Oscar 100 activity

Activity levels on the narrowband transponder of the geosynchronous satellite Oscar 100  seem to be quite high today. My quick look on the Web SDR at Goonhilly Downs in Cornwall was late afternoon in Europe.

2m FT8 RX (Saturday)

It is now 1339z.  A short while ago I went on 2m FT8 RX with the FT817ND and big-wheel omni antenna. So far G4YTM (179km) spotted and 3 other Gs. Furthermost is 2E1EMK (182km).

UPDATE 1353z:   Now 6 stations in 2 countries spotted.

Spots of me to
1620z on 2m FT8
TX (2.5W)

UPDATE 1620z:   47 stations spotted so far today on 2m FT8 RX. Now on TX (2.5W) and 16 spots of me so far today.

UPDATE 1700z:  20 spots of my QRP (2.5W to the big-wheel omni) 2m FT8 today so far.

Stations spotted
today on
2m FT8 RX

UPDATE 2147z: 74 stations spotted on RX and 33 stations have spotted me on QRP TX today. 

UPDATE 2152z:  QRT. 2m FT8 QRP never fails.

Hope - NOT amateur radio

Cheerfulness cheer us up at this time of year. See photo.

The snowdrops are appearing  now, and the daffodils will soon be out.

Sunspots - Saturday January 9th 2021

 Solar flux is 75 and the SSN 0. A=2 and K=1.

2m FT8 QRP (Friday)

At about 1920z, I QSYed to 2m FT8 with 2.5W to the big-wheel omni antenna. So far this evening, I have been spotted by 5 stations on TX  and I have spotted 1 station on 2m FT8 RX. It is now 1926z.

Winter Walk - NOT amateur radio

This morning we went for a walk around Anglesey Abbey. The photo shows the winter walk. 

There were a few snowdrops and daffodils out.  Another month things will be very different.

15m FT8

This morning I am again monitoring 15m FT8 RX with the FT817ND and indoor loop. So far (at 0949z) 22 stations spotted.

UPDATE 1415z:  43 stations spotted on RX. Now on QRP TX (2.5W), but nobody has spotted me.

Stations spotting my
QRP FT8 TX
to the tiny indoor
loop on 15m today

UPDATE 1906z: This afternoon my QRP 15m FT8 TX was spotted by 9 stations including 3 in the USA with the furthermost being AK4QR (6846km).  Not bad with my FT817ND and the tiny indoor loop.

Sunspots - Friday January 8th 2021

Solar flux is 75 and the SSN 0. A=6 and K=0.

Trump - NOT amateur radio

It amazes me that so many people within the USA voted for Trump. Clearly he has a following in the USA whereas many outside of the USA think him stupid. 

Banana warehouse - NOT amateur radio

This photo is over 100 years old. It shows the banana warehouse in Sheffield owned by the great grandfather of my wife. Years ago my wife visited it and remembers the smell of all those bananas.