The next solar peak

According to the latest update to my favourite site for solar data, the next sunspot maximum is still shown as December 2023 with a smoothed number of 142.5. This makes it a very short time since the minimum. The information was updated today.

See  https://www.solen.info/solar/ .

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Thursday)

It is only now 0930z and already I have been spotted by 41 unique stations!  Incredible Es conditions today.

UPDATE 1003z: Already an incredible 57 spots of my QRP 10m WSPR. At the moment, this looks like the best day this Es season.

UPDATE 1936z: An incredible 65 unique station spots of me. I think today I have received more spots on 10m than I can ever recall. QRT now.

8m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

This morning, I turned on my 2.5W 8m FT8 earlier than usual at about 0650z. It is now 0819z and already there are spots from 4 countries. A very good start to the day. 

Sunspots - Thursday June 1st 2023

Solar flux is 161 and the SSN 147.  A=10 and K=2.

10mW ERP on 8m WSPR without a licence?

Today alone, I have had several reports on 10m WSPR that suggest 10mW ERP at ranges around 3000km would be copied.  

I am convinced following emails from OFCOM that, as long as ISM rules are carefully followed, a licence is NOT needed to run a beacon in the 40.66-40.70 MHz ISM band in the UK. This could well be true in other countries too. In the UK this means 10mW ERP.   It is my firm belief that such beacons, would be received at great range. It is a great pity more people are not trying this.

This is NOT the Amateur Radio Service. It is ISM.

10m FT8 RX on the cheap

This has definitely been on before, but as we approach sunspot maximum (and beyond) a timely reminder is in order. 

This works remarkably well and can be made very inexpensively, yet will bring in stations across the world most days. It may be built "dead bug" or, if you are really keen, as a simple PCB. As I have said before, it would make a great club project on a PCB.  The circuit is simple, so a single sided PCB should be straightforward. It means the "big rig" is free yet 10m FT8 may be monitored.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/10ft8r-rx .

Bots? - NOT amateur radio

Already I have had more than 3 times the number of visits to this site than yesterday.  My posts are as boring as ever, so I think this must be bots probing.

Where I come from in South Devon - NOT amateur radio

This is where I lived as a young child. 

Funny how we just took it all for granted. 

It is now the most expensive resort in the UK.  Salcombe.

Cambridge Store - NOT amateur radio

Many overseas visitors are fascinated to see what is on sale in UK shops. This was the fruit section of a Cambridge shop last week.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Wednesday)

Gear turned on about 0845z.  At 0905z, no spots.

UPDATE 2112z:  Today, 23 unique stations have spotted me. QRT shortly.