Sunspots - Thursday January 19th 2023

 Solar flux is 220 and the SSN 164. A=15 and K=0.

Doh!! - 8m

 As I was out most of the day I did not go on 10m or 8m. From what I gather, SSB 8m signals were being copied "across the pond". When I try tomorrow it will be dead! 

23cm local skeds needed

Last night, in the 23cm activity contest, I heard and worked nothing! I am hoping for some local skeds to prove all is well. 

At the moment I only have the 2el test antenna pointing out of the shack window. My shack is on a "hill" (which is a relative term in East Anglia!) and 2W.

Anglesey Abbey water mill

 

This was yesterday in the cold sunshine.

Sunspots - Wednesday January 18th 2023

 Solar flux is 219 and the SSN 185. A=6 and K=3.

23cm activity contest this evening

My first test on 23cms TX will be tonight. I have only got the 2 element test antenna and 2W PEP, so I hope I can copy (and work?) any locals that may be on, otherwise I shall have to set up some skeds. 

All is set up. In the past my only (ever) outing on 23cms was on RX only with a borrowed converter and homemade 4 el yagi. Like then (1970s?), everything is indoors firing through the shack window.

These tests are all in the shack. Later this year I hope to try some /P on 23cms.

See https://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?year=2023&contest=uhfukac .

Surprise visitor - NOT amateur radio

We often get Muntjac deer in our garden, but rarely see them. Imagine my surprise when pulling back the curtains! 

Amaryllis - NOT amateur radio

We have 3 on the go at the moment. This is the first one in flower. 

8m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

My QRP 8m FT8 was switched on at 1025z. I am on 40.680 MHz with an audio offset of about 1950 Hz. I am TXing first. No spots.

UPDATE 1820z:  No spots all day. Disappointing.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Tuesday)

My 500mW WSPR beacon was turned on at 1025z. So far, no spots.

UPDATE  1255z: 7 unique stations have spotted me today. Furthermost is FR5ZX (9740km).

UPDATE 1822z:  19 unique stations spotting my QRP.

Plans for the day (Tuesday)

 Today, I plan the following:

• 8m QRP FT8
• 10m QRP WSPR TX
• 23cm local tests ( I think tonight is the 23cm activity contest).

Inside my head! - NOT amateur radio

This photo dates from 2011 when I took part in some brain research at Cambridge University. 

Sunspots - Tuesday January 17th 2023

 Solar flux is 228 and the SSN 186. A=14 and K=1.

PF8 Manual - NOT amateur radio

Many will remember this famous transceiver from the 1980s. It was made famous by featuring in the TV series "The Professionals". A copy of the PF8 service manual is available here.

Magdelene College, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

 

This is the entrance to Magdelene College, Cambridge looking toward the famous Pepys Library.

Cambridge has many fine buildings.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Monday)

So far, I have been on 10m QRP (500mW) TX with my W5OLF beacon. 2 unique stations spotting me.

UPDATE 1352z:  8 unique stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 1845z:  Now QRT. Today my 500mW 10m WSPR was spotted by 9 stations.

8m QRP FT8 (Monday)

 For about 30 minutes, I have been on 40.680 MHz (TX first) QRP FT8. No spots.

UPDATE 1850z:  No spots. Now QRT.  An absolutely disappointing day.

That free Scrapbook

This is now at Issue 3. The link is here .

Sunspots - Monday January 16th 2023

 Solar flux is 234 and the SSN 117.  A=30 and K=1.

DATV via Oscar 100

As mentioned yesterday there is a live stream of the (D?)ATV net on Oscar 100 starting at 2000z Thursdays. I must try to remember this as I have never seen live ATV via this geosynchronous satellite.

See https://batc.org.uk/live/oscar100net .