9 May 2020
Living in the moment - NOT amateur radio
One thing our strange times have taught us all is we have to live in the moment. We are rediscovering beauty all around us. Even the smallest thing can be a source of joy. At the moment swifts.
10m FT8 again
Yet again I am on 10m FT8 with 2.5W and the tiny indoor loop antenna. Today the loop is at right angles to the direction yesterday as an experiment.
UPDATE 0852z: Just G4KPX (13km) spotting me so far today.
UPDATE 1732z: Spotted by 10 stations so far today with my 2.5W and indoor loop on 10m FT8 TX.
UPDATE 0852z: Just G4KPX (13km) spotting me so far today.
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| Stations spotting me on 10m FT8 TX to 1732z today |
ICOM - IC-7300 prices
At least here in the UK the price of the IC-7300 has not dropped. It seems like the UK dealers have a cartel on prices. I am not saying this is so, just that one could be forgiven for thinking this.
By now, I would have expected the price to be less than £1000, possibly well less. The RX is simpler. I expect the dealers are charging what people are (still) prepared to pay. This, in my view, is still too much. More mugs the punters.
These are personal views. Maybe when the IC-705 appears prices for the IC-7300 might drop. When the FT891 is less than half price one gets funny feelings. OK, it is not the same radio - I do understand.
By now, I would have expected the price to be less than £1000, possibly well less. The RX is simpler. I expect the dealers are charging what people are (still) prepared to pay. This, in my view, is still too much. More mugs the punters.
These are personal views. Maybe when the IC-705 appears prices for the IC-7300 might drop. When the FT891 is less than half price one gets funny feelings. OK, it is not the same radio - I do understand.
Have we passed the solar minimum?
At least one forecast seems quite confident that we have now passed through the sunspot minimum and are starting the climb to the next peak in a few years' time. This forecast has been pointing to an upturn for some while now. Some forecasts point to a much later minimum.
Unless things have changed, the last forecast suggested a peak similar in magnitude to cycle 24. This was quite a weak peak, but at least a peak and not a Maunder Minimum. Back in the 1600s there were virtually no sunspots for 70 years.
At the moment, it is hard to see the signs! Maybe in 6 months we can be more confident.
See https://www.solen.info/solar/images/cycles23_24.png
See http://www.arrl.org/news/noaa-updates-solar-cycle-25-prediction
Unless things have changed, the last forecast suggested a peak similar in magnitude to cycle 24. This was quite a weak peak, but at least a peak and not a Maunder Minimum. Back in the 1600s there were virtually no sunspots for 70 years.
At the moment, it is hard to see the signs! Maybe in 6 months we can be more confident.
See https://www.solen.info/solar/images/cycles23_24.png
See http://www.arrl.org/news/noaa-updates-solar-cycle-25-prediction
Coming together - NOT amateur radio
Last night, at 9pm UK time, quite a few of us on our close came together to sing a Vera Lynn song for VE day. It was a real binding moment, even though we all stood 2m apart!
There was an excellent turn out and it was a good chance for neighbours to meet and chat. Coronavirus is a dreadful disease, but it is bringing out the best in people.
The photo shows a small part of our gathering. Sadly the picture of the whole group was very blurred.
There was an excellent turn out and it was a good chance for neighbours to meet and chat. Coronavirus is a dreadful disease, but it is bringing out the best in people.
CDARC (Cambridge Club)
Way back in the 1970s I lived in Cambridge and was a regular at our local club. At some point I was on the committee. I now live 12 miles out and do not like night driving. Since the lockdown, the local club has had virtual meetings via the local 2m repeater or Zoom. Once again, I can take part. This actually better for me! I have rejoined the club as a country member.
8 May 2020
Dayton cancelled
This may be old news, but the RSGB news service GB2RS confirms what we all suspected that the Dayton Hamvention has been cancelled.
Many were expecting the IC-705 to be on sale there. It is often the place where new products are launched. I wonder how Yaesu is planning to counter the IC-705? They have had a year to think about it. If it is like the FT818, we may be deeply disappointed. It would not surprise me if this pandemic made some manufacturers reconsider their involvement in the amateur radio market: is it really worth it?
It would not surprise me if Friedrichshafen was also cancelled, although I have not yet seen this. There are few planes flying so numbers would be well down anyway.
Many were expecting the IC-705 to be on sale there. It is often the place where new products are launched. I wonder how Yaesu is planning to counter the IC-705? They have had a year to think about it. If it is like the FT818, we may be deeply disappointed. It would not surprise me if this pandemic made some manufacturers reconsider their involvement in the amateur radio market: is it really worth it?
It would not surprise me if Friedrichshafen was also cancelled, although I have not yet seen this. There are few planes flying so numbers would be well down anyway.
FT4 - not tried
Although I love FT8, I have a confession to make: I have never tried FT4!
At some point, I must do so. It is much faster than FT8, but probably not as good on very weak signals. I don't know about Doppler, but I suspect it might be better on very brief Es openings.
At some point, I must do so. It is much faster than FT8, but probably not as good on very weak signals. I don't know about Doppler, but I suspect it might be better on very brief Es openings.
10m FT8 with the tiny indoor loop antenna
At about 0720z the 10m FT8 gear was turned on. As usual, 2.5W to the indoor loop.
UPDATE 1130z: A couple of spots of my 2.5W so far today. One local and one by Es from Spain.
UPDATE 1253z: Just the 2 spots above and 1 QSO with an EA3.
UPDATE 2111z: QRT now. In all, spots by 15 stations of my 2.5W. On 10m FT8 RX 161 stations spotted including 4 South Americans.
UPDATE 1130z: A couple of spots of my 2.5W so far today. One local and one by Es from Spain.
UPDATE 1253z: Just the 2 spots above and 1 QSO with an EA3.
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| Stations spotting me today |
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