QMX+ SSB

This has been promised in a later software update. I have not seen any formal announcement about this yet. 

For many people, this would be a reliable and low cost introduction to QRP operating. 

Hans Summers makes some superb kit.

See https://qrp-labs.com/qmxp.html .

8m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

Although my 2.5W FT8 has been on since just after breakfast, no spots yet.

UPDATE 1015z:  Just EI2IP (607km) spotting me.

UPDATE 1130z:  EI3KF (574km) also spotting me.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Tuesday)

 My beacon has been on since just after breakfast. 

UPDATE 1235z:  No spots. Is there a blackout on HF?

Dodging showers - NOT amateur radio

In between showers, I cut the front lawn this morning. 

The grass was very wet! If I had waited any longer, I would have had to wait a long time.

Thunder and lightning risk

 At the moment, the risk seems low, so I have gone on the air. If this changes, I shall go QRT.

See  https://www.lightningmaps.org/#m=oss;t=3;s=0;o=0;b=;ts=0;

UPDATE 1025z: It looks like the storms are creeping into SW England. Currently it is sunny and dry here in East Anglia.

Sunspots - Tuesday October 8th

 Solar flux is 277 and the SSN 164. A=55 and K=3.

8m FT8 (Monday)

 After returning from Cambridge I decided to try 8m QRP FT8 . Nobody has spotted me but I have spotted G4FKI (60km).

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Monday)

 

When I got back from Cambridge, I turned on my little stand-alone 10m WSPR TX beacon. Just F2 spots (see table).

Radio magazines

Today my U3A courses restarted and I had some time to kill in Cambridge Library. I was quite surprised to see a copy of Practical Electronics. 

It got me wondering what electronics magazines can still be bought in newsagents?  

There were few adverts so I think their business model must rely on the sales of PCBs for the projects they feature.

Expanding - NOT amateur radio

When we came to this village in 1975 the population was just over 4000. Now it is approaching 8000. Some prefer to expand their homes rather than move. It still has a village feel.

Sunspots - Monday October 7th

 Solar flux is 265 and the SSN 167. A=16 and K=4.

Blacksmith - NOT amateur radio

This was the blacksmith with his son at our local museum Sunday.

8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

 Although my 2.5W 8m FT8 has been on since just after breakfast, no spots yet.

UPDATE 0926z:  Just WESSEXSDR (267km) has spotted me.

UPDATE  1754z:   8 spots of my 2.5W 8m FT8 today. See map. Pretty sure this is the best this season.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Sunday)

 

My beacon has been on since just after breakfast. Several spots via F2 propagation. See table.

UPDATE 1024z:  11 stations have spotted me so far with the furthermost PU5ALE (10191km) in Brazil.

UPDATE  1800z:  84 spots of me today.

Sunday plans

 Later I expect to go on 8m QRP FT8 and 10m QRP WSPR again.

Sunspots - Sunday October 6th

 Solar flux is 277 and the SSN 173. A=7 and K=2.

Oscar 100 narrowband activity

In a word - pathetic.

Every few weeks I take peek at activity of this geosynchronous satellite. It is very very low. I cannot say how disappointing I find this.

Bah humbug - NOT amateur radio

Not sure why, but I hate seeing Christmas things too early. If I had my way, all things Christmas would be banned until December. 

All this strikes me as pure commercialism with nothing at all to do with the true meaning of Christmas.

Rallies this weekend

 The following have been notified to me. Always check before going far.

• Sat Oct 5th - Carmarthen ARS Surplus Equipment Sale, Cwmduad, SA33 6XN. Contact G0JLX @gmail.com (shown as ....@mail.com which I think is an error?).
• Sun Oct 6th - Welsh Radio Rally, Newport, NP18 2YE. Contact welshradiorally@gmail.com. 

A full list of rallies is at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies .

10m 500mW WSPR (Saturday)

My tiny stand-alone 10m QRP WSPR beacon was turned on about 0812z. 

UPDATE 0851z:  Plenty of (I think) F2 spots.

UPDATE 1720z: So far today, 66 stations have spotted me.  See map.