St John's College, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

This was St John's earlier today.

The bikes and posters (on the railings to the right and just out of the photo) are very Cambridge!! 

AGMs and Zoom

Just now, I attended the Cambridge Radio Club (CDARC) AGM by Zoom. This was a hybrid meeting with some there in person and some remotely via Zoom. I no longer (if I can avoid it) drive at night.

As for previous lectures, the Zoom worked really well, including voting by putting a hand up.

This hybrid format really suits me as I can take an active part in club activities even though unable to get in. In the past we have had speakers and listeners across oceans.

OFCOM publications update

Every week OFCOM updates the data it holds on licences etc..  See the OFCOM website for details.

8m QRP FT8 (Friday)

A few moments ago I switched on the 8m FT8 QRP TX. This was about 1025z.

UPDATE 1840z:  No spots today on TX and RX.

10m WSPR QRP TX (Friday)

 My 500mW 10m WSPR TX was turned on at 0946z.

UPDATE 1006z:  3 spots from the Canary Is so far this morning.

UPDATE 1603z:  17 stations have spotted my 10m WSPR QRP today. (see table.).

Voltage dropping

In a few weeks' time (with a following wind) my QDX digital transceiver should arrive. With a 12v supply, there is a danger of the PA being badly over-rated and failing. Most of my gear runs from a 13.8V, so it would be prudent to run the QDX from a lower supply voltage.

My easiest solution is a string of suitably rated diodes in the supply. I have 10 off 3A silicon diodes that should be here next week. I could drop 6V with these if I want, making the QDX run safely from 9.8V.

Friday plans

 I think 10m QRP WSPR TX beckons. My 500mW beacon will be turned on shortly.

Fame? - NOT amateur radio

To my surprise, an email I wrote to the BBC regional programme "Look East" was read out on the programme last night. It was about our local bus service. 

In the past, a couple of my photos have been used on the local TV weather forecasts, but this was a total surprise.

23cm beacon hunting

Last night I went beacon hunting on 23cm with my tiny indoor 2 element beam. I monitored GB3DUN on Dunstable Downs for several minutes. This is probably my best chance of copying a 23cm beacon.

Just occasionally there was a very brief signal that may have been this beacon. It was there for (at most) a second, then was gone. The direct path is very obstructed and my only real hope is by aircraft scatter. The impression I got was this was not aircraft. I have no idea if you get MS on 23cm.

Other beacons I also looked out for on my waterfall, but nothing was seen.

Sunspots - Friday January 27th 2023

Solar flux is 151 and the SSN 104.   A=11 and K=1.