630m QRP WSPR (Friday)

My 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground was turned on about 1855z. So far, 2 UK stations have spotted me.

Black Friday "deals" - NOT amateur radio

In recent years we have seen this import from the USA. I think the original idea was to make consumers buy things over a longer period. Just now I looked on the Asus website for deals and, quite frankly, I think consumers are being taken for a ride.

As a "boring old fart" (BOF) I think this whole "Black Friday" thing is stupid, and this is one more import from the USA that they can willingly have back. 

I am sure it is aimed more at the seller than the consumer. Retail outlets are having a hard time and their business models have to change to compete with online sellers.

However, Black Friday is one innovation we can do without.

Leonid meteor shower

This peaks about now. I have no idea how good it is as an MS propagation mode. What usually happens is the trail causes ionisation that reflects VHF signals.

See https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/leonid-meteor-shower-when-and-where-see-it-uk

10m QRP FT8 (Friday)

 As 8m was poor, I have QSYed to 10m FT8 with 2.5W and my end-fed antenna. The switch was made at 1506z.

UPDATE 1527z:  5 stations have spotted me and I have spotted 112 stations already.

UPDATE 1655z:  35 stations have spotted me and I have spotted 443 stations.

Stations spotting me today on 10m FT8 with 2.5W

UPDATE 1830z:   614 stations have been spotted here on 10m FT8 RX.

8m QRP FT8 (Friday)

My 2.5W was turned on at about 1400z. No spots. 

Rural England - NOT amateur radio

Many think of England as a crowded country, but there are plenty of very nice places. As an example, this is the village of Lode near Cambridge. This is the village cricket green.

630m WSPR (Friday AM)

Probably for the morning, I am sticking with 630m 10mW ERP WSPR rather than trying 8m QRP FT8. In the last hour, 3 English stations have spotted me.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Friday)

My 500mW 10m WSPR TX beacon is back on 500mW with the PA turned on. It is interesting that the reports today suggest 500uW would not be spotted i.e. with the PA turned off. At the moment, I have decided to stick with 630m WSPR and not go on 8m FT8.

UPDATE 1414z:  34 stations have spotted me today on 10m WSPR.

Autumn has arrived - NOT amateur radio

In the last few days autumn has suddenly arrived. A few weeks ago the trees were largely green. Now most are bare. 

This was our local churchyard earlier.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

 

13 stations spotted me overnight including OH1LSQ (1733km) 3 times.