6m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

My IC-705 at reduced power (7W) was turned on just after breakfast. So far, at 1000z, 8 English spots of  me.

UPDATE 1730z:  15 English stations spotting me. QRT.

Sunspots - Thursday February 13th

 Solar flux is 166 and the SSN 88. A=16 and K=3.

Quieter than normal? - NOT amateur radio

 

Central Cambridge seemed quieter than normal. 

Perhaps it is our dull weather keeping people away!

6m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

 

My 5W from the IC-705 has been on since just before breakfast. 15 stations have spotted me by 1336z.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Wednesday)

My QRP beacon was turned on just before breakfast. 15 stations have spotted me by 1333z.  

Sunspots - Wednesday February 12th

 Solar flux is 153 and the SSN 91. A=17 and K=4.

Practical Wireless thinner?

Maybe I have not noticed recently, but Practical Wireless, the UK magazine, seems to be thinner this month. My March 2025 edition came via the post today.

Getting thinner can imply it is trying to ride the storm, but is in trouble. I hope it survives.

8m licence free?

It is definitely worth checking what licence free options exist in your country to TX on 8m. These may be ISM, Part 15 or other. In many places you can legally TX on 8m without a licence. Definitely worth checking.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Tuesday)

My stand-alone 10m 500mW WSPR beacon is on.

UPDATE 1048z: 2 stations have spotted me with the furthermost EA8BFK (2880km).

UPDATE 1916z:  27 stations have spotted me with many in the USA .  QRT soon.

6m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

My FT817ND is on 6m FT8. So far spotted by 4 stations in England and N.Ireland.

UPDATE 1338z:  Now 8 stations spotting me.

UPDATE 1359z:   I am intrigued by the spots regularly over 450km on 6m FT8.  I am wondering if this is troposcatter or random aircraft reflection somewhere over the paths. One only has to have a single aircraft somewhere on the path at the right spot for 15 seconds. In reality, with military and civil aircraft, this is highly probable in several hours.

UPDATE 1457z:  11 stations have spotted me with the furthermost OZ9QV (861km).

UPDATE 1912:. QRT soon.  12 stations have spotted me today.