10 Mar 2023

10m QRP WSPR (Friday)

 At about 1024z, I turned on my 500mW WSPR TX beacon. So far, no spots.

UPDATE 1100z:   4 spots of me from the Canary Is so far.

UPDATE 1240z:   Spots from the USA as well.

UPDATE  1440z:
23 unique stations spotting my QRP 10m WSPR today.

UPDATE 1731z:   29 stations have spotted me.

Real winter - NOT amateur radio


This winter we have had more frosts and snow on the ground than for a long time. Years ago, we had snow on the ground every winter, whereas now to get any snow is the exception. This winter has been more like the winters in the 1950s. As I write there is snow falling and snow on the ground, even though it is officially spring according to the UK Mat Office!

Although I quite like the look of snow, I prefer milder sunnier weather. Roll on spring.


8m QRP FT8 (Friday)

 Later today, I hope to go on 8m QRP FT8 again on 40.680 MHz. Although EI2IP and G4APB were both copied yesterday, I suspect my low ERP only gets spotted if conditions are exceptionally good via F2. Both these stations have probably got far greater ERP than I have. This is my choice to see what can be achieved on 8m with very simple gear.  I suspect for reliable F2, I need at least another 10dB.

Sunspots - Friday March 10th 2023

Solar flux is 179 and the SSN 155. A=16 and K=2.

9 Mar 2023

8m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

 It is now 1515z. My 8m FT8 QRP was turned on at about 1500z. So far, no spots at 1522z.

10m QRP WSPR (Thursday)

At about 1500z, my 500mW 10m WSPR TX beacon was turned on. So far, no spots today.

UPDATE 1520z: Already spots by 5 unique stations.


Rallies this weekends

The following rallies have been notified to me. If travelling far, it is always worth checking the information is correct before setting out.

  • Saturday March 11th - South Kesteven ARS Junk Sale, Gantham, NG31 7AU. Comtact s.mason@skars.co.uk .
  • Sunday March 12th - British Vintage Wireless Society Meet, Biggleswade, SG18 8JH. Contact jesser3@hotmail.com .
  • Sunday March 12th - Dover ARC HAMZ, Ashford, Kent, TN24 9QX. Contact club@darc.online .

Fancy a job? - NOT amateur radio


It is now nearly 15 years that I have been retired. Local companies are still looking for good RF engineers. At my age and with my poor voice, I think I shall just stick to amateur radio and the odd article writing!

481 THz optical experiments




It is many years since I used my optical gear. As mentioned previously, I want to check it all works, download Spectran 2 and do some local tests initially. Our local church is about 300m away, so perhaps I can do some QRSS tests bouncing off this? 


It the local tests work, I would like to do some over the horizon tests with G4HJW who is about 10km away. Sadly, there is a lot of clutter locally, so perhaps I would have a better chance with Bernie using cloudbounce, rather than clear air scattering? He might have to point to higher in the sky. With passing clouds, I might well copy him.

Being far more wobbly these days, this will be far harder for me now.

All my 100mm gear is still in the shack, but it all needs putting together and testing.

Spring? - NOT amateur radio


With snow on the ground it is hard to think of spring! We had snow overnight, which stopped this morning. My wife took these photos earlier this week and made the collage. A few more weeks?