630m QRP WSPR (Saturday)

 My 630m 10mW ERP WSPR has been spotted by 8 stations so far.

70cm

Years ago, there was plenty of activity on 70cm FM simplex. I had one of the first synthesised amateur rigs in the country. It was an FM321 based on the Australian UHF CB rig, the FM320. With an indoor UHF TV yagi and 4W much DX was worked on FM. It was very good.

These days, there is little activity apart from in contests. The map shows the contacts made with 10W SSB and my 2m omni antenna in a recent activity contest.

Openings on 70cm were localised, and often tropo openings were more frequent than on 2m. These days, with FT8, amazing distances can be covered. It is a great pity 70cm is so under-used.

Reach - NOT amateur radio

 Today we did a nice walk around the sleepy village of Reach. There has been a fair here since 1201.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

14 stations spotted my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. As on the previous night, the furthermost was Norway.

View of our back garden - NOT amateur radio

This is the view out of the window of our back garden. My shack has probably the best view down the garden.

Spooky - NOT amateur radio

 Most mornings I get an email from Amazon recommending certain things. Clearly this is done with an algorithm based on what you have looked at or bought.  This means "big brother" knows all about your browsing and buying habits.

It is sobering to think of all the sites (and governments) that have a host of data on all of us. Big brother indeed.

6m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

Once again, I am on 6m FT8 with my 2.5W and V2000 vertical omni antenna. At 1005z, 7 English stations have spotted me. On RX 3 English stations have been spotted.

The impression I am getting is that activity on 6m has picked up. Perhaps people are expecting some Es or TEP?

UPDATE 1014z: Still 7 English spots of me.

UPDATE 1456z:  16 stations have spotted me, including one in Sweden.

UPDATE 1857z:   19 stations have spotted me today. QSYing to 630m QRP WSPR shortly.

10m QRPP (Saturday)

Although I think spots are very unlikely today, I am again on 10m WSPR with 500uW (0.5mW). No spots at 1001z.

UPDATE 1421z:  It pays to set expectations low. Two spots of my 500uW (0.5mW) when I was not expecting any! I shall remain at 500uW on 10m WSPR all day.

Sunspots - Saturday March 16th

 Solar flux is 129 and the SSN 49.  A=8 and K=0.

630m QRP WSPR (Friday)

As is my usual pattern, I have QSYed to 630m WSPR with my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

UPDATE 1935z:  4 stations in England have spotted me. 

UPDATE 2030z:  6 stations have spotted me so far this evening (see table).