Es reminder

In the northern hemisphere, we are now in the peak Es season. If you want a quick look at how well Es is doing in Europe look at the Es map. 

Lightning risk

At this time of year and throughout the summer there is an increased risk of lightning in the UK. I usually check the risk using the lightning map. 

Although the chances of a direct strike are (thankfully) low I usually disconnect antennas, PSUs, PC etc until the danger has passed. Even surges in the mains supply or antenna lead when a storm is near can cause damage.

If the storm is within 20 miles I usually disconnect.

Trying 6m FT8 at 10mW (Tuesday)

At the moment I am trying 6m FT8 at 10mW using my IC-705 with an attenuator right on the output of the IC-705 and setting the 6m power at an appropriate level.

UPDATE 0900z:  Now on 6m FT8 with 10mW FT8. No spots!

UPDATE 1422z:  Even with just 10mW, via poor coax to a V2000 vertical omni, 6 stations have spotted me on 6m FT8, some very strongly. As I keep saying, 10mW ERP is enough to be spotted across Europe. If it works on 6m it will work on 8m without a licence for anyone using ISM rules.

UPDATE 1500z:  It gets even better!  Now spotted by 14 stations across Europe with just 10mW 6m FT8.   Who needs much power when Es is good!

UPDATE 1837z:  Superbly better! Now spotted by 79 stations. today.  Amazing for just 10mW! See map.

Sunspots - Tuesday June 3rd

 Solar flux is 140 and the SSN 103. A=69 and K=5.

Philosophical questions - NOT amateur radio

It is impossible (I think) to know if there is a world outside of what we experience, or if this is all just for me and no-one else experiences what I experience.

All our experiences suggest a world and universe beyond, yet we die and everything we used to experience this dies with our body (or does it?).

We always assume we live just one life. It is possible that everything is possible and every fork is explored yet we are only aware of one path.

This is a philosophical stuff.

A good job we are all different

 This is video by a man with my views. Some in the USA love the new FTX-1, whereas I feel, like this man, that it is overpriced and lacks some features.

10m QRP WSPR (Monday)

My 500mW beacon was turned on before breakfast.

UPDATE 1100z:  Just V51RS (8481km) spotting me.

I only really use WSPR as I can do it without tying up the PC. If I use other modes I need the PC, so I can only use one band at a time if I did this. Using 10m QRP WSPR with the beacon I can also go on 6m FT8.

UPDATE 1242z:  Just V51RS and one HB9 spotting me.

UPDATE 1845z: 30 stations spotting me today. See table.

6m 5W FT8 (Monday)

My gear was turned on before breakfast. 

UPDATE 1315z:  47 spots of me including several in the south of Europe, that I assume are Es. 

UPDATE 2110z: 239 stations have spotted my QRP 6m FT8 today. See map. Maybe tomorrow I should try 10mW again?

Blackberries - NOT amateur radio

We are very lucky to have a wild blackberry bush about 15m from our home. 

At the moment it is flowers, but in the summer it is laden with blackberries. 

I often pick some to have with breakfast.

Heathkits

My whole career and amateur radio hobby really started with a Heathkit Electronics Workshop that my late dad bought for Christmas in 1961. Little did I know then what it would lead to. 

These days kits are often too expensive whereas in the 1950s and 1960s kits were often far less expensive and you had the satisfaction of saying, "I made that". Kits often made the hobby affordable.

You may be interested in this video about the company and its origins.