8m QRP FT8 (Friday)

A few moments ago I switched on the 8m FT8 QRP TX. This was about 1025z.

UPDATE 1840z:  No spots today on TX and RX.

10m WSPR QRP TX (Friday)

 My 500mW 10m WSPR TX was turned on at 0946z.

UPDATE 1006z:  3 spots from the Canary Is so far this morning.

UPDATE 1603z:  17 stations have spotted my 10m WSPR QRP today. (see table.).

Voltage dropping

In a few weeks' time (with a following wind) my QDX digital transceiver should arrive. With a 12v supply, there is a danger of the PA being badly over-rated and failing. Most of my gear runs from a 13.8V, so it would be prudent to run the QDX from a lower supply voltage.

My easiest solution is a string of suitably rated diodes in the supply. I have 10 off 3A silicon diodes that should be here next week. I could drop 6V with these if I want, making the QDX run safely from 9.8V.

Friday plans

 I think 10m QRP WSPR TX beckons. My 500mW beacon will be turned on shortly.

Fame? - NOT amateur radio

To my surprise, an email I wrote to the BBC regional programme "Look East" was read out on the programme last night. It was about our local bus service. 

In the past, a couple of my photos have been used on the local TV weather forecasts, but this was a total surprise.

23cm beacon hunting

Last night I went beacon hunting on 23cm with my tiny indoor 2 element beam. I monitored GB3DUN on Dunstable Downs for several minutes. This is probably my best chance of copying a 23cm beacon.

Just occasionally there was a very brief signal that may have been this beacon. It was there for (at most) a second, then was gone. The direct path is very obstructed and my only real hope is by aircraft scatter. The impression I got was this was not aircraft. I have no idea if you get MS on 23cm.

Other beacons I also looked out for on my waterfall, but nothing was seen.

Sunspots - Friday January 27th 2023

Solar flux is 151 and the SSN 104.   A=11 and K=1.

Assembled QDX status?

 The status of the queue of assembled transceivers from QRP Labs has not been updated since late last week.

See http://qrp-labs.com/qcxmini/assembled.html .

Rally

 The following rally has been notified to me: -

Sunday January 29th - Lincoln Shortwave Club Winter Rally, Market Rasen, LN8 3HT. Contact m5zzz@outlook.com .

As always, it is worth checking before going a long way.

8m QRP FT8

My 8m FT8 on 40.680 MHz was turned on at 0952z.

UPDATE 1625z:  Just G0HVQ (181km) spotting my QRP and nobody spotted on 8m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1925z:  QRT. No further spots.