6m 5W FT8 (Sunday)

 My gear was turned on about 1225z.

UPDATE 2055z: Spotted by 10 stations, mostly in England with one in Germany. QRT soon.

10m 500mW WSPR (Sunday)

My beacon was turned on at about 1225z.

UPDATE 2058z: Spotted by 3 stations including a couple in the USA.  QRT soon.

Sunspots - Sunday January 11th

 Solar flux is 114 and the SSN 65. A=32 and K=3.

Buildings in our village

Our village, Burwell, is about 10 miles from Cambridge. 

It is a mix of old and new buildings some of which date back many centuries. 

The Hall (see photo) has parts dating back to the 1600s. We used to know someone who lived here. She said it was very cold facing north.

Compact antenna

As most appreciate, you never get something for nothing. 

Very compact antennas tend to be very narrow band and inefficient. Nonetheless there are times such as SOTA these compromises are acceptable. 

I remember working a station in Argentina on 10m SSB with just a few watts to a Miracle Whip some years ago from indoors!  Compact antennas really do work. There are times when the loss of a few S points really don't matter.

The Gawant antenna is similar to the Miracle Whip. This one is homebrewed and I am not sure if it can be built ready-made.

Seasons

The seasons are all different. Each has something to enjoy. 

This winter in this part of the UK we have had real snow on the ground for several days. In the last few years, snow has become a rarity. 

At this time of year in the UK, snowdrops are appearing. Then it will be daffodils and new leaves and blossom. 

In the summer we have bedding plants and warmth. 

In the autumn golden leaves and mature fruits. 

At the moment we are seeing plants with white flowers (not sure of the name) that look more like white blobs.

Sunspots - Saturday January 10th

 Solar flux is 117 and the SSN 80.  A=12 and K=3.

10m 200mW WSPR (Friday)

 My beacon was turned on at about 1520z.

UPDATE 1547z: Spotted by 4 stations.

10m 1W FT8 (Friday)

My gear was turned on mid-morning.

UPDATE 1234z:  49 stations have spotted me with the furthest a station in Columbia, South America.

UPDATE 1550z:  109 stations have spotted me.

Sunspots - Friday January 9th

 Solar flux is 140 and the SSN 95. A=14 and K=3.