6m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

My gear was turned on mid-morning.

UPDATE 1327z: 26 stations have spotted me .

UPDATE 1720z:  Spotted by 36 stations. All are in Europe.

UPDATE 2222z: Spotted by 38 stations (see map).

Lighter evenings - NOT amateur radio

Every season has good and bad points. However, I look forward to lighter evenings and spring . Birds sing for mates or to claim territory.

Maldives QSL card

Don't think the Maldives have ever been worked by me. If I have, it would have been nearly 40 years ago! 

This QSL card was seen yesterday.

Sunspots - Thursday January 16th

 Solar flux is 174 and the SSN 102. A=16 and K=2.

2200m beacon

This was my LF beacon, before I managed to blow it up last year! It could do QRSS and normal speed CW. I may have a go at trying to replace the FET.

There is a YouTube short of it.

Rip off? - NOT amateur radio

As a local resident, we are entitled to a pass that usually grants you access to any Cambridge college, not just King's. 

Several years ago it lasted several years. 

This year it has risen by 33% and only lasts a year. To me this seems like a rip-off when King's College, Cambridge has plenty of money.

You would have thought they would want to encourage locals!

Waiting for the bus - NOT amateur radio

We go into Cambridge by bus as it’s free if you’re old! 😉. This was at the bus station in the city. 

Note how many are on their devices!! I think everyone!

6m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

My gear (IC-705 and V2000 vertical omni) was turned on at about 0925z. 

Stations spotting my 6m QRP FT8 today

UPDATE 2110z:  Spotted by 37 stations. QRT now.

10m 500mW WSPR (Wednesday)

 My beacon was turned on at about 0925z.

UPDATE 2122:  Spotted by 26 stations with the furthermost ZD7GB (7607km). QRT now. See table.

Rose Crescent, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

 

This is a pedestrian walk in the heart of the city. At this time of year it is quiet.

Wednesday Plans

 Later this morning I think I'll try 10m WSPR with my 500mW beacon and 6m QRP FT8 with the IC-705.

Cambridge in winter - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows the Wren library in Cambridge in winter. Brave folks on the punt!

70cm activity contest yesterday

Last evening I took part for about 20 minutes in the 70cm activity contest (UKAC). 

As usual, I was running 10W to my 144MHz big-wheel omni. 

3 stations were worked, with the furthermost a portable in Wales.

Sunspots - Wednesday January 15th

Solar flux is 166 and the SSN 106. A=12 and K=3.

FT8

This digital mode is like the UK yeast spread Marmite in that some love it whereas others hate it. 

Personally, I am somewhat ambivalent. Because of my poor voice following my 2013 stroke WSPR and FT8 get used mostly.  FM and SSB even AM get used as well, but less frequently.

This is an introduction to FT8 for beginners.

The danger with FT8 is people cannot chance upon amateur radio as many of us did.

Winter - NOT amateur radio

 

In many ways I quite like this time of year. Nights start to get shorter and we have spring to look forward to with new life and new hopes.

Nice sunrise - NOT amateur radio

 

We were treated to a lovely sunrise over our Close.

Is this a good omen or bad? 

6m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

My gear (IC-705 and V2000 vertical omni antenna) was turned on at 0845z.  So far (at 0855z) just 3 English spots.

UPDATE 1010z:  So far this morning I have been spotted by 15 stations with the furthermost HB9SHD (780km).

UPDATE 1127z: 19 stations spotting me. See map.

UPDATE 1853z:  Spotted by 57 stations. QRT soon.

10m QRP WSPR (Tuesday)

 My 500mW beacon was turned on at 0844z.

UPDATE 1925z:  25 stations have spotted me with the furthermost ZD7GB (7607km).

Amaryllis forest - NOT amateur radio

We have several amaryllis plants on the point of flowering. 

We put a new one out yesterday (front right) that looks like it has buds.

Sunspots - Tuesday January 14th

 Solar flux is 160 and the SSN 100. A=11 and K=2.

Nearly out - NOT amateur radio

We have several amaryllis plants on the go. 

This one looks on the point of coming out within the next week. They are great fun.

6m QRP FT8 (Monday)

My IC-705 was turned on just after lunch. 

UPDATE 1825z:  35 stations have spotted my QRP 6m FT8. QRT.

10m QRP WSPR (Monday)

My 500mW stand-alone 10m WSPR beacon was turned on late morning.

UPDATE 1825z:  22 spots so far today. QRT.

Monday plans

 At the moment I propose to try 6m QRP with the IC-705 and 10m 500mW WPSR TX with the stand-alone beacon. 8m has been a bit disappointing over the weekend. At least on 6m FT8 there are English spots.

Trinity Great Court, Cambridge, UK - NOT amateur radio

This is where the Trinity Great Court run is held. Of all the Cambridge University colleges, I believe Trinity is most endowed.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Court,_Trinity_College,_Cambridge .

Sunspots - Monday January 13th

  Solar flux is 158 and the SSN 99.  A=6 and K=2.

Greenland capital - NOT amateur radio

It has been pointed out to me that the capital of Greenland is called Nuuk.

Of late, the US president-elect has shown an interest in buying Greenland. No doubt, its strategic importance between the USA and Russia and the easier accessibility of its vast resources has not gone unnoticed.

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

Rip off?

One big UK dealer is asking for £274.99 for an ECO Worthy 100Ah LiFePO4 battery with charger. The same battery from Amazon (without charger) can be bought for £169.99.

Hmm.

Frosty cobweb - NOT amateur radio

 

Last night it was again cold and frosty here. 

At breakfast, we noticed this cobweb covered in frost just outside the kitchen window.

8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

 My QMX+ was turned on 8m FT8 just before 1000z. No spots yet.

UPDATE  1955z:   No spots all day. QRT.

10m QRP WSPR (Sunday)

My 500mW WSPR TX beacon was turned on at 0942z.

UPDATE 1955z:   Spotted by 26 stations. QRT.

Sunspots - Sunday January 12th

 Solar flux is 156 and the SSN 82. A=7 and K=1.

More Lode walk - NOT amateur radio

As mentioned yesterday, we went for a walk around the nearby village of Lode. The photo shows another thatched cottage in the village.

Lode walk - NOT amateur radio

It has been cold and sunny for several days. We decided to go for a walk in the nearby village of Lode. 

It was too icy to go on our usual route.

Village cottage - NOT amateur radio

This is Church Lane in our village.

8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

My QMX+ was turned on after breakfast. It gives about 2W out on 40.680 MHz.  No spots at 1120z.

UPDATE 1800z:  Just 2 European spots of me today. QRT soon.

10m QRP WSPR (Saturday)

My 500mW beacon was turned on after breakfast.

UPDATE 1120z:   9 spots of me so far.

UPDATE 1820z:  40 stations have spotted me today. QRT now.

Advice - NOT amateur radio

 This was on LinkedIn yesterday. The advice given may be helpful.

"My husband passed away unexpectedly last year on his 43rd birthday.There is nothing more jarring than returning to work when your world has fallen apart. 10 months on, I've thought a lot about how many of us must be facing unimaginable hardship whilst pushing through the day-to-day grind. Grief in the workplace can be tough to navigate - not only for the person grieving but for those wanting to support them.We could all be better at it, if we knew how. These are a few things that have helped me, and may help someone you know:

1. Acknowledge their loss/person/special occasions - you may be worried about saying the wrong thing, but saying nothing at all could make the person feel worse. Mentioning their person isn't going to remind them of their loss - they're thinking of them all the time anyway. Acknowledge how challenging holidays, birthdays and anniversaries must be without them.

2. Offer support - there are countless challenges that accompany a loss and the life admin is enormous! Anything that can lighten the load at work is helpful. Offer to grab them a coffee or lunch, ask if they'd like to go for a walk to get away from their desk and if you work from home, a virtual check-in could do the trick. And if you don't know how to help, simply ask 'how can I support you?'

3. Avoid platitudes, comparisons and advice - everyone's grief journey is different and even if you've suffered a loss yourself, please don't compare! Don't tell them 'time will heal' or 'it will get better'. Often grief feels worse as time passes, especially in those early weeks, months or years. Advice can be well-meaning but know that there is no solution or 'getting over' grief.

4. Language is important - asking 'how are you?' or 'how was your weekend?" can be superfluous. Instead, you could ask, 'how has the transition back to work been?', or 'would you like some company/a chat?' In grief, everything can become amplified including common words/phrases that may come across as insensitive.

5. Avoid commenting on the grieving person's appearance - if they have lost/put on weight, or look tired they are well aware. If you're worried they're not eating then offer to cook them a meal or gift them a voucher for a food delivery service. If you're worried about their health, invite them along for a walk or exercise class. If they look tired, acknowledge how hard it must be to sleep when grieving.

6. Praise their effort - getting up each day, showering and getting dressed is a huge feat in itself, let alone showing up for work each day and interacting with people. If they are caring for children or elderly/sick parents on top of that, the weight of this can be excruciating alongside their grief. Acknowledge how they show up despite this and tell them you're proud of them.

7. If nothing else, be kind!"

Saturday plans

Today, I expect to try 10m QRP using my 500mW stand-alone beacon and 8m FT8 QRP TX using my QMX+ where the output is about 2W to a low dipole.