Closed Bank - NOT amateur radio

The only bank in our village closed last week. It now looks very sad. A couple walked up to the cash machine. They were in for a rude surprise as this has gone, replaced with a hole covered with brown wood!

Southgate News - exploding meteor in Finland

Southgate News reports on a video on Spaceweather about an exploding meteor in Finland that turned the night sky blue.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/november/exploding-arctic-meteor-turns-night-into-day.htm#.WhAXf7p2vIU .

Now 10m (not 6m) FT8 RX

As of breakfast time, I have switched from 6m FT8 RX to 10m FT8 RX. No spots as yet.

UPDATE 1120z: Spots of quite a wide spread of Europeans on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1240z: Nothing beyond Europe as yet on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1522z: Nothing outside Europe spotted on 10m FT8 today. Probably telling me to QSY to 630m WSPR sooner rather than later!

Sunspots - Saturday November 18th 2017

Solar flux is 74 today and the sunspot number has risen to 26. A=6 and K=2.

People power - NOT amateur radio

We often have more power than we think as individuals. As an example, a private company slipped in an application for a large gas power station on unused land on the edge of the village. The village council "quietly" nodded it through. It was about a month before most of us found out. Locals were up in arms and very many letters were sent to the district planners. We also found out that some of the data used in support of the application were wrong.

Since the protest, the applicant has reportedly withdrawn the application. The applicant was out to make a quick buck (allegedly) but this was thwarted by people power.

Power to the people!

Glitter ban - NOT amateur radio

When I first saw this I thought it was "Health and Safety" gone mad. Deeper reading and I see they have a good point about environmental damage.

Incidentally, our grand-daughter sprinkled some gold glitter in our home at the start of the year and I am still finding bits despite sweeping floors every day!

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-42023245 .

More UK rallies

Here was me thinking the rally season had ended!

19 NOVEMBER 2017 : PLYMOUTH RADIO CLUB RADIO RALLY
Harewood House, Ridgeway, Plympton, Plymouth PL7 2AS. There is car parking available and the venue has disabled facilities. Doors open from 10am to 2.30pm with disabled visitors gaining access from 9.50am. Admittance is £2. There will be trade stands, special interest groups, a Bring & Buy and RSGB bookstand. A raffle will take place on the day. Catering is available on site. Information from David Beck, 2E0DTC on 0777 766 4822 or by email to d.beck123@outlook.com.

19 NOVEMBER 2017 : CATS 40th ELECRONICS RADIO BAZAAR
Oasis Academy Coulsdon, Homefield Road, Old Coulsdon CR5 1ES. Doors open 10am to 1pm and admittance is £1.50. Car parking and disabled facilities are available. There will be a Bring & Buy and flea market. Catering will be available on site. Details from Andy Briers, G0KZT on 0772 986 6600 or email bazaar@catsradio.org.

A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

Roses - NOT amateur radio

We have a pot of roses out on our patio. The colour is lovely. I am not sure how long they will look good.

630m WSPR overnight

Overnight my 10mW ERP WSPR was spotted by 11 unique stations with best DX LA3EQ (769km) in Norway and I spotted 11 uniques here.

Orchids - NOT amateur radio

Orchids can be difficult house plants, but my wife seems to have a way. We usually have 6 or more in the house with quite a few in flower at the same time.

Over-watering can be fatal, so just a thimbleful a week seems to keep them healthy. This one is in the lounge. At night this is hot as my wife likes to be cosy!

We have an enclosed wood-effect gas fire, which works well and looks totally convincing and leaves no mess. Someone even asked if we kept snakes in it in summer!