10m QRP WSPR (Saturday)

 My 500mW beacon has been on most of the day.

UPDATE 1440z: 4 stations have spotted me.

Network radio

Quite by accident I found a photo this morning of my network radio. This is basically an Android phone with a PTT. 

It can access things like EchoLink that uses the internet as the backbone. I also used mine to access DMR. 

Mine has not been used for some time.

They need no antennas just an internet connection. I did not get excited by mine.  Maybe when conditions take a dive?

6m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

My 6W FT8 was turned on at breakfast time.

UPDATE 0837z:  10 spots in 3 countries so far.

UPDATE 1518z: 27 stations have spotted me. See map.

Swifts return - NOT amateur radio

 When swifts (birds) return from Africa is an important moment for me. It is a sign that something that has gone on for millions of years despite wars and invasions still exists. It is a symbol that everything is still alright. 

There are fewer nest sites but they still fly thousands of miles to breed here stopping just a few months. I saw a couple a few nights ago and one yesterday. They are back. 

Sunspots - Saturday May 10th

 Solar flux is 136 and the SSN 77. A=15 and K=4.

10m QRP WSPR (Friday)

 My 500mW beacon was turned  on at 1311z .

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.