Sunspots - Saturday March 8th

 Solar flux is 148 and the SSN 109. A=20 and K=4.

15m QRPP FT8 (Friday)

As I was having no luck with 63mW 10m FT8, I QSYed to 15m at 1658z, where I have been spotted by 1 station in Estonia so far .

UPDATE 2140z:  7 stations spotted my 63mW 15m FT8. QRT now.

Landwade earlier this week - NOT amateur radio

Earlier this week we did a walk around Landwade in the spring sunshine. 

Landwade is not far from Newmarket, the home of horseracing.

Daffodils - NOT amateur radio

There were a couple of new patches of daffodils at Anglesey Abbey yesterday that looked stunning in the spring sunshine.

Better late than never

Just submitted my entry into the 2m activity contest (UKAC) organised by the RSGB.  In all, 6 stations were worked with my 10W and omni antenna in 45 minutes before my poor voice screamed,"stop". I usually come way down, but it is good to try!

10m QRP FT8 (Friday)

My QDX at 2W (or less) was turned on at 0858z. There are 5 diodes dropping the supply volts.

UPDATE 0911z:  Although I have received 27 stations from across the planet but not one of me. Is something wrong or am I being clobbered by a stronger station?

Stations spotting my
2W 10m FT8 at 1222z

UPDATE 1117z:  So far, spotted by 32 stations and 202 stations spotted here.

UPDATE 1222z:  52 stations have spotted my 2W 10m FT8 today. For fun, I may add the 15dB RF attenuator soon.

UPDATE 1228z: 15dB attenuator added so the power out is now 63mW.

UPDATE 1550z:  Although I am still getting plenty of spots of other stations on 10m FT8 RX even with the 15dB pad in the antenna line, I have received no spots at all on TX. This may be because I am being clobbered by a co-channel station or just that I am too weak.

Sunspots - Friday March 7th

 Solar flux is 150 and the SSN 139. A=7 and K=2.

Cambridge Busker - NOT amateur radio

In Cambridge, you often see buskers, attracted by the tourists. Mostly, they have guitars and violins are far rarer. This one was outside a large bookstore.

Buskers do no harm and are part of the Cambridge "scene" making the city vibrant, especially in nice weather.

King's College, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

Most often, you see photos of the world famous King's College Chapel. This is the view looking towards the Porter's Lodge and King's Parade. 

10m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

 After breakfast I returned to 10m FT8 QRP using the QDX at 2W again.

Stations spotting my
10m QRP FT8
today at 1326z

UPDATE 2245z:  So far, 156 stations have spotted me and 860 stations have been spotted. Now QRT. Furthermost was a spot in Indonesia. 

Grandson - NOT amateur radio

 

This was our grandson yesterday at a meal in Cambridge.

Sunspots - Thursday March 6th

 Solar flux is 157 and the SSN 147. A=13 and K=1.

Cambridge Bridge Street - NOT amateur radio

This is Bridge Street, Cambridge. There are lots of places to eat along here. 

Magdalene College that houses the library of Samuel Pepys is over the bridge over the River Cam about 300m from here.

See https://www.magd.cam.ac.uk/ .

10m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

After breakfast my plan is to go on 10m FT8 with my QDX at 2W.

UPDATE 2025z:  67 stations have spotted my 2W and I have spotted 637.QRT now.

Fungus - NOT amateur radio

 This was seen on our walk on Monday.

Sunspots - Wednesday March 5th

 Solar flux is 160 and the SSN 134. A=11 and K=3.

Which SDR is best for you?

 This Australian video goes through some of the SDRs that you could buy.

Nearby village - NOT amateur radio

 This is the nearby village of Dalham.

10m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

My QDX at about 2W has been on 10m FT8  since just after breakfast.

Stations spotting my 2W 
10m FT8 QRP today

UPDATE 1950z:  So far today my QRP has been spotted by 161 stations and I have spotted 1070 stations here. QRT soon.

Sunspots - Tuesday March 4th

 Solar flux is 145 and the SSN 99. A=5 and K=2.