Sunspots - Saturday February 10th

 Solar flux is 183 and the SSN 105. A=6 and K=1.

OK, I am a masochist! 500uW (0.5mW) 10m WSPR (Friday)

As 500mW 10m WSPR TX was proving too easy, I have turned off the beacon PA again. After 1115z, my power is now 500uW again.

UPDATE 1522z:   No spots at 500uW. I think tomorrow I shall do more tests at 10mW ERP. This time, I shall use the 500mW beacon TX with a 17dB attenuator, so the FT817ND is free for other things.

6m QRP FT8 (Friday)

My 2.5W 6m FT8 to the V2000 vertical omni antenna was tuned on. So far, 4 Gs have spotted me. 

UPDATE 1255z:   DX stations are spotting my QRP with spots from Germany (near Hamburg) and the Netherlands. 9 stations spotting me.

UPDATE 1526z:  13 stations have spotted me. One QSO attempted and successful.

10m WSPR TX Friday at 500mW (QRO for me!!)

As 500uW 10m WSPR was proving impossible, I turned on the beacon PA, so the output was 500mW. 7 stations have spotted me! It is so much easier at 500mW! 

UPDATE 1105z:   13 stations have spotted me at 500mW.

UPDATE 1112z:  14 stations have now spotted my 500mW WSPR.  500uW seems too low unless conditions are exceptional, whereas 10mW seems far better. 500mW seems like really high power!

630m QRP WSPR overnight

Although no great DX, 26 stations spotted my 10mW ERP WSPR from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

Amaryllis - NOT amateur radio

We like watching these growing at this time of year. We have several in various stages with one that has 3 flowers (see photo).

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.