QRT on all bands

At about 2015z I pulled the big switch and went QRT on all bands. I should be back on later tomorrow. 2m FT8 was great and there was even some activity on 10m FT8.

National Hamfest (Newark)

Friday and Saturday is the National Hamfest in Newark. This is the biggest rally in the UK.  The main dealers will be there with some bargains. Among them is MLS. If you are after a deal, now is probably a good time.

See https://www.hamradio.co.uk/

10m WSPR TX (500mW)

Although active for several hours, no spots as yet.

UPDATE 1624z: Six spots this morning by EA8BFK (2880km). I guess this is F2.

2m FT8

A CQ call (2.5W to the omni) just before breakfast was spotted by 5 stations in 2 countries. Yet again G7RAU (461km) in IN79 square copied me. This never seems to fail. Currently I am RX only.

UPDATE 1158z: At present 16 stations in 4 countries spotted so far on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1600z: 22 stations in 5 countries now on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1830z: 29 stations in 7 countries today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1915z: 32 stations in 7 countries today with best DX DJ6AG (689km).

Last swallow (bird)? - NOT amateur radio

Swallows migrate to us for the summer to breed and fly off deep into southern Africa for the winter. I guess food is easier to find but it is a very long way.

At breakfast I saw one solitary swallow and that may be the last here now until next April. There were 40000 seen at Slapton, Devon a few days ago presumably as they gathered to feed prior to migrating south.

Safe trip and hopefully see you next spring.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swallow/

Sunspots - Friday September 28th 2018

Solar flux is 67 today and the SSN still zero. A=7 and K=3.

US Supreme Court Judge - NOT amateur radio

In the USA, Brett Kavanaugh is being grilled by the senate. Now, I am no fan of President Trump or his style of leadership and I do not think sexual predators should be in high office.

However, people change and we all did stupid things in our teenage years. What matters is how we are as adults. Things that happened way back should not count against us today. My view, others may disagree.

If people were groped years and years ago, should this count against people today? I know it is sometimes hard for those assaulted to come forward sooner, but is such cases a long time is indeed a long time.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-45673888/brett-kavanaugh-i-am-innocent-of-this-charge

472kHz WSPR

After a great day on 2m FT8, I have QSYed to 630m (472kHz) WSPR with 10mW ERP using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Comparing what I spot with G4KPX, I know I am several dBs down in sensitivity. However, my set-up is small and invisible! Only spotted by a couple of Gs so far this evening.

Stations received so far this evening

Expanding - NOT amateur radio

We moved to our village in 1975 when there were about 4000 people. Nowadays there are over 6000, many of whom work in Cambridge. Our local village museum has some very old maps showing how the village has developed, particularly in the last 200 years.

Geostationary amateur satellite

If the Es'Hail 2 satellite works as planned, it could be revolutionary. It has a 250kHz wide linear transponder for narrowband modes as well as an ATV transponder. Uplink is 2.4GHz and downlink 10GHz. Once aimed, dishes are fixed. A possible issue will be stations using too much power resulting in desense.

See https://amsat-uk.org/satellites/geosynchronous/eshail-2/