South Devon Storm Damage - NOT amateur radio

As some may remember, I come from the South Hams, Devon.  In the recent bad weather a lot of damage has been caused along Start Bay. My niece sent me some links. In 50 years' time the coast will be very different, probably not in my lifetime, but almost certainly in the lives of my grandchildren.

https://www.facebook.com/forestandbeach/videos/1927135213995457/

See also https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/gallery/damage-a379-torcross-1295121

2m big-wheel antenna

For a couple of years now I have used a big-wheel horizontal omni antenna on 2m. This is the antenna used in the last few weeks on 2m FT8. It has a near omni-directional horizontal pattern, a little bit of gain and, of course, does not need a rotator. It is ideal for my sort of 2m operation.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/bigwheel

The linked page needs updating and this is on my "to do" list!

More UK rallies

As the weather is bad, I urge you to contact the rally organisers before starting your journey.

4 MARCH 2018 : GRANTHAM ARC RADIO AND ELECTRONICS RALLY

Grantham West Community Centre, Trent Road, Grantham NG31 7XQ. There is car parking facilities on site and talk-in will be available. Admission is £3. There will be trade stands, special interest groups and an RSGB book stall. Contact Kevin, G6SSN, 07793 142 483, g6ssn@btinternet.com.


4 MARCH 2018 : EXETER RADIO & ELECTRONICS RALLY

America Hall De La Rue Way Pinhoe, Exeter EX4 8PW. Traders, bring & buy, catering. Opens 10.30am (disabled & B&B book-in 10.15am). May open earlier if WX bad and traders are ready. Admission £2. Details from Pete, G3ZVI, 0771 419 8374, g3zvi@yahoo.co.uk.

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

Sydney-Sussex College - NOT amateur radio

Although I have said this before, it is worth saying again. Living just outside Cambridge we get rather blasé about some of the sights in the city. One, small, example is Sydney-Sussex College which I pass twice a week. Every college is a delight.

Portable power

Southgate News has details of OH8STN's QRO power pack for portable use.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/march/diy-qro-lifepo4-power.htm#.WpkfKkx2vIU

FT818 disappointment

It is hard to express my extreme disappointment with the FT818. Auto ATU? No. Speech processor? No. Lithium Ion batteries? No. And on and on. This is a development done on the cheap by a company that looks to be in trouble.

Recommendation? Do not waste your money, unless (like the FT991A) they have second thoughts and produce a 21st century transceiver we deserve.

Yaesu - what the heck were you thinking? This is crap.

Sunspots - Friday March 2nd 2018

Solar flux is 67 and the sunspot number 11. A=6 and K=2.

2m FT8 RX - Friday

In just the last hour alone 5 unique stations in 3 countries with best DX F6EAS (387km) in Normandy.

UPDATE 0953z:  In the last 2 hours, 9 uniques in 4 countries.

UPDATE 1055z: 19 uniques in 5 countries on 2m FT8 in the last half day.

UPDATE 1143z: Now 24 uniques in 6 countries!

UPDATE 1552z: 34 uniques in 7 countries now.

UPDATE 1727z: 39 uniques in 7 countries.

2m FT8 RX

About 10 minutes ago I moved to 2m FT8 RX. It seems quite busy.

UPDATE 1540z: Best DX on RX is DF8JO (535km). In just 20 minutes I have spotted 11 unique stations in 3 countries!

UPDATE 1810z: 20 uniques now in 4 countries.  Amazing with an omni antenna.

UPDATE 2030z:  Now 26 uniques in 4 countries.

Rally

As the weather is not good I urge you to contact the organisers of each rally before travelling. Some could well get cancelled if the weather is bad.

3 MARCH 2018 : LAGAN VALLEY ARS RALLY

Hillsborough Village Centre, 7 Ballynahinch Road, Hillsborough BT266AR. Doors open from 11am to 3pm, with admittance £3. Everyone will be most welcome to attend. Lots of radio equipment new and second hand plus raffle. Tea, coffees, sandwiches available. There will be a Bring & Buy, RSGB Book Stall and Special Interest Groups. Andrew Mulholland, MI0BPB, 07802 824 615, andrew@mi0bpb.plus.com.

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