Solar flux is 166 and the SSN 132. A=3 and K=2.
7 Jul 2024
6 Jul 2024
Peterborough Cathedral - NOT amateur radio
The photo collage shows Peterborough Cathedral on Thursday.
8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)
As 10m was open to Iberia, I thought I would try 8m QRP FT8. At 1719z, no spots.
UPDATE 1628z: Spotted by EA7KBX (1661km). No QSOs.
Pathfinders - NOT amateur radio
My dad died in 1987, long after WW2. He lived a quiet life in the years before he died. In his life he rarely talked about his experiences in the war and my biggest regret was not trying to understand just how frightening this must have been.
I am pretty sure he did not like the war. However, he became a pathfinder flying night raids over Germany in Lancasters. In recent years I have found out just how brave these elite airmen were. Night after night they flew not knowing if they would be killed or captured. After the war the knowledge that many innocent men, women and children just like him must have died as a result must have haunted him. No wonder he did not want to talk about those dark days!
Recently I have been introduced to a book called "The Pathfinders" by Will Iredale that shows the story behind the formation of this group.The book is available from Amazon and other booksellers.
Wars achieve very little for most ordinary folk who just want to live in peace. I am pretty sure this was how my dad felt, but he had no choice.
10m QRP FT8 with the QMX+ (Saturday)
Although my 10m FT8 RX is currently deaf, my TX is working just fine, so I have QSYed to 10m FT8. At 1432z, my QRP 10m FT8 has been spotted by just 2 G stations. On RX, despite being deaf, a 7Q6 in Malawi, several EU stations and one in the Gulf have been spotted.
In past sunspot maximum years, I would have been a keen SSB operator, whereas now I am almost exclusively on FT8 or WSPR and not chasing DX.
UPDATE 1700z: My furthermost on 10m QRP FT8 TX today with the QMX+ is TR8CA (5820km) in Gabon. Much to my surprise with my 10m FT8 RX audio still being in the red on WSJT-X, I have spotted 53 stations today on 10m FT8 RX.
15m QRP FT8 (Saturday)
So far today my 15m QRP FT8 has been spotted by 156 stations worldwide (see photo) with the QMX+ transceiver.
UPDATE 1348z: 233 stations across the world have spotted my QRP 15m FT8 today.
Peterborough lunch - NOT amateur radio
As usual we were not disappointed. I like that service charge is added to the bill so there is no messing about with tips. I hate having to add this on and wonder how much to give. This way all staff get a share. The photo shows my starter.
QMX+ bug?
In most respects I am very pleased with my built QMX+ from QRP labs. It represents good value for money and does "what is says on the tin" well. Mine has been used exclusively on FT8 with WSJT-X with a Windows 10 PC.
This morning my 15m QRP FT8 was spotted in Japan. My antenna is just a Par endfed.
It works fine on all the bands I have tried, but I may have a bug!
On FT8 RX with WSJT-X the RX audio is fine on the lower bands, but seems too low on the higher HF bands remaining in the red on WSJT-X on all bands above 15m. It is as if the RX audio on digital modes from the QMX+ is too low. Just occasionally it just makes green on 10m FT8 RX, but this seems "flaky".
All PC settings are on maximum. I am not sure if this is adjustable inside the box or can be fixed in the firmware/software. I am hoping there is something I can do to fix this.
VHF NFD 2024
In the UK VHF NFD is this weekend. It is a pity the weather is wet here! This is a chance to work some new squares on the VHF/UHF bands up to 23cm as activity can be good.
See https://www.rsgbcc.org/vhf/rules/2024/VHFNFD.shtml.
UPDATE 1422z: The impression I am getting is that activity is down. This may be due to the poor weather in this part of the UK or just that SSB is less popular than it once was. Local noise levels are higher too.
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