Sunspots - Thursday February 15th

 Solar flux is 184 and the SSN 123. A=7 and K=1.

630m QRP WSPR (Wednesday)

My 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground is on and will be on overnight.

At 2204z,  17 stations have spotted me with the furthermost LA1TN (1305km).

70cm FT8 activity contest (Wednesday)

This evening is the 70cm FT8 activity contest. The map shows the stations spotted by 2036z. On TX (2.5W), I worked one local and was called by another station but we were unable to complete. This is with a 2m big-wheel omni antenna and no beams.

As far as I know, conditions are normal. It amazes me how well 70cm FT8 works.

With my brother - NOT amateur radio

This was me with my brother in 2017 outside our home. You can see "our" windmill next door in the background.

My hair did not last long! - NOT amateur radio

My wife came across this photo of me today. It shows me at a junior school sports day, in 1959 I think. My hair was hardly there as a baby and had gone in my early 20s.

70cm SSB/CW activity contest yesterday

Yesterday was the UKAC SSB/CW activity contest organised by the RSGB. I did not stop on for long - even less than usual. 2 stations were worked, but I soon gave up. The FT8 contest seems much more popular.

500uW 10m WSPR again

My 10m 500uW (0.5mW) WSPR beacon is on again. No spots yet, although 2 DX stations have spotted me with this miniscule power in the last few days.

UPDATE 2115z:  No spots today.

Bracket fungus - NOT amateur radio

We saw this on Monday on a log at Hare Park, Chippenham, near Cambridge.  It is called a bracket fungus and is about 20cm across. It looks like a flat disc.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

My 10mW ERP WSPR from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground was on again overnight. 21 stations spotted me (see table).

In the last 2 weeks on 630m QRP WSPR, 48 stations have spotted me with the furthermost LA1TN (1305km). It works!!

Sunspots - Wednesday February 14th

Solar flux is 195 and the SSN 122.  A=10 and K=1.