Online shopping - NOT amateur radio

Shopping online is quite common these days. I have successfully bought lots on line. However, it is not always a good story.

Recently I bought a couple of batteries for my watch via Amazon. Usually these last several years but one failed after a month despite it being a branded item. Cost-wise I probably saved several pounds even so. The second battery is still working fine.

I also bought a spare head and cutters for my electric razor. Even after a few months they struggle to cut, whereas the originals lasted years.

All I am saying is caveat emptor. Most things will be inexpensive and work fine, whereas some things may be problematic.

50 years - NOT amateur radio

It seems hard to believe, but my wife and I first met 50 years ago today.

Looking back, I just wonder where those years went. Even today, knocking on the door of 70, I still feel in my late teens inside. All I can advise is milk life, as it soon slips through your hands.

Time is an odd thing. On the one hand it seems to pass slowly, whereas on the other hand it passes all too fast. One thing is certain: we will not get another 50 years!

Sunspots - Saturday March 3rd 2018

Solar flux is 67 today and the sunspot number 11. A=4 and K=1.

2m FT8 RX

Although I am monitoring 2m FT8 RX again, there have been no spots so far today. Perhaps we have had a lift in the last few days and things are returning to normal?

UPDATE 1030z: An FT8 QSO on 2m with G8ALS (127km) and PA4X (403km) spotted in Limburg. Perhaps it was too early!

UPDATE 1126z: Now spotted 15 uniques in 3 countries. I had a QSO (2m FT8) with David G0LRD (26km) when he was using 1mW and good copy on the big-wheel. He was -21dB on a 3el in the loft with 300uW!!

UPDATE 1350z: Now 30 uniques in 5 countries.

UPDATE 1730z: Now 39 uniques in 7 countries.

UPDATE 2030z: The photo shows the stations spotted here on 2m FT8 in the last 12 hours.

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.