Sunspots - Thursday August 17th 2023

 Solar flux is 180 and the SSN 140.  A=8 and K=1.

ATS120 Receiver

This is a handheld radio available from AliExpress for less than £67. I have no idea how good it is. The Chinese will soon will be a real challenge to the Japanese in the years ahead. In my view the Chinese have more work to do on quality control, but they will get there.

Any ideas? - NOT amateur radio

Most definitely I am no flower expert! We saw this on our walk this morning. It had flowers about 5cm long. I expect some expert will say it is "common xxx" and they are widespread!! 

Wicken Fen walk - NOT amateur radio

One of our favourite walks is to Wicken Fen where we get a coffee and something to eat. At least the sun was shining today! 

10m 500mW WSPR TX

My 500mW 10m WSPR TX beacon has been on since about 0900z. At 1217z, 4 stations have spotted me

UPDATE 1555z: 38 unique stations have spotted me today.

8m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

Once again, I am on 8m QRP FT8. As the Es season is drawing to a close, it may be harder to get spots now.

UPDATE 1221z:  No spots.

UPDATE 1443z: Spotted by EA3ERE (1153km).

UPDATE 1619z: Spotted by 3 stations. (see map).

Sunspots - Wednesday August 16th 2023

 Solar flux is 158 and the SSN 107. A=4 and K=1.

Wild blackberries - NOT amateur radio

The ones in the photo were right next to our garden. Washed, they will be great with breakfast and in a crumble. 

Yet more? - NOT amateur radio

This is a vast housing development in our village. They have been "messing about" for years, but not a single house has been built! There are meant to be 350. Perhaps the single bricklayer has gone on a world cruise? 😁😉

8m this last few days

We are coming to the end of the main Es season here. In a few months, we should have F2 openings "across the pond".

Since returning to 8m. I average about 3 stations spotting me every day. The map shows the 8m stations spotting my 2.5W yesterday.