Sunspots - Friday February 9th

 Solar flux is 185 and the SSN 149.  A=5 and K=0.

Sunday rally

 The following rally has been notified to me. Sorry but I do not have any contact details and always adise contacting before travelling far.

Sunday February 11th - MIDCARS Radioactive Rally, Nantwich, CW5 5DG

2013 at the old QTH

The photo shows me busy in 2013 at the back of the garage at the old QTH.

At the old QTH the operating was done in our grandson's bedroom and building at the back of the garage. 

These days I have a dedicated shack for building and operating .... but the building bit is rarely used!!

Glutton for punishment? - 500uW 10m WSPR (Thursday)

Yet again, I am on 10m WSPR with just 500uW (0.5mW). I am not really expecting spots again, as conditions have to be exceptionally good for this to work .... but you never know!!

UPDATE 1720z:  No spots all day.

6m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

 My 2.5W to the V2000 vertical omni antenna is turned on. After about an hour 2 stations have spotted me on FT8.

UPDATE 1725z:  18 stations have spotted me (see map) with the furthermost DF6HT (806km).

Sunspots - Thursday February 8th

 Solar flux is 188 and the SSN 164.  A=4 and K=1

St Ives near Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

Few people think of the attractive town of St Ives not far from Cambridge. If you live in the UK, you probably think of St Ives in Cornwall.

For us, it is a free guided bus ride from Cambridge of about 20 minutes. The guided bus uses the route of the old Cambridge-St Ives branch railway. The buses run quite fast on special concrete tracks in quiet countryside with no traffic.

Wrong side of history? - NOT amateur radio

This evening, I heard that Mr Netanyahu had rejected the truce proposals in Gaza. I am no expert on the history of the Middle East, but I am sure his response to the appalling events on October 7th will win him and Israel no friends. Until there is a fair and lasting settlement there can be no peace.

In the meantime innocents are killed or maimed. Sadness goes on. Surely the only fair outcome cannot be won by bullets and weapons. 

What I find puzzling is why the USA and UK seem so pro Israel and passive about the people of Gaza. Surely the USA and UK should be working overtime to seek a just peace, or Israel never ever gets support in the future.  Recognising Palestine would be a start.

2m FT8 UKAC activity contest

 At 1900z, the RSGB 2m FT8 activity contest is being held. Already, there is a contest on in Europe, so the 2m FT8 segment is already busy.

UPDATE 2042z:  Over 50 stations in 6 countries spotted and several QSOs made.

UPDATE 2142z: 73 stations spotted as the map shows. I am pretty sure conditions were not "up" and this is normal with FT8. Remember, the antenna is just a big-wheel omni, with no beams!

Old friends - NOT amateur radio

 

Yesterday we met old university friends. I must be old!!