Beautiful sky - NOT amateur radio

Who would ever thought electricity pylons could be beautiful?  This was posted this morning by one of my friends on 365project, where a picture is posted every day. I have done it now for over 10 years.

8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

My 8m 2.5W FT8 was turned on about 20 minutes ago as there are several people monitoring across Europe. No spots yet.

UPDATE 1345z: No spots. 

10m QRP WSPR (Sunday)

My 10m 500mW WSPR TX beacon has been on since before breakfast. 3 stations have spotted me. These look like Es.

UPDATE 0914z:   Now spotted in the Canary Is as well. 6 stations spotting me.

European Es (Sunday)

At  the moment, there is quite good Es in Europe. It is 0823z. I hope it lasts!

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

6m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

My 2.5W to the V2000 vertical omni antenna was turned on just after 0600z this morning. Plenty of Es with my QRP spotted by 12 stations including several in southern Europe. I have since QSYed to 8m.

Sunspots - Sunday September 3rd 2023

 Solar flux is 131 and the SSN 77. A=38 and K=3.

Sunday plans

At the moment, it would appear most propagation on 10m is F2. Just occasionally there is a burst of Es, but it is far rarer than a few months ago.

My plans for tomorrow are 500mW beaconing on 10m WSPR TX and 6m QRP FT8. If thing look really promising, I may try 8m QRP FT8.

Incidentally, Belgian Class A stations have now got access to 8m.   I hope to be copied in Belgium and spot some Belgians, probably by tropo. I hope many administrations follow suit.

Slippery - NOT amateur radio

 

This was seen on our walk earlier. It was about 5cm long. 

September swift - NOT amateur radio

Today, with lots of young swallows, I saw one late swift. I think this is the latest I have ever seen one in the UK. Most have now gone. 

8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

At 1103z I QSYed to 8m FT8 QRP on 40.680 MHz. No spots. 

UPDATE 2042z:   QRT with no 8m spots all day. I think I shall concentrate on QRP 6m FT8 unless there are clear signs of Es about. 8m has too few monitors, which is a shame.