Reminder - ATV net on Oscar 100 live stream

 A reminder that BATC live streams the ATV net on Thursdays at 2000z on Oscar 100. I must remember this and watch!

See https://batc.org.uk/live/oscar100net

UPDATE 2130z:  It worked well, although I was disappointed that there were only G, GW and GI stations on the net, but considering the path was 44000 miles, the quality of the pictures was excellent. There are some very clever people around - far cleverer than me! To get a good TV picture through the satellite requires RF skills, TV knowledge and software skills.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Thursday)

 For about 4 hours, I have been on 10m QRP WSPR with my W5OLF 500mW beacon.

UPDATE 1415z:  So far today, I have been spotted by 19 stations with the furthermost FR1GZ (9724km).

8m FT8 (Thursday)

Been on 8m FT8 for a couple of hours. G4APB (88km) was spotted although nobody has spotted me.

UPDATE 1440z:  No further 8m FT8 spots.

Sunspots - Thursday January 19th 2023

 Solar flux is 220 and the SSN 164. A=15 and K=0.

Doh!! - 8m

 As I was out most of the day I did not go on 10m or 8m. From what I gather, SSB 8m signals were being copied "across the pond". When I try tomorrow it will be dead! 

23cm local skeds needed

Last night, in the 23cm activity contest, I heard and worked nothing! I am hoping for some local skeds to prove all is well. 

At the moment I only have the 2el test antenna pointing out of the shack window. My shack is on a "hill" (which is a relative term in East Anglia!) and 2W.

Anglesey Abbey water mill

 

This was yesterday in the cold sunshine.

Sunspots - Wednesday January 18th 2023

 Solar flux is 219 and the SSN 185. A=6 and K=3.

23cm activity contest this evening

My first test on 23cms TX will be tonight. I have only got the 2 element test antenna and 2W PEP, so I hope I can copy (and work?) any locals that may be on, otherwise I shall have to set up some skeds. 

All is set up. In the past my only (ever) outing on 23cms was on RX only with a borrowed converter and homemade 4 el yagi. Like then (1970s?), everything is indoors firing through the shack window.

These tests are all in the shack. Later this year I hope to try some /P on 23cms.

See https://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?year=2023&contest=uhfukac .

Surprise visitor - NOT amateur radio

We often get Muntjac deer in our garden, but rarely see them. Imagine my surprise when pulling back the curtains!