Intermittent 10m antenna

This morning, I was planning to go on 10m QRP FT8, but something is still intermittent so I have a high SWR. I suspect the coax plug. At some point, I shall have to remake the joint. These days, this is less easy as my fine motor skills are poor.

8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

 At the moment (1106z) I am on 40.680 MHz FT8 with my 2.5W and low wire dipole. No spots on RX or TX.

UPDATE 1545z:   No spots.

Oscar 100 activity (or rather lack of)

Every few weeks I take peek at activity on the narrowband transponder of this geosynchronous satellite. My latest peak was at 1045z on Christmas Eve. This is European Saturday morning in a holiday, so I would have expected activity to be as good as at any time. What did I find? Very quiet (see screenshot).

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .

Sunspots - Saturday December 24th 2022

 Solar flux is 128 and the SSN 100.  A=24 and K=4.

4m in the Caribbean

PJ4MM has also got a permit to TX on 4m. When the Es season comes, this will be an interesting path from Europe.   

As far as I know, this is the first amateur in the northern hemsiphere in Region 2 to get a transmitting permit. 

I think VP8 in the southern hemisphere has 4m, so this could be an interesting TEP path.

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.