10m 5W FT8 RX (Sunday)

My gear was turned on at about 1000z.

UPDATE 1102z:  So far, spotted 23 stations.

UPDATE 1533z:  Still 23, so something must be wrong.

UPDATE  1715z:   Now, 75 stations spotted. I think the TX audio must be muted as the TX still does not work. I wonder if it is RF getting into the PC?  I may try with lower power. e.g. 1W instead of 5W. Going on 5W 6m FT8 TX seemed fine suggesting RF is disturbing something. Now QRT on 10m FT8 RX.

Mountain Toppers

 Summits On The Air (SOTA) activity is becoming increasingly popular as well as Parks On The Air (POTA). People climb mountains and hills to "activate" certain summits. Especially for SOTA, weight can be an important factor if the gear has to be lugged up steep hills or mountains.

LNR Precision make some gear aimed at these users. They are compact and lightweight.

See https://www.lnrprecision.com/mountain-toppers/

Festive postbox

Although I am not sure how or when this started, quite often now we see UK postboxes with knitted tops for certain occasions.

The photo shows the postbox near our co-op shop looking very festive.

Winter solstice

Today is the shortest day .  

Even though the mornings get a bit darker later for a few weeks, the evenings are already starting to get darker slightly later. By the end of January it is really noticeable. 

It’s odd how we adapt, but I do prefer nights getting darker later.

Sunspots - Sunday December 21st

 Solar flux is 120 and the SSN 74. A=6 and K=4.

PSKreporter NOT the RBN!

In the latest SPRAT (205) Chris Page (page 38) reported my QRPP FT8 experiments as using the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) whereas for FT8 I use PSKreporter.  

For FT8 this is ideal.

First daffodils

 This morning on our walk at Anglesey Abbey we saw our first daffodils and snowdrops this winter. Positive signs.

Anglesey Abbey this morning

 

This is about 4 miles from us in the car.

10m 5W FT8 (Saturday)

 My gear was turned on at about 1140z.

UPDATE 1440z:  So far, spotted by 101 stations.  See map.

UPDATE 1757z:    243 stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 1900z:  QRT.

137kHz E-Field probe

At 137kHz I have only dabbled, but I was surprised and delighted at the performance of this little EFP RX antenna. It was mag-mounted on the car yet copied my low uW ERP beacon on the far side of Cambridge at 24km. At this point I stopped!

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/antennas/137khz-efp-rx-antenna .