Saturday plans

 Assuming the thunder stays away, I plan to go on 10m QRP WSPR and 6m QRP FT8.

Sunspots - Saturday August 31st

 Solar flux is 214 and the SSN 143. A=23 and K=4.

Italy legally on 8m

It has come to my attention that Italian amateurs (for a limited time) have amateur access to 40.66-40.70MHz. 

This will be interesting when F2 propagation really kicks in. They are far enough south to catch some TEP and I expect they will have QSOs with the Caribbean.

What I do not know is do other administrations allow similar access? 

As I keep saying, just 5kHz, a low ERP, no SSB, narrow digital modes only, limited time, strictly no interference, by NoV or equivalent, would allow widespread free propagation research. Personally I cannot see the issue when 40.66-40.70 MHz is already allocated to ISM, licence free gadgets. 

Is the problem that people in many PTTs are ignorant and stupid? Or is it just the military trying to keep the spectrum as clear as they can "just in case". Also most PTTs see only hassle and no money.

Now and the coming months are the best times for 8m propagation research.

Ely Cathedral - NOT amateur radio

 

This is probably our favourite cathedral known as the “ship of the fens”. It can be seen from miles away standing proudly on a hill . As locals we get free entry.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ely_Cathedral .

Windmill next door - NOT amateur radio

This has been on many times! It is another view of the windmill right next door. We can see it from the kitchen and lounge.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Friday)

 Already 2 stations in central Europe have spotted my QRP beacon, even though it has only been on about 30 minutes.

UPDATE 1526z: Spotted by 6 stations including W4CLQ (5204km). Good to see a spot from the USA.

6m QRP FT8 (Friday)

My 2.5W system has been on since about 0800z. So far, just English stations spotting me.

UPDATE 1044z:  16 stations have spotted my QRP. 

UPDATE 1635z:  20 stations have spotted me. See map.

Rally this Sunday

 This has been notifed to me. Usual caveats about travelling a long way apply.

Sunday September 1st - Telford Hamfest and GQRP Club Convention, Telford, TF10 8NB. Contact hamfest@tdars.org.uk .

Russian Ruble exchange rate - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday I watched a YouTube video about the Russian Ruble.  

It explained that inflation in Russia was high and going higher and that the value of the Russian Ruble was declining against other currencies. The Russian central bank had been trying to buy Rubles to keep the exchange rate up, but was failing.

I do hope a peaceful end to the war in Ukraine may be found.

Sunspots - Friday August 30th

 Solar flux is 204 and the SSN 124. A=5 and K=1.