OK, I know I am becoming a grumpy old man but I was not impressed by the latest statements that the exchange of nuclear waste with the USA would benefit cancer sufferers. To me, this sounds like "spin" which we can well do without. We are NOT stupid.
See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35930906 .
31 Mar 2016
Over 1000km on 472kHz TX (5mW ERP)
It's funny, but I had a feeling that last night was going to be "the night". LA8AV (1035km) managed to decode me on 472kHz WSPR in the early hours at 0020z. This is the best TX DX on 472kHz this season and I was pleased, yet again, to break the 1000km barrier. As before, I am still using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. I find the results incredible. Only 1.5 hours later the PC decided to close, presumably to install updates. On RX, I am using the same earth-electrodes with the barefoot (and slightly deaf) FT817, with no preamp externally.
 |
| 630m WSPR last night - note LA8AV (1035km) at 0020z |
Sunspots and 10m - Thurs March 31st 2016
Solar flux is 83 today and the sunspot number is just 12 (K=3). The forecast for 10m propagation remains "poor" again. I am not yet on 10m WSPR, but will be shortly.
30 Mar 2016
QSYed to 630m WSPR
A few minutes ago I went QRT on 10m and am now active again (5mW ERP 20% TX, 80% RX) on 630m (472kHz) for the evening and overnight.
UPDATE 1840z: Just the single spot on 10m WSPR all day. Already spots given and received on 472kHz WSPR.
UPDATE 2135z: LA8AV (1035km) has been spotted 7 times so far this evening at up to -22dB S/N. If he is spotting others then there is an outside chance he might copy me at some point during the night.
 |
| 472kHz WSPR this evening to 2030z |
UPDATE 2135z: LA8AV (1035km) has been spotted 7 times so far this evening at up to -22dB S/N. If he is spotting others then there is an outside chance he might copy me at some point during the night.
IC7300 price
Still I reckon that the UK price of the ICOM IC7300 is too high.
With a simple SDR architecture I believe the price should be some way below £1000, but the dealers will keep prices high if buyers are prepared to buy at the high price. What I am saying is the price is what it is because some in our community want this rig and are prepared to pay. I like the IC7300 at a fair price.
Dealers are not greedy, just following the rules of the marketing jungle. It is only because some are prepared to buy at a high price that the dealers charge this price. All dealers will plead poverty and say their hands are tied by the Dollar prices and exchange rates.
Charge a fair price (dealers make a fair and reasonable profit) and the IC7300 will continue to sell well. At some point this year there will be an ICOM-Yaesu price war between the IC7300 and the FT991 . ICOM is better placed to win. In the meantime, I shall wait and I hope others will do too.
See http://www.hamradio.co.uk/amateur-radio-main-equipment-pc-302.php.
As I have said many times, the IC7300 is a nice radio at the right price.
The reviews of the IC7300 should make interesting reading.
See http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/12742 .
With a simple SDR architecture I believe the price should be some way below £1000, but the dealers will keep prices high if buyers are prepared to buy at the high price. What I am saying is the price is what it is because some in our community want this rig and are prepared to pay. I like the IC7300 at a fair price.
Dealers are not greedy, just following the rules of the marketing jungle. It is only because some are prepared to buy at a high price that the dealers charge this price. All dealers will plead poverty and say their hands are tied by the Dollar prices and exchange rates.
Charge a fair price (dealers make a fair and reasonable profit) and the IC7300 will continue to sell well. At some point this year there will be an ICOM-Yaesu price war between the IC7300 and the FT991 . ICOM is better placed to win. In the meantime, I shall wait and I hope others will do too.
See http://www.hamradio.co.uk/amateur-radio-main-equipment-pc-302.php.
As I have said many times, the IC7300 is a nice radio at the right price.
The reviews of the IC7300 should make interesting reading.
See http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/12742 .
EU referendum in June - NOT amateur radio
My intention was to vote to remain IN, although I am less sure than I was. At the moment I really have no idea which way I shall vote. Any result would not surprise me. The IN campaign has been very negative so far. They need to be sending a more positive message or people will vote OUT. There are lots of messages about the risks of leaving and very few about the positives of staying IN.
OFCOM Plan
Well this is reassuring. OFCOM has a plan of work.
Someone said I should go easy on OFCOM as there are administrations that are worse in Europe. Well, let us hope they have improved since I dealt directly with them a few years ago. At that time they were totally useless. I can only judge by what I see and experience. If I am wrong then so be it. I certainly hope they have improved.
See http://www.ofcom.org.uk/about/annual-reports-and-plans/annual-plans/annual-plan-201617/?utm_source=updates&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Ofcom-confirms-its-work-plan-for-2016-17&utm_term=annual%20plan%2C%20ofcom%2C%20strategy%2C%20communications
Someone said I should go easy on OFCOM as there are administrations that are worse in Europe. Well, let us hope they have improved since I dealt directly with them a few years ago. At that time they were totally useless. I can only judge by what I see and experience. If I am wrong then so be it. I certainly hope they have improved.
See http://www.ofcom.org.uk/about/annual-reports-and-plans/annual-plans/annual-plan-201617/?utm_source=updates&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Ofcom-confirms-its-work-plan-for-2016-17&utm_term=annual%20plan%2C%20ofcom%2C%20strategy%2C%20communications
Cambridge, UK, Concert - NOT amateur radio
Clicking on the poster will bring up a larger image.
See www.cambschoral.org.uk .
Gone home - NOT amateur radio
Canterbury today after a few days with us. We have our next guest staying tomorrow for the weekend. Busy!
The first photo shows me with the "Kent" grandchildren outside the windmill next to our home.
The other photo shows him with the "London" grandchildren who came for the day on Monday.
Sunspots and 10m - Wed March 30th 2016
Solar flux 87 today but the sunspot number is only 13 (K=2). 10m propagation is expected to remain "poor" today. I have returned to 10m WSPR for the day. With such a low sunspot number (but relatively undisturbed conditions) it will be interesting to see what 10m brings, if anything, today.
UPDATE 1010z: I see that HA9AL (1455km) was spotted at 0930z so there is some short-skip on 10m.
UPDATE 1358z: No further 10m WSPR spots given or received all day since HA9AL earlier today. At the moment 10m seems dire, but I shall stick with the band until this evening, ever hopeful.
UPDATE 1612z: Still no further 10m WSPR spots.
UPDATE 1010z: I see that HA9AL (1455km) was spotted at 0930z so there is some short-skip on 10m.
UPDATE 1358z: No further 10m WSPR spots given or received all day since HA9AL earlier today. At the moment 10m seems dire, but I shall stick with the band until this evening, ever hopeful.
UPDATE 1612z: Still no further 10m WSPR spots.
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