Sunspots - Sunday September 21st

 Solar flux is 166 and the SSN 158. A=5 and K=1.

Optical communications

The last time I did serious field work on 481THz over the horizon optical communication was before my 2013 stroke. Since then I have been too wobbly. 

This photo shows the gear used in these tests.

Micro80 QRP transceiver

This must date back about 40 years! Looking through some old photos, I came across this one of my 80m Micro80 transceiver. 

As I recall my first contact was with a station about 200 miles away and before it was cased and the Morse key was just tapping a wire onto the chassis!

I cannot recall the antenna.

Spitting Image

This was a BBC TV show (1980s?) that made fun with puppets of politicians, who sometimes take themselves far too seriously. It is now available on YouTube.

In my view, it is a good thing to lampoon politicians and is a sign of grown-up leaders and countries.

Corfu 2016

 

We enjoyed this Greek island and went there several times with my brother-in-law and his wife.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Saturday)

 My beacon was turned on at about 0900z.

UPDATE 1757z: So far spotted by 26 stations . Furthest is V51RS (8481km). Now QRT.

6m 5W FT8 (Saturday)

My gear was turned on at about 0900z.

UPDATE 1756z: So far spotted by 32 stations with the furthest  OH7XM (1714km). Now QRT.

Sunspots - Saturday September 20th

 Solar flux is 160 and the SSN 158. A=3 and K=2.

FX-4c transceiver

This video was on the DX Explorer website. There is now a new version available with a small fan and USB-C socket. It is available via Ali Express for about £500-600. It gets good reviews although I have no personal experience.

Crane Flies (Daddy Long Legs)

In the UK, this must be the time of the year when they mature. Today there was one on the bus and there is another on the lounge window.  They are harmless and fun bumbling into windows. Many years ago we had no less than 15 at once in our bedroom.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crane_fly .

Seasonal photobooks

For many years, my wife has produced a photo-book each season.  It documents what we, our children and grandchildren have been up to. It's surprising how soon you forget.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Friday)

My beacon has been on since about 1330z.

UPDATE 1739z: So far, 19 spots, all transatlantic apart from a couple in the Canary Is.. and one in Austria.

UPDATE 2017z:  23 stations have spotted me with the furthest  K6VZK (8719km). QRT soon.

6m 5W FT8 ( Friday)

My gear has been on since about 1330z.

UPDATE 1735z:  So far, 19 stations spotting me. Furthest is I3VWK (1105km).

Quiet time

In Cambridge this is a quiet time. There are fewer visitors and the university students are not back yet.

Sunspots - Friday September 19th

 Solar flux is 150 and the SSN 119. A=6 and K=0.

10m QRP WSPR (Thursday)

My beacon was turned at about 1140z.

UPDATE 1805z:  Spotted by 8 stations with several in the USA. QRT soon.

6m 5W FT8 (Thursday)

My gear was turned on at about 1140z.

UPDATE 1804z: 14 stations have spotted me. See map. QRT soon.

Seccumbed

In the end I ordered a UV5r mini (transparent). At the very low price with a discount it was a bargain. Even if it goes wrong after a while it is far less than one meal out. 

Talking of meals out we really like Cote Brasserie which does an excellent fixed price menu.

Thursday plans

10m QRP FT8 yesterday

Yesterday my 10m FT8 QRP was spotted by 63 stations on 4 continents. See map.  

I have not yet decided what to do today, but my inclination is to try 6m FT8 later.

Sunspots - Thursday September 18th

 Solar flux is 147 and the SSN 119. A=12 and K=2.