Once again, I am on 8m QRP FT8 on 40.680 MHz USB dial. Most days even my 2.5W to the dipole is spotted across Europe by about 3 stations.
UPDATE 1740z: No spots.
17 Aug 2023
European Es season
It looks like the main Es season in the northern hemisphere is just about over but, as I remind people, Es can occur at any time. OK, the days when 10m or 6m may be open for hours may be over for this year, but there will still be times.
This is why FT8 can be so useful, sniffing out very brief openings that in the past would have gone unnoticed. Frequently, the 27 MHz CB band is busy, yet 10m is quiet. This suggests decent propagation, but a lack of activity. These days, there is little excuse. Just 15 seconds of FT8 transmission is all that is needed to prove a path is "open".
See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/
10m 500mW WSPR TX (Thursday)
My QRP 10m WSPR beacon was turned on at about 0850z. No spots yet.
UPDATE 1034z: Just spots by local G4KPX (14km). No Es.
UPDATE 1741z: Spotted by 3 stations. Marginal conditions.
16 Aug 2023
ATS120 Receiver
This is a handheld radio available from AliExpress for less than £67. I have no idea how good it is. The Chinese will soon will be a real challenge to the Japanese in the years ahead. In my view the Chinese have more work to do on quality control, but they will get there.
Any ideas? - NOT amateur radio
Most definitely I am no flower expert! We saw this on our walk this morning. It had flowers about 5cm long. I expect some expert will say it is "common xxx" and they are widespread!!
Wicken Fen walk - NOT amateur radio
One of our favourite walks is to Wicken Fen where we get a coffee and something to eat. At least the sun was shining today!
10m 500mW WSPR TX
My 500mW 10m WSPR TX beacon has been on since about 0900z. At 1217z, 4 stations have spotted me
8m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)
Once again, I am on 8m QRP FT8. As the Es season is drawing to a close, it may be harder to get spots now.
UPDATE 1221z: No spots.
UPDATE 1443z: Spotted by EA3ERE (1153km).
15 Aug 2023
Wild blackberries - NOT amateur radio
Yet more? - NOT amateur radio
8m this last few days
We are coming to the end of the main Es season here. In a few months, we should have F2 openings "across the pond".
Since returning to 8m. I average about 3 stations spotting me every day. The map shows the 8m stations spotting my 2.5W yesterday.
Savoury Biscuits - NOT amateur radio
At the weekend one of our grandsons made some savoury biscuits. We call these dibbles. They're used with dips. He followed my recipe, but did everything himself. They were good.
8m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)
My 2.5W to the dipole was turned on about 0830z. No spots on RX or TX at 1152z.
UPDATE 1314z: EI9KP (649km) has spotted me today.
UPDATE 1632z: 4 spots of me today with the furthermost HC02 (1808km) in Portugal.
10m QRP WSPR TX (Tuesday)
My 500mW 10m WSPR TX beacon was turned on at about 0820z. So far, just spots from local G4KPX (14km).
UPDATE 0918z: Still just G4KPX spotting me.
UPDATE 1642z: 14 stations spotting me so far (see table).
Oscar 100 activity
Every few weeks I try to give an update on activity levels on geosynchronous satellite Oscar 100 using the on-line SDR at Goonhilly Down in Cornwall. My last peek was on a Monday evening in Europe. I think the best expression I can use is "disappointing".
14 Aug 2023
Really the last swift? - NOT amateur radio
In recent days I keep thinking that I have seen the last swift in the UK until next spring. Then I see another one!!
N gauge model railway - NOT amateur radio
Our grandson has been here this weekend. He loves exploring our boarded loft. He discovered his Dad's old model railway, although I cannot remember what happened to the baseboard and track.
8m backscatter?
In recent days, my QRP 8m FT8 has been received at odd distances. I have also received G8JNJ (247km). Now this could be tropo, aircraft reflection or MS. However, I am wondering if it is some kind of backscatter? It is far too close for Es.
8m QRP FT8 (Monday)
My 2.5W to the dipole was turned on about 0800z. No spots yet.
UPDATE 1300z : EI9KP (649km) has again spotted me. He spots me quite often.
10m QRP WSPR TX (Monday)
My 500mW W5OLF 10m WSPR TX beacon was turned on about 0800z. So far just local spots by G4KPX (14km).
2011 VLF memories
Before my stroke I really enjoyed experimenting with both ends of the spectrum. I quite enjoyed seeing how far I could get on VLF earth-mode through the ground. This was a Facebook memory from 2011.
13 Aug 2023
Lockdown walks - NOT amateur radio
The recent pandemic was almost unimaginable in its effects. One of the positives was that people walked more locally and discovered the beauty on their doorstep that they didn't know was there. This 2020 collage shows local things in our village.
10m QRP WSPR TX (Sunday)
My W5OLF 500mW 10m WSPR TX has been on for about an hour. So far, just 2 spots of me. I am unsure of the propagation mode. I don't think it is Es.
UPDATE 1452z: 6 stations have spotted me today. Conditions to Europe seen marginal.
8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)
Although I have been on 8m FT8 (2.5W and a dipole) for about an hour, no spots yet on RX or TX.
Grandsons - NOT amateur radio
Our 2 grandsons in urgent conversation and eating cake with their devices not far away! 😉
Sunday plans
Later this morning I propose to go on 8m QRP FT8 again and 10m QRP WSPR TX with 500mW from the W5OLF beacon. Es is already looking quite promising, although some spots could be MS as we are at the peak of the Perseids shower.
Out of date websites - NOT amateur radio
One of the big problems on the internet is knowing if the information is up to date. On some sites this does not matter but on places like shops, businesses, restaurants and pubs it can be vital.
When it matters, a date on the website is important. The company in the photo are still there. I know as their website has a date!
12 Aug 2023
Last swift? - NOT amateur radio
On August 9th I was about to report the swifts had flown south. Then I saw 10! Today I saw a solitary swift overhead. I think this is probably the last I shall see in the UK until next spring. To me, screaming swifts are an important part of the cycle of life.
Rally this Sunday
Sunday August 13th - Flight Refuelling ARS, Cobham, Dorset. BH21 3DA. Contact tbaker@tiscali.co.uk .
Always advisable to check first.
8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)
For the last few days, I have been back on 8m QRP FT8. Every day my 2.5W to a dipole has been received overseas. Some of these were probably via Es, although I am less sure of the reports from Eire.
For the first time (I think) G8JNJ (247km) was spotted here. This is far too close for Es, so could be tropo, some sort of backscatter, MS or aircraft.
10m 500mW WSPR RX (Saturday)
UPDATE 1256z: 23 stations have spotted my 500mW 10m QRP WSPR today.
UPDATE 2014z: 50 stations have spotted me today.
8m QRP FT8 (Friday)
Yesterday I was again on 8m QRP FT8. 3 stations spotted me (1 England and 2 Eire - no Es)
11 Aug 2023
My brain - NOT amateur radio
Perhaps the fact that part is missing explains a lot!
10m QRP WSPR TX
My 500mW TX beacon has been on since lunch. Furthermost is PU5ALE (10191km). Altogether, spotted by 14 unique stations.
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