6m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

My gear (2.5W to the V2000 vertical omni) was turned on at 0741z. So far (at 0757z) just spots by 5 Gs and no Es. On 6m FT8 RX 3 Gs near Birmingham spotted.

UPDATE 0816z:  Spotted a station in Ukraine on RX. He has also spotted me on QRP TX.  Must be some Es about ,even though it did not look too great.  See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/.

UPDATE 1126z: 24 spots of my 6m QRP FT8 and 21 stations have been spotted here on RX. Plenty of Es.

UPDATE 1230z: Spotted by 56 stations today on 6m QRP FT8. Plenty of Es.

Stations spotting
me at 1306z

UPDATE 1306z:   A very good Es day on 6m QRP FT8 with 66 stations spotting me. I proves that with Es, not much ERP is needed.

UK strikes - NOT amateur radio

As in many countries, the high rate of inflation, higher fuel costs and higher interest rates are fuelling a round of strikes by people who are finding the cost of living too high. I am not sure of the answer, but remember the painful days of high inflation in the last  century. 

Plans for Tuesday

I expect to be on 6m FT8 QRP later hoping for some Es. 

Sunspots - Tuesday July 18th 2023

Solar flux is 180 and the SSN 149. A=24 and K=4.

Shield bug - NOT amateur radio

This photo was taken in 2017. It shows an iridescent shield bug. 

Oil and gas prices - NOT amateur radio

In recent months, these have fallen in the UK. There is a suspicion that prices rise like a rocket and fall like a feather here in the UK. 

At its peak diesel was £199.9 a litre. It has since fallen about 50p. In some places it is even cheaper. I get the distinct impression all the reductions in wholesale prices are not being passed on. I am not sure who is trying to claw back profits lost during the pandemic, but somebody is!

For the hard pressed motorist or someone depending on gas or oil to heat their home, a full and quick reduction is needed, by law if necessary.

Most swifts still here - NOT amateur radio

Most swifts (birds) are still here. They usual start migrating south in late July or early August. Suddenly one realises the screaming of feeding parties high above has stopped. 

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

6m QRP FT8 (Monday)

My system (2.5W and a vertical omni V2000) has been on since 0726z.  So far spotted by 2 stations in East Anglia on TX and I have spotted 1 station in Devon on RX. No Es.

UPDATE 1008z:  8 stations have spotted my 6m FT8 QRP (including Portugal and Italy) and 2 stations have been spotted on RX (one by Es).

UPDATE 1212z:  23 stations have spotted my 6m FT8 QRP today.

Stations spotting
me at 1253z

UPDATE 1304z: 25 stations have spotted my QRP 6m FT8 with the furthermost EA8BFK (2881km) and I have spotted 11 stations on RX. The Es seems pretty widespread today.

UPDATE 1722z:  29 stations have spotted me today on 6m QRP  FT8.

Plans for Monday

Later, I expect to go on 6m QRP FT8 again. On recent days, there has been some good Es on 6m . I have yet to see how European Es is shaping up.

UPDATE 0712z:  It is quite early, but early indications are that European Es is not as great as yesterday. Things may well change.

VLF earth mode experiments in 2011

Some years before my stroke, I was out doing earth mode experiments at VLF. This was 2011.