As the 10m antenna is free, I am on 10m WSPR TX using 500mW from the W5OLF beacon. So far, spots from the Canary Is only at 0833z.
UPDATE 1355z: 3 unique stations spotting my 500mW with the furthermost TA4/G8SCU (3010km). I suspect these are all single hop F2 propagation.
At the moment (0830z), I am again on 8m FT8 TX on 40.680 MHz USB dial. When we go for a walk later I shall be RX only. So far, no spots given or received.
UPDATE 1505z: After just over a month, I am already drawing some conclusions as follows:
(1) With my QRP and simple antenna I can work DX by Es, but I think TEP exchanges e.g. with South Africa are beyond me. I estimate my ERP could be 20dB down on some of the better stations.
(2) There are far fewer stations active than I was expecting. Is no-one really interested?
(3) I suspect many of those active lose interest once they know their capability. It looks like I shall have FT8 exchanges with Slovenian stations, then what?
UPDATE 1507z: Today I have spotted nobody and nobody has spotted me on 8m FT8. At this rate, especially as OFCOM wants £50 every year, I can see few being interested in the UK. What a great pity.
UPDATE 1518z: Looks like I shall go QRT on 8m TX after the Es season.
UPDATE 1607z: Now on 8m FT8 TX (first) on 40.680 USB dial.
These summer migrant birds winter in South Africa. They used to arrive here in early April. They are around as my son has taken a photo, but I suspect there are fewer. It is already well into May and I have still to see one. Last year I only saw 2 the whole spring and summer! Swifts normally arrive about now.
UPDATE 1410z: We did a nice walk this morning around the village which included several stretches near water. Had there been swallows and swifts around, we would have seen them. We saw none. My impression is there are fewer even than last year, which is very sad.
My favourite band of all is 10m (28 MHz). At 1.7 MHz wide, there is room for all modes. Apart from daytime in the better years of the sunspot cycle, it is unusual not to find clear frequency. Even with low power and small antennas worldwide DX is possible.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/10m-operation .
As far as I know this is on as a face-to-face convention later this month after a couple of dire Covid years rather getting in the way.
Often the big manufacturers announce new products here, sometimes well before release. I guess they are testing the market interest. It will be interesting to see what is announced. This is an ideal chance for Yaesu to announce a proper successor to the FT817/818 series. The recent offering (the FT818) was distinctly underwhelming! With sunspot numbers rising this is an ideal time. Or will Yaesu again "miss the boat"?
This is one of the largest amateur radio gatherings on the planet. I have never been.
See https://hamvention.org/ .
As regular readers will know, Jay', W5OLFs 10m WSPR beacon is a small stand-alone 500mW WSPR beacon that I have used for many years. It is still in use this very minute. With it, I have reached all parts of the planet.
Despite writing to Jay some days ago, I have not got a reply. Does anyone have any news please?
At the moment I am again on 10m WSPR TX with the W5OLF 500mW beacon. So far, spots from the Canary Is and Turkey.
UPDATE 1135z: Still the same stations spotting me.
The photo shows a plant at Anglesey Abbey yesterday.
