Fungi or Lichen? - NOT amateur radio

I think this log at nearby Anglesey Abbey was on some months ago. It looks like the fungi (or is it lichen?) is changing colour.

10m 500mW WSPR (Wednesday)

 Since getting home at about 1130z my 10m WSPR QRP has been on. No spots.

8m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

Since getting in at about 1130z, my 8m FT8 has been on. I called G4FKI (60km) who was calling CQ, but I think my 2.5W and horizontal dipole were not enough. Spotted  by 2 stations in Spain though.

Sunspots - Wednesday October 9th

 Solar flux is 225 and the SSN 165. A=58 and K=4.

EI9KP?

EI9KP was a regular spotter of my 2.5W 8m FT8, but despite many spots by others in Eire recently, nothing by EI9KP. Does anybody know why please?

UPDATE 1826z:  Apparently Phil has dismantled his ham gear and is returning to Belgium.

What propagation mode?

On 8m FT8 today, my 2.5W to a low dipole has been spotted by 2 stations in Eire. This is too far (I think) for usual tropo and there seems to be a blackout on F2. I suppose it could be aircraft scatter.

The "fog of war" - NOT amateur radio

Back in the 1970s I recall we were told the Vietcong were "evil".  Now we hear about Iran being part of "the axis of resistance".

In times of war or heightened tensions it is easy for propaganda to reach unbelievable heights. It is hard to tell what is real and what "the powers that be" want you to hear.

At the moment we are hearing of the war in Ukraine and heightened tensions in the Middle East.

All I am saying is in the "fog of war" truth is hard to discern.  Do not believe all you hear.

Cranefly? - NOT amateur radio

 

My wife thinks we have seen these before, but I am not sure. It was on our front wall as I was doing some weeding. 

It was different from the usual "daddy long legs" which are common at this time of year.

QMX+ SSB

This has been promised in a later software update. I have not seen any formal announcement about this yet. 

For many people, this would be a reliable and low cost introduction to QRP operating. 

Hans Summers makes some superb kit.

See https://qrp-labs.com/qmxp.html .

8m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

Although my 2.5W FT8 has been on since just after breakfast, no spots yet.

UPDATE 1015z:  Just EI2IP (607km) spotting me.

UPDATE 1130z:  EI3KF (574km) also spotting me.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Tuesday)

 My beacon has been on since just after breakfast. 

UPDATE 1235z:  No spots. Is there a blackout on HF?

Dodging showers - NOT amateur radio

In between showers, I cut the front lawn this morning. 

The grass was very wet! If I had waited any longer, I would have had to wait a long time.

Thunder and lightning risk

 At the moment, the risk seems low, so I have gone on the air. If this changes, I shall go QRT.

See  https://www.lightningmaps.org/#m=oss;t=3;s=0;o=0;b=;ts=0;

UPDATE 1025z: It looks like the storms are creeping into SW England. Currently it is sunny and dry here in East Anglia.

Sunspots - Tuesday October 8th

 Solar flux is 277 and the SSN 164. A=55 and K=3.

8m FT8 (Monday)

 After returning from Cambridge I decided to try 8m QRP FT8 . Nobody has spotted me but I have spotted G4FKI (60km).

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Monday)

 

When I got back from Cambridge, I turned on my little stand-alone 10m WSPR TX beacon. Just F2 spots (see table).

Radio magazines

Today my U3A courses restarted and I had some time to kill in Cambridge Library. I was quite surprised to see a copy of Practical Electronics. 

It got me wondering what electronics magazines can still be bought in newsagents?  

There were few adverts so I think their business model must rely on the sales of PCBs for the projects they feature.

Expanding - NOT amateur radio

When we came to this village in 1975 the population was just over 4000. Now it is approaching 8000. Some prefer to expand their homes rather than move. It still has a village feel.

Sunspots - Monday October 7th

 Solar flux is 265 and the SSN 167. A=16 and K=4.

Blacksmith - NOT amateur radio

This was the blacksmith with his son at our local museum Sunday.

8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

 Although my 2.5W 8m FT8 has been on since just after breakfast, no spots yet.

UPDATE 0926z:  Just WESSEXSDR (267km) has spotted me.

UPDATE  1754z:   8 spots of my 2.5W 8m FT8 today. See map. Pretty sure this is the best this season.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Sunday)

 

My beacon has been on since just after breakfast. Several spots via F2 propagation. See table.

UPDATE 1024z:  11 stations have spotted me so far with the furthermost PU5ALE (10191km) in Brazil.

UPDATE  1800z:  84 spots of me today.

Sunday plans

 Later I expect to go on 8m QRP FT8 and 10m QRP WSPR again.

Sunspots - Sunday October 6th

 Solar flux is 277 and the SSN 173. A=7 and K=2.

Oscar 100 narrowband activity

In a word - pathetic.

Every few weeks I take peek at activity of this geosynchronous satellite. It is very very low. I cannot say how disappointing I find this.

Bah humbug - NOT amateur radio

Not sure why, but I hate seeing Christmas things too early. If I had my way, all things Christmas would be banned until December. 

All this strikes me as pure commercialism with nothing at all to do with the true meaning of Christmas.

Rallies this weekend

 The following have been notified to me. Always check before going far.

• Sat Oct 5th - Carmarthen ARS Surplus Equipment Sale, Cwmduad, SA33 6XN. Contact G0JLX @gmail.com (shown as ....@mail.com which I think is an error?).
• Sun Oct 6th - Welsh Radio Rally, Newport, NP18 2YE. Contact welshradiorally@gmail.com. 

A full list of rallies is at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies .

10m 500mW WSPR (Saturday)

My tiny stand-alone 10m QRP WSPR beacon was turned on about 0812z. 

UPDATE 0851z:  Plenty of (I think) F2 spots.

UPDATE 1720z: So far today, 66 stations have spotted me.  See map.

8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

 My 2.5W to the horizontal low dipole was turned on at about 0812z. The usual "watering hole"  for both FT8 and WSPR is 40.680 MHz USB dial. If you set your receiver here you will catch most of the activity.

UPDATE  0951z: G0KTN (211km) has at last spotted me. Pretty sure he has been trying for some time. Not sure if he has a better antenna, higher antenna, more sensitive RX or if conditions were up. Also spotting me was EI3KF (574km).

UPDATE 1000z:  It would appear that every time I try 8m QRP FT8, I get spotted by several stations. If I get spotted with my very tiny power (2.5W) and low dipole then imagine the results with 50W and a beam. There  have been some amazing 10mW FT8 QSOs. Under ISM rules many countries can TX on the band  without a special permit or even a licence. Check what the rules are in your country.

Stations spotting
my 8m FT8 today

UPDATE 1817z:  No further spots on TX. Slovenia spotted on 8m FT8 RX.

Sunspots - Saturday October 5th

 Solar flux is 291 and the SSN 180. A=8 and K=1.

Windmill - NOT amateur radio

This was "our" windmill next door this morning. 

Kings College Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

 This was King’s yesterday in the sunshine.

6m 2.5W FT8 ( Friday)

Just UK spots so far.

UPDATE 1309z:  22 spots of me with several in mainland Europe.

10m 500mW WSPR (Friday)

Looks like F2 spots.

UPDATE  1931z:   80 spots of me today including many in the USA.

Sunspots - Friday October 4th

 Solar flux is 312 and the SSN 229. A=8 and K=1.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Thursday)

My stand-alone W5OLF 10m QRP WSPR beacon has been on most of the day. 45 stations have spotted me. 

UPDATE 1807z: 62 stations have spotted my 10m 500mW WSPR today with the furthermost ND7M (8408km).

6m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

Having been on most of the morning I have been spotted by 32 stations so far today when running 2.5W FT8.

UPDATE 1805z:   So far, spotted by 36 stations. 

Remind me of the month? - NOT amateur radio

Both in John Lewis and Marks and Spencer they have Christmas stuff on display. 

Anything to increase profits. 

Personally I find this sick. I know retailers have it hard, but early October?  Really?  Give us a break.

Duck supper - NOT amateur radio

 

Last evening, our son cooked us duck. 

It was very good with all the trimmings.

8m improving?

Based on the last few days, it would appear 8m conditions are improving. F2 propagation is getting better, and more frequent. 

Yesterday, my 8m FT8 2.5W to a low dipole was spotted across the Atlantic by 2 stations. We can expect  8m F2 propagation to be good at this time of year with high sunspot numbers.

Plans for Thursday

 Today I think I shall try 6m FT8 as 8m was good yesterday so I am wondering if the F2 MUF will exceed 50MHz.

Sunspots - Thursday October 3rd

Solar  flux is 275 and the SSN 194. A=7 and K=1.

Oil price - NOT amateur radio

 Despite the increasing tension in the Middle East, the price of oil seems remarkably stable.

8m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

 After all, I decided to try 8m QRP FT8 today. So far, no spots.

UPDATE 1202z:  So far only G4BAO (8km) spotting me.

UPDATE 1229z: My first 8m spot from "across the pond" this season by WW1L (4976km).

Stations spotting my 2.5W 8m FT8

UPDATE 1252z: Now spotted by 3 stations.

UPDATE 1342z: Spotted by 4 stations and PJ4MM (7483km) spotted on RX for the first time this season on 8m FT8 RX.

Stations spotted on 8m FT8

UPDATE 1717z:  Spotted by 8 stations on 8m QRP FT8 with 2.5W and a low wire dipole. Best day yet.

Stations spotting me
today on 8m QRP FT8

Nearby floods - NOT amateur radio

 

To the west of us, there has been some widespread flooding. We have avoided it over here thankfully. One of my friends on 365project posted this photo of her local park flooded and closed.

10m 500mW WSPR (Wednesday)

My stand-alone 10m QRP WSPR TX beacon is on and there looks like plenty of F2 propagation to Eastern Europe.

UPDATE 1048z:  Now, quite a few stations via F2 (I think) spotting my little beacon. 21 spots of me so far.

UPDATE 2107z:  82 stations spotting me.

Middle East - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday, I posted my views on the situation in the Middle East. Overnight, I received a comment that may be pure sarcasm. If this was not intended, please accept my apologies and resubmit a comment. For now, I am not publishing the comment.

My views have not changed: the only long-term solution must be diplomatic with everyone treating everyone fairly and with dignity in peaceful coexistence.

UPDATE 1026z:   Lots of military aeroplane activity overhead from the US airbases at either Lakenheath or Mildenhall. 

European openings (Wednesday)

The impression I have is that things are not as good as yesterday on 10m and 6m as far as propagation in Europe is concerned. Unless things get better, I think I shall give 8m FT8 a miss today.

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

Green tomatoes - NOT amateur radio

This year, we have had a good crop of tomatoes. I have now dug them up and those that don't turn red will come for green tomato chutney.

See https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/green-tomato-chutney .

Sunspots - Wednesday October 2nd

 Solar flux is 245 and the SSN 196. A=6 and K=2.

2m activity contest (UKAC)

This evening was the 2m activity contest organised by the RSGB. 

As usual, I was running 10W PEP to my big-wheel omni antenna. 

Because of my poor voice I was only on for 30 minutes. 4 QSOs were made. See map.

Middle East - NOT amateur radio

The only long-term solution to the long-running situation over Israel seems to me to be a political solution that allows Israel and the people of Palestine to live in peace. 

This endless cycle of violence may achieve something in the short-term, but just increases bitterness. Everyone has to compromise for the long-term good.

10m antenna

 

At the moment 10m is excellent and there are some 10m only rigs at bargain prices. Many will have a go on 10m only where antennas are small and they do not have to be far off the ground to be effective. 

I know this has been on several times before, but it is worth reminding folks of my 10m antenna that can be made from easily obtainable material, is small and really works. If you are after a simple 10m antenna, this may "fit the bill".  It was in Practical Wireless many years ago and is on my website.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/antennas/homebase10-10m-halo .

8m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

My 8m 2.5W FT8 is on again.

UPDATE 0948z: 

Stations
monitoring
8m FT8

 No spots. The map shows the stations currently monitoring 8m FT8 - quite a few!

UPDATE 1249z:   5 stations have spotted my 8m QRP FT8 and I have spotted 2 and had a QSO with 1 station in Spain.

Stations spotting
my QRP 8m FT8

UPDATE  1420z:   9 stations have spotted my 2.5W 8m FT8 with the furthermost ZR1ADI (9777km).

UPDATE 1745z:  3 QSOs, 9 stations have spotted me and I have spotted 17 stations.

Fuchsias - NOT amateur radio

 

October is often a wet and windy month so it is good to be cheered up by flowers in the garden.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Tuesday)

 As well as spots of me by G4KPX (14km) and EA8BFK (2880km) I am getting spots from YO3BN (2083km). I assume the latter is via F2.

UPDATE 1546z:  USA and Canada coming through with 56 spots of my 500mW WSPR from "across the pond".

UPDATE 1809z: 75 stations have spotted me today. See Phil VK7JJ 's WSPRrocks website.

UPDATE 2056z:  80 spots of me today.

Sunspots - Tuesday October 1st

 Solar flux is 214 and the SSN 150. A=11 and K=2.

Openings to Eastern Europe?

It looks like there are openings to Eastern Europe on 10m and 6m from Western Europe. I am hoping there is some activity on 8m and that it spreads further west.

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

10m 500mW WSPR (Monday)

 So far, just G4KPX (14km) and EA8BFK (2880km) spotting me.

UPDATE 1402z:  USA and Canada coming through now with 17 stations spotting me. See table.

UPDATE 1646z:  28 stations have spotted me.

8m FT8 (Monday)

Although my 2.5W 8m FT8  has been on for much of the morning, no spots on TX or RX.

UPDATE 1117z:  Although no spots yet, it is interesting to see so many stations monitoring the 8m band. See the map of monitors.

UPDATE 1300z:  Still no 8m spots today.

UPDATE 1326z:  Spotted by EI3KF (574km). Is this aircraft scatter? I am sure there are far more 8m monitors, which is a good sign.

UPDATE  1521z:  QRT on 8m.

Oil prices - NOT amateur radio

With all the increased tension in the Middle East I am surprised how little prices have moved. I remember back in the Suez crisis of 1956, petrol was rationed again. It is as if the world either expects a ceasefire or knows how to cope if the Gulf is closed. 

Are we far less dependent on oil from the Middle East?

Maudlin thoughts - NOT amateur radio

My brother will be 80 in December. He seems to be going to several funerals of late. I guess we are now at an age when many of our friends and relatives get serious illnesses or die. 

I wonder if our brains modify to accept this as the norm? 

It is interesting how we now talk about illnesses more as we age. There are several friends and relatives who are now in the "firing line". In the past we assumed we would all go on forever. Now we think of our finality.

Once we went to a New Year's Eve party. The host said, "you are not allowed to talk about illnesses". What a good idea!

UPDATE 1433z:  We just heard that one of my wife's best friends has died.  Not unexpected, but so sad for those left behind.

Monday plans

Later, I hope to go on 10m 500mW WSPR and 8m QRP FT8. 

In all, stations in 3 countries spotted my 2.5W 8m FT8 yesterday, which was better than I expected.

Sixbox 6m transceiver

This dates back many years and is not recommended when 6m is "open" as it has been recently. 

On the other hand, it makes a nice homebrew project and an ideal natterbox across town. 

As I always say, use it as a starting point for your own ideas. For example, add a loudspeaker amplifier, or increase the RF power. Most of my designs are starting points and could usually be improved. Do not be afraid to experiment as this is where a lot of the fun is.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/homebrew/sixbox .

Inside the windmill - NOT amateur radio

The outside of the windmill next door has featured many times on this blog. 

The inside (as far as I recall) has never been on, until now. This is inside the windmill.

Fitzball’s house - NOT amateur radio

 Edward Fitzball was a famous lyricist in the 1800s . He lived in this cottage in our village (Burwell).

Sunspots - Monday September 30th

 Solar flux is 197 and SSN 154. A=16 and K=2.

War and peace - NOT amateur radio

 One thing I am certain about - wars rarely settle things, often resulting in long-term distrust and hatred. 

In the Middle East this is true at the moment. For many years Israel has had people opposed to the very state of Israel. At the same time Israel has opposed the existence of the people of Palestine. There is much bitterness.

Surely, the only long-term solution, no matter the past history, is peaceful co-existence.  Everyone on the planet has a right to peace.

8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

My 2.5W 8m FT8 has been on since breakfast. So far, nobody has spotted me, but ZR1ADI (9777km) spotted on 8m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1022z:  My QRP 8m FT8 spotted by G4OGI (123km).

UPDATE 1805z: 3 stations have spotted me on 8m today. See map. Now QRT.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Sunday)

 My stand-alone 10m WSPR TX has been on since breakfast. 

UPDATE  1751z:  31 stations have spotted me today.  See table. QRT shortly.

Valve QRP

This was several years ago at the QTH of G6ALB. Andrew did the building of this valve Sputnik TX and I did the operating. After about 10 minutes a CQ call on 15m resulted in a contact with a station in the USA. Present were G4NUA (SK), G6ALB and G3XBM (me). What fun we all had!

Tidy up - NOT amateur radio

 Yesterday, many volunteers tidied up our local bowling green. I think they must have a match this weekend.

Amateur radio on the streets?

Around the world it seems harder to find radio magazines on the stands of newsagents. This is certainly true here in the UK, but I am wondering if it is different in other countries?

Yaesu FTX-1F

This radio is creating quite a buzz. 

It is Yaesu's answer to the IC-705 and it also is the long awaited answer to the FT817/818 series. 

It is not a hand portable, although I suspect Yaesu have done their homework in that most people will not use it pedestrian portable but in hotel rooms and on park benches. In this regard it may be an ideal choice with a large battery capacity.

So far, there is no indication of price, but I hope it is well under £1000. Also, we have only, so far, seen very preliminary specs. The IC-705 has things like Bluetooth and GPS. It will be interesting to see what appears in the full specs.

Often there are hardware and software bugs in very early models.  This will be the first time that Yaesu will have made units in significant volumes, so they will be looking for feedback so they can "tweek" the design on the next production run. In some ways early adopters are guinea pigs.

Soldersmoke AI experiment

As an experiment, Soldersmoke did an experimental AI generated podcast. It is frightening. 

If this is possible now, what will be possible in 2050? To me, it sounded incredible. You would never have known it was AI generated.

It is frightening how realistic this podcast sounds, making you wonder how AI could be used to distort truth in future e.g. in elections.

See http://www.soldersmoke.com/About SolderSmoke 2.mp3

Sunspots - Sunday September 29th

 Solar flux is 195 and the SSN 148.  A=7 and K=3.

Dying of cancer - NOT amateur radio

 My wife has been to see her old work colleague and friend several times recently. 

After a long battle with stage 4 cancer she has come home to die. They gave her less than 5 years, but she has lasted 8 years. She probably only has days left. It is all so sad. She sleeps a lot of the time and is confined to bed. 

It is odd. In some ways this experience has dulled the fear of death. For her husband it must be unbelievably sad knowing that your wife is dying and there is no prospect of her getting better.

Apple day 2024 - NOT amateur radio

Our next door neighbour has a large orchard and far too many apples, so he organised an apple day so we could pick some for the winter. 

For once the weather was sunny and bright.

It was a lovely social occasion too.

10m 500mW WSPR (Saturday)

My stand-alone 10m WSPR beacon by W5OLF was turned on at about 0835z.  No spots.

UPDATE 0848z: Just a couple of spots by local G4KPX (14km).

UPDATE  0855z:  Just G4KPX spotting me.

UPDATE 1556z:  33 stations have spotted me with many in the USA and Canada.

UPDATE 1603z:  The map (see WSPRrocks by Phil VK7JJ) shows the stations spotting my 500mW 10m WSPR TX beacon today.

UPDATE 1629z:  36 stations have spotted me today.

8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

My 2.5W 8m FT8  was turned on at about 0835z.  

UPDATE 1317z:  QRT.  No spots all day on RX or TX on 8m FT8.

UPDATE 1703z:  On again, but still no spots. So far, I have been disappointed with 8m FT8 this autumn.

Crab apple jelly - NOT amateur radio

A few days ago I collected the crab apples from our single tree. 

Yesterday, I turned them into crab apple jelly as the photo shows. It is delicious on some meats.

I have no idea why they are called crab apples. They are tiny compared with more usual apples. I would guess 2cm diameter or less would be more typical.

See https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/crab-apple-jelly .

8m later

 Now my 8m dipole has been re-erected, I intend to try the band again later.

Sunspots - Saturday September 28th

 Solar flux is 186 and the SSN 122. A=6 and K=0.

'Our' tree - NOT amateur radio

We keep an eye on this tree at Anglesey Abbey throughout the year. At the moment it is turning into its autumn colours. After a few weeks of strong winds, it will be bare until the spring.

10m 500mW WSPR (Friday)

 My 10m 500mW WSPT TX beacon was turned on at about 1630z.  EA8BFK (2880km) has spotted me.

UPDATE 2035z:  In the end 2 stations in the USA spotted me (see table).