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Since the protest, the applicant has reportedly withdrawn the application.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!

6m FT8 RX

Since breakfast, I have been on 6m FT8 RX.

As the antenna is free, I am on 10m WSPR TX (500mW) at the same time.

UPDATE 0902z: No spots on either band.

UPDATE 1600z: No spots on 10m. Just G6ZRV (79km) in the Reepham area near Norwich spotted on 6m FT8 RX - tropo?

UPDATE 1750z: G4PMZ (123km) was spotted this afternoon late. I shall be staying on 6m FT8 RX all night long, hoping to catch some Leonids activity, if there is any. I shall give 630m WSPR a miss tonight.

UPDATE 2200z: M0VXX (175km) now spotted on 6m FT8.

Sunspots - Friday November 17th 2017

Solar flux is 74 today and the sunspot number 15. A=14 and K=2.

630m WSPR

As usual, I have gone on 630m WSPR (10mW ERP, 20%) for the evening and overnight. Things are pretty promising so far.

6m FT8

Starting tomorrow for a few days, I shall be leaving 10m FT8 RX and trying 6m FT8 RX instead. It will be interesting to see how much "local" inter-G traffic is now on 6m FT8.

For the rest of the afternoon, I shall be sticking with 10m FT8 RX, although I am not too hopeful.