Not much seems to have changed recently, so this update still applies.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/stroke
27 Mar 2018
Painted rocks - NOT amateur radio
I may have mentioned this before, but there is a craze for finding painted pebbles in our village. They may be found anywhere. The idea is to find one, post a photo on a Facebook, then re-hide it.
My grandson found one yesterday as the photo shows. It has been re-hidden in a different place. It is especially popular with children.
26 Mar 2018
Virtual Amateur Radio
This has never really "floated my boat", but it may appeal to some especially when HF conditions are poor. Also, if you just want to chat this may appeal. Unlike "real" radio, this does not need real transceivers or HF propagation. Instead the "bearer" is the internet.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/virtual .
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/virtual .
On 2m FT8 again
This mode/band never fails. Although only 0934z I have already spotted 16 unique stations in 4 countries. A recent TX period (2.5W) resulted in a couple of spots with the best being in Devon.
UPDATE 1910z: 62 uniques in 7 countries so far today on 2m FT8.
UPDATE 2112z: 71 uniques in 7 countries currently on 2m FT8 today.
UPDATE 1910z: 62 uniques in 7 countries so far today on 2m FT8.
UPDATE 2112z: 71 uniques in 7 countries currently on 2m FT8 today.
25 Mar 2018
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.
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
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
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.
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