Norwich museum exhibit - NOT amateur radio

The Bridewell Museum in Norwich well exceeded our expectations. The exhibits are on two floors and show the social history of the city.

It is interesting that, although we have no intention of moving, Norwich is a city we could live in. It has a nice feel.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

Quite a decent session on 630m WSPR with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground with 10mW ERP with 24 stations spotting me in the last 24 hours.Also, some useful DX again.

Sunspots - Monday January 15th

 Solar flux is 188 and the SSN 183.  A=6 and K=0.

70cm activity session last Tuesday

Every month I take part in the 70cm activity contest (UKAC) using 10W pep and my 2m big-wheel omni antenna. It is usual for me to stop on not very long with my poor voice. 3 stations were worked (see map).

630m QRP WSPR (Sunday)

At about 1608z my 10mW ERP 630m WSPR was turned on. So far, at 1640z widely spotted in the UK.

UPDATE 2215z:   21 stations have spotted me in the last 12 hours on 630m QRP WSPR. Quite good with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground that the XYL and neighbours do not even realise is there!

500uW 10m WSPR TX

 Today, my 500uW 10m WSPR has been spotted by a couple of stations (EA8 and OH).

Best session yet on 630m QRP WSPR

The last 24 hours was the best session this season on 630m QRP WSPR TX with 28 stations spotting my 10mW ERP.

12 years ago - NOT amateur radio

 

The photo shows nearby Anglesey Abbey on 2012.

Sunspots - Sunday January 14th

 Solar flux is 185 and the SSN 191. A=3 and K=1.

500uW (0.5mW) 10m WSPR

This must have been one of the best days ever on 10m QRPP WSPR TX. EA8BFK (2880km) has spotted me 6 times.

London, St Pancras - NOT amateur radio

 

Eurostar trains to Paris and Amsterdam leave from here.

We went to London to eat out at an Italian restaurant nearby with our daughter-in-law and her daughter.

630m QRP WSPR in the last day

 

In the last day, 26 stations spotted my 10mW ERP. I think this is the best this season.

QSL cards

At one time, these were the main way of confirming a contact. An extensive network of bureaus meant that QSL cards could be sent across the world instead of directly. Some times cards could take months or even years to arrive!  

These days a contact may be confirmed a number of ways and eQSLs exchanged. I have to admit that I rarely send out QSL cards these days.

1950s amateur shack?

 This looks like a nice shack from the 1950s or early 1960s.

Sunspots - Saturday January 13th

 Solar flux is 186 and the SSN 188. A=4 and K=1 .

630m QRP WSPR (Friday)

My gear (10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground) was turned on at about 1648z. Already 4 stations have spotted me.

Norwich swans - NOT amateur radio

These, and many more, swans were on the River Wensum in Norwich earlier in the week.

Amazing to think stones for Norwich cathedral came all the way from France centuries ago up here!

8m QRP FT8 (Friday)

My 8m FT8 2.5W QRP was turned on a few hours ago on 40.680 MHz.  No spots.

UPDATE 1557z: PJ4MM (7483km) in Bonaire has been spotted on 8m FT8 RX. Nobody has spotted me!

10m 500uW (0.5mW) WSPR TX (Friday)

In the last day my 500uW (0.5mW) WSPR beacon has been spotted 3 times (there was a 4th earlier yesterday too). The power was verified with my TinySA spectrum analyser. The beacon is pre-programmed to say 0.5W even though the power is actually 500uW (0.5mW) with the PA off.

The beacon is on now.

UPDATE 1458z: No spots of my QRPP 10m WSPR today.

Sunspot peak

According to some forecasts we are just over the peak of solar cycle 25. Only time will tell us if this is indeed the case. Conditions on HF should still be good for several years.

See https://prop.kc2g.com/.