Sunspots - Tuesday December 10th

 Solar flux is 173 and the SSN 94. A=16 and K=2.

Rethatching - NOT amateur radio

In the nearby village of Lode there are many thatched cottages. One is having its thatched roof replaced, a job that takes many weeks. The one in the photo has been worked on for about 2 weeks already.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Monday)

My beacon was turned on at breakfast time. At  0902z, several spots from the Canary Is..  It seems this (I assume) single hop F2 path is usually open.

UPDATE 2005z:  48 stations have spotted me today.

6m QRP FT8 (Monday)

 My gear was turned on just after 0800z. At 0858z already 20 stations have copied me including several in mainland Europe.

UPDATE 1957z:  71 stations spotted my 6m QRP  FT8.

Sunspots - Monday December 9th

 Solar flux is 178 and the SSN 103. A=7 and K=3.

Beware!!

Earlier this afternoon I thought I had ordered a UV K5(8) transceiver from Aliexpress for the bargain price of just £0.98 with free airmail postage. 

At this price (well below the price of a coffee) I thought I could not go wrong. 

Later, I read the reviews. One pointed out that all you got was the antenna, despite it implied you got a full transceiver for this price. This is a total scam.

I cancelled the order immediately.

It must be near Christmas - NOT amateur radio

Today, we put up our Christmas tree and Christmas decorations. It must be the run-up. 

It seems 5 minutes since last Christmas.

10m 500mW WSPR (Sunday)

My QRP 10m WSPX beacon was turned on at about 0800z. At 1006z, 7 European stations  have copied my QRP.

UPDATE 1855z:  47 stations have spotted me today.

6m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

My QRP  6m FT8 was turned on about 0800z. At 1000z, my signal has been spotted by 19 stations.

UPDATE 2000:  55 stations have spotted me with 2 from "across the pond".

Oscar 100 narrowband transponder

Every few weeks I take a look at the narrowband activity on the geosynchronous Oscar 100 satellite. I am disappointed by the lack of activity.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .