22 Mar 2018
Home QTH
Bank incompetence - NOT amateur radio
My father-in-law would have turned in his grave.
Yesterday, because a bank letter was unclear, I needed to contact my bank. 33 minutes later and 3 people later, I got my answer. 2 of these people were overseas. Not one knew who I was. A clearer letter would have made this call totally unnecessary. Could they write this basic data in the letter? No - idiots.
This week, also, we went into a different bank to close 2 accounts that managed to lose money! Then they wrote a letter to say they could not verify the bank details into which funds should be paid. Thankfully, they enclosed a first class stamped envelope. Whilst in the branch all details could have been verified. Again, idiots.
Maybe I am just a grumpy old man, but is it really too much to ask for a decent, competent and personal service? Every bank, it seems, makes billions in profits. Maybe they should try harder at making customers feeling more valued. They could start with their staff.
Yesterday, because a bank letter was unclear, I needed to contact my bank. 33 minutes later and 3 people later, I got my answer. 2 of these people were overseas. Not one knew who I was. A clearer letter would have made this call totally unnecessary. Could they write this basic data in the letter? No - idiots.
This week, also, we went into a different bank to close 2 accounts that managed to lose money! Then they wrote a letter to say they could not verify the bank details into which funds should be paid. Thankfully, they enclosed a first class stamped envelope. Whilst in the branch all details could have been verified. Again, idiots.
Why would my father-in-law turn in his grave? Because, years ago, banks were personal, you could ring your local branch and bank officials were respected. Now you are just a number in a call centre overseas. I suspect most bank staff have, maybe, a training in domestic studies or football. Most appear to know nothing about banking. Most seem stupid and incompetent.
Maybe I am just a grumpy old man, but is it really too much to ask for a decent, competent and personal service? Every bank, it seems, makes billions in profits. Maybe they should try harder at making customers feeling more valued. They could start with their staff.
Rally
24 MARCH 2018 : LAUGHARNE RADIO RALLY & MICROWAVE SYMPOSIUM
Millennium Memorial Hall, Clifton Street, Laugharne SA33 4QG. Doors open 10am with disabled visitors gaining access at 9.45am. Entry is £3. Matthew, 07936 152 846, Matthew.twyman63@btinternet.
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/
Laugharne is in Wales.
Millennium Memorial Hall, Clifton Street, Laugharne SA33 4QG. Doors open 10am with disabled visitors gaining access at 9.45am. Entry is £3. Matthew, 07936 152 846, Matthew.twyman63@btinternet.
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/
Laugharne is in Wales.
OFCOM and mobile phone repeaters
Some mobile phone repeaters will be licence free in future.
See http://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/5543AFE536DFD1E52540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C
See http://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/5543AFE536DFD1E52540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C
Hacking? - NOT amateur radio
For a while now, my own blogs appear to have not been the targets of hackers.
Meanwhile, far more important systems are vulnerable to cyber attacks such as the NHS, banks and our fuel infrastructure. No doubt our "back room boys" in MI5 and GCHQ and the like are keeping a more watchful eye after the nerve gas attacks in Salisbury on an ex Russian spy and his daughter.
There is little doubt that cyber warfare is a real danger to any nation these days.
Meanwhile, far more important systems are vulnerable to cyber attacks such as the NHS, banks and our fuel infrastructure. No doubt our "back room boys" in MI5 and GCHQ and the like are keeping a more watchful eye after the nerve gas attacks in Salisbury on an ex Russian spy and his daughter.
There is little doubt that cyber warfare is a real danger to any nation these days.
2m FT8
After yesterday's success with in excess of 77 stations spotted in 10 countries, I am again active on 2m FT8. A couple of brief TX periods (2.5W to my omnidirectional antenna) resulted in spots from as far away as Pembrokeshire and Devon. On RX, I have (so far) spotted 15 unique stations in 5 countries.
UPDATE 1041z: For the first time I used the "auto sequence" feature in WSJT-X V1.9 to have a QSO with G8ALS (127km). Still 2.5W to the omni antenna here. In all,7 stations have spotted me today on TX. My "score" today is 22 uniques in 6 countries on 2m FT8. Of course, to spot a station only needs 15 seconds of opening (maybe less as I am no expert!), so even the briefest opening gets spotted.
UPDATE 1230z: Now 25 uniques in 6 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1600z: Now 44 uniques in 8 countries today, so far, on 2m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1632z: Now 45 uniques today. A couple of stations seem unable to get their QTH locators right - either that or they like swimming in the North Sea. I suspect it is the former!
UPDATE 1720z: A very easy QSO with G8NRY (158km) in IO93 square. He answered my CQ call. 2.5W to my omni antenna on 2m FT8.
UPDATE 2050z: The map shows where my 2.5W (into an omnidirectional antenna) was copied in the last few hours on 2m FT8.
UPDATE 1041z: For the first time I used the "auto sequence" feature in WSJT-X V1.9 to have a QSO with G8ALS (127km). Still 2.5W to the omni antenna here. In all,7 stations have spotted me today on TX. My "score" today is 22 uniques in 6 countries on 2m FT8. Of course, to spot a station only needs 15 seconds of opening (maybe less as I am no expert!), so even the briefest opening gets spotted.
UPDATE 1230z: Now 25 uniques in 6 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1600z: Now 44 uniques in 8 countries today, so far, on 2m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1632z: Now 45 uniques today. A couple of stations seem unable to get their QTH locators right - either that or they like swimming in the North Sea. I suspect it is the former!
UPDATE 1720z: A very easy QSO with G8NRY (158km) in IO93 square. He answered my CQ call. 2.5W to my omni antenna on 2m FT8.
UPDATE 2050z: The map shows where my 2.5W (into an omnidirectional antenna) was copied in the last few hours on 2m FT8.
Sunspots - Thursday March 22nd 2018
Solar flux is 68 today and the sunspot number remains zero. A=4 and K=1.
21 Mar 2018
MLS Open Day to demonstrate IC7610
Although well outside of my price bracket, you may be interested in this special demonstration day featuring the ICOM IC7610 transceiver. At just under £3.5k, there is no way I am ever going to get one unless Father Christmas decides I have been a very good boy and comes in April! Even the PSU is just under £500, which to me is silly money. As I have said before, each to their own when it comes to disposable income. Some spend silly money on other hobbies and I am not one to judge.
See https://www.hamradio.co.uk/amateur-radio-base-station-radio-icom-base-station-radio/icom/icom-ic-7610-now-in-stock-pd-7032.php
See https://www.hamradio.co.uk/amateur-radio-base-station-radio-icom-base-station-radio/icom/icom-ic-7610-now-in-stock-pd-7032.php
Hidden disabilities - NOT amateur radio
Like many, since my stroke in 2013 I have had a hidden disability. Many say, "you do look well" or similar. Indeed to most people I look just fine.
What few realise is that for over 4 years I have felt unbelievably giddy when on my feet. Looking up is dreadful for me. It is like being permanently drunk. Just walking along a pavement (sidewalk) can be troublesome. Crossing a roads is a nightmare. Rushing along is now very hard. Add to that my voice is now very poor. Just chatting is now much harder to the point that I rarely start a chat because others will probably not understand. I'll have to repeat myself, which is exhausting.
Others too may have impairments that are hidden, making people think there is nothing wrong. To coin a well known expression, "never judge a book by its cover". Other people may well be fighting a battle inside that we cannot see or experience. Never, ever, under-estimate the struggles others may have to deal with.
One thing I have learnt is never judge others. Inside they may be having a very rough time, be it physical or mental.
What few realise is that for over 4 years I have felt unbelievably giddy when on my feet. Looking up is dreadful for me. It is like being permanently drunk. Just walking along a pavement (sidewalk) can be troublesome. Crossing a roads is a nightmare. Rushing along is now very hard. Add to that my voice is now very poor. Just chatting is now much harder to the point that I rarely start a chat because others will probably not understand. I'll have to repeat myself, which is exhausting.
Others too may have impairments that are hidden, making people think there is nothing wrong. To coin a well known expression, "never judge a book by its cover". Other people may well be fighting a battle inside that we cannot see or experience. Never, ever, under-estimate the struggles others may have to deal with.
One thing I have learnt is never judge others. Inside they may be having a very rough time, be it physical or mental.
Overnight on 472kHz WSPR
Last night, I stayed on 472kHz WSPR RX until the battery in the shack PC "died". This happened a little after 0310z. No new stations were spotted after I went to bed. In all, 12 unique stations were spotted using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.
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