Kite (bird) seen again

20 years ago seeing a red kite from the kitchen window in East Anglia would have been unheard of. Then they were reintroduced around the country and they are a common sight near busy roads. Yesterday at breakfast we were treated looking out the window - a kite flying over nearby allotment gardens.

Look for the forked tail.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/red-kite/ .

European Es

Early indications suggest Es might be better today. 

See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .

My plan is to go on 8m FT8 (40.680 TX first, DF about 1950 Hz) again, as well as 10m WSPR QRP TX.

I hope to get some 8m spots again after a quiet spell!

Sunspots - Thursday May 18th 2023

 Solar flux is 138 and the SSN 106. A=4 and K=1.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Wednesday)

My W5OLF 10m WSPR beacon was turned on about 0905z. So far (at 0915z) no spots.

UPDATE 1541z:  Most of my spots today look like locals or via F2, with an absence of Es.

UPDATE 1600z: Some signs (at last!) of some Es.

UPDATE 1645z:  I am tempted to try with a much smaller ERP. I might try 10mW ERP and see what reports result. I need to make an external attenuator for the FT817ND. Maybe tomorrow. I cannot use my 10m WSPR beacon as it is pre-loaded with 0.5W and cannot be changed.

UPDATE 2120z:  QRT on a day when we did not see Es here. Well, maybe one Italian was briefly Es. In all, 8 unique station spots today.

8m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

Not quite sure why, but I have a better feeling about today. 

My QRP 8m FT8 was turned on 40.680 MHz at about 0905z. DF is about 1950 Hz as usual and I am on TX in the first period.

UPDATE 1310z:  Still no 8m FT8 spots. Es has been poor and I was expecting better.

UPDATE 1804z:  Still no spots for days on 8m FT8. This is dire. It looks if my "better feeling" was a bit premature!

UPDATE 2121z:  QRT after another disappointing day.

Goldfinches - NOT amateur radio

These small birds seem to be the most common small bird around here. They can often be seen or heard nearby. They happen to be very colourful too. At a guess, they are the most colourful garden bird in the UK.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/goldfinch/ .

4m activity contest (UKAC)

Unless I have my dates mixed up, the RSGB organised 4m activity contest is this Thursday evening. Last month I forgot! It starts at 1900z (8pm UK clock time).

So far, I have been disappointed by activity levels on 4m, so I hope it is better  for the UKAC. Maybe more people pop up in the Es season. I live in hope.

Assuming I remember (must put alarm on, HI) I shall give it a go.

Norwich Market - NOT amateur radio

This was Norwich Market on Monday. They had interesting mushrooms and tomatoes on sale. 

Wednesday plans

My current plan is to go on 10m WSPR QRP TX and 8m QRP FT8. I am hoping the Es improves!! 

Devon lunch 2016 - NOT amateur radio

This was our lunch in 2016. Ivor Dewdney made the best pasties. I think they survived the pandemic. I can taste them now!