Wednesday Plans

 Later this morning I think I'll try 10m WSPR with my 500mW beacon and 6m QRP FT8 with the IC-705.

Cambridge in winter - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows the Wren library in Cambridge in winter. Brave folks on the punt!

70cm activity contest yesterday

Last evening I took part for about 20 minutes in the 70cm activity contest (UKAC). 

As usual, I was running 10W to my 144MHz big-wheel omni. 

3 stations were worked, with the furthermost a portable in Wales.

Sunspots - Wednesday January 15th

Solar flux is 166 and the SSN 106. A=12 and K=3.

FT8

This digital mode is like the UK yeast spread Marmite in that some love it whereas others hate it. 

Personally, I am somewhat ambivalent. Because of my poor voice following my 2013 stroke WSPR and FT8 get used mostly.  FM and SSB even AM get used as well, but less frequently.

This is an introduction to FT8 for beginners.

The danger with FT8 is people cannot chance upon amateur radio as many of us did.

Winter - NOT amateur radio

 

In many ways I quite like this time of year. Nights start to get shorter and we have spring to look forward to with new life and new hopes.

Nice sunrise - NOT amateur radio

 

We were treated to a lovely sunrise over our Close.

Is this a good omen or bad? 

6m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

My gear (IC-705 and V2000 vertical omni antenna) was turned on at 0845z.  So far (at 0855z) just 3 English spots.

UPDATE 1010z:  So far this morning I have been spotted by 15 stations with the furthermost HB9SHD (780km).

UPDATE 1127z: 19 stations spotting me. See map.

UPDATE 1853z:  Spotted by 57 stations. QRT soon.

10m QRP WSPR (Tuesday)

 My 500mW beacon was turned on at 0844z.

UPDATE 1925z:  25 stations have spotted me with the furthermost ZD7GB (7607km).

Amaryllis forest - NOT amateur radio

We have several amaryllis plants on the point of flowering. 

We put a new one out yesterday (front right) that looks like it has buds.