BST and GMT - NOT amateur radio

It will take me a while to realise GMT is 1 hour different from BST. Already I have had to correct a posting on this blog!

Philosophical questions - NOT amateur radio

These sort of questions have been mentioned here before.  As one get older, I guess thoughts turn to our finiteness more and more.

Those with a religious belief probably believe in some sort of continuity after death in a form we cannot understand. Some believe we just cease to exist: we were not aware of life before we were born, so why worry about death?

I guess the truth is we just do not know. With quantum physics and multiverses, it is a brave person who says he/she knows. My own view is all religions are struggles to come to terms with our finiteness.  None is probably right, but all hint at a deeper meaning.

If we have a faith at all, what we believe is largely an accident of where we were born. If in the UK or USA were probably more likely to be Christian, whereas if we were born in India we are more likely to be Hindu. There are 1.03 billion Hindus in the world!

It probably hinges on whether or not we believe existence "exists" beyond our own minds. One thing is certain: we all die and we all struggle with our finiteness.

The rise and rise of FT8

There is no doubt in my mind that FT8 has been phenomenal. 

Every day this new digital mode seems to attract more and more people. It works with the briefest of openings and the software needed is free. It takes up about 60Hz only and works with weak signals. On a recent (rare for me) visit to 20m, DX from all over the world was spotted.

Even on 2m VHF, most days I spot signals from all over western Europe under flat conditions even with my omni antenna.

What will the Es season bring on 6m this year with this mode?

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/hf-ft8

Slow decline?

It has been my view for some time that amateur radio is in a slow decline.

Recent figures of licenced amateurs in India on Southgate News paints a mixed picture. Although there quite a few new licences, the number of renewals indicates a gradual decline, on average. In the UK most radio amateurs are older men. Yes, there are exceptions, but unless more young people are attracted and retained, the hobby will be in terminal decline. As the market shrinks there will be fewer products, fewer magazines and fewer adverts. The future is in our hands.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/march/india-releases-ham-radio-license-figures.htm#.WrdqxUxFzIU

Sunspots - Sunday March 25th 2018

Solar flux is 68 today and the sunspot number still zero. A=9 and K=4.

Auction of Promises - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday our local WI held an "Auction of Promises". They must have made thousands for local defibrillators. The auctioneer was David Palmer who is a famous UK TV personality on the programme "Bargain Hunt". He was good and funny. The place was really really packed. It was a good village event.

2m FT8

Same pattern as yesterday. After a brief TX period (2.5W, omni antenna). 4 spots, but no QSOs. Best DX on TX was GW6TEO (371km).  On RX 14 uniques in 6 countries already at 0945z.

Most days at least one person has their QTH locator showing them in the middle of the sea. Today we have someone who thinks he is in the middle of the English Channel! I expect he will soon realise his mistake.

UPDATE 0937z: 23 uniques in 6 countries currently.

UPDATE 1035z: 40 uniques in 6 countries.

UPDATE 1230z: Well we still have 2 stations on 2m FT8 with webbed feet. One is in the North Sea and one in the English Channel 😕. Now 46 uniques in 6 countries in last 6 hours on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1938z: Now 92 uniques in 8 countries in just the last 12 hours on 2m FT8. And these are flat conditions. Best DX on 2m FT8 RX is DK2DTF (644km). Unbelievable.

UPDATE 2017z: Now 94 uniques in 9 countries in last 12 hours. Incredible.

ICOM D-star portable

Southgate News has links to the new ICOM portable that comes loaded with digital D-Star and analogue repeaters. It has GPS built-in and a micro-SD card. Perhaps I am odd, but repeaters and D-star have never really appealed to me. With D-star you can talk to others across the globe with internet linking, but to me this is no great fun. It appeals to some. Years ago I was a regular user on GB3PI, which was the very first UK repeater. I even donated an antenna!

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/march/icom-id-31e-plus.htm#.WrbLokx2vIU

Village Cafe - NOT amateur radio

This café opened in our village a few months ago. It is well located and appears to be doing well.

View - NOT amateur radio

This is the view from our lounge. The 200 year old windmill is on the left. The buildings behind it are our local museum.