UAE pardon - NOT amateur radio

OK, I am not clear of the facts, but the UAE has pardoned Matthew Hedges, the UK academic accused of spying and facing life in a UAE prison.

This reminds me of the Greeks who thought some UK plane spotters were spies some years ago. Some governments just don't get some odd UK behaviours.

Anyway, I am very glad the UAE saw sense.  I suspect the UAE was bothered about the harm this would have done them.

Mars landing - NOT amateur radio

Landing probes on Mars seems to be fraught with problems, so I just hope this latest mission goes as planned. It must be those pesky green men!

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46333459 .

UPDATE 2133z: It looks like it successfully landed.

Windmill painting - NOT amateur radio

One of my wife's birthday presents this weekend was a painting of "our" windmill next door done by our 9 year old grandson. It now has pride of place in our hall. For a 9 year old it is very good.

His cousin asked where we bought it!

10m FT8

In a few minutes I shall switch to 10m FT8 for the day. This evening and overnight, I shall probably switch to 160m FT8.

UPDATE 1330z: The switch to 10m FT8 was done at 1030z. No spots yet. The pits! As 10m seems so poor, I may QSY to 160m FT8 sooner than planned.

630m (472kHz) WSPR

Yesterday evening and overnight I was on 472kHz (630m) WSPR with 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. In all, 12 stations spotted me with best DX LA3EQ/MW (769km) in Norway. I am often spotted in Norway on 472kHz WSPR.

472kHz WSPR TX (10mW ERP) Last Night

472kHz WSPR RX Last Night

Sunspots - Monday November 26th 2018

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN 15. A=3 and K=1.

Are we seeing the early signs of cycle 25? It would be good if the polarity of these sunspots indicated they were cycle 25 spots. I need to check. Looking at  http://www.solen.info/solar/images/cycles23_24.png
it suggests the minimum about now, although other images suggest the minimum could last far longer. Time will tell.

Mobile phone insurance - NOT amateur radio

Actually, I need a bit of help.

At the moment I use a very simple mobile phone from Tesco. It is used mainly for texts with the occasional phone call. At a one off cost of £19.99  this phone is brilliant. A simple "pay as you go" top up lasts me months and months.

As a Virgin Media customer I was tempted by a fancy "pay monthly" phone which has 4GB data allowance each month (with roll over), unlimited texts and more phone call minutes than I could use. However, they seem very coy about insurance!! Having looked for ages, I cannot find what this is a month, so I assume it must be a lot. This may stop me going for a contract.

So, my question is, "what should I expect to pay in the UK for mobile phone insurance?".

Space junk

Southgate News reports that the FCC has rejected a plea for AMSAT to be made exempt from legislation designed to rid space of junk from old or redundant satellites. This is becoming a big issue with lots of junk up there.  I can see this being an issue if the owners of small satellites have to plan for the satellite when its useful life is over.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/november/fcc-rejects-amsat-orbital-debris-petition.htm#.W_ruNPZ2u00 .

QSYed to MF

After a very poor day on 10m FT8 (sunspot minimum!) I have again QSYed to 472kHz (630m) WSPR with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground and 10mW ERP. On the first transmission 3 stations spotted me with the best being G8TTI (186km). At the moment, the crystal in the transverter is still settling. It normally takes about 20 minutes before the drift reported is zero.

UPDATE 1845z: So far this evening 3 unique stations have spotted my 10mW QRPP signal. Not a bad start. Earlier, I thought it was 6 before I realised some were at breakfast time!

UPDATE 1940z: GM0UDL (659km) is now the most distant spot of my 10mW ERP this evening.

Family weekend - NOT amateur radio

As my wife was celebrating a special birthday, all the grandchildren were staying overnight. We managed!