Panto - NOT amateur radio

Earlier this week we went to a local panto. It was very good. We have not been able to go for a few years because of Covid. This was like old times.

8m WSPR RX (Friday)

Martin G8JNJ is doing some 8m WSPR tests, so I am looking for his signal. The path loss between us means this very unlikely.

I have also heard today that a station in Bonaire now has an 8m licence - PJ4MM.  Bonaire is in the Caribbean. Not sure what this licence covers i.e. it is  limited experimental licence or a full amateur licence.

10m FT8 (Friday)

After lunch, I hope to go on 10m QRP FT8. Most days, the USA and Canada come through pretty well. When on RX I use 2.5W.  Mostly I just go on RX only as the FT8 slot is so full.

UPDATE 1453z:  So far today, 227 stations spotted on 10m FT8.  There is still an intermittent fault on my 10m antenna plug as the FT817ND initially said "hi swr".I shall have to investigate.

UPDATE 1635z: Before going QRT on 10m FT8 RX about 30 minutes ago, 274 stations spotted today.

Birthday - NOT amateur radio

Today is my birthday. I am 21 and (quite) a bit! One of my gifts was a voucher. I have bought an SDR with it.  

One of my presents is a signed book on the "History of Salcombe" by Roger Barrett. Salcombe is where I was brought up as a child. A good read over the holidays.

Another present from my son was champagne and a book on railway stations, again a good read. He always manages to choose presents people will like. 

Sunspots - Friday December 23rd 2022

Solar flux is 131 and the SSN 108.  A=12 and K=3.

Vegan mincepies - NOT amateur radio

 

The chef

Made entirely by our granddaughter. They tasted really good too.  

She did everything after a little instruction. They were every bit as good as the non-vegan ones made earlier. Actually they were at least as good, if not better. The secret is to roll the pastry very thin.

In future, I am sure she will be making them again, in her own home.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Thursday)

Whilst on 8m, the 10m antenna is free, so I shall again go on with my W5OLF 500mW WSPR beacon. I expect this will be about 1015z.

UPDATE 1645z:   QRT. Best DX today was a spot by FR1GZ (9724km).

10m WSPR QRP spots of me today

Promise - NOT amateur radio

We are now just past the shortest day, but we still have winter to get through. 

At least the days are getting longer although it will be some weeks before we really start to notice the changes. This photo was taken in March and keeps hope alive. Better times are ahead.  

These daffodils are on the path to our church. They are only like this for a few weeks, but bring such joy.

LED bulbs? - NOT amateur radio

Well I hope they have LED bulbs! Otherwise I hate to think of the electricity bill. They raise cash for charity. 

8m WSPR tests

Later this morning I will be on 8m WSPR doing a test with G8JNJ. Brief tests last evening were unsuccessful, but I want to monitor the web SDR to see if I can see any sign of the signal. 

UPDATE 1539z:  No spots of my 8m 2.5W WSPR today on the WessexSDR. Checking on the WessexSDR there was no sign at all of my signal, I was expecting a tiny trace at least. The WessexSDR is picking up EI1KNH and  G8JNJ.

See http://wessex.zapto.org:8060/#freq=40681500,mod=usb,secondary_mod=wspr,sql=-150