10m 200mW WSPR (Wednesday)

 My beacon was turned on at breakfast.

UPDATE 0932z:   4X1DA (3592km) in Israel spotting me.

UPDATE 1115z: Spotted by TA4/G8SCU (3011km) in Turkey and 4X1DA. Occasionally, the drift seen is very high. I wonder if this is the reflection patch moving?

UPDATE 1845z: 3 stations have spotted me including the German research base in Antarctica. QRT soon.

Surprise visitor

Earlier this week my son woke to a stranger in his bedroom. A magpie must have flown in an open window. 

It calmly sat on his hand and flew out the other window when opened.

Corvids are very intelligent.

Watchful eyes for swifts

At this time of year I am on the lookout for the first swifts to arrive from Africa. Usually I see them here in mid-May although I have seen them elsewhere as early as April 27th. 

I am ever hopeful I'll see one in East Anglia, UK in April. My son just has!

UPDATE 0915z:  Whilst walking with my wife to the hairdressers I was observing the sky for about an hour. Sadly, no swifts seen.

Sunspots - Wednesday April 29th

Solar flux is 149 and the SSN 144. A=3 and K=0.

49MHz

In many countries the 49MHz band is allocated to low power devices such as baby alarms and toy walkie-talkies licence-free as long as they are 10mW or below.

Next door's lilac

Like many things in gardens, this is ephemeral. At the moment it looks great, but the flowers will soon be gone. 

Our ornamental cherry was in blossom for about 2 weeks. Now it has gone until next year.

10m 200mW WSPR (Tuesday)

My beacon has been on since before breakfast. 

UPDATE 0900z:  Just TA4/G8SCU (3010km) spotting me.

UPDATE  0953z:  Spotted by 2 stations with the best 4X1DA (3592km).

Yesterday on 10m FT8 RX

 

In all, 112 stations on 5 continents were spotted yesterday. See map.

Sunspots - Tuesday April 28th

Solar flux is 142 and the SSN 122. A=7 and K=0. 

Weather in April

April is an odd month in the UK. Some days can be hot and sunny, whereas other days can be cold and wet. 

No wonder we like to talk about the weather in the UK! This was this day some years ago, whereas today it is very sunny.