630m antenna current meter fixed

Just mended my 630m antenna current meter. G0VQH (15km) is reporting me 2-3dB stronger. I think there were dry joints. I am finding soldering much harder nowadays- a combination of old age, eyesight and my 2013 stroke!

As my modified FT817ND does not allow me "split" operation for some reason, I am currently TX only with WSPR on 22% TX.

UPDATE 1841z: 6 spots of me so far this evening. I think my ERP is about 10mW.

Ely Cathedral Art Exhibition - NOT amateur radio

Today, we went to Ely. There was an art exhibition in the Lady Chapel at the cathedral.  It was very good and free.

Platlights

These very powerful LEDs were bought in 2012. They were going to be used on 481THz tests over the horizon. Sadly my stroke got in the way. 

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Friday)

 My 10m WSPR TX beacon was switched on just after breakfast. So far, spots from the Canary Is..

UPDATE 1635z:   29 spots of my QRP 10m WSPR beacon.

8m QRP FT8 (Friday)

 At the moment, I am on 8m QRP FT8 with my 2.5W and dipole. Just  local spots by G4WSZ (12km).

Fixing the 630m antenna current meter

As reported yesterday, it appears I have a fault with my antenna current meter. Today I must find the fault. I shall go on 630m WSPR TX tonight. I'm finding fault finding and soldering harder these days. 

Sunspots - Friday October 6th 2023

 Solar flux is 156 and the SSN 179. A=16 and K=2.

Christmas comes early? - NOT amateur radio

In the Cambridge M&S store I was appalled by this blatant attempt at commercialism. Even though it is only October 5th they are trying to tempt Christmas shoppers. To me, the Christmas period does not start until early December at the earliest. The sign says "Christmas Market this way". Bad humbug. 

630m WSPR TX (Thursday) - back on transmit!

I checked the transverter oscillator was working and power was being produced into a dummy load, but there is no current showing in the antenna current meter. Maybe the fault is with this?

So, I tested the transverter connecting it directly to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground (no matching transformer). Every TX period I received 4-7 spots per TX period. My ERP is at most 10mW, probably far less.

Furthermost was 209km.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Thursday)

 My 500mW 10m WSPR TX beacon was turned on at about 0800z. At 0824z, no spots.

UPDATE 1635z:  21 stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR today. There were fewer USA stations spotting me.