10m 500mW WSPR (Tuesday)

 Although my beacon has been on since about 0810z, no spots.

UPDATE 0955z:  10 stations have spotted me. See table. F2 related?

UPDATE 1517z:   62 stations have spotted my QRP 10m WSPR today.

6m 2.5W FT8 (Tuesday)

 My gear was turned on about 0810z. So far, just one G spot.

UPDATE 1025z: Several stations spotted in Europe but only 7 G spots of my 6m FT8 QRP so far. See map of where I have been spotted.

UPDATE 1514z:  Just one station from "across the pond" spotted on 6m FT8 today - WA1NLG (5244km). My QRP didn't make it. 24 stations spotted - mostly UK, but some in continental Europe.

Autumn flowers - NOT amateur radio

My wife saw these yesterday. A lovely display of autumn flowers.

Tuesday plans - 6m F2?

Later today, my plans are to go on 10m QRP WSPR and 6m QRP FT8.  Yesterday 8m was good, so there is a chance 6m may have some F2 openings. If it is going to happen (e.g. openings by F2 across the Atlantic) now is probably the best time. It has happened in the past and I recall Ws coming in on 6m by F2  propagation coming in like locals.

Faroe Islands - NOT amateur radio

One of my friends on 365project.org lives in the Faroe Islands high up in the Atlantic between Scotland and Iceland. This is one of his photos.

I imagine there are long summer days and very short days in winter. The weather can be windy as well. It is a place I would like to visit, but doubt this will happen.

Sunspots Tuesday October 22nd

  Solar flux is 164 and the SSN 168. A=5 and K=2.

10m 500mW WSPR (Monday)

My QRP 10m WSPR beacon is on and so far 3 stations have copied me. I suspect these were by F2 propagation.

UPDATE 1040z:   14 spots of me with the furthermost a station in Asiatic Russia, RA0SX (5904km).

UPDATE 1358z: Spotted by 51 stations so far today on 500mW 10m WSPR. See table.

UPDATE 1935z:   Spotted by 66 stations today.

8m QSO success (Monday)

After trying for a long time without success, I have had an 8m QRP FT8 QSO with G4FKI (60km). I am not sure if he has changed polarisation. 

UPDATE 1025z: EI3KF (574km) has spotted my QRP 8m FT8.

UPDATE 1222z:  Quite a good day with three 8m QRP FT8 QSOs and Southern Africa and the Middle East spotted on 8m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1243z:  Spotted across the Atlantic again on 8m QRP FT8 this time by VO1SIX (3933km).

UPDATE 1625z: My 8m QRP FT8 was spotted by 15 stations today, with many "across the pond". See map. Now QRT on 8m.  Pretty sure this is my best day on 8m. Remember this is just 2.5W FT8 to a low wire dipole.

With my brother - NOT amateur radio

As we get older, I think the norm is we feel closer to our siblings if we have them. I guess it is the reality that we or them will no longer be around for ever. It is also true for friends and partners.

My brother is nearly 80 and is currently in good health. This photo was taken last month in the ruins of the old abbey at Bury St Edmunds. Perhaps it is a reminder that nothing is forever?

Leaves still on the trees - NOT amateur radio

 Yesterday we were on the edge of the first named storm this autumn in the UK. Winds were stronger in NW Scotland.

I was surprised not to see far more leaves on the grass rather than on the trees. Presumably the leaves that remain (about half) are the ones that still remain more green. As autumn progresses most of these will change colour and fall as they have done for millions of years. 

It is always nice to look forward to new life busting out in spring. Winter first! 😞

Monday plans

Later, I think I shall go on 10m QRP WSPR and either 8m or 6m QRP FT8. 

Linux - NOT amateur radio

 As you will be aware, I am not a PC nerd. Compared with many, I am pretty ignorant. 

However, I have watched a few YouTube videos about making a Linux distro so might have a go at putting one on a CF to boot my PC into Linux to try it. If I do it, it will be after lunch. 

Any recommendations on type? I am told Mint is good for beginners like me.

Cottage - NOT amateur radio

 This is in a village not far from us. Traditionally cottages were pink as they used animal blood to colour the whitewash. I expect these days they buy the paint from a DIYshop!

Sunspots- Monday October 21st

 Solar flux is 164 and the SSN 113. A=5 and K=1.

Testcard F - NOT amateur radio

Many in the UK will recall this iconic testcard from the early days of colour TV. 

Excellent HF to eastern Europe

 Conditions to Eastern Europe seem good at the moment.

See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .

8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

 On the "old" PC I seem to be getting less out on 8m FT8 from the FT817ND despite a low SWR and the power slider on WSJT-X being at maximum. So the output is probably 2W or less to the dipole. 

Despite this, it is being spotted by EA8DJR (2994km) in the Canary Is. I called him, but he failed to hear me. I suspect this is F2 rather than Es propagation. With me he is very strong. I was quite surprised to spot him on 40.680 MHz FT8 this morning.

UPDATE 1002z:  He called and we worked. EA8JF (2832km) has also spotted me on 8m FT8.

UPDATE 1013z:  Now also spotted strongly by EA8RH (3029km). F2 (I guess) is good on 8m this morning.

UPDATE 1038z:  With stations in Italy and Spain being granted amateur radio access to the 8m band activity seems to have increased. I just wish more PTTs would see the value.

UPDATE 1206z:   G4KFI (60km) spotted. I think my QRP is too weak for him to spot me. I think we are cross polarised, so on inter-G this is probably very important.

UPDATE 1243z:  UW8SM (1751km) spotted. I think this station is genuine.

UPDATE 1255z:  4 stations have spotted me today. See map.

UPDATE 1424z:   Spotted in Denmark on QRP 8m FT8 earlier. As conditions seem quite good, I wonder if I shall be spotted "across the pond" on 8m QRP FT8 today? UPDATE MONDAY:  No.

UPDATE 1800z:  CX3DMP (11112km) spotted as well as stations in the Canary Is, Italy Ukraine, UK and Slovenia.

10m 500mW WSPR (Sunday)

 As my 10m antenna is available I am on 10m QRP WSPR with the signal being widely copied

UPDATE 1022z: Spotted by 14 stations. 

UPDATE 1112z: Spotted by 22 stations so far.

UPDATE  1410z: Spotted by 42 stations today.

Map from WSPRrocks by Phil VK7JJ

UPDATE 1633z:  Spotted by 61 stations today on 10m QRP WSPR.

6m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

At the moment (Sunday morning) 6m seems wide open to many parts of Europe (Es?) with my 2.5W FT8  to the V2000 omni vertical being spotted by 27 stations across the continent. See map

CQWW contests in 2024?

This was, perhaps, the biggest set of contests in the world. Even without submitting a score, it gave many a chance to work new countries and US states. 

With the demise of CQ magazine, it is not clear what the situation is in 2024. Looking at the website, you could be forgiven for thinking it is still on. However, that information may have been put up ages ago, before the magazine closed. 

This is one of my pet hates - not knowing the date the webpages were updated, but that is a different story.

If anyone can tell me if it is on or off, please let me know.