6m QRP FT8 (Monday)

So far, 6 Gs have spotted me using 2.5W to the omni V2000 vertical antenna.

UPDATE 1855z:  Late Es opening with 56 stations spotting my QRP (see photo). 

Haircut time - NOT amateur radio

When my younger son pops up from Kent he usually cuts my hair. The weather has been so miserable lately that we had to do it in the utility room rather than the garden.

Sunspots - Monday July 31st 2023

Solar flux is 174 and the SSN 139. A=9 and K=1.

Digital Archive - amateur radio

 There is a vast archive of amateur radio material stored on-line.

See https://archive.org/details/dlarc?tab=collection .

Sunday breakfast - NOT amateur radio

Our younger son is here for a few days. He cooked breakfast this morning. Totally unhealthy, but great 😋😋. 

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Sunday)

My beacon has been on for about 50 minutes. So far, at 0930z, 2 stations has spotted me, one probably Es.

Stations spotting me at 1643z

UPDATE 1643z:  22 stations have spotted my 10m 500mW WSPR today.

UPDATE  1750z:  So far today 27 stations have spotted me. These are mostly Es.

6m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

My 2.5W to the omni V2000 vertical has been on for about 30 minutes. So far, spotted by 8 G stations with no Es.

UPDATE 1325z:  56 stations have spotted me today so far. 

Stations on 6m FT8 RX until 1412z

UPDATE 1412z:  A good day on 6m FT8 with my QRP being spotted by 63 stations around Europe with 73 stations spotted on RX including the USA and Canada.

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.