Yesterday was a surprise with 2 spots of my 2.5W QRP from the Caribbean. My QRP FT8 is already on 40.680MHz (at 0930z). Who knows what today will bring?
UPDATE 1555z: No spots. I get the feeling there will be no spots today.
19 Dec 2023
18 Dec 2023
Reflections on 2023 and plans for 2024
Looking back on 2023, the stand-out things are my 8m QSOs with 2.5W and a dipole with stations in the Caribbean and my 0.5mW WSPR tests on 10m. At the moment, I have no firm plans for next year. What is clear is that I prefer WSPR and FT8. There are several reasons.
1. My voice is poor and it is a strain to talk.
2. DXCC was worked back in the 1980s with QRP SSB on 10m. DXCC is no longer a priority.
3. I prefer experimenting to just talking with stations.
4. One-way signals (looking on the internet to see when I am being received) are as important for me than two-way QSOs.
Everyone is different and I can totally understand that working DXCC and new countries is important to some. It is just that, for me, it is no longer important. When I was fitter going out in the wilds on 481THz or VLF was good fun. These days I try to do experiments from home.
United Ireland? - NOT amateur radio
It won't happen in my lifetime, but I can see Ireland and Ulster becoming united again at some point this century.
Power sharing has been suspended for 2 years because the DUP is not happy with the BREXIT deal. They are already the minority party. Over time, they will be even smaller as a result of the birth rate.
There will be some political fudge that ensures the Protestants in Ulster are safeguarded.
I have no strong views on this. All I want is peace and fairness for all.
8m QRP FT8 (Monday)
My 8m FT8 2.5W is currently on. No spots until 1330z (TX or RX).
As there is a small Es peak in mid winter, there is a chance of some European spots if there are people monitoring. I suspect there are fewer people monitoring at this time of year.
10m QRP WSPR TX (Monday)
My 500mW WSPR TX beacon is on and has already been spotted by 4 stations. The best suggests I might have been copied with the PA off.
UPDATE 1123z: I have reverted to 500uW as it was too easy at 500mW!! 😄😄
UPDATE 1730z: No spots at 500uW.
630m QRP WSPR overnight
In all, 14 stations spotted my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. No astounding DX, but it works and is invisible to XYL and neighbours.
Christmas - NOT amateur radio
The photo shows the installation outside.
17 Dec 2023
481 THz testing
For some reason, my XYL laughs when this appears. As a geek, I cannot understand why! 😉
It is some time since I did any serious work at optical frequencies. With the dark evenings I really should try.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
