630m QRP WSPR (Friday)

My gear (10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground) was turned on at about 1648z. Already 4 stations have spotted me.

Norwich swans - NOT amateur radio

These, and many more, swans were on the River Wensum in Norwich earlier in the week.

Amazing to think stones for Norwich cathedral came all the way from France centuries ago up here!

8m QRP FT8 (Friday)

My 8m FT8 2.5W QRP was turned on a few hours ago on 40.680 MHz.  No spots.

UPDATE 1557z: PJ4MM (7483km) in Bonaire has been spotted on 8m FT8 RX. Nobody has spotted me!

10m 500uW (0.5mW) WSPR TX (Friday)

In the last day my 500uW (0.5mW) WSPR beacon has been spotted 3 times (there was a 4th earlier yesterday too). The power was verified with my TinySA spectrum analyser. The beacon is pre-programmed to say 0.5W even though the power is actually 500uW (0.5mW) with the PA off.

The beacon is on now.

UPDATE 1458z: No spots of my QRPP 10m WSPR today.

Sunspot peak

According to some forecasts we are just over the peak of solar cycle 25. Only time will tell us if this is indeed the case. Conditions on HF should still be good for several years.

See https://prop.kc2g.com/.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

21 stations have spotted my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground in the last 24 hours.

Greencube Satellite

Many years ago I had one satellite QSO with a satellite that covered 10m and 15m (I think!). It was so long ago that I forget the satellite and bands! Of late, some have been experimenting with IO 117. This is a medium earth orbit satellite with a 70cm digipeater.

See https://stationproject.blog/2023/07/04/greencube-io-117-overview/ .

Sunspots - Friday January 12th

 Solar flux is 193 and the SSN 151.  A=6 and  K=1.

OFCOM consultation - NOT amateur radio

OFCOM is consulting on a small scale DAB multiplex. See the OFCOM website for details. 

6m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

 

My 2.5W to the V2000 vertical omni antenna is on and 6 stations have spotted me.

500uW 10m WSPR (Thursday)

 My QRPP 10m WSPR beacon is on again. Already spotted in the Canary Islands today!

Ely from the train - NOT amateur radio

 

The photo show Ely as the train from Norwich drew into the station earlier this week. Ely is dominated by its cathedral on the hill. The River Great Ouse (into which the River Cam flows) runs through it. hence all the boats!

630m QRP WSPR overnight

 

19 spots of my 10mW 630m WSPR ERP overnight. No great DX, but a good time.

Sunspots- Thursday January 11th

Solar flux is 186 and the SSN 183. A=7 and K=1.

70cm FT8 activity

At 2000z the FT8 activity contest takes place organised by the RSGB. I think there is an activity contest in Europe earlier. My 2.5W to the 2m omni antenna has already been spotted near Paris. On RX, stations in Germany have been spotted.

UPDATE 2100z: 18 spots of me and 4 QSOs before I stopped on 70cm QRP FT8

Bridewell Museum, Norwich - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday, we visited this museum in Norwich. 

It is a fascinating museum of social history in the city and far exceeded my expectations. 

Surprisingly, they do not have a souvenir booklet.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

In all, 18 stations spotted my 10mW (measured) ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground with the furthermost again being OH1LSQ (1733km). 

500uW 10m WSPR (Tuesday)

No spots of me today. I think conditions have to be very good to be spotted with 500uW (0.5mW) WSPR. This power was verified with my TinySA. What has surprised me is how often this is.

Sunspots - Wednesday January 10th

 Solar flux is 176 and the SSN 183. A=6 and K=2.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

Overnight was the best this season with 19 stations spotting my 10mW ERP with the furthermost OH1LSQ (1733km)

Norwich trip - NOT amateur radio

We went to Norwich by train today. Many fields were flooded. 

Norwich has a rich history and was the second largest place in England hundreds of years ago.

10m 500uW WSPR (Tuesday)

EA8BFK (2880km) has spotted me 3 times today on 10m WSPR when I was running 500uW (0.5mW) to my low Par end fed antenna.

Sunspots - Tuesday January 9th

 Solar flux is 176 and the SSN 152.  A=4 and K=1.

630m QRP WSPR (Monday)

My 630m 10mW ERP WSPR from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground has been on for about an hour. 

So far, 13 stations have spotted me (see table).

6m QRP FT8 (Monday)

My QRP 6m FT8 was turned on at about 1128z. So far, my 2.5W to the V2000 vertical have been spotted by 2 G stations.

UPDATE 1929z:   11 stations haves spotted me (see map). QSYed to 630m QRP WSPR. Winter Es?

500uW 10m WSPR TX (Monday)

My QRPP 10m WSPR beacon has been on all morning.

UPDATE 1139z: No spots.

UPDATE 1917z: EA8BFK (2880km) spotted me (again) early afternoon.

Quiet village lane - NOT amateur radio

This is a quiet lane near the church in our village yesterday. There were lots of snowdrops out.

Our village is a mix of old and new houses.

2012 optical experiments

Way back in 2012 I was doing optical work at 481 THz. 

The photo shows some initial tests along the road at the old QTH. 

Later, some tests were done "over the horizon" non line-of-sight. I was astounded by the results.

630m QRP WSPR overnight - brilliant!

 

In all, 17 stations spotted my 10mW ERP 630m WSPR overnight with the furthermost OH1LSQ (1733km). As usual, on this band I use the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, which I think behaves like a loop.

Sunspots - Monday January 8th

 Solar flux is 167 and the SSN 171.  A=2 and K=0.

January walk - NOT amateur radio

This afternoon, we went for a walk around the village.

There are signs of better weather ahead with snowdrops snd hellebores out. 

At the moment it feels very "January" i.e. dull, cold and dreary!

630m QRP WSPR (Sunday)

My 10mW ERP 630m WSPR was turned on about an hour ago. So far, 11 stations have spotted me this evening.

8m - should I apply for a new TX permit from April?

To continue my 8m TX permit, I have (stupidly in my view) to pay OFCOM £50 a year!!  As I have worked just about all the stations on 8m TX currently, I am having second thoughts. Views?

Personally, I think OFCOM (plus the RSGB) and the FCC have totally stupid and blinkered views about genuine experimentation at 8m. Talk about dinosours .....

Instead, I may TX WSPR in the 8m ISM band at 10mW ERP using the call 8M3ISM during the Es season. With this ERP in the UK it is my view anyone may legally beacon in the 8m ISM band without a licence as long as they meet the interface requirements.

UK Post Office Scandal - NOT amateur radio

 Yesterday, I mentioned this unbelievable scandal. 

Please may I urge all UK blog readers to write to their MPs so they are in no doubt that the general public want this resolved quickly and we are not at all impressed by the inactions so far.

Weekend treat - NOT amateur radio

 

At the weekend and Wednesdays, I treat myself to a cooked breakfast. Other times I have cereals.

6m FT8 (Sunday)

As activity levels on 8m are very low at the moment, I am on 6m FT8 with 2.5W and the V2000 vertical omni antenna. So far, 7 stations have spotted me with the furthermost IW9FRA (1847km) . See the map.  It would appear there is some winter Es about.

10m 500uW WSPR TX (Sunday)

 My QRPP 10m WSPR beacon is again on and, yet again, I have been spotted in the Canary Islands by EA8BFK (2880km).

Sunspots - Sunday January 7th

 Solar flux is 159 and the SSN 149. A=3 and K=0.

Rick Andersen KE3IJ

In case you missed it, it appears that Rick is SK. The good news is that much of his work is archived on the Wayback Machine. His memory lives on.

See https://web.archive.org/20210430124905/http://www.ke3ij.com/radios.htm

630m QRP WSPR (Saturday)

 As 8m was pathetic, I QSYed to 630m QRP WSPR early. At 1615z, 3 stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 2214z: 11 spots of my 10mW ERP this evening.