Sugar beet? - NOT amateur radio

We saw these on our walk earlier. We think they are old sugar beet, but I am no expert! 

10m QRP WSPR TX (Sunday)

As usual, when I am on 8m FT8, my 500mW W5OLF 500mW 10m WSPR TX beacon is on.  It is now 1043z and, so far, no spots. Probably many are still in bed as it is Sunday and New Year's Day.

UPDATE 1327z:   Just spots from SV9 so far today.

UPDATE 1510z:   Doh: it helps if the PA of beacon is switched on too!! So, the SV spots were probably with just microwatts only. I have now turned on the PA.

New Year's resolutions? - NOT amateur radio

 This made me laugh. 

Solar data

 At the start of the month, there is usually an update of solar data at this site. It is usually my first port of call for solar data. 

As late as yesterday, it was still showing the solar peak as November 2023, which seems early to me, although I am no solar expert!

See https://www.solen.info/solar/ .

8m QRP FT8

First day of 2023 and active on QRP 8m FT8 on 40.680 (TX first). 

UPDATE 1328z:  No spots.

Happy New Year - NOT amateur radio

Last night we saw the new year in with friends. Normally we have grandchildren here, so this was the first time out at New Year for some time. I am not used to late nights!!

Anyway, I really hope 2023 is a good one for everyone. The last year was a tough one for many and I hope this one is better. 

If you are chasing rare DX or DXCC good luck!! 

Unlike previous years, I have not made any special resolutions (other than trying to get rid of a bit of weight!). All the best for the year ahead.

Sunspots - Sunday January 1st 2023

Solar flux is 165 and the SSN 82. A=16 and K=2.

Stamps swap-out - NOT amateur radio

About 10 years ago we bought a load of postage stamps before the price dramatically increased. Most have been used (it was a good move), but a few remain. At the end of January these can no longer be used although the Royal Mail is doing a swap-out service, so old stamps can be changed for new bar-coded ones.

At the moment in the UK Royal Mail workers are having a series of strikes to get a higher wage. Whilst I can understand workers trying to get salaries that keep up with inflation, there is a great danger of long-term damage to their jobs. 

Fewer letters and postcards are being sent these days as people use email instead. They are trying to focus on parcels, but people are finding out there are alternative people who do this at competitive rates that are often cheaper. There is danger people will always use them in future further damaging the Royal Mail's business model, and profits.

See https://www.royalmail.com/sending/barcoded-stamps .

UPDATE 1600z: I have been told by Steve G1KQH that the deadline to use up old stamps has been extended to next July following complaints by customers.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Saturday)

My 500mW 10m WSPR beacon TX was turned on at 0905z.  No spots at 0915z.

UPDATE 1810z:  7 stations spotting me. 

8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

My QRP 8m FT8 was turned on about 0905z.  As yet, no spots.

UPDATE 1147z: No spots.

New Year resolutions? - NOT amateur radio

Many people start the new year with resolutions to do things differently. At the moment I have not made any plans apart from going on a diet!! 

Plans for today

Yes, I shall test my SDR later!! Also, I intend to go on 10m WSPR QRP TX and 8m QRP FT8. 

8m permit renewal?

As there seems little prospect of even a tiny 8m amateur band by NoV, I have asked OFCOM if it will renew my T&I licence when it expires in April. Awaiting a response. If it and the FCC are so dead set against an amateur band at 8m for research at least they could explain why. 

Sunspots - Saturday December 31st 2022

Solar flux is 162 and the SSN 121. A=31 and K=3.

No SDR testing today?

Most of the day, I have been busy and I have not got around to testing the SDR. Unless I get it tested tonight, it will have to wait until the weekend.

Sunspot maximum late next year?

The site I most use for data is still predicting that solar cycle 25 will peak in November 2023. This seems quite early. Certainly conditions have been good for some time now. 

Even if this is correct, we can expect solar conditions to remain good for several years. I was quite surprised how FT8 proved solar conditions were respectable north-south even when there were no sunspots. 

Often there is a second peak about a year after the first. Fingers crossed!

See https://www.solen.info/solar/ .

Plans for Friday

 As I  did not get around to trying my SDR yesterday, my main aim is to get this going. If time allows, I hope to be on 10m QRP WSPR TXand 8m QRP FT8.

8m permits in 2023?

It would be really great if many more people could come on 8m TX in 2023. What would be helpful would be if many asked for limited access i.e. for a fixed time with limits. The reason is radio science research around solar maximum.

Please ask your local body responsible for permits for limited 8m access. The following would be what I would suggest you ask for:

1. 40.680-40.685 MHz (just 5 kHz within the ISM band limits)
2. 100W ERP 
3. Narrow digital only e.g. CW, QRSS,FT8 or WSPR
4. April 2023 to September 2023 
5. Strictly non-interference i.e.  if any harmful interference the station can be told to immediately go QRT.

This would give access during the Es season in the northern hemisphere. Ideally the permit should be for 12 months, covering the F2 DX season in the expected sunspot maximum (November 2023).

Sunspots - Friday December 30th 2022

Solar flux is 163 and the SSN 113. A=11 and K=3.

GD6ICR on QRZ.com

Mike has this excellent photo on his QRZ.com page.

See  https://www.qrz.com/db/GD6ICR .