Visiting Pompeii if walking is hard - NOT amateur radio

Before going to Pompeii, I read some reviews and was nearly put off going by what I read. The impression I got was that it would be very hard and very tiring.

4 years ago I had a stroke which left me permanently giddy when walking. Armed with a rambling stick I managed to "do" Pompeii. It was a unique and humbling visit.

The streets have uneven stones and there are a few steps, but if you can walk, you can do Pompeii. I was amazed by what I saw and was not tired at the end.

2m UKAC results published

Today I got an email saying the results were out for the latest RSGB 2m activity contest.

In the last one I was only using 5W pep for about 20 minutes into my omni antenna (no beam). Nonetheless, I still sit 56th out of 174 in my section. Had my voice allowed me to be on for the whole 2.5 hours, I am sure I could have worked many more stations and squares. Still, it was fun and it exercises my poor voice.  The contest is on every month on the first Tuesday starting at 8pm UK clock time.

Although I am not a great contest person, this one is very friendly and activity levels are good. As I make few contacts, transcribing my log only takes a few minutes, so I submit a score.

Low cost amateur radio

Many times I have said that you don't have to spend a lot to get fun with our hobby. WISPY is just one example, but there are many.

Some choose to spend huge amounts on rigs, linears, towers, rotators and beams. Each to their own, but this is not for me. I am sure many newcomers are put off thinking it is an expensive hobby.

With QRP and simple, low, wire antennas I have worked the whole world with less than 10W SSB. DXCC? Well I have lost count, but it is way over 100!

Sunspots - Monday September 18th 2017

Solar flux is 72 today. Sunspot number is 13. A=17 and K=4.

WISPY on 10m WSPR

Some years ago I designed and used this very low cost rig as a beacon on 10m WSPR. Even the crystal is low cost. With 10m in decline, this is an ideal time to try 10m WSPR. More power can be had by adding more low cost transistors in the PA. 2N3904s are very inexpensive.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/wispytx

Old mans hobby?

Many times I have cautioned that our hobby could die unless we attract and keep younger people. According to Southgate News, this will be discussed at a forthcoming IARU session.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/september/the-future-of-the-amateur-radio-service.htm#.Wb7fr7pFzIU

QRP and QRP Club

More news from Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

Weekly QRP Rendez-Vous Report (September, 10, 2017)
New!!!  Keep  in mind Evening Rendez-Vous each Wednesday at 19 UTC on
14060 kHz +/-
Major  Coordinator  ON6KZ  op. Peter invite all QRPers to "QRP 14.060
MHz" group in the Facebook.
The  old  QRP  Rendez-Vous  have  a  place  each Tuesdays, Thursdays,
Saturdays at 9.00 UTC on 14060 +/-

Visitors  of  the  week:  UA1CEG,  IK2RGV,  RV3GM, UR5EFD, 9A/HB9DAQ,
OH6NPV,  G3JFS,  I1/DL2WA,  UR5IFM/p, DH0DK, DL8BDF/p, RW3DF, UA9MLY,
IZ6FCK,  RV3UF, RU3NJC, ON6WJ, UA1CEX, IZ7VHF, YO3BL, RA1M, UA0SBQ/p,
OK1DPX, SM2FIJ, F8WBD, UR0ET, DK1HW, EA7/HB9AFH, ON6KZ, RD6MZ, ON4ADR
Congrats!
IZ6FCK became Frequenter (regular visitor)
See full Frequenters and Visitors lists on the Club 72 web page
Comments...
Enjoy  full  version of WQR Report including comments and pictures on
the blog page - https://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/
Thanks all for activity and reports!
See you on the next week Rendez-Vous!

72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"

This is a periodic Newsletter of the Club 72. Don't reply to Newsletter address! Send any requests or news to mr72@club72.su please.

Pompeii, Italy - NOT amateur radio

Until Vesuvius erupted in AD79, Pompeii was a busy port town with 20000 inhabitants. Streets were busy with shops, houses (and brothels). Really, life was not so different from now. Then the eruption came and all was buried for centuries.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pompeii .

USA and LF/MF bands

According to Southgate News USA amateurs will at last get access to the LF and MF bands, with some reservations, from Oct 16th.

Not before time.  I honestly cannot believe how slow the FCC has been. It seems most of us have had access to these bands for ages! FCC please get a grip.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/september/630-220-meters-to-open-october-16-pre-registration-required.htm#.Wb4OwLpFzmQ

Sunspots - Sunday September 17th 2017

Solar flux is 72 today and the sunspot number 13. A=30 and K=3.