Thunderstorms

We are just having a passing thunder storm. 

Although the chances of a direct strike are low (thankfully) in the UK, passing storms can cause power surges that can damage equipment. 

I am no expert on thunder and lightning, but I know from others that it should always be treated with respect. Whenever there is a risk, I disconnect mains plugs and antennas "just in case". Opinions vary on what to do, but leaving things connected only works if your lightning protection is very good. Most of us have very poor protection.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/lightning-maps .

10m QRP FT8 (Friday)

My intermittent coax plug has been fixed and now on 10m FT8 with the FT817ND at 2.5W. So far spotted by just 1 G station, but spotting stations across the world on RX.

UPDATE 0944z: 12 stations have spotted my 2.5W  and 67 stations spotted here.

UPDATE 1000z: Thunder stopped play!  All disconnected. See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/lightning-maps .

160m FT8 QRP last evening

160m FT8 QRP TX 

160m FT8 RX 

Last evening I went on 160m FT8 with 2.5W and the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. As the evening before, results were good. 

Sunspots - Friday May 5th 2023

 Solar flux is 162 and the SSN 139. A=6 and K=1. 

10m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

Very late in the day, I decided to switch from 8m to 10m FT8. Just a couple of spots of my 2.5W from the FT817ND. I also discovered that my 10m coax antenna plug is intermittent. This needs investigation. Quite a few stations spotted on RX.

UPDATE 1803z:  4 spots of my 2.5W with the furthermost 9G5AF (5189km).

Rallies on Sunday

These rallies have been notified to me. I do not have contact details, but advise checking with the organisers first if intending to travel a long way.

Sunday May 7th - Dartmoor Radio Rally, Yelverton, PL20 6AL

Sunday May 7th - Hamfest Rally,Thorpe Camp Visitor's Centre. No postcode given.

Spring - NOT amateur radio

The green in spring always looks fresh whereas later it looks tired. This horse chestnut tree looks splendid. 

8m QRP FT8 TX (Thursday)

Earlier. I got my first 8m FT8 report for a while. This was Martin's SDR at WESSEXSDR (265km) at a respectable - 17dB S/N. 

They have arrived - NOT amateur radio

The swifts are back. This morning 2 were spotted. I have yet to hear them screaming in feeding parties, but the cycle that has been around for thousands of years continues. 

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

160m QRP FT8 last evening

Spots of my QRP FT8 on 160m
with the earth-electrode "antenna"
in the ground last evening

Using just 2.5W FT8 on 160m last evening to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground 14 spots of me (as the map shows) were obtained. It works remarkably well with the FT817ND with just the 3C90 transformer and no ATU. I guess the SWR is between 2:1 and 3:1.