15 stations spotted my 10mW ERP overnight. No great DX.
16 Jan 2024
High MUF
We are close to the peak, possibly just over it, of solar cycle 25. Yesterday, in some parts of the world, the MUF was over 42 MHz. In the depths of the next solar minimum we will look back with disbelief.
See https://prop.kc2g.com/ .
It can only get better!
The results of the first 2m activity contest (UKAC) organised by the RSGB have been published. I am at the very bottom of the low power section. As I said, things can only get better, HI!!
15 Jan 2024
630m QRP WSPR
My 10mW ERP 630m WSPR was turned on at teatime. So far (at 1830z) 8 stations have spotted me.
UPDATE 1910z: 11 stations have spotted me in the last hour (see table). The furthermost is EI0CF (602km).
Through the glass - NOT amateur radio
Elections - NOT amateur radio
2024 is a year of elections.
In the USA, Mr Trump is on record as saying, "Mr Putin is a genius".
In Taiwan, an election has just been held.
In the UK, an election is very likely this year. In the UK, the Conservative Party won an overwhelming majority in the last election. At the moment, the opposition Labour Party is expected to win. I suspect the majority will be smaller than recent polls suggest.
8m QRP FT8 (Monday)
HF F2 propagation is looking good, so I am hopeful that I shall get some transatlantic spots again soon on 8m FT8 with my 2.5W and low dipole. Better equipped stations seem to be getting across the Atlantic regularly. I guess their ERPs are 10dB up on me, which could make quite a difference. I intentionally want to see how QRP performs. It would appear it is much like 10m if the MUF is high enough.
At the moment, my inclination is to apply for a new UK 8m TX permit when my current one runs out in April. I object to having to pay, but I think the experiment is worthwhile.
In the 2025 Es season I may concentrate on unlicenced WSPR activity with 10mW ERP, but that is some way off still. Who knows, we might have a tiny 8m amateur band in the UK by then!!
UPDATE 1156z: At some point, I might try a modified CB vertical on 8m. I hope to get this up before the 2024 Es season.
UPDATE 1423z: No spots all day.
UPDATE 1536z: ZF1EJ (7761km) has spotted me. This is my first transatlantic 8m FT8 spot this year.
500uW (0.5mW) 10m WSPR TX (Monday)
My beacon is on, but no spots. A reminder that the power was verified with my TinySA. I am surprised that even with this tiny power, it is regularly spotted at great distance.
UPDATE 1134z: 3 spots from the Canary Islands by EA8BFK (2880km). I think this is single hop F2.
Norwich museum exhibit - NOT amateur radio
It is interesting that, although we have no intention of moving, Norwich is a city we could live in. It has a nice feel.
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