17 Sept 2023

Sunspots - Sunday September 17th 2023

Solar flux is 140 and the SSN 88. S=7 and K=3.

16 Sept 2023

4m disappointing

 Earlier this year I went on 4m FT8 both before the Es season and during the Es season using my FT-710 that I owned at the time.

Overall, I was disappointed. Yes, when there was Es DX could be had. However when there was no Es activity was poor.


Vesuvius 2017 - NOT amateur radio


This photo shows a brooding Vesuvius in 2017. We visited Pompeii in 2017. What stuck me most was how similar life was back then. Yes, there were differences, but I did not expect to see takeaway shops for example, nearly 2000 years ago! 

In the mountains - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday we moved from the coast of Montenegro inland to the mountains via long, deep, valleys . 


We also went on Lake Skadar and had lunch on an island. 

OFCOM reminder

Every week OFCOM updates the data it holds on licences. There are several new publications too. See the OFCOM website for more information. 

Where I grew up as a child - NOT amateur radio


Salcombe, where I spent my childhood, is to the left of this photo. 

Sunspots - Saturday September 16th 2023

Solar flux is 139 and the SSN 96. A=7 and K=2.

15 Sept 2023

F2 and 8m

 Last winter my 2.5W 8m FT8 was copied "across the pond" on several occasions. This season should be at least as good. We may even see some E-W F2 openings on 6m FT8. The F2 season should start in earnest in the next few weeks. 

Budva harbour, Montenegro - NOT amateur radio


There is something relaxing about watching boats bobbing up and down in the water. This was yesterday. 

AI (artificial intelligence) - NOT amateur radio

Until this year most would not know what AI meant. In the last 9 months this has changed and most are aware of what it means.

In the next 20 years it could have a profound impact on all of us.