10 Nov 2022

10m QRP WSPR

As my 10m antenna was available, I am on 10m QRP WSPR TX with the W5OLF 500mW beacon.  So far this morning, I have been spotted by 10 unique stations with the furthermost FR5ZX (9740km).


UPDATE 1423z:  13 unique stations have spotted me today.

Stations spotting me by 1714z
UPDATE 1714z:  19 unique stations have spotted me today so far.

8m FT8 QRP

 As an experiment, I went on QRP 40.680 MHz FT8 briefly. No spots.

UPDATE 1425z:  No spots today.

Don't you just HATE this crappery? - NOT amateur radio

This just came in from Google. Why can't they just say they are changing instead of this stupid, stupid language?

" A reminder that we are sunsetting Universal Analytics"

Perhaps they will soon be saying they are dawning the replacement. 😊

70cm FT8 activity contest

Stations spotted on 70cm FT8 last night with the 2m omni

Last night was the 70cm FT8 activity contest. I continue to be amazed by how far stations can be copied with just a 2m omni. I am sure some sort of scatter is involved. In all, 5 stations were worked and my 5W to the 2m big-wheel was widely spotted.

Stations spotting my 5W to the 2m big-wheel on 70cm FT8 last night

OFCOM spectrum roadmap

OFCOM has released its latest Spectrum Roadmap. See the OFCOM website for details. Yet again, the bias is towards microwaves and users that pay. 

All I am asking for is a more open and tolerant attitude to radio amateurs who seek to "self train" and do research possibly on new chunks of the radio spectrum. I see little evidence.

The document starts:

"The radio spectrum (the invisible waves that enable wireless technology)...."

Hmm.

Apt saying - NOT amateur radio

 


This was on Facebook earlier. 

Plans for today (Thursday)

 At the moment my plan is to go on 8m FT8 QRP at about 1230z hoping to be spotted in the USA. I do not plan to go on 10m FT8 RX although I might go on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW from the W5OLF beacon. 

Sunspots - Thursday November 10th 2022

 Solar flux is 138 and the SSN 81. A=7 and K=0.

9 Nov 2022

8m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

My signal did not span the Atlantic today, but I was spotted in a new country - Denmark. I have lost count how many countries my QRP signal has been spotted in.

Doorway - NOT amateur radio

This doorway is on the winter walk at nearby Anglesey Abbey. It has always intrigued me. It is through an old wall. I have no idea how old it is, but I'd guess it dates from the 1800s.