QSL cards

In earlier years, these were the common way of confirming contacts.  I remember the ones from the old USSR were of poor quality. 

More recently, QSL cards are often colourful although people exchange QSL cards less frequently as there are other means of confirming contacts.

8m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

 At 1135z my 2.5W 8m FT8 had been on for about an hour. No spots.

UPDATE 1615z:  No 8m FT8 spots.

10m QRPP WSPR TX (Tuesday)

My 500uW WSPR has been on for about an hour at 1130z. No spots. 

630m WSPR overnight

In all, 12 stations spotted me with my 10mW ERP. No great DX but fun nonetheless.

Sunspots - Tuesday January 2nd

 Solar flux is 136 and the SSN 44. A=10 and K=2.

630m QRP WSPR (Monday)

My MF QRP WSPR (10mW ERP from the earth-electrode antenna) was turned on at about 2020z. So far, 2 stations spotting me. This my first time on 630m this year.

UPDATE 2050z:  Now spotted by 3 stations with the furthermost EI0CF (602km).

UPDATE 2137z:  Now spotted by 4 stations with the furtnermost GM0UDL (659km)

Rick Andersen KE3IJ

Yesterday, I posted a circuit that appeared on Rick's KE3IJ's website back in 2012. This website seems to be no longer there. Does anybody have any information please?

Going home - NOT amateur radio

Our younger son and his children have been here for a few days and went home this morning. 

This photo in our garden was just before they left.

8m QRP FT8 (Monday)

 My 2.5W FT8 gear was turned on at about 1000z. No spots yet.

UPDATE 1515z:  Although I have been on 8m FT8 all day, no spots on RX or TX. This could just be holiday season, or a slack time of year with fewer F2 and Es openings. Also, most people have worked all the stations available. We need more countries and experimenters on 8m.

Happy 2024! - NOT amateur radio

To all readers of this blog, may I wish you a very happy new year. Ours is a very diverse hobby, that may be enjoyed in all sorts of ways. Whatever your "thing"  is, I wish you every success.

Solar data update

Early every month, my favourite site for solar data is updated. It is worth checking to see how things are progressing.

10m QRPP WSPR (Monday)

My QRPP 500uW beacon has been on since 1000z. No spots yet.

UPDATE 1436z: Yet again my 500uW 10m WSPR has been spotted in the Canary Islands.

QRP radios

There’s a wide choice these days in QRP radios unlike years ago . I expect this is, in part, due to the popularity of SOTA and POTA activations where small size and weight are important. One example is the transceiver shown in the photo.

Sunspots - Monday Jan 1

Solar flux is 146 and the SSN 55.  A=4 and K=1. 

Something for nothing

Like many, I like the idea of getting something for nothing. 

This circuit was on the website of KE3IJ some years ago. I think the website is no longer there. 

The same idea might even work with a microwatt beacon?

Grandsons - NOT amateur radio

We have two grandsons in their mid teenage years. They grow up so fast. Of course when they get together they are as daft as can be!!

New Year Resolutions - NOT amateur radio

As 2023 draws to a close, many make resolutions for the new year ahead, as well a going on diets to try to loose some of the weight gained over Christmas!

The only thing that is certain is 2024 will have some surprises! I often try some resolutions but these usually fade away as the year progresses.

In many ways, the world has become more uncertain looking ahead. There are wars in Ukraine, Gaza for a start and growing tension over Taiwan. The USA seems to be losing its grip as a powerful world player and, of course, 2024 is likely to be an election year in the USA between two old men.

All I wish is that everyone can live in peace with each other and is able to be kind and happy. 

10m QRPP 500uW WSPR TX (Sunday)

My 500uW WSPR TX beacon was turned on at about 1012z. No spots . 

UPDATE 1535z: Spotted in the Canary Islands again.

8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

My 8m QRP 2.5W to the dipole was turned on about 1013z.

Via the QSL bureau I (unexpectedly) received QSLs from Slovenia and Croatia for 8m FT8. I shall QSL back direct .... although I shall have to make some cards first!

UPDATE 1335z:  No spots today on RX or TX.

Plans for Sunday

 Today, I shall try 500uW 10m WSPR again and 8m QRP FT8.

Sunspots - Sunday December 31st

Solar flux is 140 and the SSN 48. A=4 and K=1. 

With the SSN at 48 I wonder if this is just a "blip" or the start of a long decline? 

In the past "appliance operators" keen on working new DXCC entities have been too keen to abandon the higher HF bands. I hope with FT8 they will not be too hasty. 

Often bands are open, but there are too few people on to enjoy them! Just listen on 27 MHz CB.  My plan is to run 5W FT8 on several higher HF bands as an experiment as long as I am able. This will be a very good use of my tiny QDX transceiver.

FT818 replacement?

There is much speculation that the now old FT817/818 Yaesu had been discontinued about a possible successor. When it was first introduced it had no competition. These days there are many competitors, so Yaesu may decide not to bother.

One of the competitors is the DX Explorer TX-500. This is available from MLS. I have no idea where this is made, but it is rugged and feature rich.

As a Yaesu fan I would consider a new Yaesu portable at the right price and with the right features. Sorry, but in recent years I think Yaesu has been reactive rather than proactive. They will have a tough time unless there are some "killer" applications.

Where my ancestors lived - NOT amateur radio

 

We can trace our family history back to about 1550 here continuously. We have one record in this area from the early 1400s. We were probably here thousands of years ago. This is Hope Cove in Devon.

6m FT8 QRP (Saturday)

Just a local spotting is me today so far.

UPDATE 1533z:  14 stations have spotted me. Some possible winter Es in evidence.

10m QRPP WSPR (Saturday)

My 500uW WSPR is on , but no spots today.

UPDATE  1130z:  Already a spot of my 500uW in the Canary Is..

Sunspots - Saturday December 30th

Solar flux is 143 and the SSN 92. A=6 and K=2.

Shetland sun - NOT amateur radio

This was posted recently on 365project (a photo a day) by a friend who lives in Shetland. In the winter, the nights are long and the days short. I think a special person lives up here!  Obviously the opposite is true in the summer!

10m QRPP WSPR TX (Friday)

My 500uW (0.5mW) 10m WSPR TX has been on since 0800z. At 1010z, 4 spots already from the Canary Is by EA8BFK (2880km) and EA8/DF4UE (2876km).

UPDATE 1415z: 10 spots of my 10m 500uW WSPR today in 3 countries. Incredible.  Some of these reports suggest even weaker might have been successful.

6m QRP FT8

My gear was turned on at 0800z.  At 1016z just local spots.

UPDATE 1408z:   11 spots of my 2.5W in 4 countries (see map).

Lode Water Mill - NOT amateur radio

 

This is an unusual view of the water mill at Anglesey Abbey near Cambridge from our Boxing Day walk.

Friday plans

My 500uW 10m WSPR TX will continue and I shall continue on 6m FT8 as this was encouraging yesterday. I may try 8m later.

Sunspots - Friday December 29th

 Solar flux is 147 and the SSN 83. A=3 and K=1.

Flower - NOT amateur radio

 

We saw this on our Boxing Day walk. I think it is a Calendula.

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

10m QRPP WSPR TX (Thursday)

 My 500uW (0.5mW) TX WSPR beacon is on 10m again, but no spots today at 0941z.

UPDATE 1714z:  No spots all day.

6m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

Looking at my Facebook memories today, I noticed that I monitored 6m FT8 a few years ago and was spotted by several stations by mid-winter Es. So, I have decided to try 50.313MHz FT8 with my 2.5W and V2000 vertical omni. At 0925z, just one G spotting me with a couple of stations received including a station in Brittany, France.

UPDATE 1224z:   Several G spots of me. Best DX on RX was a station in Germany.

UPDATE 1500z:   There looks to be some winter Es about. I have been spotted by 10 stations and have spotted stations on 6m FT8 as far as southern France.

UPDATE 1717z: 12 stations spotted my QRP 6m FT8 today with the furthermost OH1MN (1633km). See map.

UPDATE 1902z: 14 stations have spotted me including 3 in Scandinavia, presumably by winter Es.

Plans for Thursday

My 10m QRPP 500uW WSPR tests will continue but I may try a new band on QRP FT8.

630m QRP overnight

A disappointing night with just 6 stations spotting me. Certainly in the UK it was very windy and this may have put off some with high antennas.

Sunspots - Thursday December 28th

 Solar flux is 149 and the SSN 78. A=4 and K= 0.

630m QRP WSPR (Wednesday)

At 1620z, my QRP 630m WSPR was turned on. As usual 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

UPDATE 2025z: 5 stations have spotted me. Furthermost PA0LSB/V (326km).

8m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

 Although I have been on most of the day, not a single spot on TX or RX.