Out of date websites - NOT amateur radio

One of the big problems on the internet is knowing if the information is up to date. On some sites this does not matter but on places like shops, businesses, restaurants and pubs it can be vital.

When it matters, a date on the website is important. The company in the photo are still there. I know as their website has a date! 

Sunspots - Sunday August 13th 2023

Solar flux is 148 and the SSN 61. A=8 and K=0. 

Last swift? - NOT amateur radio

On August 9th I was about to report the swifts had flown south.  Then I saw 10!  Today I saw a solitary swift overhead. I think this is probably the last I shall see in the UK until next spring. To me, screaming swifts are an important part of the cycle of life.

Rally this Sunday

Sunday August 13th - Flight Refuelling ARS, Cobham, Dorset.  BH21 3DA. Contact tbaker@tiscali.co.uk .

Always advisable to check first.

8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

For the last few days, I have been back on 8m QRP FT8.  Every day my 2.5W to a dipole has been received overseas.  Some of these were probably via Es, although I am less sure of the reports from Eire. 

For the first time (I think) G8JNJ (247km) was spotted here. This is far too close for Es, so could be tropo, some sort of backscatter, MS or aircraft.

UPDATE 1945z:  5 stations spotted my QRP 8m FT8 today.

10m 500mW WSPR RX (Saturday)

My 10m WSPR TX beacon has been on since just before lunch. So far,  14 stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 1256z:  23 stations have spotted my 500mW 10m QRP WSPR today.

UPDATE 2014z:  50 stations have spotted me today.

8m QRP FT8 (Friday)

 Yesterday I was again on 8m QRP FT8. 3 stations spotted me (1 England and 2 Eire - no Es) 

Sunspots - Saturday August 12th 2023

Solar flux is 153 and the SSN 105. A=5 and K =3.

My brain - NOT amateur radio

In 2011 I took part in some medical research that involved an MRI brain scan. The photo shows the view of my brain. 

Perhaps the fact that part is missing explains a lot! 

10m QRP WSPR TX

My 500mW TX beacon has been on since lunch. Furthermost is PU5ALE (10191km). Altogether, spotted by 14 unique stations. 

8m QRP yesterday

Stations spotting
my 2.5W FT8
on 8m yesterday 

Since getting back on 8m FT8 2 days ago, I have been spotted by stations in 5 countries on QRP FT8. Yesterday it was Portugal, Eire and England.  

Most 8m FT8 activity is on 40.680 MHz USB dial. We need more monitors please!

If you can get limited access to the 8m band - suggest the ISM frequencies - from your national PTT. Just 5 kHz at 40.680 MHz would be a start. Maybe ask for just a year to experiment and research around sunspot maximum? WSPR and FT8 only?

Sunspots - Friday August 11th 2023

Solar flux is 156 and the SSN 83. A=7 and K=2.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Thursday)

My 500mW 10m WSPR beacon was turned on at about 0630z. Just spots from local G4KPX (14km) so far. 

RHS Bridgewater - NOT amateur radio

This was RHS Bridgewater in July. This is located near Manchester. Despite being open for about 2 years, it looks mature.

Thursday plans

My expectation is to go on 10m QRP WSPR TX and 8m QRP FT8. I am hopeful of some Es propagation. 

VLF tests in 2011

Before my 2013 stroke I enjoyed experimenting at the extremes of the spectrum. This was a test I did at around 17 kHz through the ground. 

Sunspots - Thursday August 10th 2023

 Solar flux is 153 and the SSN 103. A=7 and K=2.

70cm FT8 activity contest (Wednesday)

Stations spotted on 70cm FT8  tonight

Tonight was the UKAC activity contest on 70cm FT8. I had one QSO, but spent most of the time on RX. 30 stations were spotted with the 2m big-wheel omni antenna.

Rally news

This unusual as it is on Friday evening.  Junk sale. Best to check details first.

Friday August 11th 6-9pm  Cockenzie and Port Seton ARC . No contact details or postcode, sorry. I think this is Scotland.

70cm activity contest

Last night, I went on the 70cm activity contest (UKAC) organised by the RSGB. I was in for about 40 minutes in 2 sessions with 10W and the 2m big-wheel omni. 4 QSOs were made (see map).

Usually the 70cm FT8 activity session is this evening.