This cottage was extended some years ago. The new part matches the old very well.
3 Oct 2023
2 Oct 2023
630m WSPR RX (Monday)
At 1920z, I turned on my 630m WSPR RX using my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.
Lightning stops play
Just now, we had a lightning flash and clap of thunder. Judging by the time delay, I would imagine it is 10km south of here.
If it looks like the risk is going away, I shall probably reconnect things.
See https://www.lightningmaps.org/#m=oss;t=3;s=0;o=0;b=;ts=0;Inertia
Maybe it is because I am retired? Maybe it is because I am old? Maybe it is related to my 2013 stroke?
Whatever the reason, I am always very tired and get exhausted very quickly. Jobs that would have once taken a few minutes take ages. As examples I have had an SDR and a tiny spectrum analyser for ages and they have still to be used. My 630m transverter that needs fixing still needs fixing.
It is as if there is no urgency. Perhaps this is a good thing. There is always tomorrow...
Working Russian stations
If you are old enough, you will remember working lots of stations in the old USSR. We were able to share our hobby on equal terms with people who were really the same as us.
I feel the same now about Russia. I hate that they invaded Ukraine, but I hope that via amateur radio we can all share our common humanity. Incidentally, one of my old neighbours was Russian and nicer person you could never meet. Since leaving work, I have had regular contact with a Russian who has always been the same.
Windmill Maintenance - NOT amateur radio
Our hedge is in the front of the photo.
8m QRP FT8 (Monday)
My 2.5W and dipole was turned on at 0700z. So far just local G4WSZ (12km) spotting me.
UPDATE 1350z: ZR1ADI (9777km) again spotted. Sadly he has not spotted my QRP!
10m 500mW WSPR TX (Monday)
My QRP 10m WSPR beacon designed and made by W5OLF is on again with the PA on!! It was turned on at 0700z. So far, spots from local G4KPX (14km) and the Canary Is..
UPDATE 1509z: 25 stations have spotted me. Many are in the USA.
Tristan da Cunha
Years ago I was fascinated by this remote island in the South Atlantic. I have heard it on 20m SSB, but never worked anyone on Tristan.
630m WSPR RX last evening
No further stations were copied after midnight. I hope to fix the transverter this week.
1 Oct 2023
630m WSPR RX (Sunday)
As usual, I am on 630m WSPR RX. So far (at 0730z) 3 stations spotted.
UPDATE 2107z: 5 stations spotted.
The next solar maximum?
According to my favourite site for solar data, the peak of solar cycle 25 is still November 2023, which is just next month. The data was only updated today.
Solar conditions could still be good for several years yet.
St Ives (Cambridgeshire) - NOT amateur radio
8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)
Once again my 2.5W and a dipole is on 40.680 MHz FT8. So far, just local G4WSZ (12km) spotting me.
UPDATE 1220z: 3 spots of my 8m QRP FT8 today (2 on PSKr). I see G9PUV has been spotted in S.Africa.
UPDATE 1723z: ZR1ADI (9777km) in S.Africa spotted on 8m FT8. This is the furthermost this autumn.
10m QRPP WSPR TX (Sunday)
Following the experiment yesterday with my beacon PA turned OFF, I am again on 10m WSPR with microwatts (even though the beacon is preprogrammed to say 0.5W). No spots!
UPDATE 0850z: EA8BFK (2880km) has spotted my microwatts!
UPDATE 1504z: EA8BFK has spotted my 10m WSPR microwatts 3 times today.
OFCOM publications
OFCOM regularly updates the figures it keeps on things like licences. They also announce details of new publications. See the OFCOM website for details.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
