As I grow older I think I am becoming a "grumpy old man" and a cynic.
This morning I see my email has yet another "something for the weekend" offer from one of the major UK amateur dealers with Yaesu mobiles at discounted prices. Now, these may be "lost leaders" to encourage us to buy other items. The cynic in me says two things. Firstly, are these items that are over-stocked or not selling well, possibly because there are lower cost Chinese radios around? Secondly, are these items over-priced anyway? Either way, I am not persuaded to buy.
Now, dealers have a tough job. They, rightly, have to make a profit. They have to cope with exchange rates that vary. But, are they taking us all as suckers? I am all for fair and reasonable margins, but please don't exploit us all. We are customers. We want you to remain in business for years to come but offer us fair prices! If you do, we will remain loyal customers. If you take us for a ride we will look elsewhere.
4 Jun 2016
Sunspots and 10m - Sat June 4th 2016
Solar flux is 82 today. Sunspot number is 0 (yes zero) and K=1. The forecast for 10m F2 propagation remains "poor" again.
We are now firmly in a period of low solar activity. This will be poor for many years, although there will be some better days.
We are now firmly in a period of low solar activity. This will be poor for many years, although there will be some better days.
241GHz or optical?
Although the world record for DX on the highest microwave band (241GHz) allocated to radio amateurs is measured in several tens of km, the UK record is quite modest.
My own view is 481THz optical is much easier: test gear is trivial and all the gear can be made inexpensively by nearly anyone. Microwave gear is much harder. I know people say you can "do microwaves" with minimum test gear, but I think you will find most who are successful are, or were, in the business professionally and have access to good microwave test gear. With optical gear this is definitely not the case. Before my stroke I built all my optical gear in the back of a garage and I achieved very useful results. Others have achieved far more than me. All you need are a scope, a multimeter and an audio generator. Much of the test gear needed for optical work is freely available software on the internet.
See http://www.microwavers.org/?241ghz.htm .
My own view is 481THz optical is much easier: test gear is trivial and all the gear can be made inexpensively by nearly anyone. Microwave gear is much harder. I know people say you can "do microwaves" with minimum test gear, but I think you will find most who are successful are, or were, in the business professionally and have access to good microwave test gear. With optical gear this is definitely not the case. Before my stroke I built all my optical gear in the back of a garage and I achieved very useful results. Others have achieved far more than me. All you need are a scope, a multimeter and an audio generator. Much of the test gear needed for optical work is freely available software on the internet.
See http://www.microwavers.org/?241ghz.htm .
3 Jun 2016
10m F2?
EA8/G4CAZ (2840km) spotted my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon this evening. Although this could have been Es, I suspect this was single hop F2 propagation. Time and direction point to F2.
UPDATE 2130z: Lots of spots from this station, including one quite recently. My bet is F2.
UPDATE 2130z: Lots of spots from this station, including one quite recently. My bet is F2.
Profound exhaustion - NOT amateur radio
Since my stroke almost 3 years ago I have suffered from bouts of profound exhaustion after doing physical or mental work for more than about 20 minutes. No-one and I really do mean no-one seems to get it including medics, my wife, friends etc. They all say how well I look and assume I am fine.
Well, I am definitely not right! No matter what, this exhaustion is profound and quite unlike anything I've known before. It is not tiredness, just a feeling of utter exhaustion. After a short rest I am fine again.
To be honest this gets me down. As hard as I try, this never seems to go away. I hate it. In an ideal world I would rest more, but I know this is impossible.
I have great sympathy for others who have hidden disabilities: people may look fine on the outside but feel dreadful inside. This is how I am a lot of the time. Not always mind you. There are better days and times.
Well, I am definitely not right! No matter what, this exhaustion is profound and quite unlike anything I've known before. It is not tiredness, just a feeling of utter exhaustion. After a short rest I am fine again.
To be honest this gets me down. As hard as I try, this never seems to go away. I hate it. In an ideal world I would rest more, but I know this is impossible.
I have great sympathy for others who have hidden disabilities: people may look fine on the outside but feel dreadful inside. This is how I am a lot of the time. Not always mind you. There are better days and times.
EU referendum - NOT amateur radio
As the vote get closer I really do not know how to vote. All the major politicians recommend staying IN, yet there is so much wrong with the EU. Leaving would certainly mean uncertainty in the UK, but I suspect the EU will fall apart within years if we leave. There are real issues within the EU: the Euro, profligacy, inefficiency, all those unnecessary laws. At the same time, the EU is a voice of good. No, it is not an easy decision.
Dying - NOT amateur radio
When 18, you think life goes on for ever: you have all of life ahead of you. At 67 you know you have, maybe, 20 years and possibly much less ahead. Thoughts turn to what happens when you die.
Is there life after death? Is it like before you were born? I cannot remember anything about before I came into this world so would the same after death be any worse?
As I have said before, all major religions have some sort of belief in an after-life. Wishful thinking? I simply do not know.
It is possible that no-one else sees and experiences what we do. In an infinite universe (or multiverses?) anything is possible. We find it hard to contemplate not existing.
In the meantime, we have to make the most of life. Life is very precious.
Is there life after death? Is it like before you were born? I cannot remember anything about before I came into this world so would the same after death be any worse?
As I have said before, all major religions have some sort of belief in an after-life. Wishful thinking? I simply do not know.
It is possible that no-one else sees and experiences what we do. In an infinite universe (or multiverses?) anything is possible. We find it hard to contemplate not existing.
In the meantime, we have to make the most of life. Life is very precious.
More UK Rallies This Weekend
Sunday 5 JUNE : CENTRAL SCOTLAND AMATEUR RADIO MINI CONVENTION
Crofthead Community Education Centre, Templar Rise, Dedridge, Livingston EH54 6DG. There is car parking on site and the venue has disabled facilities. Doors opena at 10am with disabled visitors gaining access 10 minutes earlier. Admission is £4. There will be trade stands, a flea market, special interest groups, an RSGB bookstall and lectures during the event. A raffle will take place. Details from John, MM0JRR, 01506 437 908 or by email to johnrayne333@gmail.com.
Sunday 5 JUNE : SPALDING & DARS ANNUAL RALLY
The Sir John Gleed Technology School, Halmer Gardens, Spalding, Lincs PE11 2EF. The venue has free car parking and talk in is on S22. Doors open at 10am. There will be trade stands and outside car boot area. Catering will be available on site. More information from John, G4NBR on 0794 630 2815 or Graham, G8NWC on 0775 461 9701, email rally-secretary@sdars.org.uk. www.sdars.org.uk.
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/
Crofthead Community Education Centre, Templar Rise, Dedridge, Livingston EH54 6DG. There is car parking on site and the venue has disabled facilities. Doors opena at 10am with disabled visitors gaining access 10 minutes earlier. Admission is £4. There will be trade stands, a flea market, special interest groups, an RSGB bookstall and lectures during the event. A raffle will take place. Details from John, MM0JRR, 01506 437 908 or by email to johnrayne333@gmail.com.
Sunday 5 JUNE : SPALDING & DARS ANNUAL RALLY
The Sir John Gleed Technology School, Halmer Gardens, Spalding, Lincs PE11 2EF. The venue has free car parking and talk in is on S22. Doors open at 10am. There will be trade stands and outside car boot area. Catering will be available on site. More information from John, G4NBR on 0794 630 2815 or Graham, G8NWC on 0775 461 9701, email rally-secretary@sdars.org.uk. www.sdars.org.uk.
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/
Very early 10m Es
I turned on my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon very early today and was rewarded with a spot by DK0SC (827km) as early as 0558z. This was the only spot so far but it was very early for Es.
UPDATE 1130z: No further 10m Es spots all morning. I was lucky to be caught this early.
UPDATE 1354z: Plenty more Es seen on 10m WSPR but 6m WSPR has again been a dead loss here.
UPDATE 1130z: No further 10m Es spots all morning. I was lucky to be caught this early.
UPDATE 1354z: Plenty more Es seen on 10m WSPR but 6m WSPR has again been a dead loss here.
Sunspots and 10m - Fri June 3rd 2016
Solar flux is 85 today. number is 27 (K=1) and the forecast for 10m F2 propagation remains "poor" though Es is likely to liven up the band.
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