And the sun appeared - NOT amateur radio

Sometimes you strike lucky as I was a few days ago when the sun briefly appeared. For some reason, just this clump of snowdrops was illuminated and I managed to catch it. 

This photo is totally untouched and this is exactly as it was.

Sunspots - Sunday February 16th

 Solar flux is 184 and the SSN 153. A=28 and K=3.

The sun (briefly) - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday. the sun appeared in the afternoon. Today it is dull and wet again. The photo shows the sun yesterday at nearby Anglesey Abbey.

Anglesey Abbey yesterday - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday, we had a brief  glimpse of the sun when we went to Anglesey Abbey.

My wife took this photo. It was bright, but very cold.

10m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

Once I had resolved my "finger trouble", I went on 10m QRP FT8 with my tiny QDX transceiver. Lots of RX spots and 5 spots on TX, although I think I am being clobbered by a strong station. I had better QSY!

UPDATE 1825z:  15 stations have spotted me.

Finger trouble resolved

I keep forgetting that when the audio is muted it also mutes the audio coming in on the USB port! Once mute was turned off, RX audio was received.

8m QRP FT8 issues (Saturday)

Although everything was working on TX, the PC was seeing no audio despite the correct source being selected. It is probably finger trouble, but I have gone QRT for now.

10m QRP WSPR (Saturday)

 My 500mW beacon was turned on just after 1000z.

UPDATE 1020z:  Just spots of me by EA8BFK (2880km).

UPDATE 1802z:  16 stations spotted me before I went on 10m QRP FT8.

The Old Ways - NOT amateur radio

My son gave me a book to read called "The Old Ways". 

It is about walks made by the author on paths that have been trod for thousands of years.  These tracks talk of history. 

Some of the language used was beyond me using some words I had never heard of! 

Sunspots- Saturday February 15th

 Solar flux is 179 and the SSN 111. A=27 and K=3.

The wonder of sunlight - NOT amateur radio

Back in the autumn my wife planted some hyacinth bulbs. She put these in a black sack in the garage  .... and forgot about them!  

When she remembered they were brought into the kitchen where they have thrived.

6m QRP FT8 (Friday)

My IC-705 set at 7W was turned on at 0933z.

UPDATE 0950z:  Spotted by 6 English stations so far.  As I am using the V2000 vertical, I am probably cross-polarized to most serious 6m operators. I imagine if I was using a 6m halo or similar, I could be 20dB stronger on UK stations. I doubt it matters with real 6m DX.

UPDATE 1638z:  Spotted by 21 stations including several Europeans -  Es?

10m QRP WSPR (Friday)

My 500mW beacon was turned on at 0932z.

Map by WSPRrocks Phil VK7JJ

UPDATE 1700z:  Spotted by 25 stations.

Sunspots - Friday February 14th

 Solar flux is 173 and the SSN 112. A=23 and K=3.

Koltur, Faroes - NOT amateur radio

As mentioned before, one of my friends on 365project lives in the Faroe Islands. He takes some great shots of this isolated island group. This is the uninhabited island of Koltur.

Nearly forgot! - 70cms activity contest (February)

Usually I submit my (pathetic!) entry for this activity contest the next day.  My score is always near the bottom as I run low power to a 2m omni antenna and only stop on for about 30 minutes because of my poor voice. I remembered just now. 

I get the feeling interest is waning. 

The map shows the stations worked - all two of them!

Signs of life - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows the path from King's College, Cambridge over the River Cam. It was taken on January 29th. There were already signs of the earth waking up. 

Yesterday, I noticed rooks repairing their nests - soon be spring.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Thursday)

My W5OLF WSPR beacon has been on since just after breakfast. 

UPDATE 1723z:  27 stations spotting me.

6m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

My IC-705 at reduced power (7W) was turned on just after breakfast. So far, at 1000z, 8 English spots of  me.

UPDATE 1730z:  15 English stations spotting me. QRT.

Sunspots - Thursday February 13th

 Solar flux is 166 and the SSN 88. A=16 and K=3.