10m 500mW WSPR (Wednesday)

So far today, at 0905z, my little 10m WSPR beacon has been spotted by 2 stations with the furthermost EA8BFK (2880km).

I am wondering how many are now using other modes instead of WSPR like FSW4? Sadly I can only do WSPR with my beacon TX.

UPDATE 1734z:  Spotted by 14 stations. See table.

6m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

My 2.5W FT8 was turned on about 0840z. I immediately was called by EI3GG/P on the west coast of Ireland. (IO43).  We had a QSO.

UPDATE 1730z:  So far, spotted by 45 stations. See map. I am intrigued that Scandinavian stations seem more common later in the season. I have speculated about this before.

What is good about the UK - NOT amateur radio

 In the press in the last few days we have seen a lot about a few thugs but little about what makes the UK such a desirable place to live. We are, on the whole, a very tolerant and welcoming country and wish everyone well .

This photo is doing the rounds and better reflects how the VAST majority of UK people are.

Plans for Wednesday

I expect to be on 10m QRP WSPR and QRP 6m FT8 later.

8m QRP yesterday

 Yesterday I was on 8m FT8 for several hours . Although I spotted an EA, nobody spotted me.

Sunspots - Wednesday August 7th

 Solar flux is 270 and the SSN is 222. A=6 and K=1.

Ukraine, Gaza and BBC News - NOT amateur radio

The Middle East is on the brink of all-out war and the Ukraine conflict goes on. Yet on the BBC news headline pages neither is mentioned! Instead, they concentrate on the thugs rioting in the UK.

I am used to the news in the USA seemingly worrying about what happens in their own state at the expense of the next state and the world, but I am appalled by this from the BBC.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news .

Grandson - NOT amateur radio

Grandsons have their uses!  

In the last few days one of our grandsons has trimmed a hedge and creosoted (safe substitute!) our garden shed. 

Both were harder than we first thought.

8m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

 At the moment I am on 40.680 MHz QRP FT8. No spots.

UPDATE 1215z:  No spots of me, but 19 stations monitoring, which is good. Just EA3HDZ (1213km) spotted so far.

Microvert antenna

A lot of people are interested in this tiny antenna. 

It is well suited to those frequently on the move or who have antenna restrictions. As with all compact antennas do not expect miracles, but it is not so far down on a dipole that it is not capable of working some decent DX, especially with digital modes. 

It is supposed to be only 1-2 S points down on a dipole. The photo from the PDF shows how compact it is.

See https://www.dc4fs.de/microvert.pdf .