8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

My intention was to go on 8m QRP FT8 today having returned from our break in Berlin. When I tried, I noticed the SWR was 3:1 (it is usually about 1.7:1), so I went QRT.  Unless it is something trivial, I may need to re-do the BNC plug. The BNC on the coax to my triband V2000 also needs re-doing.

In the past, putting on BNC plugs would have been easy. Now I find it very hard. My fine motor skills are far worse.

UPDATE 1500z:  By a process of elimination (dummy load, change of coax into SWR bridge), I have concluded the rig, SWR meter and coax in the shack are NOT the reason for the 3:1 SWR. This leaves just the antenna and coax. As far as I know nothing has changed since before my Berlin trip. Although I do not possess one, an antenna analyser on the BNC connection to the coax up to the 8m dipole would tell me if something is wrong with the coax or antenna. I am puzzled.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Saturday)

As we have returned from a break in Berlin, I am again on 10m QRP WSPR TX with my 500mW TX beacon. So far, 10 unique stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 1342z: 13 stations have spotted me, mostly by Es propagation.

UPDATE 1700z: 18 stations have spotted me.

Sunspots - Saturday July 8th 2023

 Solar flux is 161 and the SSN 167. A=18 and K=1.

Sunday rally

 The following has been notified to me. Please check the data is correct.

Sunday July 9th - Cornish Radio Amateur Club Rally, Truro TR1 1TN. Sorry, no contact details.

OFCOM explores spectrum issues

 OFCOM is exploring some ideas on spectrum usage and is seeking views. See the OFCOM website.

8m FT8 and 10m WSPR QRP

As I am back home, I intend to go on 8m QRP FT8 and 10m QRP WSPR TX tomorrow. 

Postcard from Berlin - NOT amateur radio

 

We are back from Berlin. 

First shack

This photo of a shack in California got me thinking of my first shack. Actually it was a small corner of a bedroom and occupied a space of about 1m by 0.3m. Personally, QRP seems to get results.

Iceland - NOT amateur radio

 

Some years ago we went to Iceland. It was a total surprise. We expected a barren land with volcanic ash everywhere. Instead we found a green country with loads of wild lupins as a Vik shown in the photo. 

Sunspots - Friday July 7th 2023

Solar flux is 158 and the SSN 149. A=11 and K=3.

Pergamon museum Berlin - NOT amateur radio

This museum has a massive collection of antiquity items. It is well worth a visit. 

Seen in Berlin - NOT amateur radio

Not exactly a rare bird, but still very handsome. This thrush was in the Tiergarten earlier. 

Amateur radio cartoon

This was sent to me by G1KQH some time ago. With QRP RF burns are rare. I have no idea where it originated from. 

Am I a spy?

A few days ago we went to the Spy Museum in Berlin. My wife said that my shack looked similar! 

Sunspots - Thursday July 6th 2023

 Solar flux is 154 and the SSN 101. A=7 and K=2. 

Bridge of Spies - NOT amateur radio

This is a model at the Spy Museum in Berlin Germany of the famous bridge over which many spies of east and west were exchanged. 

Sunspots - Wednesday July 5th 2023

Solar flux is 167 and the SSN 121. A=4 and K=1. 

Fossil sponge - NOT amateur radio

Back in 2012 I found this and asked experts at Cambridge University what it was. Apparently it is a fossilised sponge about 100 million years old. 

OFCOM news

 In the last few days OFCOM has published several papers. They also hold updated data on licences held. See the OFCOM website for more information. 

Sunspots - Tuesday July 4th 2023

Solar flux is 173 and the SSN 117. A5 and K=1.