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.

Sunspots - Monday August 14th 2023

Solar flux is 150 and the SSN 89. A=5 and K=1.

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Out of date websites - NOT amateur radio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! 

Sunspots - Sunday August 13th 2023

Solar flux is 148 and the SSN 61. A=8 and K=0. 

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.

UPDATE 1945z:  5 stations spotted my QRP 8m FT8 today.

10m 500mW WSPR RX (Saturday)

My 10m WSPR TX beacon has been on since just before lunch. So far,  14 stations have spotted me.

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) 

Sunspots - Saturday August 12th 2023

Solar flux is 153 and the SSN 105. A=5 and K =3.

My brain - NOT amateur radio

In 2011 I took part in some medical research that involved an MRI brain scan. The photo shows the view of my brain. 

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. 

8m QRP yesterday

Stations spotting
my 2.5W FT8
on 8m yesterday 

Since getting back on 8m FT8 2 days ago, I have been spotted by stations in 5 countries on QRP FT8. Yesterday it was Portugal, Eire and England.  

Most 8m FT8 activity is on 40.680 MHz USB dial. We need more monitors please!

If you can get limited access to the 8m band - suggest the ISM frequencies - from your national PTT. Just 5 kHz at 40.680 MHz would be a start. Maybe ask for just a year to experiment and research around sunspot maximum? WSPR and FT8 only?

Sunspots - Friday August 11th 2023

Solar flux is 156 and the SSN 83. A=7 and K=2.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Thursday)

My 500mW 10m WSPR beacon was turned on at about 0630z. Just spots from local G4KPX (14km) so far. 

RHS Bridgewater - NOT amateur radio

This was RHS Bridgewater in July. This is located near Manchester. Despite being open for about 2 years, it looks mature.

Thursday plans

My expectation is to go on 10m QRP WSPR TX and 8m QRP FT8. I am hopeful of some Es propagation. 

VLF tests in 2011

Before my 2013 stroke I enjoyed experimenting at the extremes of the spectrum. This was a test I did at around 17 kHz through the ground. 

Sunspots - Thursday August 10th 2023

 Solar flux is 153 and the SSN 103. A=7 and K=2.

70cm FT8 activity contest (Wednesday)

Stations spotted on 70cm FT8  tonight

Tonight was the UKAC activity contest on 70cm FT8. I had one QSO, but spent most of the time on RX. 30 stations were spotted with the 2m big-wheel omni antenna.

Rally news

This unusual as it is on Friday evening.  Junk sale. Best to check details first.

Friday August 11th 6-9pm  Cockenzie and Port Seton ARC . No contact details or postcode, sorry. I think this is Scotland.

70cm activity contest

Last night, I went on the 70cm activity contest (UKAC) organised by the RSGB. I was in for about 40 minutes in 2 sessions with 10W and the 2m big-wheel omni. 4 QSOs were made (see map).

Usually the 70cm FT8 activity session is this evening.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Wednesday)

 My 500mW TX WSPR beacon is on.

UPDATE 0917z: Lots of Es spots. 

UPDATE 1022z: 37 unique stations have already spotted me on 10m WSPR. Excellent Es.

8m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

Currently, I am on 8m FT8 with my 2.5W and dipole.

UPDATE 0917z:  SR4BBX spotting me.  Now EI9KP (649km) too.

Sunspots - Wednesday August 9th 2023

 Solar flux is 159 and the SSN 115. A=8 and K=1.

Back on 8m FT8 tomorrow

Not quite sure why, but my 8m SWR is back to normal. My intention is to try 40.680 MHz QRP FT8 tomorrow.  Hopefully there will be some Es around.

432 MHz activity contest this evening

Starting at 1900z, this evening is the RSGB organised 70cm activity contest. I usually go on for a short time with 10W and my 2m big-wheel omni antenna. Sometimes I work over 100km whereas other times I work nobody.

Quack march - NOT amateur radio

 

Seen crossing our drive.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Tuesday)

My 10m 500mW WSPR beacon has been on since breakfast. So far, spotted by 6 stations with the furthermost SDRPT (1598km) in Portugal.

UPDATE 1837z:   15 spots of my 500mW 10m WSPR TX today with the furthermost PU5ALE (GG32 10191km) in Brazil. QRT soon.

6m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

My gear (2.5W to the V2000 vertical omni) has been on since breakfast. So far just spotted in the British Isles with the furthermost a spot by EI3KD (583km). On RX the furthermost is Latvia.

UPDATE 1042z:  My 2.5W has just been spotted in the Canary Islands Is by EA8DBM (3016km). So far today, 25 stations have spotted my 6m QRP FT8 in 7 countries. I think this is Es but it could be F2. Almost certainly Es as I am now getting lots of spots from Spain and Portugal on 6m QRP FT8.

UPDATE 1320z:  43 stations have now spotted my QRP 6m FT8 today.

UPDATE 1606z:  59 stations have spotted me so far (see map).

Sunspots - Tuesday August 8th 2023

Solar flux is 170 and the SSN 101. A=12 and K=1. 

At Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio

 

This was at Anglesey Abbey earlier. I think they are called "lords and ladies".

Stick with it!

 Today, the Es on 10m and 6m seems very good on FT8.

See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .

10m QRP WSPR TX (Monday)

My 500mW TX WSPR beacon has been on most of the morning.  23 stations have spotted me, mostly I guess via Es.

UPDATE 1636z:  43 stations have spotted my QRP 10m WSPR  today. Certainly a very good Es day.

6m FT8 (Monday)

My 6m FT8 QRP gear has (2.5W to the V2000 vertical omni) has been on most of the morning.   So far, 73 stations have spotted me today.

Stations spotting my
QRP 6m FT8 today

UPDATE 1435z: 117 stations have spotted my 2.5W 6m FT8 today. Who said the Es season has ended?

Sunspots - Monday August 7th 2023

Solar flux is 174 and the SSN 97.  A=4 and K=2.

Muntjac deer - NOT amateur radio

These are deer the size of large dogs. They are an introduced species and they are getting bolder. This one just stared at us, then calmly walked into the sweetcorn. They can be a real pain in the garden when they eat flowers.

Amused me!! - NOT amateur radio

This was on Facebook earlier. It made me chuckle. I guess the label was created by someone who doesn't know English. 

Afternoon walk - NOT amateur radio

 Later, we hope to go on a walk in the village. It is an area called "Paulines' Swamp". It is a nature reserve created some years ago in memory of the wife of a well known village person.

The YouTube video is a view of our village, taken with a drone.  Pauline's Swamp is just visible after 2 mins 10 secs at the very top. If you did not know, you would not know!  Our house also on near the windmill.

More European Es

Following on from my post yesterday and Jan's comment, I am finding plenty of 6m Es today.

See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Sunday)

 My 10m WSPR beacon was turned on at about 0830z. So far today, no spots of me. It is now 0851z.

UPDATE 0932z:   My signal has been received in Finland by OH6BG (1718km). This could be Es or F2 I guess.

UPDATE 1913z:  8 unique stations have spotted my QRP 10m WSPR today. QRT soon.

6m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

My 2.5W to the V2000 vertical omni antenna was turned on at about 0830z.  So far, spotted just by Gs. 1 G spotted on RX.

UPDATE 0955z: My signal has been received in Portugal. Es? 10 stations have been spotted here as far away as the Canary Is..

UPDATE 1104z: 13 stations have spotted me as far as Portugal and Spain and 23 stations have been spotted here so far.

UPDATE 1740z:  30 stations have spotted me (see photo).

UPDATE  1925z: 88 stations spotted. Furthermost ZS6WN (8931km). I really hope this is genuine. Does anyone know? QRT soon.

UPDATE 2107z:   ZS6WN had lots of spots in Europe and none in South Africa. He looks like a pirate in Europe? I may be wrong, but am naturally suspicious.

G3USB Richard

Many years ago whilst driving around the lanes of Devon I worked G3USB/M on 2m FM. I used to work with him in old Pye days. After a period of inactivity, he is now on the air again from 26km away. He has spotted me several times recently on 6m FT8.

I checked QRZ.com but could not see an email address. If anyone has this I'd be most grateful as I should like to get in touch.

Sunspots - Sunday August 6th 2023

Solar flux is 176 and the SSN 100. A=36 and K=1.

European Es - is FT8 making the season longer?

Traditionally, the Es season in the northern hemisphere peaks around May, June, July. It is now well into August and I am wondering if more people are "staying around" on 10m and 6m FT8 than before? 

In the past, many people took a look, heard nobody, so QSYed to a lower band. With FT8 a band can be monitored very easily and signals can be fleeting and weak. It is my thought that brief peaks in Es occur far more often than we think. FT8 might just be the key that "unlocks the door".

Today, as an example my 2.5W to a vertical omni has been spotted widely in Europe (96 stations at 1442z) on 6m FT8. Openings may only be fleeting and weak, but that can be enough. With more power and a beam just imagine what could be possible.