Sunspots- Tuesday March 12th

 Solar flux is 127 and the SSN 56. A=4 and K=1.

630m QRP WSPR (Monday)

My 630m QRP WSPR (10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground) was turned on at about 1730z. So far, 4 stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 2157z: So far this evening, 10 stations have spotted me (see table).

10m 500uW (0.5mW) WSPR (Monday)

My QRPP 10m WSPR signal is on again. 

UPDATE 1706z:   No spots all day. I have definitely concluded that 500uW 10m WSPR only works when (a) conditions are very good, and (b) the RX noise floor is low.

6m QRP FT8 (Monday)

My 2.5W FT8 to the V2000 vertical omni antenna has been on this morning. 10 English stations have spotted me. 

UPDATE 1530z:  17 stations have spotted me. All English (see map).

Brunch - NOT amateur radio

Usually I go with my wife to Cambridge on the bus on Mondays, but as I have a few jobs to do I stayed at home. 

This was my brunch. Delicious!! Usually I have a cooked breakfast at weekends and Wednesdays.

630m WSPR overnight

20 stations spotted me overnight including 2 in Norway and OH1LSQ (1733km) yet again. 

8m antenna repair

For reasons I do not understand my 8m dipole has gone to resonance at about 49MHz. It is simpler to replace the antenna and coax. Assuming the weather is OK, I may try doing this in the next week. 

At the moment I am inclined not to apply for an 8m TX permit again, but instead concentrate on ISM rules and WSPR. In the UK this means 10mW ERP and compliance with IR2030. In the UK this is totally free (no licence needed) and I believe open to all. As long as there are people monitoring, much of Europe should be within range on 8m WSPR in the Es season.

Sunspots- Monday March 11th

Solar  flux is 127 and the SSN 77. A=6 and K=1.

Hamsphere and similar

Hamsphere and CQ100 have been around for many years. They behave as ham radio (simulated rigs, bands,antennas, contests ,etc, but use the internet as the communications medium rather than the ionosphere. 

I guess both have their places for some although I have never really been interested. It is just too easy for me and lacks the element of research and experimentation. Each to their own.

Bowling Green - NOT amateur radio

 

Our local bowling club is under threat of closure. There are too few people to look after the grass as people age. The grass looks perfect at the moment.

They had a stay of execution last year, but I don’t know the future.