PSKreporter

When I go on FT8, I usually check PSKreporter maps to see if anyone has received me. Some people report spotting, but these sometimes do not appear on PSKreporter. There can be a number of reasons.

PSKreporter might be down, the internet link from the reporter to PSKreporter may be down, PSKreporter may have a delay. There may be other reasons too.

All I am saying is PSKreporter is not infallible. Just because you are not reported does not mean you are not being received far away.

Blackberry picking - NOT amateur radio

For breakfast this morning I picked some fresh, wild blackberries. They are on some bushes about 20m away. With other fruit they were delicious. I guess there are enough for several days. 

Later we hope to go to the next village. With luck these blackberries should be ripe ..... assuming nobody else has picked them all!

UPDATE 1403z: We went blackberry picking at Reach just before lunch. There were thousands. Plenty for another day. 

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.