Sunspots - Friday September 22nd 2023

 Solar flux is 168 and the SSN 159. A=10 and K=2. 

UK Prime Minister on climate change targets - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday, the UK Prime Minister announced that some climate change targets were being pushed back 5 years. With high interest rates and high cost of living costs, many are struggling. However, I think this is a backward step. It is true that some technologies are not yet there. Storage of renewable energy and cheaper (non-lithium) batteries for electric cars come to mind. As far as I know there was nothing on home insulation that would reduce costs with any fuels.

If the UK is to lead in renewable energy, this needs serious investment, not pandering to Tory backbenchers and fossil fuel companies.

Before this is likely to be a serious issue, I shall be dead. However my children and their children will suffer the consequences. Better renewable energy storage, solid state batteries and better ranges on cheaper electric cars are all likely. Carbon capture may help.

Overall, I am disappointed. There is so much more that can be done. Make no mistake, this really is an existential threat to the whole human race. We ignore this at our peril.

Hopefully, technology will help and there will be a mass transition away from fossil fuels, but this is far from certain.

Upcoming rallies

The following rallies are due. I always advise contacting to check details are correct. All are on Sunday September 24th (Sunday coming).

• Hack Green Military Surplus and Military Radio Hangar Sale, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 8AL.  Contact coldwar@hackgreen.co.uk. 
• Bury St Edmunds Radio Rally, Roughham Tower, IP32 7QB.  Contact rally2023@Bsears.co.uk .
• Weston Super Mare Radio Society 8th Radio and Electronics Rally, Worle, BS24 7DX. Contact westonradiosociety@gmail.com .
• Biggleswade Swap-meet and auction (BVWS), Biggleswade, SG18 8JH . Contact Jezzer3@hotmail.com .

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.