Sunspots - Saturday January 18th

 Solar flux is 227 and the SSN 149. A=21 and K=2.

6m QRP FT8 (Friday)

For a very brief time before turning my QMX+  off, I went on 6m FT8 for about a minute. In all, 3 English stations spotted me.

Eating the nuts - NOT amateur radio

 

Another post from 365project by a friend.

See https://365project.org/carole_sandford/365/2025-01-16 .

10m QRP WSPR TX (Friday)

My 500mW beacon has been on since about 1300z. So far, 21 stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 1900z:  Now QRT. Furtherrmost was ZD7GB (7607km). See WSPRrocks by Phil VK7JJ.

OFCOM consultation

 At the moment OFCOM is consulting on licence free services. I noticed this:

"Amateur Radio Full (Temporary Reciprocal) – this would enable the use on a short-term basis of Radio Amateur equipment by people visiting from certain countries"

Please see the OFCOM website for details of how to respond to the consultation.

Signs of spring? - NOT amateur radio

Before lunch we went for a walk 🚶 at nearby Anglesey Abbey. There are a few signs of spring but really we are in the middle of winter still.

Back on 8m QRP FT8 TX (Friday)

 Since about 1300z,  I have been on 40.680 MHz FT8 TX with a few watts to my low dipole from the QMX+.

UPDATE 1914z:  No spots of me all day.  QRT.

Sunspots- Friday January 17th

 Solar flux is 208 and the SSN 105. A=14 and K=3.

10m 500mW WSPR (Thursday)

 My stand-alone 10m QRP WSPR beacon was turned on mid-morning. So far, 11 stations have spotted me. 

UPDATE 2231z: 17 stations have spotted me. QRT shortly (see table).

6m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

My gear was turned on mid-morning.

UPDATE 1327z: 26 stations have spotted me .

UPDATE 1720z:  Spotted by 36 stations. All are in Europe.

UPDATE 2222z: Spotted by 38 stations (see map).

Lighter evenings - NOT amateur radio

Every season has good and bad points. However, I look forward to lighter evenings and spring . Birds sing for mates or to claim territory.

Maldives QSL card

Don't think the Maldives have ever been worked by me. If I have, it would have been nearly 40 years ago! 

This QSL card was seen yesterday.

Sunspots - Thursday January 16th

 Solar flux is 174 and the SSN 102. A=16 and K=2.

2200m beacon

This was my LF beacon, before I managed to blow it up last year! It could do QRSS and normal speed CW. I may have a go at trying to replace the FET.

There is a YouTube short of it.

Rip off? - NOT amateur radio

As a local resident, we are entitled to a pass that usually grants you access to any Cambridge college, not just King's. 

Several years ago it lasted several years. 

This year it has risen by 33% and only lasts a year. To me this seems like a rip-off when King's College, Cambridge has plenty of money.

You would have thought they would want to encourage locals!

Waiting for the bus - NOT amateur radio

We go into Cambridge by bus as it’s free if you’re old! 😉. This was at the bus station in the city. 

Note how many are on their devices!! I think everyone!

6m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

My gear (IC-705 and V2000 vertical omni) was turned on at about 0925z. 

Stations spotting my 6m QRP FT8 today

UPDATE 2110z:  Spotted by 37 stations. QRT now.

10m 500mW WSPR (Wednesday)

 My beacon was turned on at about 0925z.

UPDATE 2122:  Spotted by 26 stations with the furthermost ZD7GB (7607km). QRT now. See table.

Rose Crescent, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

 

This is a pedestrian walk in the heart of the city. At this time of year it is quiet.

Wednesday Plans

 Later this morning I think I'll try 10m WSPR with my 500mW beacon and 6m QRP FT8 with the IC-705.