19 Nov 2018
160m FT8
Es'hail2 satellite
I gather this was successfully launched and it is being "parked" in a temporary orbit so engineers can check it over. You may recall it includes amateur band linear transponders and it is hoped to be placed in a geosynchronous orbit.
See https://amsat-uk.org/satellites/geosynchronous/eshail-2/
See https://amsat-uk.org/satellites/geosynchronous/eshail-2/
2m FT8
It is a few days since I last checked 2m FT8, and there has been a meteor shower (Leonid) in the last few days. In the past I have been amazed by the DX which I spot every day on the 2m band by this mode. Most signals come in by aircraft reflection, although some are tropo. It certainly has transformed 2m for me. What is so unusual for me is that conditions rarely matter: this DX is always there!
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/2m-ft8 .
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/2m-ft8 .
The week ahead - NOT amateur radio
We can be certain of one thing - the future is a mystery. The BBC is doing its best to navel gaze. One thing is certain. Mrs May, the UK Prime Minister, can expect a rough time!
See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-46236112 .
See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-46236112 .
Mortality - NOT amateur radio
A year ago my son's brother-in-law was killed whilst crossing the road on green at a pedestrian crossing in Australia. The car driver was on her phone and ploughed into him. He was only young.
When we die (some of us) hope for some kind of life after death. No-one is really sure, but probably we just cease to exist as we did in the billions of years before we came into existence. What chance we were born at this time on this planet?
Are all religions our attempt to come to terms with our mortality? I do not know. No-one is really sure.
10m FT8
In a few moments I shall QSY to 10m FT8 for the day.
UPDATE 1035z: A promising start? 5 stations in 5 countries spotted already with best DX RV6FT (3093km).
UPDATE 1143z: 11 stations in 8 EU countries spotted on 10m FT8 RX so far today. No "real DX" spotted here, although others may have been luckier.
UPDATE 1404z: Now 13 stations in 9 countries spotted today on 10m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1817z: No further spots, so time to QSY to 160m FT8.
UPDATE 1035z: A promising start? 5 stations in 5 countries spotted already with best DX RV6FT (3093km).
UPDATE 1143z: 11 stations in 8 EU countries spotted on 10m FT8 RX so far today. No "real DX" spotted here, although others may have been luckier.
UPDATE 1404z: Now 13 stations in 9 countries spotted today on 10m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1817z: No further spots, so time to QSY to 160m FT8.
Topband overnight
Last night was the best yet with more North Americans and Caribbean stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX than at any point since I have been monitoring this season. In all, 14 USA and Canadian stations spotted plus 1 in the Caribbean with best DX KC9FFV (7612km) in Texas.
Sunspots - Monday November 19th 2018
Are we over the very worst or is this just a blip?
Solar flux is 73 (still poor, but better) and the sunspot number 13. A=3 and K=1.
We will need several months of improving numbers before we can be sure we are climbing out of the sunspot minimum. In the meantime, cross your fingers and hope!
Solar flux is 73 (still poor, but better) and the sunspot number 13. A=3 and K=1.
We will need several months of improving numbers before we can be sure we are climbing out of the sunspot minimum. In the meantime, cross your fingers and hope!
Pound v. Euro - NOT amateur radio
Whatever your views on BREXIT, we can expect difficult days ahead.
I am sure the EU wants to punish the UK for leaving the "club" and many in the UK hanker for days which cannot return when "Britannia ruled the waves" and we had an empire. This is an illusion.
Our future is very much linked to Europe as well as the rest of the world. It is reasonable to want the UK parliament to have the final say over our laws and who lives and works here. We cannot have total free movement of people within the EU. In the referendum over 2 years ago I voted "remain" but there was, and still is, a lot wrong with the EU. It is protectionist and inward looking.
In my view, the best outcome would be tariffless borders with the EU, but the UK controlling who lives and works here. Personally, I think the EU is miffed about the lack of funding from the UK and is dreading others following the UK's lead.
If an agreement can be stuck, I expect the UK pound to bounce back. If we leave the EU without agreement it is anyone's guess what will happen. In the end I am sure the UK will do fine outside the EU, but it might take several years for the dust to settle.
UPDATE 1146z: So far today, the UK pound has been climbing and is currently worth 1.126 euros.
I am sure the EU wants to punish the UK for leaving the "club" and many in the UK hanker for days which cannot return when "Britannia ruled the waves" and we had an empire. This is an illusion.
Our future is very much linked to Europe as well as the rest of the world. It is reasonable to want the UK parliament to have the final say over our laws and who lives and works here. We cannot have total free movement of people within the EU. In the referendum over 2 years ago I voted "remain" but there was, and still is, a lot wrong with the EU. It is protectionist and inward looking.
In my view, the best outcome would be tariffless borders with the EU, but the UK controlling who lives and works here. Personally, I think the EU is miffed about the lack of funding from the UK and is dreading others following the UK's lead.
If an agreement can be stuck, I expect the UK pound to bounce back. If we leave the EU without agreement it is anyone's guess what will happen. In the end I am sure the UK will do fine outside the EU, but it might take several years for the dust to settle.
UPDATE 1146z: So far today, the UK pound has been climbing and is currently worth 1.126 euros.
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