Optical DXing over the horizon

Some years ago, when I was fitter, I really used to enjoy going out in the car to experiment with non line-of-sight optical beaconing. I would set up my beacon at 481THz on my windowsill indoors and see if I could copy it over the horizon. Sadly my stroke ended these tests.  

The photo shows my beacon, that was connected to 100mm drain pipe and a Poundland lens.  The LED was bought off eBay. Latterly I bought some much brighter Phlatlights, but I never got around to using them before fate intervened.

I was always amazed how well my tiny signal was copied over the horizon. I presume this was clear air scattering as there were no clouds.

Solar cycle 25 peak?

My favourite site for solar data pushed into this year the peak of solar cycle 25. It was November 2023 for some time. I am wondering if this has to be adjusted yet again, based on the high solar activity this month? They take an average so the peak is always some months ahead of the month with the highest numbers.

See https://www.solen.info/solar/ .

European Es - promising?

After very good Es yesterday, things look quite promising today. Even though it is still early, there are quite a few spots even on the VHF bands like 4m.

See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ . 

UPDATE 1305z:  At the moment, Es in Europe looks at least as good as yesterday. See map.

Salcombe: last century - NOT amateur radio

This was where I lived as a young child. This photo was sometime in the last century.

10m 500mW WSPR TX

 Although my 10m QRP WSPR beacon has been on since before breakfast, no reports have been received.

UPDATE 1257z:  No spots of my 500mW 10m WSPR. I am quite surprised.

6m QRP FT8 (Monday)

 

Stations spotting me
on 6m FT8 today

My 6m QRP FT8 is on. So far, 19 stations have spotted me. See map.  This looks like Es.

UPDATE 1026z: Spotted by 29 stations. One QSO was with an Italian.

Stations spotted here
today on 6m FT8

UPDATE 1251z:  130 stations spotted here on 6m FT8 today.

UPDATE 2109z:   44 stations have spotted me.

Monday plans

 At the moment I plan to go on 6m QRP FT8 and QRP 10m WSPR.

I can’t imagine European Es being as good as yesterday.

Sunspots - July 29th

 Solar flux is 214 and the SSN 189. A=7 and K=2.

8m permanent allocations?

A few administrations have made an allocation to radio amateurs (the progressive ones?).  At the last count I think this was 6 administrations. Many more have allowed operation at around 8m outside the amateur radio service.

I hope many more come to their senses soon. As I have said many, many times, just 5kHz, narrow digital only, and QRP power amateur radio allocation would be a start and allow research. 

Why do radio amateurs in some countries have to pay to do research?

Am I alone in thinking the negative attitude of some PTTs is encouraging law breaking?  At least with licenced radio amateurs traceability is easy.  With my current T&I call I don't have to use a callsign or give my location, so traceability is non-existent. Talk about stupidity!!

A limited time (2 years around the sunspot peak?) amateur radio allocation at 8m with a strictly non-interference clause, with the limitations shown above, would surely cause no harm.

QMX/QMX+ firmware update

Steve G1KQH has informed me that there is a firmware update. As the changes do not really impact me, I shall not update my firmware this time. The upgrade does not add SSB.  Had it done so, I definitely would have upgraded!