10m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

A few moments ago, I went to 10m FT8 TX with 2.5W.  The reports I have got so far suggest I would have had almost no chance at 10mW FT8 and probably no chance on WSPR either. At least I know I am getting out.

UPDATE 1412z:  8 spots of my 10m 2.5W FT8 so far.

UPDATE 1622z:  21 stations have spotted my 10m 2.5W FT8 (see map)

Mathematical bridge - NOT amateur radio

This was the mathematical bridge in Cambridge yesterday. 

When originally put up, it is said to have used no nails.

Trinity - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday, we went to Cambridge on the bus as it was less windy than the day before. We walked around the Backs and this photo was of the approach to Trinity College from the Backs. Many of the flowers were now past their best.

10m WSPR with 10mW ERP (Thursday)

This morning, I am trying 10mW ERP 10m WSPR for a change. The gear was turned on at about 0850z. No spots yet.

Might try 10mW 10m FT8 later.

UPDATE 1245z:  No spots of me today, although I have spotted stations, even with the attenuator in the antenna coax on RX!

Sunspots - Thursday April 11th

Solar flux is 131 and the SSN 54. A=8 and K=2. 

Disappointing session on 630m QRP WSPR overnight

Overnight was the worst session this season with only 7 stations spotting my 10mW ERP. I shall stick with it until the weekend, but may seek a new nighttime challenge.

630m QRP WSPR (Wednesday)

Until I had to QSY to 70cm FT8, I was on 630m WSPR with 10mW ERP. 2 stations spotted me. I shall QSY back to 630m QRP WSPR later.  

70cm FT8 UKAC activity contest

Stations spotting my 2.5W FT8
on 70cm earlier this evening

It never fails to amaze me how far 2.5W FT8 to the 2m big-wheel omni goes on 70cm.  On RX, stations as far as S.Eire, the Netherlands and Germany are always copied on 70cm FT8 irrespective of conditions.

Powerful picture - NOT amateur radio

As someone who is now "old", this picture came over as a very powerful one to me.  

It shows a young girl looking in a mirror and seeing an old lady looking back at her.

It seems like just a blink of an eye since I was young. It seems no time at all.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

Another average night on 630m 10mW ERP WSPR with 8 spots of me and no DX. 

10m 500uW WSPR (Wednesday)

10m QRPP WSPR  never fails to amaze me. Already today 19 spots of me by EA8BFK (2880km). It seems that if the band is "open", we have a pipe between us.

Sunspots - Wednesday April 10th

 Solar flux is 124 and the SSN 64. A=11 and K=1.

Is spring ever coming? - NOT amateur radio

It seems to have been having a long, dark and very wet period that has been going on for months. It is now very windy too. Hopefully spring will come ...... sometime!

It is very odd. Many things are early, yet spring seems late. Usually by now we have some good, settled weather. Not so this year.

10m QRPP WSPR (Tuesday)

My 500uW 10m WSPR has been spotted (again) in the Canary Is by EA8BFK (2880km). He has spotted me on multiple occasions for days on end in the early morning. This is almost becoming routine and I have to pinch myself that he is so regularly copying my 500uW (0.5mW) beacon.

UPDATE 1519z: 37 spots of my 500uW 10m WSPR all by EA8BFK.

8m FT8 RX (Tuesday)

 As I decided not to ask for a new 8m TX permit (which I still think is totally wrong that you have to pay!!), but instead test with 10mW ERP under ISM rules this Es season, I am on 8m FT8 RX today.

Our garden - NOT amateur radio

Spring has sprung. Blossom in our garden yesterday.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

Not a bad session with a little DX to Norway. I shall stick with it for longer!

Sunspots - Tuesday April 9th

 Solar flux is 125 and the SSN 79. A=8 and K=2.

At the moment, it looks like numbers are declining. Will we have a second peak?

2m activity contest last Tuesday

Although there is absolutely no chance of me coming remotely close to winning and despite only stopping on for 15 minutes, I usually submit an entry if I am home. This time I totally forgot to submit my entry. Just now I remembered!

630m QRP WSPR overnight

With 11 stations spotting my 10mW ERP 630m WSPR overnight, it was a mixed time. No real DX but a reasonable number of stations.