Northern Iceland - NOT amateur radio

 

This was northern Iceland in 2011. 

My station 1990s style

The photo shows my station in the 1990s. I think I have far less now. 

Not everyone's taste - NOT amateur radio

This is Berlin Cathedral. It is a very decorated, domed building. 

I prefer the simplicity of English cathedrals. All in continental Europe seem very ornate - too ornate for me! 

Sunspots - Monday July 3rd 2023

Solar flux is 170 and the SSN 126. A=5 and K=1.

European Es

At the moment Es in Europe looks excellent with widespread openings on several bands. 

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

Berlin TV tower - NOT amateur radio

This is the highest structure in Germany. It is the TV tower in what was East Berlin. There is a revolving restaurant up there too. 

On the water in Berlin - NOT amateur radio

This morning we went on a boat trip around Berlin. It was good to see places from a totally different angle. 

G3TFX

About 10 years ago Richard G3TFX told my wife to get me to hospital quick. His decision probably saved my life. The photo shows him with me having a chat about 6 months after coming out of hospital. 

Sunspots - Sunday July 2nd 2023

 Solar flux is 166 and the SSN 119.  A=5 and K=1.

Checkpoint Charlie - NOT amateur radio

Many will remember Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin from cold war days. It is very different now. 

Brandenburg Gate - NOT amateur radio

This is probably the most famous thing in all of Germany. We went there this afternoon. 

When is sunspot maximum?

My favourite site for solar data has just updated showing solar maximum as November this year.. It has varied a bit from November to December.

See www.solen.info. 

Oscar 100 activity

A few days ago I took a peak at activity on this geosynchronous satellite. It was breakfast time in Europe. Absolutely nobody on!! 

Sunspots - Saturday July 1st 2023

 The solar flux is 159 and the SSN 87  A=8 and K=2. 

Rally this weekend

The following rally has been notified to me. I always advice contacting organisers to check the details are correct.

Sunday July 2nd - Barford Norfolk Radio Rally, Barford, NR9 4AB. Contact radio@dcpmicro.com

Sunspots - Friday June 30th 2023

Solar flux is 162 and the SSN 112. A=17 and K=3.

8m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

My 8m 2.5W FT8 was turned on this morning.   At 1728z, just spotted by S50B (1220km) and EA3ERE (1153km).

10m QRP WSPR TX (Thursday)

My 500mW 10m WSPR TX beacon was turned on this morning. So far (at 1719z) 23 unique stations have spotted me.

Faulty BNC plugs

 A couple of my antenna leads with BNC plugs have become intermittent or broken. I first noticed one last night in the 2m CDARC 2m FM net when the SWR was very high. Years ago, this would have been a trivial task. These days it is far more taxing sadly.

Riga, Latvia - NOT amateur radio

I don't think this photo has been on this blog recently. It shows a seaside resort close to Riga in Latvia. We went there several years ago and were expecting a dump. Actually Riga was a lovely city that was once a Hanseatic League city with many fine buildings.