Reflections on 2023 and plans for 2024

Looking back on 2023, the stand-out things are my 8m QSOs with 2.5W and a dipole with stations in the Caribbean and my 0.5mW WSPR tests on 10m.  At the moment, I have no firm plans for next year.  What is clear is that I prefer WSPR and FT8. There are several reasons.

1. My voice is poor and it is a strain to talk.

2. DXCC was worked back in the 1980s with QRP SSB on 10m. DXCC is no longer a priority.

3. I prefer experimenting to just talking with stations.

4. One-way signals (looking on the internet to see when I am being received) are as important for me than two-way QSOs.

Everyone is different and I can totally understand that working DXCC and new countries is important to some. It is just that, for me, it is no longer important. When I was fitter going out in the wilds on 481THz or VLF was good fun. These days I try to do experiments from home.

United Ireland? - NOT amateur radio

It won't happen in my lifetime, but I can see Ireland and Ulster becoming united again at some point this century. 

Power sharing has been suspended for 2 years because the DUP is not happy with the BREXIT deal. They are already the minority party. Over time, they will be even smaller as a result of the birth rate.

There will be some political fudge that ensures the Protestants in Ulster are safeguarded.

I have no strong views on this. All I want is peace and fairness for all.

8m QRP FT8 (Monday)

My 8m FT8 2.5W is currently on. No spots until 1330z (TX or RX). 

As there is a small Es peak in mid winter, there is a chance of some European spots if there are people monitoring. I suspect there are fewer people monitoring at this time of year.

UPDATE 1725z:  Surprisingly, 2 spots of my QRP 8m FT8 from the Caribbean this afternoon.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Monday)

My 500mW WSPR TX beacon is on and has already been spotted by 4 stations. The best suggests I might have been copied with the PA off.

UPDATE 1123z: I have reverted to 500uW as it was too easy at 500mW!!  😄😄

UPDATE 1730z:   No spots at 500uW.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

 

In all, 14 stations spotted my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. No astounding DX, but it works and is invisible to XYL and neighbours.

Christmas - NOT amateur radio

Last night, we went to the Carols by Candlelight service at our local church. 

The photo shows the installation outside.

Sunspots- Monday December 18th 2023

 Solar flux is 155 and the SSN 129. A=36 and K=3.

481 THz testing

If this photo has been on recently, please accept my apologies. 

For some reason, my XYL laughs when this appears. As a geek, I cannot understand why!  😉

It is some time since I did any serious work at optical frequencies. With the dark evenings I really should try.

Lighter evenings - NOT amateur radio

Although mornings get darker for longer for a couple more weeks, the nights start to get a bit lighter from this week. This actually starts before the winter solstice here. By the end of January this is almost an hour more light in the evening.

Every season has something great. At this time of year it is drawing the curtains and enjoying the fire. Come summer I'd be watering the garden and cutting the grass!

Open house - NOT amateur radio

 Just before Christmas,we like to have neighbours around for drinks and nibbles. It’s a happy gathering.

630m QRP WSPR (Sunday)

 Today I stayed on 630m WSPR in the daytime. 4 UK stations have spotted me

10m QRP WSPR TX (Sunday)

With 500mW (as opposed to 0.5mW) there is no problem in getting plenty of spots.. I think it was 16 stations today at the last count.

UPDATE 1705z:  30 stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR TX today.

Giant millipede - NOT amateur radio

These lived millions of years ago (thank goodness!!) and were bigger than humans. 

Imagine doing the weeding and seeing this!

Sunspots- Sunday December 17th 2023

 Solar flux is 149 and the SSN 163. A=14 and K=4.

630m QRP WSPR (Saturday)

 

So far, 9 stations have spotted me this evening.

Where I was brought up as a child - NOT amateur radio

This is where I was brought up as a child. Salcombe, Devon.

630m WSPR overnight

 

9 stations spotted my 10mW ERP with the furthermost OH1LSQ (1733km).

10m QRP WSPR TX (Saturday)

My 10m WSPR beacon was turned on full power (500mW - seems like QRO now!!) at 0855z.

UPDATE 0915z:  There is huge difference between 0.5mW and 500mW 10m WSPR with 5 stations immediately spotting me at 500mW. Stations that stood no chance at 0.5mW are able to spot me with ease at 500mW.

UPDATE 1324z:  18 stations have spotted me today. Not one, I believe, would have spotted me at 500uW.

Sunspots - Saturday December 16th 2023

 Solar flux is 144 and the SSN 130. A=12 and K=4.

630m QRP WSPR (Friday)

My 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground was turned on just after teatime. So far, 3 stations have spotted me this evening.

UPDATE 1937z:  5 stations have so far spotted me. Nobody new sadly.

UPDATE 2009z:  It is interesting to see how well some other stations are being received. Take for example G3XIZ who has been copied by 67 unique stations. I have no idea of his ERP but he clearly does really well on 630m. In contrast, I have been spotted by just 6 stations! It would suggest his ERP is some 10-20dB better.

UPDATE 2215z:   OH1LSQ (1733km) has spotted me.