5 Jun 2024

European Es (Wednesday)

Es looks promising in the east of Europe, but I have not yet seen evidence here.

See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .

UPDATE 1501z:  Plenty of 6m Es evident in western Europe.

6m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

My 2.5W 6m FT8 to the V2000 vertical omni antenna is turned on. So far just 5 G stations.

UPDATE 1046z:  22 stations have spotted me including 2 in Hungary and one Scandinavian that I assume are by Es.

UPDATE 1545z:  57 stations have spotted me today.

Garden wildlife - NOT amateur radio

This Muntjac deer was in our front garden yesterday. It stared at me, then carried on as if I was stupid and not there. They are quite common around here. 

Frankly, they are a darn pest eating many flower heads. Last year we had loads of tulips, but most were eaten.

They are about the size of a large dog.

630m QRP WSPR overnight


In all, 8 stations spotted my 10mW ERP 630m WSPR, which is the most for some time. Furthest was a station in Germany 🇩🇪. Not a bad session.

Sunspots - Wednesday June 5th

 Solar flux is 192 and the SSN 224. A=8 and K=1.

4 Jun 2024

630m QRP WSPR (Tuesday)

 Since coming home, I am now on 630m QRP again (10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground) and expect to stay on overnight.  Already spots by 2 stations.

That reunion - NOT amateur radio


As mentioned before, I have been away for a few days at a reunion of old university friends. This was us (less me as I took the photo!) at a meal last night. 

It looks a bit like an old masters painting of the last supper! I used my camera phone on panorama.


Later we were treated to a firework display as a newly named cruise ship left.

500uW 10m WSPR (Tuesday)

Since returning home this afternoon, I have been on 10m WSPR with 500uW (0.5mW). 

UPDATE 2038z:   No spots.

Liverpool trip - NOT amateur radio

We have just returned from a long weekend in Liverpool. 

We were there for a reunion of old friends who were all university students in the late 1960s. I had hair back then!

6m QRP FT8

Since returning home today, I am on 6m QRP FT8  with my 2.5W and vertical omni V2000 antenna. At 1555z: 68 stations have spotted me. Furthermost is a spot from the northern tip of Norway.

UPDATE 2044z:   217 spots of my 6m FT8 so far.  Furthermost is a spot by UN3M (3553km) in Kazakhstan. I think most of these are Es.