Sunspots - Wednesday October 26th 2023

Solar flux is 126 and the SSN 26. A=4 and K=2.

Back on QRP 630m WSPR (Wednesday)

At about 1920z, I turned my 630m QRP WSPR. So far (at 1940z) UK spots.

UPDATE 2023z:  A good night so far with OH1LSQ (1733km) spotting me already.

Yorkshire parkin - NOT amateur radio

My wife has just made this delicious Yorkshire parkin. It is soft and squidgy made with ginger. It is great with cheese.

Real ham shack?

Many have asked me about how I match to my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground from my rig or 630m transverter. This is a 3C90 42mm toroid (I think I bought it from Farnell online years ago) and it is used on 630m, 160m and 80m.  So, I thought a photo would tell a thousand words. The meter is my antenna RF current meter used on 630m.

As you can tell, when the XYL is not looking, it is a real shack with plenty of mess!

Yaesu discounting

At least one UK retailer is making a "big thing" of Yaesu discounts. 

This may be the lead-up to end-of-year sales like "black Friday" and the Christmas holidays. Or it could be Yaesu is desperate to gain or hold on to market share.  

My view is that all Japanese manufacturers of amateur gear are going to struggle in the years ahead. Some customers have lots of faith and I hope I am very wrong.

End game? - NOT amateur radio

Like many, I have been appalled by recent events in the Middle East. Things carried out by both sides have been dreadful. One side is (understandably) out to reap revenge, but I fear far more innocent women, men and children will be killed or maimed for life across the whole Middle East.

It is likely that this bad feeling will continue well after I am pushing up daisies. Why, oh why, can't people respect others?!! They may be different, but we are still just human beings sharing one small planet.

It is not at all clear to me what the end game is.

1920s radio

This is a reproduction of a 1920's radio made a few years ago. It appeared on social media recently, but I cannot recall who made it. 

Neat job.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

Last night was one of my best nights ever on 630m with 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground with spots by 19 stations as the table shows. I was received yet again in Finland.

8m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

My 2.5W FT8 was turned on about 0845z, but no spots yet today (at 0900z).

UPDATE 1740z:  Just local G6KWA (22km) has spotted me today. On RX the furthermost spotted was ZS3/V51PJ (9081km).

10m QRP WSPR TX (Wednesday)

My 500mW 10m QRP WSPR TX beacon was turned on at about 0844z. So far, spotted by 2 stations by F2.

UPDATE 1737z:  37 stations have spotted me today.