𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 @M5JFS 📡🛰️🔭🌌
@m5jfs.bsky.social
@[email protected]
@M5JFS on 𝕏
G-QRP 18044
Antenna construction, amateur satellites, QRP, HF portable ops.
QRZ, eQSL & LoTW.
G7WLR in a previous existence😉
Astronomy and astrophotography.
@M5JFS on 𝕏
G-QRP 18044
Antenna construction, amateur satellites, QRP, HF portable ops.
QRZ, eQSL & LoTW.
G7WLR in a previous existence😉
Astronomy and astrophotography.
Results are in for last weekend's UKEI SSB contest. Not many in my category, but happy to get a solid 2nd with only about 5 hours of operating time. If I try harder and do a full 12 next time, maybe I could be shooting for 1st?
November 9, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Results are in for last weekend's UKEI SSB contest. Not many in my category, but happy to get a solid 2nd with only about 5 hours of operating time. If I try harder and do a full 12 next time, maybe I could be shooting for 1st?
Reposted by 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 @M5JFS 📡🛰️🔭🌌
ISS SSTV Event so far. 11/12 images, not all perfect or complete. Still need all of 6 and half more for 5. 1 and 8 need better versions.
October 5, 2025 at 7:46 PM
ISS SSTV Event so far. 11/12 images, not all perfect or complete. Still need all of 6 and half more for 5. 1 and 8 need better versions.
Reposted by 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 @M5JFS 📡🛰️🔭🌌
Visualisation of the Aurora was a top-mentioned item, so it now has it.
August 31, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Visualisation of the Aurora was a top-mentioned item, so it now has it.
Note to self:
When using an end fed half wave wire antenna, be sure to connect it to the hot terminal on the 49:1 transformer and not the counterpoise terminal 🤦.
It makes for much better SWR reading and you can actually be heard by other stations 😁.
#StupidFool
When using an end fed half wave wire antenna, be sure to connect it to the hot terminal on the 49:1 transformer and not the counterpoise terminal 🤦.
It makes for much better SWR reading and you can actually be heard by other stations 😁.
#StupidFool
August 25, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Note to self:
When using an end fed half wave wire antenna, be sure to connect it to the hot terminal on the 49:1 transformer and not the counterpoise terminal 🤦.
It makes for much better SWR reading and you can actually be heard by other stations 😁.
#StupidFool
When using an end fed half wave wire antenna, be sure to connect it to the hot terminal on the 49:1 transformer and not the counterpoise terminal 🤦.
It makes for much better SWR reading and you can actually be heard by other stations 😁.
#StupidFool
Prepping for the RSGB high-altitude balloon (HAB) competition on September 20th. I think I've reduced my feeder losses as much as I can 😉
rsgb.org/main/blog/ne...
rsgb.org/main/blog/ne...
August 24, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Prepping for the RSGB high-altitude balloon (HAB) competition on September 20th. I think I've reduced my feeder losses as much as I can 😉
rsgb.org/main/blog/ne...
rsgb.org/main/blog/ne...
Good fun on tonight's RSGB 432MHz UKAC contest. My best yet for number of QSOs (35 ITL) and 14 grid squares worked. Shame I didn't manage to work very far up country but pleased to get a few outside the UK, one 🇧🇪 and three 🇫🇷 which included best DX at 274 miles. #70cms #SSB #QRP
August 13, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Reposted by 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 @M5JFS 📡🛰️🔭🌌
If you are a satellite operator and have not filed an objection against AST SpaceMobile's request to use 70cm, it's time to get busy. There's still time.
Don't just sit waiting for other organisations to do it on your behalf.
amsat-uk.org/2025/06/26/u...
Don't just sit waiting for other organisations to do it on your behalf.
amsat-uk.org/2025/06/26/u...
Use of 430-440 MHz by AST SpaceMobile constellation
AST & Science LLC (AST SpaceMobile) currently have five Bluebird commercial satellites that use the amateur radio 430-440 MHz band. They were launched into Low Earth Orbit on September 12, 2024…
amsat-uk.org
July 21, 2025 at 4:08 PM
If you are a satellite operator and have not filed an objection against AST SpaceMobile's request to use 70cm, it's time to get busy. There's still time.
Don't just sit waiting for other organisations to do it on your behalf.
amsat-uk.org/2025/06/26/u...
Don't just sit waiting for other organisations to do it on your behalf.
amsat-uk.org/2025/06/26/u...
Back at my girls' former primary school running the sound and lighting for their Year 5/6 production of "Shakespeare Rocks".
First night of three and boy, the cast absolutely knocked it out of the park tonight, a truly fantastic performance!
First night of three and boy, the cast absolutely knocked it out of the park tonight, a truly fantastic performance!
July 8, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Back at my girls' former primary school running the sound and lighting for their Year 5/6 production of "Shakespeare Rocks".
First night of three and boy, the cast absolutely knocked it out of the park tonight, a truly fantastic performance!
First night of three and boy, the cast absolutely knocked it out of the park tonight, a truly fantastic performance!
Got my #AMSAT mojo back: 25 QSOs so far this weekend. 🛰️AO-91 was working well (5 QSOs) and I also got my first QSOs on the new AMSAT Spain 🛰️SO-125 (tnx S57NML, EA3TA, F5RRS, EA2BJM and RN3ARU). I even gave the ISS a shot (I normally don't bother) and got my first QSO with Dale @wgoodf.bsky.social
June 22, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Got my #AMSAT mojo back: 25 QSOs so far this weekend. 🛰️AO-91 was working well (5 QSOs) and I also got my first QSOs on the new AMSAT Spain 🛰️SO-125 (tnx S57NML, EA3TA, F5RRS, EA2BJM and RN3ARU). I even gave the ISS a shot (I normally don't bother) and got my first QSO with Dale @wgoodf.bsky.social
World Wide Bunkers on the Air held #BunkerFest2025 this weekend. I activated a WWII bombing decoy site control bunker. Running #QRP as always into an end-fed half wave inverted V on top of the bunker. 25 QSOs in the log (incl. 3 B2B contacts). wwwbota.org #WWBOTA
June 15, 2025 at 11:20 PM
World Wide Bunkers on the Air held #BunkerFest2025 this weekend. I activated a WWII bombing decoy site control bunker. Running #QRP as always into an end-fed half wave inverted V on top of the bunker. 25 QSOs in the log (incl. 3 B2B contacts). wwwbota.org #WWBOTA
June 7, 2025 at 4:41 PM
April 15, 2025 at 5:44 PM
April 9, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Very poor conditions this afternoon, activating B/G-0874 ROC Post Mere for UK Bunkers on the Air. The afternoon started with no inter-G on 40m. I was about to give up when finally conditions started to pick up on 40 and I just qualified the activation with 26 in the log.
#UKBOTA
#UKBOTA
April 9, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Very poor conditions this afternoon, activating B/G-0874 ROC Post Mere for UK Bunkers on the Air. The afternoon started with no inter-G on 40m. I was about to give up when finally conditions started to pick up on 40 and I just qualified the activation with 26 in the log.
#UKBOTA
#UKBOTA
Thanks to those I worked from 🌐IN98 on 🛰️SO-50 and 🛰️SO-124 at the weekend.
QSOs will be on LoTW when my F/M5JFS certificate comes through.
Here's my QSO with Olivier (F4IOZ) on SO-124. I was using only my Kenwood TH-D7 + Diamond RH770 whip.
#AMSAT @amsatf.bsky.social
QSOs will be on LoTW when my F/M5JFS certificate comes through.
Here's my QSO with Olivier (F4IOZ) on SO-124. I was using only my Kenwood TH-D7 + Diamond RH770 whip.
#AMSAT @amsatf.bsky.social
April 3, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Thanks to those I worked from 🌐IN98 on 🛰️SO-50 and 🛰️SO-124 at the weekend.
QSOs will be on LoTW when my F/M5JFS certificate comes through.
Here's my QSO with Olivier (F4IOZ) on SO-124. I was using only my Kenwood TH-D7 + Diamond RH770 whip.
#AMSAT @amsatf.bsky.social
QSOs will be on LoTW when my F/M5JFS certificate comes through.
Here's my QSO with Olivier (F4IOZ) on SO-124. I was using only my Kenwood TH-D7 + Diamond RH770 whip.
#AMSAT @amsatf.bsky.social
4 QSOs yesterday evening on 🛰️ SO-50 with the Kenwood TH-D7 and Diamond RH770 telescopic whip checking all is working as it should.
All set for my trip to France and hopefully a couple of activations of 🌐IN98 work permitting.
#AMSAT
All set for my trip to France and hopefully a couple of activations of 🌐IN98 work permitting.
#AMSAT
March 27, 2025 at 8:19 PM
4 QSOs yesterday evening on 🛰️ SO-50 with the Kenwood TH-D7 and Diamond RH770 telescopic whip checking all is working as it should.
All set for my trip to France and hopefully a couple of activations of 🌐IN98 work permitting.
#AMSAT
All set for my trip to France and hopefully a couple of activations of 🌐IN98 work permitting.
#AMSAT
My @cred.blue score is 164! 🦋
I've been on Bluesky for 127 days, joined during the "public release" era, and have a social status of "Highly Engaging Explorer"
Get your score: cred.blue
I've been on Bluesky for 127 days, joined during the "public release" era, and have a social status of "Highly Engaging Explorer"
Get your score: cred.blue
cred.blue
Generate a Bluesky score. Understand your AT Proto data footprint. Vibe check strangers and new accounts.
cred.blue
March 26, 2025 at 8:33 PM
My @cred.blue score is 164! 🦋
I've been on Bluesky for 127 days, joined during the "public release" era, and have a social status of "Highly Engaging Explorer"
Get your score: cred.blue
I've been on Bluesky for 127 days, joined during the "public release" era, and have a social status of "Highly Engaging Explorer"
Get your score: cred.blue
I've been enjoying the #UKBOTA Mad March Hare award, both as an activator (7 bunkers) and a hunter (88 bunkers). One more week to go 👍
More info at www.ukbota.org
More info at www.ukbota.org
March 23, 2025 at 8:38 PM
I've been enjoying the #UKBOTA Mad March Hare award, both as an activator (7 bunkers) and a hunter (88 bunkers). One more week to go 👍
More info at www.ukbota.org
More info at www.ukbota.org
Today's #UKBOTA activation was extremely challenging. 40m was in poor shape this afternoon, so running 5W with a vertical antenna that wouldn't tune as well as it normally does, meant I received a lot of 32, 33 and 44 reports. 20m was better, 55 or better into OM, YO, I and PA.
March 16, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Today's #UKBOTA activation was extremely challenging. 40m was in poor shape this afternoon, so running 5W with a vertical antenna that wouldn't tune as well as it normally does, meant I received a lot of 32, 33 and 44 reports. 20m was better, 55 or better into OM, YO, I and PA.
Successful UK Bunkers on the Air activation of 5fer B/G 1354, 1427, 1512, 1623 and 1628 on a pleasant sunny afternoon on Portdsdown Hill overlooking the city of Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight beyond.
5W QRP + EFHW in the hedge about 2m above the ground.
#UKBOTA #FT817 #hamr
5W QRP + EFHW in the hedge about 2m above the ground.
#UKBOTA #FT817 #hamr
March 15, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Tricky lunar eclipse to photograph as the sky was brightening as the moon approached totality. Low cloud near the horizon also blocked the view of the greatest eclipse.
Here's the best (not very good) shot that I took. #LunarEclipse
Here's the best (not very good) shot that I took. #LunarEclipse
March 14, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Tricky lunar eclipse to photograph as the sky was brightening as the moon approached totality. Low cloud near the horizon also blocked the view of the greatest eclipse.
Here's the best (not very good) shot that I took. #LunarEclipse
Here's the best (not very good) shot that I took. #LunarEclipse
I've been looking through my old astrophotographs and put together this montage of 4 planetary images taken between 2013 and 2015.
Equipment used: Skywatcher SW150P, Philips SPC900 webcam.
Equipment used: Skywatcher SW150P, Philips SPC900 webcam.
March 8, 2025 at 11:16 PM
I've been looking through my old astrophotographs and put together this montage of 4 planetary images taken between 2013 and 2015.
Equipment used: Skywatcher SW150P, Philips SPC900 webcam.
Equipment used: Skywatcher SW150P, Philips SPC900 webcam.
