6m 5W FT8 (Sunday)

 At about 1400z I QSYed to 6m QRP FT8.

UPDATE 2020z:  44 spots of me so far. See map. Es?  Now QRT.

10m 2W FT8 (Sunday)

 My gear was turned on about 0900z.

UPDATE  0945z: So far, spotted by just 2 stations.

Sunspots - Sunday October 19th

 Solar flux is 156 and the SSN 105.  A=36 and K=3.

10m 2W FT8 (Saturday)

 

My gear was turned on mid-morning.

UPDATE 1750z: 588 stations spotting me. See map.

Where I come from

 The photo shows where I come from in South Devon.

Which type of simple RX is better?

This video by VK3YE compares regenerative and direct conversion receivers. The short answer is it depends on what you want to do.

Sunspots - Saturday October 18th

 Solar flux is 164 and the SSN 120. A=9 and K=4.

70cm activity contest last Tuesday

Every second Tuesday in the month I go (briefly) on 70cm SSB with 10W and my 2m omni antenna in the UKAC activity contest. Usually I work a few stations then stop because of my poor voice. Last Tuesday I worked 7 stations including one in Wales. See map.

10m 2W FT8 (Friday)

My 2W was turned on before 0500z. 

UPDATE 1020z: So far 146 stations have spotted me. The best is VK4YJ (15930km). See map.

Daddy Longlegs

Funny how at this time of year we see daddy long-legs (crane flies) bumbling into windows. 

To me, they are amusing. I guess this must be the time of year when they become adults.

Made in China

It would seem everything (or nearly everything!) is made in China. 

In the USA and Europe we are addicted to low prices. If the same things were made here or in the USA, or in continental Europe, it is very likely they would be far more expensive.

I do not know the answer. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer with the gap ever wider. Many young people the world over believe democracy has failed them. 

In the end something will change in the next 20 years.

Sunspots - Friday October 17th

 Solar flux is 161 and the SSN 132. A=4 and K=1.

6m 5W FT8 (Thursday)

My gear was turned on at about 1900z.

UPDATE 2111z:   9 stations (all in England) have spotted me. Now QRT. 

10m 2W FT8 (Thursday)

My gear was turned on at about 1255z.  

UPDATE 1300z:  Already 61 stations spotting me with many in the USA. Even at 2W still too easy!

UPDATE  1345z:  Spotted by 111 stations. See map.

Handheld QMX on 20m CW

 Want to try portable?  Amazing.

Ship of the fens

 This is the name often given to Ely cathedral. This photo was on social media recently. I didn’t take this photo!!

How the others live!

 I saw this recently. Imagine my neighbours having a field day if I had it in my garden!

Thursday plans

 Later I expect to try frequency hopping WSPR on 15m, 12m and 10m at 2W again after the success on Wednesday.

UPDATE 1305z:  I decided to go on 10m 2W FT8 instead. Too easy!

Sunspots - Thursday October 16th

 Solar flux is 162 and the SSN 106. A=12 and K=1.

70cm FT8 (Wednesday)

This evening is the FT8 activity contest (UKAC) on 70cm organised by the RSGB. The frequency used in Europe is 432.174MHz. 

Later I shall try TX with 5W although at the moment I am RX only. My antenna is my 144MHz big-wheel omni.

UPDATE 1528z:  Already, well before the contest, my signal has reached France, the   Netherlands, N.Ireland, Cornwall and northern England despite 5W and a 2m omni antenna! Currently gone back to RX only.

UPDATE 1620z: No RSGB 70cm UKAC contest this evening. I was wrong!