Spring is coming - NOT amateur radio

 

Trees are coming into leaf. It felt much warmer today on our walk around the village. It is windier.

8m dipole

As mentioned before, it looks like my 8m dipole antenna system has an intermittent fault. Recently, I decided to concentrate on 8m TX with ISM restrictions, which means 10mW ERP. WSPR gives me the best chance. I doubt 8m FT8 at 10mW ERP would be enough.

A reminder that, certainly in the UK, possibly elsewhere, under ISM rules 8m beaconing is licence free and open to all. A full T&I 8m TX permit costs £50 annually in the UK. With more countries opening the band for real amateur radio research, I keep my fingers crossed that radio amateurs will eventually be granted restricted access with conditions. I have long said that just 5kHz in the ISM band would do.

For 10mW ERP tests the antenna must be reliable.

The actual antenna and coax are not problems, whereas erection is more of an issue as this requires ladder work. I can probably manage OK as the ladder work is quite low, but I get giddy very easily these days so even a short distance off the ground is harder than it once was.

500uW 10m WSPR again

My 10m WSPR beacon, without the PA, is on again. At 0846z, no spots. 

This QRPP is really great fun and definitely worth trying in the upcoming Es season. I suspect FT8 would not work.

UPDATE 1817z: 23 spots of me so far today. Please note that my beacon is pre-programmed to report 0.5W even though the power with the PA off is 30dB lower (500uW).

Return of the migrant birds - NOT amateur radio

When I see the first migrant birds returning from Africa, my heart jumps for joy.  In this troubled world it is good to know that cycles that have gone on for thousands, possibly millions, of years carry on despite us. 

Yesterday I saw my first housemartin, although I have yet to see a swallow. 

In 4-6 weeks we will hear the screaming swifts feeding on the wing. We'll look up and there they will be and my heart will lose another beat.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/swift .

Tulip - NOT amateur radio

 This is in our garden.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

An average session overnight with no real DX. 11 stations spotted my 10mW ERP WSPR on 630m.

Sunspots - Saturday April 13th

 Solar flux is 152 and the SSN 83. A=6 and K=2.

630m QRP WSPR (Friday)

 My 10mW ERP has been on for a few hours. 4 stations have spotted me so far.

Nest - NOT amateur radio

A blackbird has decided to nest in the arch over our back gate. 

I had not noticed this nest before, so it may be new. I hope it succeeds.

Crab Apples - NOT amateur radio

This spring, our crab apple tree has plenty of blossom. Hopefully we’ll have a good harvest of crab apples later.

500uW 10m WSPR (Friday)

My 10m WSPR beacon is again on with 500uW (0.5mW).  So far today, no spots. I am wondering if EA8BFK is no longer monitoring?

I shall definitely try 10m 500uW WSPR in the Es season.

UPDATE 0954z: Yes, EA8BFK (2880km) is monitoring as he has just spotted me! A reminder that  my beacon is pre-programmed to report 0.5W, even though it is 30dB lower with the PA off.

UPDATE 1302z: 13 spots of my 500uW (0.5mW) 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 2143z: 27 spots of my QRPP today.

6m QRP FT8 (Friday)

This morning, I am on 6m FT8 with my 2.5W to the V2000 vertical omni antenna. So far, 6 English stations spotting me. No DX evident here.

UPDATE 0946z:  Now spotted by 11 stations including stations in Norway and Sweden.

Warmth? - NOT amateur radio

For the first time this year we managed a cup of tea in the garden and it felt warm enough this morning to cut the grass in shirt sleeves. 

The tulip in the photo shows one in our garden.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

Quite a decent session with 12 stations spotting my 10mW ERP (measured) from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground  overnight. 4 spots were from Norway.

Sunspots - Friday April 12th

Solar flux is 144 and the SSN 62. A=8 and 1.

630m QRP WSPR (Thursday)

My 10mW ERP WSPR was turned on at about 1725z on 630m .

Alive in three centuries - NOT amateur radio

This woman, who died at age 110, was reported as living in the 1700s, 1800s and 1900s. If correct, she is the first woman recorded to have lived in 3 centuries.

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.