A few moments ago I switched on the 8m FT8 QRP TX. This was about 1025z.
27 Jan 2023
10m WSPR QRP TX (Friday)
My 500mW 10m WSPR TX was turned on at 0946z.
UPDATE 1006z: 3 spots from the Canary Is so far this morning.
Voltage dropping
In a few weeks' time (with a following wind) my QDX digital transceiver should arrive. With a 12v supply, there is a danger of the PA being badly over-rated and failing. Most of my gear runs from a 13.8V, so it would be prudent to run the QDX from a lower supply voltage.
My easiest solution is a string of suitably rated diodes in the supply. I have 10 off 3A silicon diodes that should be here next week. I could drop 6V with these if I want, making the QDX run safely from 9.8V.
Fame? - NOT amateur radio
To my surprise, an email I wrote to the BBC regional programme "Look East" was read out on the programme last night. It was about our local bus service.
In the past, a couple of my photos have been used on the local TV weather forecasts, but this was a total surprise.
23cm beacon hunting
Last night I went beacon hunting on 23cm with my tiny indoor 2 element beam. I monitored GB3DUN on Dunstable Downs for several minutes. This is probably my best chance of copying a 23cm beacon.
Just occasionally there was a very brief signal that may have been this beacon. It was there for (at most) a second, then was gone. The direct path is very obstructed and my only real hope is by aircraft scatter. The impression I got was this was not aircraft. I have no idea if you get MS on 23cm.
Other beacons I also looked out for on my waterfall, but nothing was seen.
Sunspots - Friday January 27th 2023
Solar flux is 151 and the SSN 104. A=11 and K=1.
26 Jan 2023
Assembled QDX status?
The status of the queue of assembled transceivers from QRP Labs has not been updated since late last week.
Rally
The following rally has been notified to me: -
Sunday January 29th - Lincoln Shortwave Club Winter Rally, Market Rasen, LN8 3HT. Contact m5zzz@outlook.com .
As always, it is worth checking before going a long way.
8m QRP FT8
My 8m FT8 on 40.680 MHz was turned on at 0952z.
UPDATE 1625z: Just G0HVQ (181km) spotting my QRP and nobody spotted on 8m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1925z: QRT. No further spots.