10m QRP WSPR (Tuesday)

My 500mW beacon was turned on just before breakfast. So far 2 spots from the Canary  Islands. 

UPDATE 1530z: 5 spots of me. See map from WSPR rocks. 

8m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

My gear was turned on just before breakfast.  No spots .

Sunspots - Tuesday May 13th

 Solar flux is 116 and the SSN 64. A=6 and K=1.

Iris- NOT amateur radio

 

This was in a neighbour’s garden. 

Goodbye 8m?

 After being on 8m TX for a few years and  trying  my best to get radio amateur access to the band, I give up. The RSGB, OFCOM and the FCC just do not get it!! All we were asking for was a tiny band,  narrow digital only around solar maximum. It is already too darn late!! Basically they all seem a bunch of idiots that don't have a clue. 

10m QRP WSPR (Monday)

Although  my 500mW beacon was turned on just before breakfast no spots . Maybe there is an issue at WSPRnet?

UPDATE 1715z: Spotted in Sweden and Austria 🇦🇹. 

8m QRP FT8 (Monday)

My gear was turned on at about 1040z on 40.680 DF about 1950 Hz.

UPDATE 1633z : Just a single station in Spain spotting me. Disappointing. 

Sunspots - Monday May 12th

 Solar flux is 126 and the SSN 77. A=16 and K=1.

6m QRP FT8 (Monday)

My IC-705 at 6W was turned on  just before breakfast. 

UPDATE 0949z: 38 stations spotting me today. See map. 

"Our" windmill next door - NOT amateur radio

 As this is National Mills Weekend, the windmill next door had it sails turning in the sun.

10m QRP WSPR (Sunday)

My 500mW beacon was turned on just before breakfast.

UPDATE 1410z:  Spotted by 2 stations in the Canary Islands. Still just these two mid-afternoon.

6m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

 

My IC-705 at 6W was turned on at about 0630z. So  far, just UK stations have spotted me. 

UPDATE 1403z:  36 stations have spotted me today. See map.

2.4GHz

Apparently this was the first QSO on 2.4 GHz. I am not sure of the date. 

Sunspots - Sunday May 11th

 Solar  flux is 126 and the  SSN 70. A=15 and K=4.

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 .