10m FT8 RX

As usual, whilst doing some housework, I am monitoring 10m FT8 RX with the tiny indoor loop.  At 1030z, 106 stations spotted.

UPDATE 1104z: 136 stations spotted with the furthermost CT3MD (2521km) on Madeira.

UPDATE 1902z:  402 stations spotted on RX with the furthermost PT2GTI (8866km).

Rain - NOT amateur radio

 The BBC weather is often wrong unless there is a big high pressure system over us. The weather radar app has rainfall forecasts in mm to 3 decimal places for hours to come. My own view is a wet finger and look out of the window is often just as good. 

East Anglian skies - NOT amateur radio

In this part of the UK we get great skies as the photo shows. 

Sunspots - Monday June 21st 2021

 Solar flux is 76 and the SSN 13. A=4 and K=1. 

10m FT8 RX

There is widespread Es on 10m this morning. A few moments ago (it is now 0917z) I turned on 10m FT8 RX with the FT817ND and the tiny indoor loop antenna. Already, 49 stations have been spotted.

UPDATE 0948z:  85 stations spotted on RX.

UPDATE 1214z:  198 stations spotted on RX. The furthermost is VO1CH (3737km).

UPDATE 1604z:  325 stations spotted on RX.

UPDATE 1904z:  467 stations spotted on RX with the furthermost PY5BH (9903km).

UPDATE 1954z:  514 stations spotted on RX today.  See map.

UPDATE 2130z:  547 stations spotted today. Soon QRT.

Facebook Photo - NOT amateur radio

This photo was on Michael Rainey's Facebook page earlier. I thought it was worth sharing here. 

G3XBM videos

A reminder that a lot of the projects on my main website have videos on my video channel. These often provide more detail. The video below , of my Sixbox, is an example.

See https://www.youtube.com/user/G3XBM

Sixbox 6m AM QRP transceiver

This was missing from my main website. It has now been added. I did not realise it was missing!

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

Laurel hedge cutting - NOT amateur radio

We have a laurel hedge at the front (about 30m long), that we planted 8 years ago. Usually I trim it twice a year. It has grown a lot! 

Whereas I could do it all in one go, I now have several goes over several days. I am getting older and get tired more quickly. After about 10 minutes, I need a rest.

The laurel hedge provides a good screen from the path by the windmill, but it is hard work! 

Sunspots - Sunday June 20th 2021

 Solar flux is 77 and the SSN 25. A=4 and K=1.