8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

Since 0720z, I have been on 8m FT8.

UPDATE 0907z:  No spots. 

3 spots of my QRP 8m FT8

UPDATE 1539z:  3 spots of me on TX. No sign of Es all day. Nobody spotted on RX. Even these 3 spots of me were great and much appreciated. The power was definitely less than 2.5W.

Screaming swifts - NOT amateur radio

This is a common sound at this time of year. Swifts scream overhead in feeding parties. They are definitely back!! 

UK Coronation - NOT amateur radio

Although definitely not a strong royalist (I think a symbolic monarchy is better than an elected president - who would we choose?), like millions I shall probably be watching the UK coronation on TV. 

Basically, I am against wealth and privilege simply as a result of who your parents were. Much wealth came from the slave trade centuries back, which I find abhorrent. That is history. What matters is how we are today.

Overall, I favour a much slimmed down monarchy much closer to the people. Those that work for the UK get the royal purse. Hangers on do not.  There is no doubt our history and traditions are worth millions in tourism and help stability.

UPDATE 0841z:  Our church bells are ringing.

UPDATE 1400z:  A good service and parade that passed (thank goodness) without incident. It rained....again! Why does it always seem to rain on Coronations?! I am old enough to remember the last coronation in 1953 and crowding around a tiny, snowy, picture on a black and white TV in a neighbour's house.

Zadoc the priest

Saturday plans

In the last 2 days, my 8m QRP FT8 on 40.680 MHz has been spotted by 2 Gs. I have not managed any Es yet, but I expect this will soon change.  So, I plan to go on QRP FT8 on 40.680 MHz (TX first) with a DF of about 1950 Hz.

Sunspots - Saturday May 6th 2023

 Solar flux is 162 and the SSN 90.  A=4 and K=6.

8m QRP FT8 (Friday)

Assuming the storm risk has passed, I intend to go on 40.680 MHz QRP FT8 after lunch. I usually TX with 2.5W about 1950 Hz high in the first period. I should be on by about 1130z.  At 1142z, I turned on my 8m QRP FT8.

UPDATE 1425z:   No spots yet.

UPDATE 1527z:  After an interruption because of a thunderstorm, I am now back on again.

UPDATE 1535z:   Still no spots.

Just 1 spot by G7PUA/A

The storms seem to have passed at 1819z

UPDATE 1656z: Just a single spot by G7PUA/A (168km) who has spotted me on 8m QRP FT8 TX. Not sure of the propagation mode. Nobody spotted on RX. QRT because of thunder.

Thunderstorms

We are just having a passing thunder storm. 

Although the chances of a direct strike are low (thankfully) in the UK, passing storms can cause power surges that can damage equipment. 

I am no expert on thunder and lightning, but I know from others that it should always be treated with respect. Whenever there is a risk, I disconnect mains plugs and antennas "just in case". Opinions vary on what to do, but leaving things connected only works if your lightning protection is very good. Most of us have very poor protection.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/lightning-maps .

10m QRP FT8 (Friday)

My intermittent coax plug has been fixed and now on 10m FT8 with the FT817ND at 2.5W. So far spotted by just 1 G station, but spotting stations across the world on RX.

UPDATE 0944z: 12 stations have spotted my 2.5W  and 67 stations spotted here.

UPDATE 1000z: Thunder stopped play!  All disconnected. See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/lightning-maps .

160m FT8 QRP last evening

160m FT8 QRP TX 

160m FT8 RX 

Last evening I went on 160m FT8 with 2.5W and the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. As the evening before, results were good. 

Sunspots - Friday May 5th 2023

 Solar flux is 162 and the SSN 139. A=6 and K=1.