Sunspots - Thursday February 9th 2023

 Solar flux is 192 and the SSN 142. A=18 and K=3.

10m QRP WSPR (Wednesday)

As usual, I am on 10m QRP WSPR with my 500mW beacon.  25 stations spotted me today on 10m QRP WSPR.

Hare Park, Chippenham near Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

Every year, the grounds of this place open to the public so people can see the snowdrops. At a guess, there must be millions here. The photo shows one of the lakes.

2m UKAC

Last evening, I was briefly on 2m SSB in the monthly activity contest. After a couple of QSOs I decided to go QRT: with my poor voice it was hard work. The band seemed a bit "up" as the photo indicates.

8m FT8 (Wednesday)

Yet again, my very low ERP 8m FT8 signal has been spotted in the USA and Canada. At the time or reception the ERP was about 1W as the power drops when the rig has been on a while.

I have also spotted CO2OQ (7510km) in Cuba on 8m FT8, although I suspect he may be a pirate. The time of day (1327z) was about right, so I am open minded at present. 

Many years ago

This was me building a new transceiver in the back of the garage in our old house at a guess in 2011? 

Sunspots - Wednesday February 8th 2023

Solar flux is 185 and the SSN 110. A=20 and K=2.

10m QRP WSPR (Tuesday)

As usual when I am on 8m, my 10m antenna is available, so I have gone on 10m WSPR with my 500mW W5OLF TX beacon. So far, the usual local and the Canary Is station spotting me.

UPDATE 1355z:  11 stations have spotted my 10m WSPR QRP so far today with the furthermost F61695 (9729km).

8m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

At about 0930z my 8m FT8 QRP on 40.680 MHz was turned on. At 0940z, unsurprisingly, no spots. At the moment, my only real hope is aircraft scatter or a very good F2 opening with a high enough MUF. Those with higher ERPs have a much greater chance of success.

UPDATE 1340z:   EA8/DF4UE (2876km) has spotted me very strongly (+2dB S/N) and I have spotted Eire and Croatia.

UPDATE 1359z:  Still no news from OFCOM about my T&I permit for after April.

UPDATE 1515z:  No further 8m FT8 spots today.

Bark - NOT amateur radio

This bark was seen yesterday at Hare Park at Chippenham near Cambridge.  

There is different Chippenham in Wiltshire.