10m 500mW WSPR TX (Tuesday)

Yet again, I am on 10m WSPR TX with my beacon. It is now 0940z and I have been on for about 10 minutes. So far today, spotted by no stations.

UPDATE 1007z:  So far, 2 unique stations are spotting my QRP. The distances look like single hop F2. (Canaries and Finland).

UPDATE 1125z:  4 unique stations spotting me.

UPDATE 1446z:  12 unique stations have spotted me today.

8m FT8 QRP (Tuesday)

 At the moment I am on 8m FT8 QRP. It is now 0934z. No spots yet, although I have only just turned on.

UPDATE 1610z:  4 stations in EI and G have suddenly spotted my 8m QRP FT8 TX. I am wondering if this is aircraft reflection? Apart from this, just 1 EI spotted on FT8 RX this morning.

UPDATE 1616z:  Since then, spots by 2 more at this time. This makes aircraft reflection even more likely. It looks like the position and Doppler made reception possible. I am not aware of aircraft reflection before now on 8m FT8.

UPDATE 2205z:  I have been advised to look at Airscout which is an app that can help predict when planes are in the correct place for airplane scatter. See  http://airscout.eh/index.php. 

Sunspots - Tuesday January 24th 2023

Solar flux is 189 and the SSN 144. A=7 and K=1.

8m T&I permit renewal application with OFCOM

The application to get a new 8m permit to replace my current one (at great expense, which I think is utterly STUPID!!) is with OFCOM. There is no certainty of a new 8m permit, but I have essentially asked for the same as the last one. 

If they reject it, I intend to WSPR with 10mW ERP in the ISM 8m band. Perhaps I should use the callsign OF3COM just to register my disapproval, HI.

My 8m FT8 was turned on late at 1645z.

UPDATE 1800z: Just S57A (1194km) has been spotted. Nobody has spotted my QRP today.

British politics - NOT amateur radio

It turns out that our one time chancellor (in charge of money) made an error with his taxes and has paid a very large sum to settle his mistakes. Our Prime Minister is married to a very rich woman who is worth millions (at least).  There are many we just do not know about.

In my view ALL in high office must be above reproach. It is also important that they understand the common man.

You could be forgiven for thinking many in high office are not there really for the common good and are out of touch with many.

At one time, those in high office had very high standards and went into politics with high levels of integrity. These days many enter politics for totally the wrong reasons.

Being wealthy is not a crime. Being out of touch with the common man is sad.

QDX - creeping up

At Christmas, I ordered a QDX digital transceiver, ready built, covering 20m-10m from QRP labs. As it will be ready built and cased, there is a waiting list.

My place in the queue is getting better. I shall wait patiently!! 

Hans makes some great kits.

23cm SSB sked (Monday) - success!

At 1430z today, I have a sked with G6UW/G3ZAY on 1296.3 MHz SSB. Martin is in Cambridge (far side).  At the moment, I am still using the 2 element test antenna indoors pointing out of the shack window.

UPDATE 1535z:  We made it!  This was my first ever QSO on 23cms. No great DX, but so important to me. This proves the 2W 23cm transverter works on TX and RX, but I must get a better antenna for /P work later in the year.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Monday)

In a few moments, I am about to switch on my 500mW W5OLF 10m WSPR beacon. 

UPDATE 1100z: 5 unique stations have already spotted my QRP (see chart).

UPDATE 1547z: 16 unique stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR today.

Sunspots - Monday January 23rd 2023

 Solar flux is 199 and the SSN 166. A=9 and K=1.

23cm - partial success

Although I got no FT8 decodes, my 23cm QRP signal did make it to the QTH of G4HJW, despite double glazed windows, bushes, a shed and 2 hills! I am sure on a less obstructed path I would succeed. Tomorrow I have a USB sked with G6UW in Cambridge.

The second photo shows the 2 element antenna firing through the shack window.