15m FT8 QRP (Thursday)

 In a few moments time, I intend to switch on my 2.5W QRP  to the indoor loop.

UPDATE 1037z:  Gear turned on and 4 stations spotted on RX and 1 spot of me already on QRP TX - EA8BFK (2881km).

4m transverter

One of my Facebook memories today was this photo of my QRP 4m transverter designed and made in 2011. I have not been on 4m for a very long time.

The band is being covered on far more commercial transceivers now and there are far more countries on the band. It is ideal for summer Es.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/4m_tvtr

G0KSC website update

As you may know, I like simple and small antennas that do not need towers and rotators. These have the advantage of being neighbour friendly.

Luckily we are all different which is one of the joys of our hobby. To many, big antennas help with DXing or EME. Each to their own.

The G0KSC website has been updated and this has a lot about antennas.

See www.g0ksc.co.uk

Reflections - NOT amateur radio

This is not one of my photos! It appeared on 365project earlier. It is a great shot which is why I am sharing it.  

I do 365 every day. Each day you post a photo, however mundane, and it is great fun. Looking back it is interesting to see how much the grandchildren have changed over the years. I have been doing it for 8 years. Some use it to show how good they are at photography, whereas to me, and many, it is just a visual diary. There is no way I would win prizes for great photos! Many of mine are very boring! What I am saying is there is no need to be a good photographer: this is for you. Others can enjoy your photos if you want or you can keep them private. You can join for free or pay $19.99 a year if you want more albums and privacy.

See https://365project.org/g3xbm/365 for my photos. 

See www.365project.org to join.

Sunspots - Thursday February 11th 2021

 Solar flux is 74 and the SSN 0. A=3 and K=1. 

Rant time - NOT amateur radio

Have you noticed that some things get worse over time? 

My wife has a coat that she got many years ago, so she decided to buy a new one. It is thinner and has fewer pockets. She recently bought me some new pants - they are thinner and shorter. A new National Trust bag has fewer pockets. I could go on and on....

You can see what happens. The buyer tries to get the best "bang per buck" and has a fixed price. He asks the supplier to keep the price down so accepts some compromises to hold the price, hoping the consumer won't care. 

Result? Thinner, poorer, material, fewer pockets. Basically poorer.

Rant over.

Snowy walk - NOT amateur radio

Just now we went for a walk. The forecast was full sun, so it snowed! 

Recently seen flowers - NOT amateur radio

Already, the nights are getting shorter and there is a promise of spring, although we are still in the depths of winter. My wife took these pictures a few days ago.

Yesterday's snow - NOT amateur radio

We had snow yesterday. Most of it had gone by late afternoon, which surprised us.

It is sunny, but icy, this morning. Wind has dropped.

When we get a drop of snow here in the UK we all panic. I can only imagine what people in New England and Canada think of us!  To us, 0 deg C is cold!

The last day on 2m FT8 using 2.5W

In the last day, 30 stations have spotted me on 2M FT8 using 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. Irrespective of conditions these ranges are always possible.