Screaming swifts - NOT amateur radio

To my mind, the screaming of swifts feeding on the wing is a sign of English late spring and summer. In this part of the UK they usually arrive in mid-May, although in some parts they are seen earlier. Often they are heard before they are seen. Usually they are heard screaming, one looks up and there are the swifts! The sight of these in the sky warms my heart. By mid-August most have flown south.

Cambridge church cafe - NOT amateur radio

A number of churches now have cafes. I guess they raise funds for the church as well as providing a useful function for visitors and locals. In Cambridge, one such is Michelhouse in Trinity Street. When we popped in this morning it was busy.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Tuesday)

My 10m 500mW beacon was turned at about 1330z. Time was set using an atomic sync'ed clock.

UPDATE 1403z: No spots.

UPDATE 1438z: Just local G4KPX (14km) has spotted me.

Spots on my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon today

UPDATE 1827z:   A better day than I was expecting with 5 unique stations spotting my 500mW 10m WSPR TX today.

UPDATE 1922z:  6 unique stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR today (see map).

Local 481THz QRSS tests

This was going to be last night, but I was too exhausted. Maybe this evening? 

Ephemeral - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows the ornamental cherry tree in our garden. The blossom lasts a few weeks then is gone. 

Sunspots - Tuesday April 25th 2023

Solar flux is 134 and the SSN 88. A=76 and K=1. 

Six metres

6m is sometimes called "the magic band" as it can open when least expected to incredible distances. In early July I have often copied Japan on 6m. This is a very long way for a VHF band. There have been some even further distances covered. With the Es season a few watts (or less) can work DX  to at least 1500km.

It is also a useful band for local chats and that inspired my Sixbox. This is not suitable for DX working, but is ideal for local natters.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/homebrew/sixbox .

No photos please - NOT amateur radio

 

One of our granddaughters does not like her photo being taken, as you can see!

Plans for Monday

My 481 THz test software and lead are my priority. When I did the optical tests way back more than 10 years ago PCs had separate mic and headphone jacks. All my PCs now have combined jacks! 

So, I have to interface my optical RX and the PC in a new way. With soldering skills very hard these days, this requires some thought. Years ago I would just have bought a new jack socket (with mic input) and just changed the plug! I think years ago I just used a lead with standard 3.5mm plugs at each end.

I may put the 10m WSPR beacon on too.

UPDATE 1038z: 10m WSPR beacon is ON and my audio setup (interface from 481 THz RX to the PC) is working with Spectran. At G1KQH's suggestion I used a USB sound card I already had and it worked first time. Thanks for the suggestion Steve. 

UPDATE 1144z:  No 10m WSPR spots of my 500mW beacon. I suspect things are very disturbed. I checked all was well on another RX.

UPDATE 1515z:  4 stations have spotted me today so far on 10m WSPR. My 481 THz TX beacon and RX work with QRSS and Spectran. 

Sunspots - Monday April 24th 2023

 Solar flux is 135 and the SSN 86. A=66 and K=3. Things seem pretty disturbed.