Mostly Gs spotting my 2.5W but one station from S. Spain.
2 Sept 2023
1 Sept 2023
OFCOM publications
A reminder that every week OFCOM updates the data it holds on licences etc. They also have some new publications. See the OFCOM website.
Changing interests?
At one time, I got very excited about working new DXCC countries. A 2-way QSO with a DXCC entity with QRP was important to me. In recent years this aspect of our hobby has become far less important. 2-way voice QSOs are hard for me nowadays as my voice is poor following my 2013 stroke.
However, I suspect I am not alone, especially with those of "advancing years". To me, I am far more interested in beaconing using WSPR or FT8 and seeing where my signal is picked up. My favourite bands for this are 10m, 8m, 6m and 2m.
Although I still use FM (for local nets) and SSB (for 2m and 70cm contests) these aspects are now less important to me. I am far more interested in propagation research.
Fuel Prices - NOT amateur radio
Certainly in the UK, and I suspect elsewhere, fuel prices have been climbing up. Members of OPEC+ including Saudi Arabia and Russia are cutting production in the hope of stabilizing prices. Earlier this year prices were falling.
Those who use cars and vans for work are the hardest hit. Personally, I hope there is a competitive price war and prices are driven down.
Solar cycle peak still this year?
My favourite site for solar data was updated today. It still shows the peak of solar cycle 25 as November 2023. This is early and conditions of late were on the slide. Unless we get a higher peak we could already be on the downward slopes. As mentioned before, solar conditions could be good for several years still.
10m 500mW WSPR TX (Friday)
My beacon has been on since before breakfast, but no spots yet.
UPDATE 0959z: Just a single spot of me from Italy so far today.
UPDATE 1245z: Just 14 spots of me in total today. The Es season is well and truly over!
UPDATE 1604z: No further spots.
6m QRP FT8 (Friday)
My 2.5W 6m FT8 to the V2000 vertical omni was turned on just before breakfast. Already spotted by 8 stations with the furthermost DK8NE/6 (702km). Was this random MS? All the other spots were G.
UPDATE 1845z: 24 spots of me. I suspect the OH stations are Es.
UPDATE 1955z: OH7EBY (2107km) spotting my 2.5W to an omnivertical is not bad for September. QRT soon.
Sunspots - Friday September 1st 2023
Solar flux is 140 and the SSN 77. A=6 and K=3. Are we over the peak already?
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