Last post?

On the way to the Co-op food shop in the village, I spotted this postman. 

I asked his permission to take this photo. 

Very festive!

Grimeton historic VLF CW transmission

Earlier this morning the historic alternator TX SAQ was sending a Christmas message on 17.2kHz CW. Years ago I got a QSL card from them. It is still on my shack wall. It is a good test of your VLF RX system. I did not listen.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Wednesday)

 My stand-alone beacon was turned on at 1022z:

UPDATE 1231z:  No spots.

UPDATE 1938z:  It helps if you switch the mains plug on!  Once this was done loads of spots including several in the USA.

6m 5W FT8 (Wednesday)

My gear was turned on at 1022z.

UPDATE 1231z:  So far, 6 English stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 1935z:  7 English stations spotted. QRT since  late afternoon.

Sunspots - Wednesday December 24th

 Solar flux is 142 and the SSN 106. A=21 and K=3.

Cave radio book

 

There is no way I would be climbing through narrow, dark, wet tunnels deep underground, but I have always been fascinated by underground communications at VLF and LF. 

As radio waves get attenuated as they travel through water and rock and this attenuation is reduced as the frequency is lowered, cavers tend to use interesting techniques to communicate (and survey) with cavers.

A very interesting book by Mike Bedford G4AEE goes through all the techniques used by cavers. 

Even for somebody like me who (would be too scared!) it make good Christmas reading. The book "Cave Radio" is available from the RSGB bookshop.

10m 1W FT8 (Tuesday)

My gear was turned on at about 1045z.

UPDATE 1610z:  Spotted by 164 stations. See map.

Sunspots - Tuesday December 23rd

 Solar flux is 133 and the SSN 80. A=25 and K=3.

The freedoms of amateur radio

Many years ago I used to have many QSOs with stations across the world including the USA and the USSR.  

As far as I am concerned we are all human beings with equal value whatever our beliefs, colour or politics. I enjoy exchanging greetings with an old work colleague who happens to live in Moscow and is a radio amateur.

One of the great things about our hobby is that it is such a great leveller.

At home

At this time of year we have an "at home" day when the neighbours come around for snacks, a drink and a chat. 

As someone said, "Christmas starts here". 

It was great and happy.