481THz tests

These days I am just too wobbly to do optical tests "out in the field". However Bernie G4HJW has offered to put up an optical beacon so I can see if I can copy it "over the horizon" 10 miles away at my QTH. It is many years since I did optical experiments and this will be a challenge on many levels. 

VLF tests

Years ago I did some drive around tests in my car with an E-field probe on the roof. I was trying to see where my 5W signal could be received. This map shows where it was possible. 

Sunspots - Friday March 3rd 2023

Solar flux is 169 and the SSN 103. A=9 and K=3. 

United Eire? - NOT amateur radio

In the end I can see Eire becoming one nation again. I doubt this will be in my lifetime however. 

The DUP (the Unionists) appear very much in the minority and this will go down further in the years ahead. No, Northern Ireland was a convenient political outcome in the last century and I can see a united Ireland this century. Clearly the DUP need appeasing, but this is the 21st century not a long time ago.

10m QRP WSPR TX

Since mid afternoon, I have been on 10m WSPR with my 500mW beacon. So far, 5 stations have spotted me. I forgot that when on 8m, the 10m antenna is free so that I can use the 10m WSPR TX beacon.

Rallies

 The following rallies have been notified to me. Please check that this information is correct.

*  Saturday March 4th - Lagan Valley ARS. No contact details.

*  Sunday March 5th - Exeter Radio and Electronics Rally.  No contact details.

As I have no contact details, please check on a search engine.

8m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

At 1325z, my 8m QRP FT8 was turned on. No spots yet.

UPDATE 1505z:  Still no spots.

UPDATE 1540z:  ZS6OB (9099km) spotted strongly on 8m FT8, but no spots of me sadly.

UPDATE 1649z:  No spots of me and no further spots on RX.

15m

At the moment 15m is a very useful band. It stays open longer than 10m and with the high sunspot count, it is capable of worldwide DX.  Although many people have migrated to FT8 to chase DX, some may still go on CW.

Back in the mid 1970s I designed the QRP Pipit CW transceiver. For many months it was the only rig used. It worked really well with just a low dipole.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/15m-qrp-cw-pipit.

First grass cut - NOT amateur radio

Just cut the grass for the first time this year. 

More Dalham - NOT amateur radio

This collage shows more of the village of Dalham not far from us. As you can see, it is very attractive.