In the last hour or so blog visits have more than doubled.
Now, a naïve person might say this corresponds with the East Coast USA waking up and these people really enjoy the blog. Sadly, I think this explanation is incorrect and I suspect people/machines with very different intentions are peeking around again. I expect numbers will return to normal again in a few days.
Maybe the thought police have detected the word "Trump"?
25 Jan 2018
Trump-May meeting in Davos - NOT amateur radio
So the UK wants a trade deal with the USA after it leaves the EU and Mrs May (UK PM) is to meet President Trump, aka the genius.
Now, neither is exactly my image of a good, charismatic leader. Sadly I cannot think of any, anywhere. Where are the men and women who are truly interested in the common good? Please may someone really good step forward as the world badly needs you.
My personal views, which others may totally disagree with. In free countries you are entitled to hold vastly differing views. Basically, the lack of real leaders is troublesome. Trump, Putin, May? - let history judge.
Cynical me? Surely not.
See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42819405 .
Now, neither is exactly my image of a good, charismatic leader. Sadly I cannot think of any, anywhere. Where are the men and women who are truly interested in the common good? Please may someone really good step forward as the world badly needs you.
My personal views, which others may totally disagree with. In free countries you are entitled to hold vastly differing views. Basically, the lack of real leaders is troublesome. Trump, Putin, May? - let history judge.
Cynical me? Surely not.
See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42819405 .
Rally
27 JANUARY 2018 : HORNCASTLE RADIO RALLY
Banovallum School, Mareham Road Entrance LN9 6DA. Entry £2. All on one level and all indoors, with all the usual attractions including bacon butties. Free car parking on site. Traders contact 01507 527835 for details. Tony, G3ZPU on01507 527 835 or email tony.nightingale@yahoo.co.uk.
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/
10m FT8 RX
Although I have been on this band and mode for about 15 minutes, no spots yet, although I am not surprised. Unless we see some winter Es, it is unlikely I'll spot anything until later this afternoon. Even that is hopeful!
UPDATE 1125z: Well surprise! F5RD (681km) has been spotted. Winter Es or aircraft?
UPDATE 1305z: No further 10m FT8 spots thus far today.
UPDATE 1634z: Just a couple of G stations spotted, presumably off aircraft.
UPDATE 1125z: Well surprise! F5RD (681km) has been spotted. Winter Es or aircraft?
UPDATE 1305z: No further 10m FT8 spots thus far today.
UPDATE 1634z: Just a couple of G stations spotted, presumably off aircraft.
Sunspots - Thursday January 25th 2018
Solar flux is 69 today and the sunspot number is still zero. A=8 and K=3.
Success on 630m WSPR RX with earth-electrode "antenna"
24 Jan 2018
More OFCOM
Just thinking about what OFCOM will write about next nearly brings on an orgasm. Gosh, this is so exciting!! And thinking about what their next thing will be? Working there must unquestionably be truly wonderful.
http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/CD4073DA6CF1FEF42540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C
http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/CD4073DA6CF1FEF42540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C
630m WSPR RX tonight
About 15 months ago (although it may be longer!) an anonymous friend just sent me a 472kHz preamp. This was very kind and I never did find out who sent this. To whoever the kind mystery person was, thank you again. This was a kind act and it was generous hearted of you.
Tonight I have returned to 472kHz WSPR using this pre-amp with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Sensitivity should be fine, so it is a good test of this "antenna" on this band.
The shack PC is on battery power so the noise floor should be pretty low.
UPDATE 2135z: Since just before 2100z the shack PC has been on mains power with its internal battery on charge. So, until I go back to battery power, the noise floor will be poorer. Before bedtime I shall return to battery power to give me best chances overnight.
UPDATE 2200z: Back with shack PC on battery power, so this should last most of the overnight period woth a low noise floor. Looking at G3KEV and G0MRF the noise from the SMPSU for the shack PC made a huge difference (much worse) to my S/N reports. Now noise floor much lower again.
Tonight I have returned to 472kHz WSPR using this pre-amp with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Sensitivity should be fine, so it is a good test of this "antenna" on this band.
The shack PC is on battery power so the noise floor should be pretty low.
UPDATE 2135z: Since just before 2100z the shack PC has been on mains power with its internal battery on charge. So, until I go back to battery power, the noise floor will be poorer. Before bedtime I shall return to battery power to give me best chances overnight.
UPDATE 2200z: Back with shack PC on battery power, so this should last most of the overnight period woth a low noise floor. Looking at G3KEV and G0MRF the noise from the SMPSU for the shack PC made a huge difference (much worse) to my S/N reports. Now noise floor much lower again.
10m FT8 RX
Since 1330z I have been on 10m FT8 RX. No spots as yet.
We are some months way from the main Es season, sunspot numbers are low and openings brief. Nonetheless 10m FT8 does open and it is worth keeping an eye out.
I have been amazed how far away stations are copied on 10m FT8. People desert the 10m band assuming it is dead, when many days it is open, albeit briefly, to somewhere far away. My strong recommendation is monitor 10m FT8 and be prepared to be surprised. On many days it has opened to some DX location.
UPDATE 1715z: Today has been the exception! No spots today so far. I'll stay on 10m FT8 for a while longer, ever hopeful.
We are some months way from the main Es season, sunspot numbers are low and openings brief. Nonetheless 10m FT8 does open and it is worth keeping an eye out.
I have been amazed how far away stations are copied on 10m FT8. People desert the 10m band assuming it is dead, when many days it is open, albeit briefly, to somewhere far away. My strong recommendation is monitor 10m FT8 and be prepared to be surprised. On many days it has opened to some DX location.
UPDATE 1715z: Today has been the exception! No spots today so far. I'll stay on 10m FT8 for a while longer, ever hopeful.
Mobile phones and young women - NOT amateur radio
About a year ago I posted something similar.
Every Wednesday I go to my University of the Third Age lecture on Samuel Pepys in Cambridge. If I have time I buy a coffee on the way. It usually gives me 15-20 minutes of "people watching" in central Cambridge. Last winter and this I have observed the same thing. This is not a scientific experiment, more of an observation.
Young, single women seem to use smart phones more than men. Most smart phone users are alone. To a casual observer it looks like these young women are using the phone to say, "keep away from me", "I am not available" or similar.
It is quite possible that I am entirely wrong and these young girls are using valuable time between lectures to catch up with social media. I am making no judgements, just relaying what I see.
Every Wednesday I go to my University of the Third Age lecture on Samuel Pepys in Cambridge. If I have time I buy a coffee on the way. It usually gives me 15-20 minutes of "people watching" in central Cambridge. Last winter and this I have observed the same thing. This is not a scientific experiment, more of an observation.
Young, single women seem to use smart phones more than men. Most smart phone users are alone. To a casual observer it looks like these young women are using the phone to say, "keep away from me", "I am not available" or similar.
It is quite possible that I am entirely wrong and these young girls are using valuable time between lectures to catch up with social media. I am making no judgements, just relaying what I see.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
