Sunspots - Wednesday April 5th 2023

Solar flux is 136 and the SSN 44. A=12 and K=2.

At Lode - NOT amateur radio

 

As mentioned earlier, we did a nice walk earlier today.

2m activity contest (UKAC)

This evening is the first Tuesday of the month. The RSGB organised activity contest starts at 1900z. I usually go on for a little while with 2.5W and my big-wheel omni antenna. I usually make 5-10 contacts. FT8 is usually easier for me with my poor voice!

UPDATE 1936z:  After just 3 contacts, I just gave up. Some decent DX, but my voice was exhausted with too much shouting!  If I had more stamina, I am sure I would have had plenty of contacts.

Yaesu FT818

This was introduced in 2018 by Yaesu as a replacement for the FT817. It was a huge disappointment, being more for Yaesu's benefit (to overcome component shortages) than adding any new features. Several times over the years Yaesu could have led the world. 

With the FT817 they "owned" the QRP market, then they gifted it to others. In business terms it was unbelievably stupid. 

I hope they really will launch an SDR QRP rig soon, or they might as well give up. 

Walk - NOT amateur radio

For once, the sun was shining. We did a lovely walk with one of our sons and our grandson.  My wife loves her photos!

Sunspots - Tuesday April 4th 2023

Solar flux is 134 and the SSN 56. A=15 and K=2.

Family day

Our son and grandson have been here for a few nights and went to see a cousin and his son today. The first photo is with my wife in our garden. The rest are with our son's cousin and his son.

Spring - NOT amateur radio

For the first time this year, we enjoyed coffee in the garden. 

Although still quite cold (12 deg C) it was sunny and spring like.  There are buds on the trees.

This is our front garden. We had coffee on the bench just out of the photo on the left.

6m FT8 (Monday)

 At about 1035z, I turned on my 6m FT8 using the FT-710. Almost immediately, 2 UK spots of me.

UPDATE 1053z:   Already 9 English spots of me on 6m FT8 TX.

UPDATE 1146z:   12 spots of my 6m FT8 TX so far.

UPDATE 1254z:   Spotted so far by 15 stations. All were in the UK. No spots on RX.

Stations spotting me today

UPDATE 2056z:  Spotted by 35 stations today on 6m FT8 TX.

Sunspots - Monday April 3rd 2023

Solar flux is 127 and the SSN 54. A=15 and K=2.