Trevor Baylis (clockwork radio) dies

At the age of 80 Southgate News reports that the inventor of the wind-up radio has died. His name was made famous by his invention. His wind-up radio ideas have application in QRP radios.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/march/trevor-baylis-wind-up-radio-inventor-dies-aged-80.htm#.Wp5iE0x2vIU

See also http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-43290756 .

Sunspots - Tuesday March 6th 2018

Where does the time go? It seems only yesterday that it was Christmas. I'm sure our perception of time changes as we get older.

Solar flux is 67 and the sunspot number zero still. A=5 and K=1.

2m UKAC activity contest

Starting at 2000z tonight is the March leg of the RSGB's activity contest on 2m. The contest runs for 2.5 hours. I usually manage 30-60 minutes as my voice is poor and work 5-10 stations.

See http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?contest=2mukac for the rules.

An average contest, but again I was defeated by my poor voice. Six contacts in 34 minutes as shown on the map. 5W and a big-wheel omni antenna.

"So" - NOT amateur radio

Some call me a grumpy old man, but have you noticed how many young people start their sentences with "So"? This really annoys me. I heard this twice on BBC Radio 4 just before lunch, like, you know.

OFCOM

Yes, allegedly all they care about is money.

See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/7960D48FD07A6FAF2540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

Sunspots - Monday March 5th 2018

Solar flux is 68 today. The sunspot number is zero still. A=6 and K=2.

The G3TFX experiment - 2m FT8 RX vertical

As promised, today I am monitoring 2m FT8 but using my V2000 vertical instead of the horizontal big-wheel. This was suggested by my old work colleague Richard G3TFX in Cambridge.

Already I am surprised by the number of stations still being received. This suggests that these stations are less dependant on polarisation than I thought, suggesting either aircraft reflection or random MS rather than tropo.

UPDATE 1015z: 12 uniques in 4 countries, despite being vertically polarised.

UPDATE 1130z: Now 19 uniques in 4 countries.

UPDATE 1405z: Now 28 uniques in 4 countries.

UPDATE 2105z: Well, the experiment has ended. Conclusion? Polarisation does not matter, so probably most DX received by aircraft reflections. Amazing. Map show stations received on 2m FT8 today with vertical polarisation.

Best bus rides in England (video)? - NOT amateur radio

With the closure of the A379 along Slapton Line, Devon we lose one of the best bus rides in England. I hope they repair this road, although I have my doubts as the storm damage is bad.

Head for heights?

Just watching this video made me feel sick! You would never catch me up there! I'd be terrified. Good job I've not got a large tower in my garden.

A short while later I found a video of someone going up an even taller tower!

Snowy windmill - NOT amateur radio

It is about 5 years since we had real snow. It has attempted to snow over the years, but last week we had real snow falling several times and, for us, very cold temperatures. Others may laugh! As some will be aware, we live next door.