6m 5W FT8 (Friday)

My QRP FT8 to the V2000 omni antenna has been on since just after breakfast. One Far East station (I think genuine) has spotted me.

UPDATE 1443z:  Spotted by 142 stations on 4 continents. I suspect the station in Canada was a transitory patch of multi hop Es. At a similar time another station in Newfoundland was spotted on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1917z:   349 stations have spotted me. See map. Amazing DX on 6m FT8 with 5W and a vertical omni antenna. 5 continents on 6m FT8 QRP today! Furthest is  LU2GPB (10405km) in Argentina. I suspect this is Es linking with equatorial spread-F.

UPDATE 2000z:  361 spots of me. Now QRT.

10m QRP WSPR (Friday)

My 500mW 10m WSPR beacon has been on since just after breakfast. So far, just V51RS (8481km) spotting my QRP. There is no sign yet of Es.

UPDATE 1445z:  Spotted by V51RS 18 times today!  Lots of Es now on 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 2005z:   52 spots of me today, mostly Es. Now QRT.

Sunspots- Friday July 18th

 Solar flux is 156 and the SSN 178. A=19 and K=1.

Quote - NOT amateur radio

Every day by email, I receive The Knowledge, which I find an easy, quick and unbiased read of the news. Every day they include a quote. Today's, by Benjamin Franklin, was excellent. How true.

Multiband HF antenna

 

Last week I ordered an antenna from Aliexpress. It has just arrived from China by airmail. It will get erected soon. I am amazed they can do it for the price.

Photobombed - NOT amateur radio

This morning we went for a walk at nearby Anglesey Abbey. 

Whilst taking a photo of this caterpillar I was photobombed by a ladybird! Can you see the ladybird?

6m 5W FT8 (Thursday)

My gear was turned on at 0550z today.

UPDATE 1550z:  149 spots of me. 

10m 500mW WSPR (Thursday)

My W5OLF beacon was turned on at 0550z today.

UPDATE 1119z: So far today 7 spots of me, presumably mostly Es.

6m article

Yesterday I wrote an article about my experiences on 6m. I have not decided where to send it yet. 

It is designed to encourage people to have a go on the band.  There is no doubt that high power and big beams help, but even a very modest station can achieve some amazing results.

UPDATE 1508z:  It has been passed to the editor of RadCom Basics for consideration, although I think it would benefit a wider audience, proving that a simple 6m station works. See Bo's comment below.

Sunspots - Thursday July 17th

 Solar flux is 156 and the SSN 182. A=20 and K=3.