Sunspots - Saturday April 19th

 Solar flux is 156 and the SSN 113. A=13 and K=4.

Regen receivers

 Regen receivers are simple, but effective. I have designed and built several. See my website. One of the classics was by Charles Kitchen N1TEV. It appeared in QEX.

See also Kitchin Regen is Revealed #soldersmoke #vintageradio #retro #regen - YouTube

Our village - NOT amateur radio

 

This photo collage was taken yesterday.

FT4 and JS8Call

These are two digital modes I have never tried. The former is faster than FT8, but less sensitive. JS8Call allows chatting with a keyboard, but is basically the same as FT8. JS8Call is meant for real communications.

See JS8Call | The official site for JS8Call

Easter - NOT amateur radio

Easter is traditionally a time for families to get together.....and eat. All these were bought from our local bakers yesterday. Just cooked.

10m QRP FT8 (Friday)

My IC-705 at 6W was turned on at about 0530z. 

UPDATE 1732z: 62 stations have spotted me. The furthermost is Reunion Is.. Quieter than I was expecting. Maybe several people are away over the Easter weekend? 

Friday plans

 As conditions seem less disturbed I plan to go on 10m QRP FT8 later.

Sunspots - Friday April 18th

 Solar flux is 151 and the SSN 70. A=11 and K=3.

Hilberling PT-8000A and linear bundle from MLS

MLS is advertising this bundle for the small sum of £17999. Maybe if you are an Arab Sheik you can afford this, but I certainly can not! 

Add on a tower and beam you would be talking about £20000!  Not my idea of amateur radio. Each to their own. 

If I was paying that, I would expect the buttons and knobs to be solid gold. Mind you, if you were a rich sheik I expect you can ask for that for a few thousands more!

The basic design is about 12 years old. You place the order and wait for it to be hand-built.

See The BEST Ham Radio You've Never Heard Of - Hilberling PT-8000A - YouTube

Rally this Saturday

The following has been notified to me. Always check details.

• Saturday April 19th - Moray Firth Amateur Radio Surplus Sale.  Roseisle near Burghead. See www.mfars.club .

Life in outer space? - NOT amateur radio

Scientists say they have found the strongest evidence yet that there is life on other planets. They have found 2 molecules that are signatures of life. This planet is 124 light years away, so a visit is unlikely! 

I guess intelligent life is far less common. However, this discovery, if confirmed, makes finding intelligent life "out there" more likely. I am sure if we found other planets with intelligent life it could have a profound effect.

See Scientists find promising hints of life on distant planet K2-18b - BBC News

10m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

My 6W FT8 from the IC-705 was turned on at 1054z.

Stations spotting me to 1836z

UPDATE 1215z:  Spotted by 28 stations with the furthermost LU8EX (11209km).

UPDATE 2004z:   Spotted by 379 stations. See map. Now QRT.

Anglesey Abbey this morning - NOT amateur radio

This is quite near us and a lovely place to walk around at any time of the year. 

Thursday plans

 Later I hope to be on 10m QRP FT8 again.

“Our” windmill - NOT amateur radio

This was the windmill next door yesterday.

Sunspots- Thursday April 17th

 Solar flux is 148 and the SSN 58. A=77 and K=4.

10m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

My IC-705 at 6W FT8 has been on since about 0800z.

UPDATE 2121z:  30 stations have spotted me today.

Quiet moment - NOT amateur radio

This was one of our grandsons enjoying a few moments of peace last week.

North Devon cottage 2012

 This is where we stayed in 2012. It was a small cottage with a wood burning stove.

Wednesday plans

Although it looks like conditions will be disturbed, I hope to go on 10m QRP FT8 later.