4 Dec 2023

Minced pies - NOT amateur radio

In the run-up to Christmas nothing beats minced pies and a piece of cheese. My wife makes her own and these are so much better than shop ones, with thinner pastry. I roll out the pastry.

8m QRP FT8 (Monday)

At 1110z I QSYed to 8m FT8 with my 2.5W and dipole.

UPDATE 1450z:   No spots on TX. Just ZF1DM (7752km) on RX.

Me in the shack

 


This must have been a few years ago after a tidy-up. At the moment it is badly in need of a clean!!

630m FT8 overnight

Overnight (last 12 hours) my 10mW ERP 630m WSPR was spotted by 8 stations (see table). I think there was another station spotting me earlier. 

At the moment, I am still on 630m WSPR.

10m WSPR 500uW TX test - last day

Although I shall run my beacon at 500uW for another day, I shall probably go back to full power (500mW!!) tomorrow. Even with 500uW (0.5mW), it is enough to get some spots if conditions are good, even with my low antenna.

UPDATE 1242z:  No spots of me at 500uW (0.5mW).

Sunspots - Monday December 4th 2023

 Solar flux is 139 and the SSN 107.  A=11 and K=2.

3 Dec 2023

Why? - NOT amateur radio

As much as I think the massacre in Israel on October 7th was totally wrong, I cannot see long-term good coming out of the response. All that is achieved in the end is yet more hatred.

Although unsure of the answer, it surely has to be based on mutual respect and talking, not bombs. Many of my best friends are Jewish and I am sure they hate the present situation as much as I do.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-67605703 .

Hairpin bends - NOT amateur radio

Back in September we went on a trip to Montenegro. It was a great place to visit with some great scenery. 

We went up this road by coach (glad I only saw this afterwards!) and got some amazing views from the top.

500uW 10m WSPR TX (Sunday)

My QRPP tests continue.

UPDATE 1418z:  No spots today.

8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

 My 2.5W to the dipole was turned on at 1100z. So far, no spots.

UPDATE 1145z:  Although ZS3/V51PJ (9081km) has spotted me this morning, no QSO sadly.