What IS it? - NOT amateur radio

This soft and squishy blob about 6cm across appeared on our drive this morning. I have no idea what it is. I said to my wife that if little green men appear tell them we are friendly. 

I am sure there is a much more rational answer.

472 kHz WSPR

This autumn, I intend to try 472 kHz WSPR again. I had a problem last season which prevented me TXing. Once again I shall be using my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Probably RX only at first to check activity. I might try RX only tonight.

UPDATE 1925z:  When using the shack PC WSPRnet asked me to log in again and enter my password, which I cannot recall, so I am getting a new one.  I may try 472 kHz WSPR RX tomorrow night instead.

UPDATE 1956z:  It works! I had the wrong username (now corrected), so I am monitoring 472 kHz WSPR.  So far, G1GKN (54km) spotted using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

UPDATE 2013z: Furthermost on 472 kHz WSPR RX is DC0DX (467km).

UPDATE 2037z:  3 unique stations spotted so far this evening. 

UPDATE 2130z: After late evening in previous years 472kHz WSPR has not been productive. As this is my first time on the band for some time, I may let the RX stay on overnight to see what is spotted. 

8m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

All morning I have been on 40.680 MHz FT8 with my 2.5W and dipole. At 1133z no spots on RX or TX.

UPDATE 1434z: Still no spots.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Thursday)

Since about 0830z, my QRP 10m WSPR TX beacon has been on the air.

UPDATE 1130z: 4 stations have spotted me. The DX stations look like F2 propagation.

UPDATE 1952z:  10 stations spotted my 500mW WSPR beacon today with the furthermost in Antarctica.

Sunspots - Thursday September 21st 2023

 Solar flux is 156 and the SSN 159. A=16 and K=2. 

1980s "shack"

Whilst trying to find something else, I came across this old photo of my radio gear. It must be about 1985. My shack was just a desk in our bedroom!  The grey handheld is a 2m SSB MX2 and the CB radio was converted to 10m FM. The black vertical radio is a 2m ICOM IC202 used on 2m and 10m QRP via a homebrew 1W transverter.

8m QRP FT8

My 2.5W to the dipole was turned on at 0854z. No spots after 25 minutes. 

UPDATE 1748z: Disappointing, with no spots on TX or RX all day.

10m QRP WSPR TX

My 500mW 10m WSPR beacon was turned on at 0854z. After about 20 minutes just spots from local G4KPX (14km). 

UPDATE 1015z:  4 stations have spotted me.

UPDATE  1613z: 5 stations have spotted me today.

Training ship - NOT amateur radio

We saw this last week in Porto Montenegro (Tivat) on holiday. 

Sunspots - Wednesday September 20th 2023

Solar flux is 166 and the SSN 143. A=49 and K=3 .