5 Oct 2023

10m QRP WSPR TX (Thursday)

 My 500mW 10m WSPR TX beacon was turned on at about 0800z. At 0824z, no spots.

UPDATE 1635z:  21 stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR today. There were fewer USA stations spotting me.

8m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

 At about 0800z, I turned on my gear on 40.680 MHz.

UPDATE 0824z: Just spots by local G4WSZ (12km) so far.

UPDATE 1558z: 2 spots of me today - a local and S59F (1205km). On RX I also spotted RW6HP, but waiting to hear if he is genuine. Spotted in S.Portugal by HC02 yesterday again.

Sunspots - Thursday October 5th 2023

 Solar flux is 155 and the SSN 151. A=10 and K=5.

4 Oct 2023

630m WSPR RX (Wednesday)


So far, a couple of stations spotted although I only turned about 2000z.



UPDATE 2141z:
  6 stations have been spotted so far this evening.

Tree cutting day - NOT amateur radio

 

We had our local tree surgery out to do some trimming of our trees and a hedge. They grow very fast!

8m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

My 2.5W was turned on at about 0800z.  No spots. 

Looking at the reports local G4WSZ is getting, I think his system is about 3-4dB better than mine. He is getting better reports from South Africa. This could be several things: more sensitive RX, better/higher antenna, antenna directivity. Whatever, I hope Steve spots many more.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Wednesday)

My 500mW WSPR TX beacon was turned on at about 0800z. No spots yet. 

UPDATE 0829z: It helps if you look for spots of my TX signal on WSPRnet and not signals on RX!! I had forgotten I was on 630m WSPR RX last night. Switching to spots of my TX, there are 3 spots (Canaries and a local).


UPDATE 1148z: 
As we are having some tree work done, I have turned off the PA and disconnected the antenna for the 10m WSPR beacon. Once this work is done, I shall reconnect these. 4 stations spotted me this morning (see table).

UPDATE 1725z:  After the tree surgery was completed, I reconnected my 10m WSPR TX beacon and antenna. Just FY5KE (7110km) spotted me additionally.

Wednesday plans

My current plans are QRP 8m FT8 and 10m QRP WSPR TX with the 500mW WSPR TX beacon. 

Sunspots - Wednesday October 4th 2023

Solar flux is 154 and the SSN 150. A=8 and K=2. 

3 Oct 2023

2m activity contest (UKAC)

Tonight is the 2m monthly activity contest (UKAC) organised by the RSGB. After 4 QSOs with my 10W and omni (and poor voice!) I gave up! Conditions seemed up, but with my QRP it was too hard.