Solar flux is 170 and the SSN 191. A=6 and K=3.
21 Mar 2025
20 Mar 2025
Rallies this weekend
You can tell it is spring as I am being notified of several rallies. All these are on Sunday March 23rd. As usual, it is always advisable to check details before going far.
- Biggleswade Swapmeet (BVWS), Biggleswade, SG18 8JH. Contact secretary@bvws.org.uk
- Callington Radio and Electronice Rally, Callington, PL17 7BD. Contact alastair.kerr@btinternet.com
- Dover Amateur Radio Club 2025 Rally, Dover, CT17 0HL. See darc.online/rally
6m QRP FT8 (Thursday)
My IC-705 at 6W was turned on at about 0900z. So far, 7 stations have spotted me, all UK.
10m QRP WSPR (Thursday)
My 500mW stand-alone beacon was turned on about 0900z. So far 9 spots by EA8BFK (2880km).
UPDATE 1629z: 23 stations have spotted me. No North American spots, suggesting 8m and 6m would be very unlikely.
19 Mar 2025
New video to be created: QMX+ on 8m
Although my voice is poor I think I need to produce a new video showing how the QMX+ can be put on 8m. Perhaps I can intersperse photos with printed words to avoid talking?
In the meantime my video channel is on YouTube. See https://www.youtube.com/@G3XBM/videos .
Covid lab leak? - NOT amateur radio
Five years on it is amazing the impact Covid-19 had on our lives. Looking back it sticks in our memories.
One theory was that it started with a lab leak in China, but we lacked the Chinese data. Now a recent German language investigative journalist report says this is an 80-90% certainty. It looks like an accident rather than a biological weapon. If it was a lab leak, the Chinese would not want to lose face by admitting so.
ELF video - NOT amateur radio
For a long time, I have been fascinated by VLF/ELF radio communications.
As you go lower in frequency, radio waves penetrate further through water and rock. For this reason, the military in many countries have explored these frequencies to communicate with deeply submerged submarines, although data rates at ELF are very slow and antennas very long. I know the Russians have a system at 80Hz (it has been copied in the UK), but I am not sure about the USA and China.
10m 500mW WSPR (Wednesday)
My beacon was turned on just before 0900z. 6 spots of me so far by EA8BFK (2880km).
UPDATE 1635z: Just 3 stations spotting me today and nothing in the USA with the furthermost ZD7GB (7607km),
6m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)
My IC-705 was turned on at 6W at about 0900z. So far, 5 spots including one in Poland.
View from my junior school - NOT amateur radio
This was the view from my junior school in Salcombe, Devon, UK. We just took it for granted and only realised years later just how special it was. It took me years to realise the odd patterns on the classroom ceiling on a sunny day were the sun being reflected on the water!
Wymondham, Norfolk,UK - NOT amateur radio
This was few years ago when we ate at a small independent cafe. My wife had the crumpets on the left.
18 Mar 2025
10m 500mW WSPR (Tuesday)
My little QRP W5OLF beacon was turned on at 0900z. No spots yet.
UPDATE 1005z: 4 spots of me by TA4SCU (3010km).
UPDATE 1743z: Spotted by 26 stations today. See table.
6m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)
My IC-705 at 6W was turned on at 0900z.
UPDATE 1009z: 9 stations including 1 in Portugal have spotted me.
PSKreporter alternatives?
Occasionally, it would appear PSKreporter is unable to work. I am wondering if there is an alternative?
17 Mar 2025
Free speech? - NOT amateur radio
It would seem the administration of President Trump has deported a Palestinian man called Mahmoud Kahlil because of his pro-Palestine activity. Now, I do not know the full facts, but this seems to fly in the face of a country where free speech is meant to be important.
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