Sunspots - Saturday December 30th

Solar flux is 143 and the SSN 92. A=6 and K=2.

Shetland sun - NOT amateur radio

This was posted recently on 365project (a photo a day) by a friend who lives in Shetland. In the winter, the nights are long and the days short. I think a special person lives up here!  Obviously the opposite is true in the summer!

10m QRPP WSPR TX (Friday)

My 500uW (0.5mW) 10m WSPR TX has been on since 0800z. At 1010z, 4 spots already from the Canary Is by EA8BFK (2880km) and EA8/DF4UE (2876km).

UPDATE 1415z: 10 spots of my 10m 500uW WSPR today in 3 countries. Incredible.  Some of these reports suggest even weaker might have been successful.

6m QRP FT8

My gear was turned on at 0800z.  At 1016z just local spots.

UPDATE 1408z:   11 spots of my 2.5W in 4 countries (see map).

Lode Water Mill - NOT amateur radio

 

This is an unusual view of the water mill at Anglesey Abbey near Cambridge from our Boxing Day walk.

Friday plans

My 500uW 10m WSPR TX will continue and I shall continue on 6m FT8 as this was encouraging yesterday. I may try 8m later.

Sunspots - Friday December 29th

 Solar flux is 147 and the SSN 83. A=3 and K=1.

Flower - NOT amateur radio

 

We saw this on our Boxing Day walk. I think it is a Calendula.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calendula .

10m QRPP WSPR TX (Thursday)

 My 500uW (0.5mW) TX WSPR beacon is on 10m again, but no spots today at 0941z.

UPDATE 1714z:  No spots all day.

6m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

Looking at my Facebook memories today, I noticed that I monitored 6m FT8 a few years ago and was spotted by several stations by mid-winter Es. So, I have decided to try 50.313MHz FT8 with my 2.5W and V2000 vertical omni. At 0925z, just one G spotting me with a couple of stations received including a station in Brittany, France.

UPDATE 1224z:   Several G spots of me. Best DX on RX was a station in Germany.

UPDATE 1500z:   There looks to be some winter Es about. I have been spotted by 10 stations and have spotted stations on 6m FT8 as far as southern France.

UPDATE 1717z: 12 stations spotted my QRP 6m FT8 today with the furthermost OH1MN (1633km). See map.

UPDATE 1902z: 14 stations have spotted me including 3 in Scandinavia, presumably by winter Es.

Plans for Thursday

My 10m QRPP 500uW WSPR tests will continue but I may try a new band on QRP FT8.

630m QRP overnight

A disappointing night with just 6 stations spotting me. Certainly in the UK it was very windy and this may have put off some with high antennas.

Sunspots - Thursday December 28th

 Solar flux is 149 and the SSN 78. A=4 and K= 0.

630m QRP WSPR (Wednesday)

At 1620z, my QRP 630m WSPR was turned on. As usual 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

UPDATE 2025z: 5 stations have spotted me. Furthermost PA0LSB/V (326km).

8m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

 Although I have been on most of the day, not a single spot on TX or RX.

10m QRPP WSPR TX (Wednesday)

My 500uW (0.5mW)  WSPR TX tests continue. Today, I was spotted by DF1VB (506km) . At this tiny power I have been spotted by 4 stations on 3 continents. I have been amazed by these results.

Winter jasmine - NOT amateur radio

 

On our walk yesterday, we saw this bush laden with winter jasmine. It can look splendid at this time of year

630m QRP WSPR overnight

Ten stations spotted my 10mW ERP 630m WSPR overnight. No great DX, but more active stations than I was expecting just after Christmas.

2200m activity

 Apart from an unsuccessful test last year with my CW beacon, I have not tried TX this LF band. As my only suitable antenna is my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, I am rather hampered with my poor health. It is this or nothing.

Some years ago, I made a video of my LF transverter.

At some point I must repeat my test with my 2200m CW beacon.

Rally on Thursday

The following rally is due to take place this Thursday. Check if travelling a long way.

Thursday Dec 28th - Sparkford Wireless Group Tabletop Rally in aid of RAIBC, West Camel near Yeovil, BA22 7QX.  Contact wjh069@gmail.com .