Dartmoor ponies - NOT amateur radio

Dartmoor ponies are very famous worldwide. They are wild on the moor and are often seen wandering near the roads. I think this photo was taken in 2012.

Plans for Friday

Later, I expect to go on 40.680 MHz QRP FT8. The Es has started and every day has seen me spotted across Europe with 2.5W and a low wire dipole.

Sunspots - Friday May 12th 2023

Solar flux is 149 and the SSN 152. A=26 and K=2.

Human consciousness - NOT amateur radio

Time and again I am amazed by the things that had to happen for me to be here on this planet, at this time, in this country. I am the result of generations and generations of ancestors. If just one had not existed I would not exist. 

The number of planets in the universe is huge. Some estimate this as 100 billion billion billion billion  The number of planets with sentient life is probably huge. On the Earth now there are around 8 billion humans. Yet I exist.

Exactly what is human life? What exactly is self awareness? Why am I here now, in this country, on this planet? 

Some would say there is a religious element. Whilst I understand this, to me the explanation is too small and too Earth centred.

We always think of time going from the past into the future? Is this an illusion?

Rally this weekend

The following rally in Scotland has been announced. Please check with organisers first to ensure the information is correct.

Sunday May 14th - Braedhead Rally, G51 4BN. Contact admin@braeheadradiorally.com. 

8m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

It is now 1140z and I have been on 40.680 MHz QRP FT8 for about 50 minutes. So far, one spot from Poland by Es. So far this year 3 countries have spotted me via Es.

UPDATE 1345z:  3 stations have spotted my QRP 8m FT8 so far today and I have spotted 2. One exchange of FT8 reports was with S77A (1194km).

Thatched cottage - NOT amateur radio

Many of the villages around here have some very attractive thatched cottages like this one.

Last evening on 70cm FT8

As far as I know, conditions last night were normal on 70cm. 

Despite this, 36 stations were copied in the 70cm FT8 activity contest (see map), as far as Germany. And all this was on a 2m omni antenna on RX!  It seems that some sort of troposcatter is possible using FT8. 

Imagine what would have been copied if I had had a typical 70cm beam. If this works at 70cm, what about 23cm or even 13cm? On these bands ERPs of kilowatts are possible with average beams.

No, FT8, has transformed VHF/UHF, making DX possible at any time with very modest stations. If activity was higher people would be making DX QSOs at any time, irrespective of conditions.

Sunspots - Thursday May 11th 2023

Solar flux is 170 and the SSN 154.  A=26 and K=3.

70cm FT8 activity contest

The RSGB activity contest (UKAC) starts at 1900z, but I think the European contest starts earlier.

The map shows the activity on 70cm FT8 well before the UK contest starts! 

My antenna is just a 2m big-wheel omni too!