Sunspots - Friday March 24th 2023

Solar flux is 151 and the SSN 73. A=60 and K=7. Disturbed!! 

Low cost RF modules

A few moments ago I took a peek at RF modules on eBay. This is just one that will cover many bands. Someone much fitter than me could probably design some useful kit around these.

Signs of spring?

In the UK, clocks go forward an hour on Sunday morning to British Summer Time (BST). Already there are promises of better days to come. Weeping willow trees often have hints of green before most others. This one in Ely a few days ago thinks it is spring!

I like the spring as it is the season of new hope after a long, dark winter. The blossom does not last long, but it beautiful for a while. I prefer the spring to the summer.

Under water - NOT amateur radio

 

These were photographed by a friend earlier this week in Letchworth.

Unused spectrum - NOT amateur radio

OFCOM is consulting on the future use of the 1900-1920 MHz spectrum. See the OFCOM website for details. Apparently these frequencies are allocated, but not used. 

4m FT8

 At the moment I am again on 70.154 MHz FT8 with my big-wheel 2m omni and coax tuned via the auto-ATU in the FT-710.  At 1029z, no spots. I have yet to be spotted on 4m, although my "antenna" does not help!

UPDATE 1226z: Well, my 4m "antenna" is working with 3 stations spotted and one spotting me - G4HGI (244km). 

UPDATE  1241z: I would imagine that most propagation is one of the following: flat-band propagation, tropo enhancement, MS or scatter. As Bas says in the comments, the Es season is probably some months away still.

UPDATE 1515z:  G3SHK (200km) has been spotted, and has spotted me, on 4m FT8 (see map).  M0RJV (91km) has spotted me.  Still to have my first FT8 QSO on 4m. The impression I am left with is this band is very under-used apart from (maybe?) during the Es season.

UPDATE 1630z:   My first ever 4m FT8 QSO has happened. GW8ASA (301km) was worked this afternoon using the 8m dipole and the internal auto ATU.

Stations spotting me
today on 4m FT8 TX

UPDATE 1907z:   No further stations spotted.

UPDATE 2115z:   QRT.

Devon cliffs - NOT amateur radio

This photo was taken in 2012 and shows me in Bolberry Down in Devon.

Sunspots - Thursday March 23rd 2023

Solar flux is 159 and the SSN 81. A=17 and K=1.

630m WSPR RX

At 2005z, I went on to 630m WSPR RX using the 2m big-wheel and coax via a ferrite rod ATU. So far this evening, a couple of German stations spotted.

UPDATE 2119z:  G6AVK (78km) also spotted. 

UPDATE 2218z: Now QRT. 

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Ely Cathedral - NOT amateur radio

This photo was taken yesterday at Ely Cathedral. There has been Christian worship on this site for 1350 years.