Grandson's paintings and drawings - NOT amateur radio

We are very proud of our young grandson who has just turned 9. For his age, his artwork is excellent. He has a real gift, unlike his grandparents!

He is good with people, good at swimming and sports - in fact a good all-rounder. Some examples of his art are attached. The Santa Maria and the train were painted some years ago.

SAQ (17.2kHz VLF CW)

SAQ the historic alternator VLF TX was on the air yesterday from Grimeton in Sweden. Paul Nicholson in Todmorden, UK made a complete recording.

Guess who totally forgot?!

See http://78.46.38.217/saq-180501.mp3

2m UKAC contest

Last night was the May leg of the 2m activity contest. 6 QSOs before I had to go QRT (poor voice) with best DX G6DOD/P 213km on the Isle of Wight. I run 5W to a big-wheel omnidirectional antenna.

Rigs

The photo shows my current operating set-up.

Not shown is the 472kHz transverter (about 12W out, 10mW ERP) or ATU.

Mostly I use 2.5W on HF, VHF and UHF.  I receive far more than I transmit. At one time I had the Elecraft auto-ATU but I much prefer the LDG Z817, which seems better suited to home use.

Swan - NOT amateur radio

This swan was enjoying a bit of quiet time at Anglesey Abbey earlier. There is a nest there and I think the pair of swans are taking turns on it.

When we went earlier today we saw no swallows, no house martins, no sand martins and no swifts. In previous years these were quite common by now, so numbers must be down?

Swaziland gets a new name

According to Southgate News, Swaziland has a new name. Although the king announced a new name earlier in April, its DXCC status is unchanged.

We went to Swaziland in 2010. We also went to Lesotho, which was like stepping back 1000 years.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/may/kingdom-of-eswatini.htm#.WuiPT0xFzmI

Es?

At last, we are seeing evidence of sporadic-E (Es) in the northern hemisphere.  Usually this brings lots of Europeans in range on 10m and 6m. Openings get less frequent on 4m and even less frequent on 2m.

FT8 should help as even brief openings get noticed. Most years, much further is also possible on 6m. Whether this is multi-hop Es or some other mechanism is open to debate. Personally, I have my doubts.

Tulips - NOT amateur radio

The formal garden at Anglesey Abbey had a stunning display of tulips (see photo). They were all this colour and white. Most in the grounds are now dying and well past their best.

OFCOM Communications Monthly

OFCOM has just published it monthly update.

See http://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/4270C5D1D6C9960D2540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

New article added - NOT amateur radio

Some may find this page useful. I have added an article that Molly Anderson sent me as a file at the bottom of the page.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/mental