10m 2W FT8 (Wednesday)

My gear was turned on at 0910z.

UPDATE 1714z:  525 stations spotting me as far as Canada, USA, South America, Australia and Taiwan. See map.

Sunspots - Wednesday October 22nd

 Solar flux is 133 and the SSN 107.  A=9 and K=0.

Cambridge looking towards King's College

 

This is near King's College down a narrow passageway. King's College Chapel is visible in the distance.

10m 2W FT8 (Tuesday)

My system was turned on at about 0845z.

UPDATE 1622z:   503 spots of me. Now QRT. See map. It would seem that 2W FT8 gets around the world.

Sunspots - Tuesday October 21st

 Solar flux is 140 and the SSN 109. A=8 and K=3.

All change weatherwise

Last week we had a big high pressure system and lots of clouds in what they call "anticyclonic gloom". This week we have low pressure, sun and showers.

The photo show Cambridge in a shower.

Later maybe?

As I have my U3A course in Cambridge I shall not be on the radio until later. If I go on I shall probably go on 6m QRP FT8. There is some doubt as we have thunder forecast. 

Sunspots - Monday October 20th

 Solar flux is 149 and the SSN 103. A=18 and K=2.

10m 500mW WSPR (Sunday)

 At 1552z I turned on my 500mW beacon. At first I (again) forgot to turn on the PSU!

UPDATE 1644z:  So far, spotted by no stations.  I am sure there are fewer people on WSPR now than FT8: 

UPDATE 2138z: 8 stations spotted me including one in Canada. Now QRT.

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.