630m QRP WSPR (Wednesday)

My 10mW ERP 630m from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground was turned on about 1640z. So far, 3 stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 2145z: So far this evening, I have been spotted by 10 stations on 630m QRP WSPR with the furthermost LA1TN (1305km).

17m WSPR at 10mW ERP (Wednesday)

As my Par end fed antenna is a good match, I tried 10mW ERP on 17m. So far, 4 stations have spotted me after about 20 minutes. 

As frequency is reduced, local noise floors will become more significant with weaker signals buried in the noise. At higher frequencies this will be less of an issue.

UPDATE  1635z:  10 stations have spotted my 10mW WSPR

International conflicts - NOT amateur radio

On the whole, I prefer a quiet life. 

In many of the conflicts in the world, the West is shown as the good, whereas "the axis of evil" is shown as the bad. The truth is more nuanced. 

Often we support regimes that are corrupt and evil. Time and again, we get involved only when our (often dubious) vested self interests are threatened.  Russia was able walk into Crimea in 2014 with most of us in the West barely noticing.

What I think I am saying is this. We can only act as the world's policemen if we are morally right. Where this is in doubt, we often do more harm than good.

We like to think we get an honest, unbiased view of world affairs. I somehow doubt this.

Yesterday - NOT amateur radio

On Tuesdays, we go to a lunchtime university concert in Cambridge. This is free with a retiring collection. This involves a walk through the grounds of King's College, and we grab a bite to eat for lunch beforehand. We travel in to Cambridge by (free) bus. It is usually a very enjoyable day.

630m 10mW ERP WSPR overnight

 

In the last 24 hours, 14 stations have spotted my 630m 10mW ERP WSPR.

10m 10mW ERP WSPR (Jan 31st)

 Once again, I am trying 10m WSPR at 10mW ERP.  Already, after a few transmissions, spotted by 3 stations although these would not have spotted me on 500uW.

UPDATE 1524z:  12 stations have spotted me so far when I was running 10mW ERP. Most of these were via F2 including some in the USA.

Sunspots- Tuesday January 31st

 Solar flux is 135 and the SSN 53. A=8 and K=2.

630m QRP WSPR (Tuesday)

 My 10mW ERP 630m WSPR from the earth-electrode "antenna" was turned on at 2220z.

UPDATE 2225z: 2 stations have spotted me so far.

NanoVNA and TinySA

These amazing pieces of test gear bring some otherwise very expensive test equipment within the reach of radio amateurs. Years ago, these would have been out of my price range. I now have both.

By King's - NOT amateur radio

At the end of January there are few punts on the River Cam. These Canada Geese have the river almost to themselves.