Rain - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday we had rain most of the day. We have had a hot, dry summer with extremely little rain. 

The photo shows the view looking from our lounge yesterday. The rain is hard to see. 

Sunspots - Friday October 21st 2022

Solar flux is 116 and the SSN 33. A=7 and K=1.

King's Parade, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows the view looking down King's Parade which is right outside King's College and Chapel. In the distance are the Senate House (LHS) where degrees are given out and Great St Mary's, the university church (RHS).

More apple chutney - NOT amateur radio

This morning, I made some more apple chutney to use up the remaining apples. In the end, 3 jars were made.

4m activity contest (UKAC)

This evening is the 4m UKAC activity contest. Although I have no 4m antenna, I may take a peek on RX. The contest starts at 1900z.

UPDATE 1923z:  As I have no 4m antenna I tried 4m SSB receive with my transverter and a variety of antennas. Best DX was a station in IO82 square. 

10m QRP WSPR TX (Thursday)

 As the thunder risk has passed, I am on 10m WSPR TX with my 500mW beacon. No spots.

Rally

The following should take place on Saturday. If going, please check with organisers first. 

October 22nd (Saturday) - Essex CW Boot Camp/CW Convention, Witham Essex, CM8 2HE.  Contact g0ibn1@yahoo.com .

8m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

As the storm risk seems to have passed, I am again on 8m QRP FT8 TX on 40.680 MHz. I have been on for about 20 minutes.

UPDATE 1054z:  No spots.

Thunder risk?

As there is a storm risk, I'm staying off air until the risk has passed. I am keeping a close eye on the lightning map. 

Sunspots - Thursday October 20th 2022

Solar flux is 113 and the SSN 50.  A=5 and K=1.

8m QRP FT8 TX (Wednesday)

 As I was able to sync time on the PC , I am on 40.680 MHz FT8 QRP TX (first) and RX.

UPDATE 1735z:  No spots. PSKreporter was reporting long after the event. I checked the PC screen.

23cm transverter dispatched from Bulgaria

Just had an email saying my 23cm 2W transverter has been dispatched. I have no idea how long it will take to get here. 

Assuming all is OK, I hope to try some local tests this year, with the 23cm UKACs next year. I have no idea how far I can get with the small test antenna supplied with it.

See https://www.sg-lab.com/TR1300/tr1300.html .

"Our" windmill next door - NOT amateur radio

As mentioned before, we live next door to a fully restored windmill that is 200 years old.  Every Tuesday, volunteers come to help make sure it is in top condition.

The photo shows Andrew up on one of the sails. Rather him than me!

10m QRP

The first version of this little transceiver was designed and built in 2011. Shown on my main G3XBM website is the second version, that stopped the chirp. This was called the 10m Lesser Chirpy, for obvious reasons.

8m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

 Assuming I can sync time, I intend to be on 8m FT8 QRP non 40.680 MHz later.

UPDATE 1455z:  As a later post shows, I was able to sync time on the PC.

Where I was born - NOT amateur radio

After WW2, this grand place was a nursing home. I was born here. 

This photo here shows the place (Flete in South Devon) well over 100 years ago. At the time, we lived in a modest council house, but I enjoy telling people I was born in a stately home!

10m QRP (500mW) WSPR TX (Wednesday)

Just gone on 10m WSPR QRP TX with my beacon synced using my atomic clock. Thanks *****!

UPDATE 0806z:  Spots from the Canary Is already, so a promising start.

UPDATE 1023z:  5 unique stations have spotted me today so far. I get the  impression there is now far more F2 propagation on 10m again.

UPDATE 1733z:   20 unique stations have spotted me today on 10m QRP WSPR TX.

Microsoft time sync - NOT amateur radio

For several weeks now, I have used the internet time sync provided by Microsoft (time.windows.com) quite happily.

This morning, despite the internet being on and working fine, I have been unable to sync time. Hoping this is just a temporary glitch, I shall try again later. If not, I shall have to go back to my original way of doing this.

At first I wondered if it was because I had still to do one of their infernal updates. So I did this, but to no avail. If Microsoft is so wonderful why do they have to do updates so often? In the lounge (and now) I use a Chromebook from Asus that has been fantastic for nearly 3 years.

Just wondering if this is just me?

UPDATE 1015z:  Still unable to sync.

UPDATE 1513z:  Sync works again, thankfully.

Sunspots - Wednesday October 19th 2022

Solar flux is 114 and the SSN 50. A=6 and K=2.

UK Prime Minister - NOT amateur radio

In the last few weeks the UK's new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, has had a very bad time. 

Firstly she introduced a mini-budget intended to encourage growth. The markets tanked. Her authority was in tatters. Then she replaced her Chancellor. The new Chancellor cancelled most of her changes, further undermining her. The opposition parties want a General Election.

The next crunch moment is October 31st when the new chancellor has to explain how he will fund the mini-budget. It is likely this will involve cuts to public services. This is likely to anger people both in the general public and Conservative party.