Rose pruning - NOT amateur radio

Just realised that the roses must be pruned! They will soon be growing.

UPDATE 1547z:  Front roses pruned. 

OFCOM updates

 A reminder that OFCOM updates the data it holds every week. Check the OFCOM website for the latest.

Spectran V2

It is many years since I last used this program. It runs under Windows and allows a spectrum view in narrow bandwidths. I used it both for VLF and optical tests. It is now at version 2. It proved very useful in the past. I must download it again.

 See https://www.sdradio.eu/weaksignals/spectran.html

8m QRP FT8 (Friday)

At the moment I am on 40.680 MHz QRP FT8.

UPDATE 1258z: No spots. Just switched to second period TX.

UPDATE 1333z:  Still no spots today.

UPDATE 1940z:  Just G9PUV (158km) spotted today. QRT.

Talk ....without the talking

 Next Friday, I am giving a "talk" at the Cambridge Radio Club (CDARC). This is a bit of an experiment as I have prepared the slides and someone else is doing the talking. These days, my voice is pathetic!!

CDARC is experimenting with hybrid talks so those of us unable to attend can watch on Zoom. Let's hope there are not too many questions! The talk is entitled, " Fun in Amateur Radio". I have been blessed with over 60 years of fun in the hobby and my greatest wish is that others can have as much fun. We all enjoy our hobby in different ways and that is one of the things that make it great.

10m QRP WSPR (Friday)

 As the 10m antenna is available, I am again on 10m WSPR with my 500mW TX beacon. At 0935z, just a single spot from EA8/DF4UE (2876km).

UPDATE 1237z:  3 unique stations spotting the 10m QRP WSPR today.

UPDATE 1535z: 5 unique stations spotting me today.

UPDATE 1920z:  QRT. 6 unique stations spotted my QRP today. Quite a poor day.

481THz tests

These days I am just too wobbly to do optical tests "out in the field". However Bernie G4HJW has offered to put up an optical beacon so I can see if I can copy it "over the horizon" 10 miles away at my QTH. It is many years since I did optical experiments and this will be a challenge on many levels. 

VLF tests

Years ago I did some drive around tests in my car with an E-field probe on the roof. I was trying to see where my 5W signal could be received. This map shows where it was possible. 

Sunspots - Friday March 3rd 2023

Solar flux is 169 and the SSN 103. A=9 and K=3. 

United Eire? - NOT amateur radio

In the end I can see Eire becoming one nation again. I doubt this will be in my lifetime however. 

The DUP (the Unionists) appear very much in the minority and this will go down further in the years ahead. No, Northern Ireland was a convenient political outcome in the last century and I can see a united Ireland this century. Clearly the DUP need appeasing, but this is the 21st century not a long time ago.