4 Sept 2021

Shield bug - NOT amateur radio

This shield bug was on a post near Lincoln Cathedral. 

It seemed quite happy for me to take its photo.

These are quite common in the UK on roses. They are a kind of beetle usual less than 1cm long.

472kHz WSPR RX with the Wellgood active RX loop

Last evening I was active on 472kHz WSPR RX using the Wellgood active loop RX antenna. This is very similar to the Wellbrook active loop. I swapped my X80 HF vertical for one. 

In all, just 1 station was spotted - DC0DX (467km) - with the 1m diameter wire stuck to the window indoors. Noise levels are low. This is my first outing on 472kHz RX for some while.

I may try again this evening.

See https://www.george-smart.co.uk/projects/wellgood_loop/ .  George designed this as he was trying to mend his Wellbrook loop. 

Sunspots - Saturday September 4th 2021

Solar flux is 87 and the SSN 33. A=5 and K=1 . 

3 Sept 2021

160m FT8 RX with the Wellgood active loop


For the first time, I tested the Wellgood active loop antenna briefly on 160m FT8 RX. This is a clone of the Wellbrook RX active antenna. I was only on for about 2 minutes, but spotted 8 stations from across Europe with a 1m diameter wire attached to the shack window indoors. Noise level seems low.

Scottish golf course near Aberdeen - NOT amateur radio

When the sun shines Scotland is beautiful. Conversely, when it rains it can be miserable. 

This photo was recently posted on 365project by a friend who lives in Shetland where it can be very windy. It is of a golf course near Aberdeen on the Scottish mainland.

"You'll be old yourself some day" - NOT amateur radio

My mother-in-law said this about 50 years ago. At the time life seemed to be endless. Now I am 72. 

As Michael Portillo (he was a famous UK politician who now is a well known UK TV personality) said, when you are old every year is a year nearer your end, or similar words. Certainly, I am far more conscious of being old. I get tired more easily and I can no longer do many of the things I took for granted all those years ago.

Things that seemed important at 22 no longer are at 72.

10m FT8 QRP (Friday)

After a couple of nights in Lincoln, I am now back home. Briefly I was on 2.5W TX and was spotted by 3 stations with the furthermost EA1FIR (1263km). On 10m FT8 RX just 2 stations so far. Currently RX only at 1400z.

UPDATE 1456z:  4 stations so far spotted on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1922z:   QRT now. In all, 8 stations spotted. Pretty poor really.

Serious stuff - NOT amateur radio

 

The photo shows one of our grandchildren eating a pizza last evening in Lincoln. 

137kHz 10 years ago


This photo was taken in 2011 and shows my tiny 137kHz QRSS signal over 100km away. 

Rally news

The GQRP convention is again an online event on September 4th and the Telford Hamfest is September 5th. As far as I know this is still on although always check with organisers first to make sure before setting out.