More memories of Christmas - NOT amateur radio

More experiments with collages on Google Photos. These pictures are trying to summarise Christmas 2020, which to most of us is odd. I hope Christmas 2021 is far better.

6m FT8 QRP (Saturday)

Since about 1000z, I have been on 6m FT8 with 2.5W and the V2000 vertical omni antenna. Spots by G0PQO (50km) and G7SOZ (31km) on TX within 15 minutes and nothing yet on RX.

UPDATE 1034z: Just 2 spots so far on 6m FT8 RX G0MBL (129km) and G0ROG (142km).

UPDATE 1556z: 6 spots of my QRP FT8 TX with the furthermost being by G7RAU (461km). On 6m FT8 RX 19 stations in 3 countries spotted with the furthermost being GM4UYE (509km).

Collage experiments - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday I played with collages on Google Photos. This was my first attempt. 

Sunspots - Saturday January 2nd 2021

 Solar flux is 80 and the SSN 23. A=4 and K=0.

Feels like a Sunday?

Don't know about you, but I keep thinking today is Sunday! All these public holidays are really confusing me. 

I was expecting to send out my usual Sunday reminders for the East Cambs net, then I realised it was Friday.

Short loft antennas

At the old QTH I had a problem with 160m antennas. At one time, we were going to try a local 160m AM net. Somewhere I have some crystals. My solution was this small loft vertical that worked really well. It can easily be adapted for your situation. I was surprised how good it was.

Although my antenna was on 160m, the same idea (helical windings and a top hat) could be used on other bands like 80m, 60m, 40m, or even 630m.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/160m_loft_ant. 

6m FT8 QRP (Friday)

At about 1005z my QRP 6m FT8 was turned on:  2.5W and the V2000 vertical omni antenna. So far, at 1020z, just one spot of me by G0PQO (50km)  and no spots on RX.

UPDATE 1110z: 4 stations spotted on RX with the furthermost being G4EFX (226km) and 2 stations have spotted my QRP 6m FT8  TX. So far today, all Gs.

UPDATE 1350z:  16 stations spotted here with the furthermost F6HGB (985km) on RX.  2 Gs have spotted my QRP on TX and 1 QSO.

UPDATE 1610z:  21 stations spotted on RX and 6 stations have spotted me on QRP 6m FT8 TX. 1 QSO.

UPDATE 2000z:  QRT.

Water buffalo - NOT amateur radio

One of the local nature reserves near us is using water buffalos to help maintain the banks. These are well contained as they can be very dangerous animals.

See http://www.kingfishersbridge.org/

2021 - NOT amateur radio

2020 was a pretty bad year for most. As I wish everyone a happy new year, may I wish you good health and happiness in the year ahead. Let us hope this really is the year we beat Covid-19. 

Sunspots - Friday January 1st 2021

 Solar flux is 81 and the SSN 25. A=3 and K=0.