Despite the low height of the dipole, it seems to work pretty well with my 2.5W FT8 reaching all over Europe, South Africa, the Caribbean, USA, Canada and the Middle East, and the Canaries.
I doubt a vertical would be much different.
24 Mar 2024
8m dipole
Not my shack!
As well as the modern rig in the centre, there are some nice vintage rigs.
QRSS (very slow beaconing)
This is something I have never tried and I have no idea how it compares with WSPR or FT8. The advantage is the signal (often real QRPP) may be viewed as a trace on a screen. and no real special software is needed, although I expect QRSS enthusiasts have their favourites.
I guess even non-licenced people can try this on ISM bands if permitted.
8m FT8 (Sunday)
My 8m FT8 2.5W is currently on 40.680MHz (DF about 1950Hz), although I am not hopeful as conditions seem disturbed.
UPDATE 1709z: No spots.
500uW (0.5mW) 10m WSPR (Sunday)
My QRPP 10m WSPR signal is on again, but I am not really expecting spots as conditions seem disturbed today. You never know!
UPDATE 1712z: No spots all day.
Migrant birds - NOT amateur radio
As we move into British Summer Time (BST) I look forward to the arrival of migrant birds from Africa. Sand Martins are already in Devon.
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| Chiffchaff |
Swallows are usually seen here in early April, but there are far fewer of these birds these days. Swifts are still common locally, but these are normally seen mid May.
Although many don't like the smell, when the rape comes out fields are carpeted in yellow and spring is truly here along with the blossom on trees and bushes.
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| Rape |
Sunspots - Sunday March 24th
Solar flux is 209 and the SSN 146. A=36 and K=4. I think conditions are disturbed.
23 Mar 2024
Lucy Fraser MP - NOT amateur radio
This morning Lucy Fraser MP (Minister for Media, Culture and Sport and a member of the UK Cabinet) held an open meeting in our village. Although I have never voted Conservative in a UK General Election, I went along. She is our local MP.
She came across as a woman of honesty and integrity, but as she turned up 5 minutes late for her own meeting and gave typical answers when asked, she has not got my vote and may have lost a few others too. Overall it re-enforced my view that we are ruled by a bunch (mainly) of enthusiastic amateurs.
In view of recent threats to MPs, I was quite surprised just to be able to walk in.
'Our’ windmill next door - NOT amateur radio
630m QRP WSPR overnight
Another disappointing session. 11 stations spotted my 10mW ERP and no great DX.
8m FT8 (Saturday)
No spots of me today on 40.680MHz FT8, although I did spot ZR1ADI (9777km) in Western Cape, South Africa on FT8. It looks like Bernard VA2CYX was struggling to be copied across the Atlantic. He is thinking of going to FT8. If I try FT8 with ISM rules (10mW ERP) it is doubtful I would be copied on 8m. WSPR would be better, but there are fewer monitors.
UPDATE 1650z: The good news is S50B is back on 8m with a vertical Sirio antenna. Borut had suffered antenna damage earlier.
UPDATE 2300z: No further spots.
Rallies this weekend
The following rallies are due this weekend:
Sunday March 24th - Dover ARC. See https://darc.online/rally
Sunday March 24th - Ripon Rally Great Ouseburn, York,YO26 9RL. See https://radars-g4sim.club.
22 Mar 2024
630m QRP WSPR (Friday)
My 10mW ERP 630m WSPR has been on of about 30 minutes. So far 5 stations have spotted me.
10m QRPP WSPR (Friday)
As I was spotted again yesterday with 500uW (0.5mW) WSPR, I am trying yet again today, although I am not too hopeful.
8m WSPR RX (Friday)
Once again, I am monitoring 8m WSPR hoping to spot the Canadian trying some tests. It is possible I may also copy some Irish and Belgian stations who were on 8m WSPR yesterday.
Brain functioning - NOT amateur radio
It is about 10.5 years since I had my stroke and these days I cannot tell what is as a result of this and what is just old age.
One thing I am aware of is what happens when I mishear words. Sometimes I think I hear something and my brain tries to make sense of it.
Another thing I am aware of is problems driving: everything seems to be much faster than it really is. I have experienced this for several years. Everything (to me) seems to be going about 20mph faster than it really is. Also when driving (or being driven) it is stressful as I am constantly on the lookout for hazards.
On an intellectual level, this is interesting. On a personal level it is hard.
Profits? - NOT amateur radio
This was at the entrance of a large food shop in Newmarket. I guess they are trying to get us to part with our money.
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