Sunspots - Sunday July 30th 2023

Solar flux is 174 and the SSN 147. A=12 and K=2.

Swifts gone? - NOT amateur radio

 In the last few days we were up near Liverpool staying with a friend on the Wirral. Swifts were visible most days, but they were absent on the last day. I have not spotted any here in East Anglia since we got back yesterday. It is possible they have started their migration to Africa. Most soon leave. There are a few stragglers until September.

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

UPDATE 1655z: I did not realise that some swifts do not migrate from Africa.

UPDATE 0950z Sunday:  Lots seen last evening so they have not gone yet! 

6m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

Since mid-morning, I have been om 6m QRP FT8 with 2.5W to the V2000 vertical omni. At 1425z 21 stations have spotted me.

Stations spotting
me at 1700z

UPDATE 1702z:   53 stations have spotted me on 6m QRP FT8.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Saturday)

Since mid-morning I have been on 10m WSPR TX. At 1417z, I have been spotted by 9 stations across Europe. These were spotted by 8 stations. 

Saturday plans

Later, I shall be on 10m QRP WSPR TX and 6m QRP FT8. I have not yet checked Es conditions in Europe. 

I might have a go at mending my 8m dipole and coax.

Sunspots - Saturday July 29th 2023

 Solar flux is 168 and the SSN 148. A=6 and K=3.

European Es - on the way down?

 Although today was quite a good Es day, I sense we are at the start of the decline. As we progress through August, we can expect fewer Es openings. Es will still occur, but we can expect fewer openings and less intense than in recent months.

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

6m QRP FT8 (Friday)

Since I got home about an hour ago, I have been on 6m QRP FT8 with 2.5W and the V2000 vertical omni antenna. 32 unique spots so far. These look like FT8 in the main.

UPDATE 2044z:  45 stations have spotted me today on 6m FT8 QRP. See photo. These look like Es.

Crowded train - NOT amateur radio

We came back home by train from Liverpool. EMR run a direct train via Ely. After Nottingham they take 2 coaches off so it is just 2 carriages! As we got on in Liverpool we had good seats all the way.

These are my moans:

• On a Friday, keep on extra coaches.
• Ensure everyone has a seat especially at the start of school holidays.
• The full journey takes over 5 hours yet there was a trolley service just once at the start of the journey.
• It was late as there were too many on the train. I shall claim a refund.
• Announcements were made. Yet again, they were inaudible.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Friday)

Since coming home about 30 minutes ago, I have been on 500mW 10m WSPR TX. 5 unique stations spotting me.

UPDATE 2107z:  14 stations have spotted my 10m QRP WSPR TX.