CQWW SSB contest this weekend

A reminder that the CQWW SSB contest is this weekend. 

Even without an entry, it is a great chance to work new countries and US states. With HF conditions being excellent, now is a great chance to have fun. 

In years past I have worked the USA with an indoor handheld with a base loaded whip on SSB with a few watts! I think this was 10m.

See https://cqww.com/ .

Newer Windows 10 PC

Currently on the "newer" Windows 10 PC which seems to be working fine with SignaLink USB and FT817ND. I should try the QMX+ later.

UPDATE 1318z:  As I have to use the 10m antenna to try the QDX, I shall probably try this and the QMX+ with this PC tomorrow. 54 spots of my QRP 10m WSPR today so far.

6m QRP FT8 (Friday)

 My gear has been on for about 15 minutes. So far, just 5 G stations have spotted me (at 1155z) and I have spotted 2 G stations here.

UPDATE 1814z:  7 G spots of me today on 6m FT8 TX. On RX the furthermost is DK5EE  (565km).

That time of year - NOT amateur radio

At about this time we put winter plants 🪴 in the garden.  We try to choose flowers that give colour at this dull time of year.

We change them in the spring.

10m 500mW WSPR yesterday and today

Another good day with 2 spots in Antarctica yesterday.  Re-synced to internet time earlier. See table of stations spotting me in the last day on 10m QRP WSPR.

UPDATE 1416z:  60 spots of my 10m 500mW WSPR today.

UPDATE 1815z:  73 spots of my QRP 10m WSPR today.

Our garden yesterday - NOT amateur radio

 

This was one of our sons and grandsons in our garden yesterday.

Rallies

 The following rallies have been notified to me. Usual caveats about checking details apply.

• Saturday October 26th - Carrickfergus ARG Rally, Carrickfergus. No contact details given.
• Saturday October 26th - Essex CW Boot Camp. See essexcw.uk .
• Sunday  October 27th - British Vintage Wireless Society Swapmeet. Golborne. BVWS members only.
• Sunday October 27th - Galashiels Rally, TD1 3JX. Contact rallyqueries@galaradioclub.co.uk .

Oscar 100 narrowband transponder

The last time I looked was mid evening in Europe on a Thursday evening. Although activity was better than I feared, there was still plenty of space.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .

Sunspots - Friday October 25th

 Solar flux is 197 and the SSN 138.  A=12 and K=0.

Yesterday on 10m 500mW WSPR

 Yesterday, 94 stations spotted me, which I think is a record. This included many in North and South America.

Someone else locally said he had been doing WSPR tests at 1mW and 2mW. Results were far easier at 2mW than 1mW.