8m QRP FT8 (Monday)

 My 2.5w system was turned on at about 1503z. So far just local spots.

UK Home Secretary - NOT amateur radio

The UK Home Secretary was Suella Braverman. She has been sacked according to the BBC website. The job of Home Secretary is a most important one needing someone in the position who gains the respect of all the people with whom this person interacts.

SDR

One of my aims today is to get my software defined radio (SDR) installed and working on my shack PC. I have to install drivers and suitable SDR software.

UPDATE  2200z: Did not do the SDR drivers. Maybe tomorrow?

630m QRP WSPR overnight

Overnight, 9 stations spotted my 10mW ERP WSPR from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground including (again) OH1LSQ (1733km).  I am still amazed how few UK TX stations there are on the band.

Sunspots - Monday November 13th 2023

 Solar flux is 137 and the SSN 78. A=10 and K=1.

Current solar conditions

Although I am far from an expert on this sort of thing, I suspect we have now passed the solar maximum in this cycle. Sunspot numbers and solar flux have been lower than past months. Usually, the solar maximum is averaged over several months, so the actual peak cannot be known until we are well over the peak.

Certainly MUFs have been high and my 2.5W 8m FT8 makes it to the USA, Canada or the Caribbean most days. Some amazing DX has been worked on 6m too. 

Solar conditions are currently very good on average. As I have mentioned before, solar conditions could be good for several years to come. With FT8 we could well find the higher HF bands are good for some while yet.

See https://www.solen.info/solar/.

630m QRP WSPR (Sunday)

My 10mW ERP 630m WSPR was turned on at about 1615z. So far, at 1645z, spotted by 3 UK stations. Furthermost spots are by G8HUH (250km).

The Middle East - NOT amateur radio

The outcome of the current war is unclear. Israel as a nation has clearly been deeply traumatised by the events of October 7th and wants this never to be repeated. I think most nations would feel the same. 

At the same time, children, babies and civilians are being maimed  or killed every day. No sane person would think this acceptable "collateral damage".

In my view, the only long term outcome is a mutual acceptance that everyone has right to worship whomsoever they choose and a right to live in peace and harmony with neighbouring states. The present dispute has roots that go back a long way.

Leaves - NOT amateur radio

At this time of year the garden looks dead. Leaves are falling off trees, the grass is wet and all looks, well,  past it. We swept up a bin full of leaves this morning, but there will be a lot more in a couple of weeks. I look forward to seeing bulbs pushing through and signs of new life. 

At first, we have to accept that things are asleep following cycles that have been the same for thousands of years.

Basically I like the seasons.

See https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44400/spring-and-fall .  This poem  by Gerard Manley Hopkins to me says so very much.

8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

 My 2.5W to the dipole was turned on about 1140z. No spots yet today.

UPDATE 1347z: 3 stations have spotted me today including WP4G (6804km) in Puerto Rico, Caribbean. At the moment, I am getting "across the pond" spots almost every day on 8m FT8 despite my 2.5W.

UPDATE 1425z:  ZR1ADI (9777km) spotted on RX.

UPDATE 1500z:  4 spots of my 2.5W 8m FT8 today, including 2 in the Caribbean.