Sunspots - Tuesday January 2nd

 Solar flux is 136 and the SSN 44. A=10 and K=2.

630m QRP WSPR (Monday)

My MF QRP WSPR (10mW ERP from the earth-electrode antenna) was turned on at about 2020z. So far, 2 stations spotting me. This my first time on 630m this year.

UPDATE 2050z:  Now spotted by 3 stations with the furthermost EI0CF (602km).

UPDATE 2137z:  Now spotted by 4 stations with the furtnermost GM0UDL (659km)

Rick Andersen KE3IJ

Yesterday, I posted a circuit that appeared on Rick's KE3IJ's website back in 2012. This website seems to be no longer there. Does anybody have any information please?

Going home - NOT amateur radio

Our younger son and his children have been here for a few days and went home this morning. 

This photo in our garden was just before they left.

8m QRP FT8 (Monday)

 My 2.5W FT8 gear was turned on at about 1000z. No spots yet.

UPDATE 1515z:  Although I have been on 8m FT8 all day, no spots on RX or TX. This could just be holiday season, or a slack time of year with fewer F2 and Es openings. Also, most people have worked all the stations available. We need more countries and experimenters on 8m.

Happy 2024! - NOT amateur radio

To all readers of this blog, may I wish you a very happy new year. Ours is a very diverse hobby, that may be enjoyed in all sorts of ways. Whatever your "thing"  is, I wish you every success.

Solar data update

Early every month, my favourite site for solar data is updated. It is worth checking to see how things are progressing.

10m QRPP WSPR (Monday)

My QRPP 500uW beacon has been on since 1000z. No spots yet.

UPDATE 1436z: Yet again my 500uW 10m WSPR has been spotted in the Canary Islands.

QRP radios

There’s a wide choice these days in QRP radios unlike years ago . I expect this is, in part, due to the popularity of SOTA and POTA activations where small size and weight are important. One example is the transceiver shown in the photo.

Sunspots - Monday Jan 1

Solar flux is 146 and the SSN 55.  A=4 and K=1.