Slapton Sands - NOT amateur radio

 

This is a long sandbank with a road on it dividing the freshwater Slapton Ley in Devon from the sea. In the next 50 years I expect the road to be moved to the land side of the Ley. This is a massive task.

In WW2 it was used as a practice area for the D-day landings in France. 

6m QRP FT8 (Friday)

My IC-705 at 6W was turned on at 1311z . So far just English spots.

Sunspots - Friday May 9th

 Solar flux is 149 and the SSN 84. A=12 and K=2.

6m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

 Unlike yesterday, 8m has been very quiet, so I have QSYed to 6m FT8 with 6W from the IC-705. Just English 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 stations so far.

Behind closed doors- NOT amateur radio

 For Catholics around the world, the conclave of cardinals is a serious business of electing the pope. 

This is a very ancient and secretive thing done behind locked doors . 

This humorous photo was sent to me by G1KQH. I am sure this doesn’t happen but it’s always good to laugh 😆.

10m QRP WSPR (Thursday)

 My 500mW beacon was turned on about 0625z.

UPDATE  0851z:   No spots.

Brave hero - NOT amateur radio

During WW2 my dad was a Pathfinder flying Lancasters. Pathfinders were considered the elite and many did not survive the war. My  dad did survive and died in 1987. He hated the war. 

He dropped food over Holland and repatriated PoWs from Lubeck (see top right), "stealing" officers' newspapers to give to the PoWs! 

He  talked little about the war. He was very brave and must have been so frightened every night.

8m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

 My QRP FT8 was turned on at about 0625z. Already spotted by EI3KF. Is this some kind of scatter?

Oscar 100 narrowband activity

When I remember (!) I give an update of activity on the narrowband transponder of this geosynchronous satellite. Although activity was a bit higher than the last time I looked, it is still far lower than I was expecting.

See QO-100 / Es'hail-2 Narrowband WebSDR

Sunspots- Thursday May 8th

 Solar flux is 154 and the SSN 84. A=8 and K=2.

QMX and QMX+ out portable

The latest software now includes constant envelope SSB and good reports are being received. Especially the QMX, which is tiny, makes an ideal unit for SOTA or POTA activations.

Buyer beware!

Just a word of warning. 

Many amateur radio dealers are getting older and may retire and close the business. So, before you buy and have a guarantee think will the dealer still be around in a few years' time if I hit problems or to honour the guarantee? At least one European dealer has already gone. 

Think before parting with your money.

Caveat emptor.

Lilac - NOT amateur radio

One of the joys of spring is seeing new life and everything fresh after a dull winter. 

This cycle has gone on for millions of years, but is ephemeral. 

One example is the double lilac blossom that comes, then goes until next spring. 

We enjoy it whilst it is here. My wife took the photo.

2m activity contest yesterday

As usual, I went on SSB in the UKAC activity contest organised by the RSGB. 

3 contacts were made before my voice screamed "stop".  

I am sure many more QSOs would have been possible had I stopped on. See the map for the QSOs made.

10m 500mW WSPR (Wednesday)

 

My W5OLF beacon was turned on just before 0700z.

UPDATE 1324z:  30 spots with the furthermost V51RS (8481km). See map.

UPDATE 2012z:  35 stations have spotted me today. See table. Now QRT.

8m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

My gear (2.5W to a low dipole) was turned on just before 0700z.

UPDATE 1950z:  8 spots of my QRP. See map. Now QRT.

Sunspots - Wednesday May 7th

 Solar flux is 156 and the SSN 90. A=15 and K=2.

Ground cover - NOT amateur radio

 

Quite near us is a house with some great ground cover plants. These are colourful and cover well.

6m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

With just a single spot of me on 8m FT8 I have QSYed to 6m FT8.  The QSY was made at about 1441z.

UPDATE 1800z:  Spotted by 18 English stations. See map. Using 2.5W and a V2000 vertical omni antenna.

10m QRP WSPR (Tuesday)

 When I am on 8m FT8 I can use the 10m WSPR beacon as this does not need the 10m antenna or PC. My 500mW 10m WSPR beacon was turned on at about 0840z.

UPDATE 2002z: Spotted by 18 stations, mostly in central Europe, presumably via Es. Also spotted in Brazil and on St.Helena.  See map.