Solar flux is 152 and the SSN 99. A=30 and K=2.
7 May 2023
6 May 2023
2m activity contest last Tuesday
As usual, I go on the 2m activity contest on the first Tuesday evening in the month. As I run 2.5W and an omni big-wheel antenna and my voice is poor, I am usually on for less than an hour. Conditions seemed a bit "up" and it was quite busy. In 37 minutes 7 contacts were had (see map). Next Tuesday is the 70cm activity contest.
4m personal beacon
Jason M0NYW has a personal 4m beacon. I predict he will see lots of spots this Es season.
It is on 70.093 MHz (70.092 USB-D) sending FT8 + CW ID + dashes. It has an output of 1W to a halo. I hope I can spot it. It runs pretty much 24/7.
See www.qrz.com/db/M0NYW/b for more details.
Next door - NOT amateur radio
We are lucky to live just next door to a fully restored windmill. This is the view from the lounge window.
8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)
Since 0720z, I have been on 8m FT8.
UPDATE 0907z: No spots.
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| 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.
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.






