Sunspots - Wednesday May 21st

Solar flux is 119 and the SSN 46. A=13 and K=1.

Summer bedding plants - NOT amateur radio

This morning we went to the local Garden Centre to buy some summer bedding plants. We will plant these tomorrow.

Simple FM bug

Not sure where this is legal , but I don’t expect the power to be very great. I guess you change frequency by adjusting turns on the coil. Might be a fun weekend project.

10m 500mW WSPR (Tuesday)

My W5OLF beacon was turned on about 0630z.

UPDATE  1334z:  So far spotted by just 2 stations in the Canary Is..

6m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

My 6W was turned on at about 0630z.

UPDATE 1330z: 26 stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 1840z: 91 stations have spotted my 6W 6m FT8. Most I assume are Es. See map.

Tuesday plans

 Probably 10m WSPR and 6m FT8 all QRP.

VLF earth-mode experiments

Back in 2013 I tried an experiment to see where my VLF earth-mode signal could be received in the car. 

My TX was 5W into my grounded electrodes. On RX, I dragged a resonant loop behind the car receiving on a PC.  The earth-mode signal popped up at odd points many kilometres away.. 

Since my September 2013 stroke I have been unable to do field work.

Sunspots - Tuesday May 20th

 Solar flux is 117 and the SSN 66.  A=10 and K=2.

Chromebooks - NOT amateur radio

This afternoon my wife found my Asus Chromebook, that had not been used for about a year. It was like finding an old friend. 

It is blisteringly fast and works really well. I have also downloaded BitDefender (free antivirus) although Chrome is pretty safe and my internet provider also has free antivirus and malware protection.

Driverless cars - NOT amateur radio

I understand that driverless cars are coming to the UK in 2027. I am not sure if this is generally or just taxis.

Once driverless cars become ubiquitous it will mean a revolution on the roads.  Initially I expect most accidents will be the result of human error with drivers of other cars on the roads making stupid mistakes!

It will take some time for people to gain confidence  (20 years?), but by then all cars will be driverless and the roads safer. It would not surprise me if we see a revolution in car ownership.  

By then, I expect I shall be dust pushing up daisies!

Anglesey Abbey walk - NOT amateur radio

 

We go for a walk in the grounds here quite often . This is the herbaceous garden that will soon be a riot of colour. It soon goes!

10m QRP FT8 (Monday)

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

UPDATE 1931z: 136 stations have spotted me today.  Best is Brazil.

Monday plans

These past few days I have been on 10m WSPR and 6m FT8.  I am unsure what to do today. 

Sunspots - Monday May 19th

 Solar flux is 118 and the SSN 53. A=22 and K=1.

zBitx transceiver

This is a new transceiver from HF Signals in India. It is based around two Raspberry Pi units and is very low cost.

It would appear to be a little 'immature ' so expect some software and maybe some hardware tweeks soon.

I see somebody is doing custom front panels.

See https://www.hfsignals.com

See also: https://www.thingiverse.com 

70cm UKAC (May 13th)

 

Although I often come way down, I put an entry in just now. The map shows the 3 contacts before I stopped after about 30 minutes.

Ely Bishop's palace - NOT amateur radio

 

This is  now part of the Kings School.  In WW2 it was a hospital where my  dad had his appendix removed  before joining the Pathfinders flying  Lancasters

10m 500mW WSPR (Sunday)

 My  QRP beacon was turned on at about 0830z. 

6m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

My 6W to the vertical omni was turned on at about 0830z So far just English stations have spotted me. 

UPDATE 1440z: 30 stations have spotted me. 

Sunspots - Sunday May 18th

 Solar flux is 117 and the SSN 58. A=38 and K=3.