Solar flux is 128 and the SSN 119. A=12 and K=0.
6 May 2026
5 May 2026
2m activity contest
Running 10W to a big-wheel omni antenna I worked a couple of stations at decent distances. Because of my poor voice I only stayed on for under 30 minutes, as usual, this evening .
WSPR and FT8
In the Northern Hemisphere we are now, once again, in the Es season.
My main activity is 10m QRP WSPR and 6m QRP FT8.
Although I do not claim anything scientific, my impression is that FT8 is now more popular than WSPR. Although WSPR works with far weaker signals, this is less important with Es where signals can be very strong and fleeting.
I have not tried FT4 or FT2. Also WSPR needs about 120 seconds TX, whereas FT8 needs just 15 seconds.
Plan ahea.....d?
The war in Iran seems to be, allegedly, without a plan of how it might end.
It is clear that fuel prices across the world have dramatically increased and it is very likely inflation will go up.
In my view, we have seen nothing yet with jet fuel and diesel running short.
Far worse impacts are possible.
Always listen to experts!
10m 200mW WSPR (Tuesday)
My beacon was turned on at about 1015z.
UPDATE 1405z: Just OH6BG (1718km) spotting me.
6m 5W FT8 (Tuesday)
UPDATE 1407z: 17 spots of me, many by Es. See map. 21 stations spotted here.
Is 8m "going off the boil"?
As many know, I held a UK TX permit for the band getting all over the world with just a few watts and a low wire dipole. I was considering getting a new permit, despite the £50 price tag for the pleasure. In the end I decided not to bother, but to concentrate on 10m and 6m instead.
As the sunspot numbers decline, I reasoned that radio science, and me, would learn nothing new.
Also, I was extremely disappointed by the very negative attitude of many PTTs, when even temporary access to the band around sunspot maximum could have taught us so much. It is, arguably, too late now.
Faroe Islands
One of my friends on 365project lives in the Faroe Islands. This far north it must be cold and dark in winter and the days short. This is one of his photos.
Oscar 100
Periodically I give an update on the narrow-band transponder of this geosynchronous satellite. Sadly, activity on a Monday in a European evening, was still very low.
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