&I licences. These cost £50 for a year. Many might be able to use ISM regulations that allow 10mW ERP without a licence. I have asked OFCOM for clarification on the ISM rules.

Crab prize - NOT amateur radio

Ten years ago I was staying in Devon with my brother. We attended the local history society where I won this huge dressed crab as a raffle prize. It was too large to take home, but my sister-in-law made some excellent crab sandwiches!