Sunspots - Thursday October 19th 2023

 Solar flux is 135 and the SSN 54. A=9 and K=2.

630m QRP WSPR (Thursday evening)

 

My QRP has been on this evening. The map shows where I have been spotted. 

AI - I HATE it!!! - NOT amateur radio

At one time you could speak with a human. 

I have just wasted 90 minutes of my life trying to ask my SIM only service provider how to transfer numbers when I upgrade my mobile phones. After 3 humans and several AI robots, I have given up. 

All I wanted to know was how? A human could have told me in 60 seconds.

Maybe I shall go somewhere else?

630m WSPR TX overnight

Last evening and overnight I was on 630m WSPR TX with my home-designed transverter into the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. A few years ago the measured ERP was 10mW. The transverter produces about 12W into a 50 ohm load. 17 stations spotted me (see table) with OH1LSQ (1733km) spotting me 9 times!

10m QRP WSPR TX (Thursday)

My 500mW 10m WSPR TX beacon has been on this morning and already (at 1054z) spotted by 11 stations (see table).

UPDATE 1143z:  Spotted by 60 stations.

UPDATE 1805z: Spotted by 65 stations today.

8m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

 My QRP 8m FT8 was turned on this morning. G4WSZ (12km) has spotted me on TX and I have spotted ZR1ADI (9777km) on RX.

UPDATE 1640z:  5 stations have spotted me with the furthermost ZF1EJ (7761km)

Sunspots - Wednesday October 18th 2023

Solar flux is 137 and the SSN 57. A=3 and K=2. 

Disinformation - NOT amateur radio

One of the troubles in wars is disinformation.

You simply do not know what to believe as each side modifies claims to suit their propaganda. It is always worth being somewhat skeptical and checking the facts from several sources.

On the face of it, it would seem Israel created a huge blunder by bombing a hospital in Gaza. If true, this looks totally stupid and tragic with innocent men women and children killed in hundreds and many maimed. The Israel IDF is now claiming it was not them.  Clearly Israel is traumatised by recent events, but this is unbelievably stupid and a war crime, whoever is responsible.

It would be better to drop food and water, rather than bombs.

630m QRP WSPR (Tuesday)

 At 1742z I QSYed to 630m WSPR.  So far, spotted by 6 stations, all in the UK. 

UPDATE 1945z:   3 stations spotted on RX with the furthermost DF4PV (597km) and 7 stations have spotted me with the furthermost GM3YXM (425km). It is very pleasing to be back on 630m WSPR TX. Last season, I was RX only.

Scaffolding - NOT amateur radio

At the moment, a lot King's College, Cambridge is covered in scaffolding. Imagine coming half way around the world to see the famous King's College Chapel looks a right mess outside! The photo shows the entrance to King's College.