10mW ERP 630m WSPR (Tuesday)

After a break of a few days, I am back on 630m QRP WSPR with my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. It has been on for about 30 minutes. So far, 6 spots by G8OCV/SDR (65km)

Bruges, Belgium 🇧🇪 - NOT amateur radio

We last visited Bruges in October 2001. We visited here last week and it was heaving with people, so much so that it had lost its charm. It is doubtful if we will ever return, but perhaps in winter?

Sunspots - Monday May 13th

Solar flux is 222 and the SSN 186. A=54 and K=5.

Cobbles - NOT amateur radio

 Among the problems of Belgian 🇧🇪 streets are trams, bikes and cobbles. Since my 2013 stroke, balance has been a problem .This means I am always looking down to ensure the cobbles are OK as I could easily fall. 

Crossing the road has always been hard, but it is worse with trams, tram rails and bikes, especially when they come from the wrong direction!!

Yaesu FT710 field

Some time ago I had one of these. They are excellent transceivers and MLS is offering them at a reasonable price with the Yaesu cash back deal. They come out very highly on the Sherman test ratings. I am almost tempted. I have to ask myself why?

If you are after a good all round HF, 6m and 4m rig I can recommend it . It can TX on all bands to 75MHz in Engineering Mode without uncasing just with button presses. Mods are fully reversible.

I forgot the 3 year warranty on Yaesu gear which I hope they still do.

Solar storm

As radio  amateurs we look for good auroral propagation. Visually they can be stunning as this photo from Wicken Fen near us at 2330z shows.

Quirky - NOT amateur radio

 This quirky bike with lots of bells was seen in Ghent a few days ago.

True?

This photo of a cartoon I found earlier summarises how many XYLs must feel.

Sunspots - Sunday May 12th

 Solar flux is 214 and the SSN 148. A=272 and K=6.

EchoLink

 As I am away from home, I am able to monitor my local repeater  -  silent every time I tried!!

Swifts in Belgium 🇧🇪 - NOT amateur radio

 A sight that gladdened my heart tonight: swifts screaming and flying overhead. These were the first I have seen this year. All is well with the world. When swifts return as they have for thousands of years I know the world carries on. I know this is a sight I shall not see much more, but it confirms my place.

Sunspots- Saturday May 11th

 Solar flux is 223 and the SSN is 156. A=118 and K=8.

That solar storm

The earth is being hit by a massive solar storm which is the biggest in 20 years so the aurora is being watched far farther south than normal . This was taken in our village last night at 11.30pm by local G3TFX.

Swifts have arrived - NOT amateur radio

 My son has seen a swift in our village so they have arrived in East Anglia. I have not seen any yet.

Ghent, Belgium 🇧🇪 - NOT amateur radio

 This was Ghent yesterday.

Steve Webb G3TPW

 Years ago I used to work with Steve who created the Cobwebb antenna. I tried to email him using the email on qrz.com Unfortunately it bounced so I was wondering if any readers know his latest email.

Special vintage station

Apparently the RSGB is organising a special station with vintage CW gear this summer. I forget what the reason is.

Sunspots - Friday May 10th

 Solar flux is 233 and the SSN 170. A=6 and K=3.

Rally this weekend

The following is the information I have .Please check if you are making a special trip.

Sunday May 12th - Retrotech UK (BVWS), Coventry, CV8 3FL.  Contact info@retrotech.com

Dark web - NOT amateur radio

 After all this time I have come to the conclusion that I am simple. They keep talking about the dark web, but I have no idea how to access it , even if I did.