Sunspots - Monday November 20th 2023

 Solar flux is 140 and the SSN 51. A=4 and K=2.

Middle East conflict - NOT amateur radio

What happened in Israel on October 7th was horrific. Whilst the revenge sought by Israel is understandable, one has to see the wider picture.

Just bombing the Gaza strip and denying many innocents the basic essentials of life just stokes yet more hatred. What is needed is justice on all sides. Arabs have to accept Israel's right to exist and Israel has to respect its Arab neighbours. This includes the Palestinians living in Gaza and the West Bank.

Hatred, where ever it comes from has no place in the world today. Everyone, of whatever race, colour or creed has the right to live in peace. We all have a duty to respect our differences .... peacefully.

Autumn signs - NOT amateur radio

Today is very dull and windy. This photo was taken a few days ago when the sun was shining. Most of the trees are now bare of leaves.

Broken hearts - NOT amateur radio

Our 16 year old grandson has just had his heart broken over a girl. We have all been there. At the time it feels like the world stops and nothing else matters. 

All we can do, as can his dad and mum, is love and listen without being judgemental. It is hard. Those teenage years are difficult ones.

10m 2.5W FT8 (Sunday)

Having given up on 6m FT8 (and 500uW 10m WSPR) I have QSYed to 10m QRP FT8. Within a few minutes I was spotted by 32 stations across the world. 86 stations have been spotted here.

UPDATE 1445z: 174 stations have spotted my 10m 2.5W FT8 today (see map). It is too easy!!

UPDATE 1615z: 253 stations have spotted my 10m 2.5W FT8 today. In 5 years' time this will seem remarkable when conditions are far worse. For now, enjoy!

630m QRP WSPR overnight

 

In all, 12 stations spotted my 10mW ERP WSPR overnight. No great DX, with all UK stations.

500uW 10m WSPR TX tests (Sunday)

 Yet again, my 10m WSPR TX beacon is on with the PA off.  According to my TinySA spectrum analyser the power out is about 500uW. No spots. As the power from the beacon is pre-programmed to say 0.5W, it will report this even when the output is 30dB lower.

6m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

My 6m FT8 gear (2.5W to a V2000 vertical omni) was turned on about 0940z. So far, absolutely nothing on RX or TX. I would have expected some activity on a Sunday morning if only a few local Gs. I checked that everything was correct: timing, SWR, frequency, antenna, co-ax,  WSJT-X restarted etc.   As far as I can tell, all is fine.

Sunspots - Sunday November 19th 2023

 Solar flux is 127 and the SSN 39. A=3 and K=0.

630m QRP WSPR (Saturday)

My 10mW ERP was turned on just before 1900z. Already several spots of me at 1910z.

UPDATE 1930z: According to PSK Reporter, I am currently the only UK station on 630m WSPR TX! 4 stations have spotted me so far this evening.

UPDATE 2010z:  6 stations have spotted me this evening.