26 Aug 2025

6m QRP FT8 yesterday

With 103 stations spotting me yesterday I think we can safely say that the Es season is still with us. 6m was filled with European stations

The season will end …but not yet!!

Sunspots - Tuesday August 26th

 Solar flux is 175 and the SSN 136. A=8 and K=1.

25 Aug 2025

TX-500MP

The original TX-500 (I think) had a Russian pedigree. I think production was shifted to the Middle East to avoid sanctions. I may be totally wrong on this. If I am wrong, my sincere apologies.

They have produced the TX-500MP which is a handheld with built-in ATU. There is a video about it. I have no idea about price. It looks like a useful product.

Beetles


Yesterday I posted a photo of the display cabinet of butterflies at the Zoology museum in Cambridge. This is the display of beetles.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Monday)

My 500mW  10m W5OLF beacon was turned at about 0815z.  

UPDATE 1902z:  Spotted by 32 stations with the furthest EA8BFK (2880km).

6m 5W FT8 (Monday)

My gear was turned on at about 0815z. 


UPDATE 1921z: 
So far, 89 spots of me.  

Monday plans

As 6m QRP FT8 was good yesterday I shall try again today, as well as 10m QRP WSPR.

Yesterday on 6m QRP FT8


Much to my surprise I was copied widely in southern Europe on 6m FT8 with 5W. The band is still in pretty good shape. In all, 186 stations in Europe and Morocco 🇲🇦 spotted me. 

Sunspots - Monday August 25th

 Solar flux is 152 and the SSN 102. A=6 and K=1.

24 Aug 2025

Zoology museum, Cambridge, UK


Living near Cambridge it is all too easy to take everything for granted. In the UK the main museums are free as are bus journeys for old people. So it is possible to enjoy lots without paying a penny!

Take, for example, the excellent Zoology museum we called at yesterday.

We often joke that people come across the planet to see Cambridge. We can see it every day .... for free.