Sunspots - Thursday October 19th 2023

 Solar flux is 135 and the SSN 54. A=9 and K=2.

630m QRP WSPR (Thursday evening)

 

My QRP has been on this evening. The map shows where I have been spotted. 

AI - I HATE it!!! - NOT amateur radio

At one time you could speak with a human. 

I have just wasted 90 minutes of my life trying to ask my SIM only service provider how to transfer numbers when I upgrade my mobile phones. After 3 humans and several AI robots, I have given up. 

All I wanted to know was how? A human could have told me in 60 seconds.

Maybe I shall go somewhere else?

630m WSPR TX overnight

Last evening and overnight I was on 630m WSPR TX with my home-designed transverter into the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. A few years ago the measured ERP was 10mW. The transverter produces about 12W into a 50 ohm load. 17 stations spotted me (see table) with OH1LSQ (1733km) spotting me 9 times!

10m QRP WSPR TX (Thursday)

My 500mW 10m WSPR TX beacon has been on this morning and already (at 1054z) spotted by 11 stations (see table).

UPDATE 1143z:  Spotted by 60 stations.

UPDATE 1805z: Spotted by 65 stations today.

8m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

 My QRP 8m FT8 was turned on this morning. G4WSZ (12km) has spotted me on TX and I have spotted ZR1ADI (9777km) on RX.

UPDATE 1640z:  5 stations have spotted me with the furthermost ZF1EJ (7761km)

Sunspots - Wednesday October 18th 2023

Solar flux is 137 and the SSN 57. A=3 and K=2. 

Disinformation - NOT amateur radio

One of the troubles in wars is disinformation.

You simply do not know what to believe as each side modifies claims to suit their propaganda. It is always worth being somewhat skeptical and checking the facts from several sources.

On the face of it, it would seem Israel created a huge blunder by bombing a hospital in Gaza. If true, this looks totally stupid and tragic with innocent men women and children killed in hundreds and many maimed. The Israel IDF is now claiming it was not them.  Clearly Israel is traumatised by recent events, but this is unbelievably stupid and a war crime, whoever is responsible.

It would be better to drop food and water, rather than bombs.

630m QRP WSPR (Tuesday)

 At 1742z I QSYed to 630m WSPR.  So far, spotted by 6 stations, all in the UK. 

UPDATE 1945z:   3 stations spotted on RX with the furthermost DF4PV (597km) and 7 stations have spotted me with the furthermost GM3YXM (425km). It is very pleasing to be back on 630m WSPR TX. Last season, I was RX only.

Scaffolding - NOT amateur radio

At the moment, a lot King's College, Cambridge is covered in scaffolding. Imagine coming half way around the world to see the famous King's College Chapel looks a right mess outside! The photo shows the entrance to King's College.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Tuesday)

 My 10m QRP WSPR TX beacon was turned on at 0913z. So far, spots by OH1BG (1718km) presumably F2.

UPDATE 1940z:  59 stations have spotted me. I suspect there will be no more spots today. Yet again, I was spotted in Antarctica. I have lost count how many times this year!

8m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

 My 2.5W and dipole was turned on at 0913z. So far, just local spots.

Sunspots - Tuesday October 17th 2023

Solar flux is 144 and the SSN 106. A=4 and K=0.

630m WSPR tonight (Monday)

After being in Cambridge most of the day, I am on 630m WSPR this evening. 8 spots of me with the furthermost OH1LSQ (1733km) yet again. With my QRP 10mW ERP and earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground I am amazed that I get this far consistently.

70cm UKAC October 10th

 Usually I send my (pathetic) entry in the next day, but I forgot. I use 10W to my 144MHz omni antenna and only stay on for a short while because of my poor voice. 4 contacts were had.

Not on today until later

 As I am meeting an old school friend in Cambridge later, I do not expect to be active until very late.

630m WSPR overnight

Overnight 15 stations spotted my QRP WSPR TX with the earth-electrode antenna in the ground. The furthermost was again OH1LSQ (1733 km). I am amazed my setup gets spotted this far. 

Sunspots - Monday October 16th 2023

 Solar flux is 145 and the SSN 92. A=4 and K=0.

630m QRP WSPR (Sunday)

My 630m QRP WSPR was turned on at about 1732z. It amazes me that there are so few Gs on TX. As I have proved, QRP and an invisible antenna are all that are needed to be spotted a long way away. This evening, I can only see 2 Gs transmitting! So far, I have been spotted by 8 unique stations. Why not build my transverter?

War crimes? - NOT amateur radio

When Israel was attacked last week, many were (rightly) horrified. They are in a difficult position. They want to stop future attacks, which is fully understandable.

What I question is the ethics of their recent plans. They have asked 1 million people to leave northern Gaza. This is extremely difficult if you are old or disabled. As a person who was in intensive care 10 years ago, I know leaving would be impossible.

Starving innocent people, no water, no fuel?

So the cycle of hatred goes up again.

In my view, the long-term bad feeling created works against Israel.  

I have no idea what the answer is, but punishing the ordinary folk of Gaza cannot be the right one.

Great Britain: Evil? - NOT amateur radio

Looking back over our recent history Great Britain has a lot to be ashamed about. We were heavily involved in the slave trade, we exploited our empire colonies, we got Hong Kong on the back of the opium wars with China etc, etc..  If you look at our past we were a nasty lot.

Yet, today people want to come here!   People risk their lives to cross the English Channel on small boats. In many ways we treat people of all races and colours equally and fairly. We are nowadays a very fair and reasonable people. We are far from perfect, but given a choice I am quite happy living here.

Rural walk - NOT amateur radio

This morning we did a walk around the village of Dalham near Newmarket. 

8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

My 8m QRP (2.5W and dipole) was turned on after breakfast. So far just local G4WSZ (12km) spotting me. I am hopeful about F2 propagation again today. 

UPDATE 1432z: 3 spots of my QRP 8m FT8 (2 locals and 1 Canadian). The Canadian was VA2CY (4965km).  On RX, 3 stations spotted G9PUV and 2 South Africans.

UPDATE 1636z: 4Z5ML (3566km) has spotted me.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Sunday)

 

My 500mW beacon was turned on after breakfast. 7 spots of me already (see 1st table)!

UPDATE 1440z: 47 spots of me so far today (see 2nd table).

UPDATE 1704z:  68 stations have spotted me today. I think this is a record.

Plans for today (Sunday)

Today I expect to be on 8m QRP FT8 (F2?) and 10m QRP WSPR TX with my beacon. 

Sunspots - Sunday October 15th 2023

 Solar flux is 148 and the SSN 100. A=8 and K=0.

Strictly Come Dancing break - NOT amateur radio

This is us with one of our granddaughters this evening. 

630m QRP WSPR (Saturday)

At about 1930z I QSYed to 630m WSPR using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. So far, the best DX is a spot of me is by 2E0ILY/KIWI (209km). I am hopeful of LA or OH spots later.

UPDATE 2027z:   8 stations have spotted me this evening.

UPDATE 2059z:   OH1LSQ (133km) has spotted me again.

Last Ones? - NOT amateur radio

This lunchtime I picked, washed and ate the last few blackberries on the bush near our home. 

Hopefully I shall eat more next year. 

UPDATE October 29th: Still picked some today! See later post.

8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

 My 2.5W FT8 to the dipole has been on all morning. Just local spots by G4WSZ (12km).

UPDATE 1339z:  ZR1ADI (9777km) has been a good signal on 8m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1418z:   VA2CYX (4965km) spotted on 8m FT8 RX quite well, but no luck him hearing me!

10m QRP WSPR TX (Saturday)

My 500mW TX  beacon has been on all morning and 23 stations have spotted me with the furthermost DP0GVN (13685km) in Antarctica yet again. 

UPDATE 1500z:   49 spots of me today.

UPDATE 1636z:   61 spots of me.

630m WSPR last evening

Overnight 8 stations spotted me. I was spotted twice in Norway. 

Sunspots - Saturday October 14th 2023

 Solar flux is 149 and the SSN 91. A=13 and K=1.

Rallies on Sunday

The following rallies are due on Sunday October 15th:

   Dartmoor Autumn Radio Rally, Yelverton, Devon, PL206AL Contact 2e0rph@gmail.com. 

   Hornsea ARS Rally Driffield YO25 9DW. Contact ibipinkney@hotmail.co.uk . 

OFCOM publications

A reminder that there are some new publications have been published on the OFCOM website. They also update and publish the data it holds on licences etc.. See the OFCOM for more details.

War crimes - NOT amateur radio

The recent barbaric attacks by Hamas in southern Israel were terrible and I can understand the anger. 

However, taking revenge on the (largely) totally innocent men, women and children of Gaza is surely not the right course of action. 

By attacking Gaza they may weaken Hamas, but innocent people will be harmed. Israel will be guilty of war crimes itself! 

The only solution, in the end, is peaceful co-existence and mutual respect of differences. People the world over are different, and rarely, if ever, do wars really solve issues. All they do is create yet more hatred and bitterness, as well as many innocents killed or maimed. All it does is increase the coffers of arms manufacturers the world over, when this wasted money could be far better spent solving the existential threats that call into question of the very survival of the whole human race.

In my view the UK should keep out and the USA should put pressure on all sides to negotiate a fair and just peace that respects everyone.

We live in dangerous times.

8m QRP FT8 (Friday)

My 2.5W 8m FT8 has been on since breakfast. So far, just spots from local G4WSZ  (12km). I am hopeful of some F2 spots later.

UPDATE 1355z:  ZR1ADI (9777km) has been a good signal. Nothing spotted "across the pond" and no reports by F2 of my QRP 8m FT8 today.

UPDATE 1435z:  GM0SXQ/8 (576km) is a new one for me. As far as I know, I have not copied this station before on 8m FT8.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Friday)

My 500mW 10m WSPR TX beacon was turned on at breakfast time. Lots of Europeans have spotted me. 

UPDATE 1404z:  35 spots of me today. See table.

Sunspots - Friday October 13th 2023

 Solar flux is 157 and the SSN 126. A=4 and K=2.

10m 500mW WSPR (Thursday)

 My QRP 10m WSPR TX beacon has been on most of the day. So far, 43 spots of me.

8m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

Although I have been on most of the day, no spots on TX or RX.  There are quite a few monitors. I expect they are expecting F2 propagation.

UPDATE 1325z:  It helps if you connect an actual antenna and not a dummy load!  Until a few minutes ago, my 8m antenna was not connected and I was wondering why the match was very good, but I was getting no spots. Once the 8m antenna was connected, local G4WSZ (12km) immediately spotted me!

UPDATE 1530z: ZR1ADI (9777km) in Western Cape, South Africa copied well on 8m FT8.

Sunspots - Thursday October 12th 2023

 Solar flux is 158 and the SSN 149.  A=4 ad K=1

Israel and Hamas - NOT amateur radio

There is little doubt that recent incursions of Israel by Hamas caused widespread outrage. However, for more than my lifetime, the people of Gaza have been treated as prisoners by the Israelis.  Cutting off all supplies to Gaza is in danger of backfiring on Israel. I understand their view of Hamas, but does making innocent women and children suffer advance peace? I think not.

I do not have the answers.

630m QRP WSPR

At 1740z, my QRP 630m WSPR was turned on. 2 G stations have spotted me so far this evening.

UPDATE 1941z:   5 stations have spotted me so far this evening (4 Gs and 1 GM). Wet outside. 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna"  in the ground. See http://wspr.aprsinfo.com/.

Hedging bets? - NOT amateur radio

At the moment, all retailers are having a hard time with the growth and convenience of online shopping. John Lewis in Cambridge seems to be hedging its bets by having a Halloween and Christmas display within metres! 

Shetland - NOT amateur radio

This group of islands (Shetland) is the most northerly in the British Isles. 

At one time, Shetand.belonged to Norway. This group of islands is far nearer Bergen in Norway than London. Shetland has long summer days and long winter nights.  This photo was posted on 365project recently. They often get strong winds.

8m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

I have received spots from 3 stations (2 G and 1 in ON).  My 40.680 MHz 2.5W FT8 was turned on at about 0630z.

UPDATE 1453z:  5 spots of my 2.5W 8m FT8 today including the USA and Canada. The F2 season is in full swing.

10m QRP WSPR (Wednesday)

My 500mW 10m WSPR TX beacon was turned on at about 0630z. 

UPDATE 0936z: Already spotted by 16 stations, with again spots from Antarctica.

UPDATE 1129z:  21 spots of me today, with 10 Antarctic spots today alone!!

UPDATE 1508z:   57 spots of my 500mW today with plenty from "across the pond".

UPDATE 1812z:  66 spots of my 500mW today (see map).

630m WSPR overnight

Overnight I left my 630m WSPR transverter running. Yet again OH1LSQ (1733 km) spotted my QRP. He seems to spot me most evenings. I find this amazing. 

Sunspots - Wednesday October 11th 2023

 Solar flux is 164 and the SSN 120. A=4 and K=0.