Where we live - NOT amateur radio

This photo shows where we live. We live next door to the windmill which is clear as you can see the white sails. 

Sunspots - Thursday August 4th 2022

Solar flux is 100 and the SSN 37. A=8 and K=2.

2m FT8 UKAC

Tonight is the 2m FT8 activity contest. Before the start of the contest I worked local G4NBS. Lots of stations spotted on RX.

IC-705 out of band?

As you may recall, I have an 8m UK permit for a year. Currently, I use my widebanded FT817ND on 8m FT8, but it would be good to use the IC-705 instead.

Many were disappointed when 4m was not included.

I am wondering if there is a wideband mod (possibly allowing 4m and 8m access, although maybe not to spec) that can be accessed via keyboard presses only, so the inside is untouched?

Having been in production for over a year, I am sure this will have been published if possible.

BTW, after misplacing my Radiotoday Guide to the IC-705 after many months I found it again..... on my shack bookshelf!

Swifts in the UK - NOT amateur radio

These migratory birds breed here and then go to central Africa on migration. They only stop a few months, then they go. One day they are on the wing screaming in feeding parties. Then the skies fall silent until next spring. Most leave in August. Although numbers are lower, I cannot say I have noticed. There are far fewer swallows here.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swift/.

Low sunspots

The less active side of the sun seems to be pointing our way, as the sunspot number has been low for several days. Hopefully, numbers will climb again in the days ahead. It is quite normal for sunspot numbers to vary.

10m WSPR

My feeling is that the Es season is drawing to a close, with no spots of my 500mW today, even though I have been on for over an hour. Yes, it is early, but usually a good Es day starts early.

Let's hope Jan was right in his comment yesterday that F2 conditions start to improve soon. It would be good to see more F2 spots in the 10m WSPR log.

UPDATE 1754z:   26 unique stations have spotted me today on 10m QRP WSPR TX.

UPDATE 2052z:   29 unique stations have spotted me today on 10m QRP WSPR TX.

8m experiment (Wednesday)

 Although I have been on for just over an hour on 40.680 MHz USB dial FT8, no reports of my QRP.

2m activity contest

5W pep QRP 2m SSB
contacts last evening

Last evening was the 2m monthly activity contest (UKAC) organised by the RSGB. As usual, I went on for about an hour with my QRP and the big-wheel omni antenna. 8 contacts were made, but with my poor voice it was hard work. 

I think tonight is the FT8 activity contest. I sometimes go on, but rarely submit results.

UPDATE 1301z: My VHF power max was set to 5W, so last night all my QSOs were with 5W pep, not 10W!!

Water lillies - NOT amateur radio

 

These, and the other flowers, were seen on our walk yesterday to Wicken Fen, UK.