Negative Mass - NOT amateur radio

Apparently, scientists have created a fluid with negative mass.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-39642992

Nesting bees - NOT amateur radio

These bees were spotted yesterday at Brampton Wood, UK in a hole in a tree. A few hundred there?

There were lots of bluebells out too.

The bees were on the RHS path going around the edge about 400m from the car park. There were several warnings of nesting bees, but they did not bother us at all.

6m MSK144 RX

I have decided not to go on 10m WSPR TX today, although I have returned to 6m MSK144 RX.

UPDATE 0933z:  So far, 15 stations in 8 countries spotted on 6m with best DX IS0BSR (1603km).

UPDATE 1156z: 18 stations in 9 countries in the last 12 hours on 6m MSK144 RX.

UPDATE 1256z:  20 stations in 10 countries spotted so far in last 12 hours on 6m MSK144 RX.

UPDATE 1542z: 22 stations in 11 countries spotted so far in last 12 hours on 6m MSK144 RX. 12 countries spotted on 6m MSK144 RX in the last day.

Sunspots and 10m - Wednesday April 19th 2017

Solar flux is 85 today. Sunspot number is 12.  A=7 and K=5.

Of late, 10m has been disappointing. I have not had my 500mW WSPR beacon spotted now for a couple of days. I think this is due to a lack of activity as much as conditions.  I remain convinced that if more stations were on WSPR we'd find out that many paths are useable, but people think it is bad and just give up. Meanwhile, the CB bands at 27MHz continue to have activity.

UK General Election - NOT amateur radio

OK, if I was Theresa May I guess I would have been persuaded to hold a General Election on June 8th. The opposition parties are in a mess and there is a good chance the ruling Conservative Party will win a few more (or a lot more?) seats.

However, General Elections often result in surprises. 52% voted OUT in the recent EU referendum, but most wanted a return to "good old England" with control over our laws and borders. I suspect most would prefer us to still be in the single EU market without tariffs.

It would not totally surprise me if this General Election threw up a few surprises. This is a chance for the Lib Dems to start a comeback. Personally I think Labour is committing suicide.

2m UKAC results

The latest results have just been published and I am now 51 out of 131 in the AL section. This is up. Considering I only use 5W to a big-wheel omni and I am usually on for less that 40% of the time because of my poor voice, this is fine. I only really go on to exercise my voice and see if I can reach new squares. The contest is always fun and people are friendly and helpful.

See http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/vhfresults.pl?Contest=144MHz%20UKAC&year=2017

Decluttering - NOT amateur radio

My daughter-in-law runs a decluttering business (SpaceinMind) in North London. She has a special offer.

As usual, clicking the image brings up a bigger, clearer image.

See www.yourspaceinmind.com

70cm antenna

A lot of people are plagued by noise on HF. Not only that, HF conditions on F2 are likely to be poorer in the coming years, so people look elsewhere for their fun.

70cm is quiet here and there is always activity on SSB in the RSGB's UKAC activity contests each month. If you are looking for a really low cost antenna for the band raid your XYL's wardrobe! The antenna linked is easy to make, low cost and definitely works.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/70cm_moxon .

UK Pound - NOT amateur radio

The UK pound seems to be gaining ground against most major currencies including the euro and the US dollar. BREXIT talks are at an early stage, but talk of a UK pound "melt-down" seems premature.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business/market_data/currency/default.stm

More on International Marconi Day

From Jos:

Hi Roger,
More on Marconi Day...https://www.kerryamateurradiogroup.com/news/international-marconi-day-2017
Kind regards,
Jos.