Kierkegaard or Descartes? - NOT amateur radio

 This famous quote is, I think, written by Kierkegaard and not Descartes. Whoever said it was correct.

"Life can only be understood backwards but must be lived forwards"

Cambridge art shop - NOT amateur radio

This was in the Grand Arcade Cambridge yesterday. 

6m 6W FT8 (Wednesday)

In the last hour 31 stations have spotted me on 6m FT8 quite early in the morning. 

UPDATE  1336z:  So far today, my 6W 6m FT8 has been spotted by 858 stations.  Lots of Es. At this rate I could be spotted by over 1000 stations today.  Not bad for QRP on a VHF band with an omni vertical.

UPDATE 2035z:  959 stations have spotted me today. Best with 6W FT8 TX is Kuwait and on 6m FT8 RX Oman, all with the V2000 vertical omni antenna. See map of stations that have spotted me today.

10m 500mW WSPR (Wednesday)

In the last hour 3 stations have already spotted me. Overnight my beacon was running and it was surprising how many spots there were in the middle of the night, when most are asleep. My beacon is on.

UPDATE 1329z:  67 stations have spotted me today. See table.

UPDATE 1947z:  78 stations have spotted me with the best Brazil.

Sunspots - Wednesday June 4th

 Solar flux is 135 and the SSN 95.  A=58 and K=3.

6m QRPP

Yesterday as an experiment I was on 10mW to the vertical omni antenna until about 1900z being spotted by over 80 stations. It proved beyond doubt that very little ERP is needed if there is a decent 6m Es opening. I went back to 6W after 1930z last evening.

A photo of my QRPP setup is attached.

It was a very worthwhile experiment.

6m to the USA and Canada

Yesterday was the first time this summer I have experienced a widespread opening on 6m to North  America. 

I suspect this was E layer but whether it was multi hop Es or some kind of chordal E layer I can’t tell. 

Certainly Es was very good in Europe last evening with about 700+ spots of my 6W FT8 from all over Europe. 

My 6W FT8 was spotted by 6 stations in the USA  using the vertical omni and I spotted multiple stations on RX. See map showing the stations spotted here on the omni - quite a few!!

10m 500mW WSPR (Tuesday)

My W5OLF beacon was turned at 0756z. 

UPDATE 0857z:  Just one spot by HB9TMC (905km) presumably by Es.

Es reminder

In the northern hemisphere, we are now in the peak Es season. If you want a quick look at how well Es is doing in Europe look at the Es map. 

Lightning risk

At this time of year and throughout the summer there is an increased risk of lightning in the UK. I usually check the risk using the lightning map. 

Although the chances of a direct strike are (thankfully) low I usually disconnect antennas, PSUs, PC etc until the danger has passed. Even surges in the mains supply or antenna lead when a storm is near can cause damage.

If the storm is within 20 miles I usually disconnect.