Mid-winter gloom

 This was Cambridge earlier. There are fewer visitors and it must be a hard time for those involved in hospitality.

Sunspots - Monday January 12th

 Solar flux is 111 and the SSN 84. A=31 and K=4.

Solid state batteries?

The "holy grail" of EV batteries is greater range, costs lower than lithium ion, no rare earths, fast charging times, long life and safe.

A Scandinavian company claimed at CES that they have made a breakthrough. 

If correct, this really could be a real game changer. Imagine if EVs could be charged very fast and have great range and be no more expensive than a fossil fuelled car and only need an occasional charge. This could be the breakthrough like we saw with CRTs and digital cameras. It could also really help with climate change.

Look out for DONUT batteries.

I am sure all the major car manufacturers are working hard towards this. A tipping point IS coming.

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.