Sunspots - Sunday September 9th 2018

Solar flux is 67 today and the sunspot number 16. Yes, some sunspots! A=5 and K=1.

Again on 10m FT8

Since breakfast, I have been in 10m FT8. My earlier brief CQ (2.5W) was not spotted. So far today, 3 stations in 3 countries spotted on 10m FT8 RX with the best DX being F1RAD (867km).

UPDATE 1236z: Now 6 stations in 6 countries spotted today on 10m FT8 RX with best DX 9A2HX (1281km).

UPDATE 2002z: 10 stations in 7 countries spotted today on 10m FT8 RX. All Europeans. Time to go QRT.

E-field probe RX antenna

Years ago, I would have built my own, but these days my fine motor skills are not as good as they once were. So I have bought a PA0RDT miniwhip RX antenna. It should arrive next week.

Suitably mounted in the garden, if should be quite an effective LF and MF RX antenna. This "season" I want to concentrate on 137 and 472kHz RX. I might also try top-band.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/efp

Local shops - NOT amateur radio

We are lucky in that most things you need every day are still available in our village.

We have several supermarkets, a post office, bakers and butchers, hairdressers, paper shop, chemist, dentist and doctor. Otherwise (if you are old!) it is a free bus ride to Cambridge or Newmarket.

Gradually the smaller shops are going and they are struggling these days. I still prefer our local soft rolls, sausages and bacon.

PTT Androids

It seems the big retailers are pushing network radios hard.

MLS Image

See www.hamradio.co.uk

MLS are selling a couple of new Android PTT radios as the next best thing since sliced bread. Maybe they look at the amateur radio demographics and think many of us "oldies" will end up in care homes and will need network radios to keep in touch? They can see an end to their traditional businesses unless they adapt? As I have said many times before, in 20 years time, our hobby is likely to be very different.

Network radios have certain advantages. As well as access to many repeaters by apps such as Echolink, they also support other services link Zello and the usual apps like Skype and emails. Agreed, this is not amateur radio as we knew it, but it serves a purpose. Personally, I still prefer experimentation at the frontiers, but I also see some benefits from network radios.

See https://www.hamradio.co.uk/digital-modes-boxchip/acom/boxchip-4g-lte-android-radio-s700b-pd-8986.php?utm_source=ML%26S+Customers&utm_campaign=9e890be7cf-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_09_07_03_51&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d6e2d1bfe3-9e890be7cf-149932677

Human Consciousness - NOT amateur radio

Perhaps the biggest mystery of all is what happens when we die. Do we just cease to be and our consciousness dies with our bodies?

This has been the central question of all religions for millennia. I certainly do not have the answers. On a logical level we are only conscious because of our brains and synapses. As far as I know, no-one has explained why we are conscious beings.

And yet, there is so much we do not know. One thing is certain. This is the ultimate question.

10m FT8

Since before breakfast I have been on 10m FT8. A brief CQ (2.5W) was spotted by no-one. So far, just M0LHS (212km) spotted here so far (0820z).

UPDATE 1038z:  Several Europeans spotted. Currently 14 stations in 8 countries spotted with best DX spotted here being RX3DHR (2532km).

UPDATE 1621z: Someone tell people 10m is not dead! And remember this is with lots of people deserting the band! So far today 24 stations in 11 countries spotted on 10m FT8 RX.

10m FT8 RX so far today

UPDATE 2002z: In the end, 25 stations in 11 countries, all European, on 10m FT8 RX today. Now time to go QRT.

Sunspots - Saturday September 8th 2018

Solar flux is 67 and the SSN 0. A=5 and K=1.

10m FT8

Since just before breakfast I have been on 10m FT8. A CQ call earlier (2.5W) was spotted by M0NPT (125km) in Nottingham. Best DX on RX is 9A7JCY (1424km) in Croatia.

UPDATE 1022z: Just called CQ again (2.5W), but no spots this time on 10m FT8.

UPDATE 1256z: So far today on 10m FT8 RX just 3 stations in 2 countries.

UPDATE 1706z: As well as more Europeans, ZS6AN (9122km) is now coming through. Now 12 stations in 8 countries.

UPDATE 1917z: A few more Europeans spotted on 10m FT8 RX, but no more real DX today.

UPDATE 2122z: QRT.

Anglesey Abbey yesterday - NOT amateur radio

This was in the rose garden yesterday at Anglesey Abbey, which is about 4 miles away from us.