Calendulas out in early January - NOT amateur radio

This was out early yesterday. Calendulas come in several varieties and are sometimes better known as marigolds.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calendula

70cm UKAC activity contest

For about 30 minutes I broke off 60m FT8 to go on the 70cm activity contest. Only a couple of contacts G4CLA (105km) and M0UGA/P. As usual 5W and the 2m omni antenna used.

60m FT8 RX

This afternoon, I am trying the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground on 60m FT8 following a suggestion by Jan OZ9QV.

Although the match is poor (I have made no attempt to match it), I have already spotted 9 stations in 5 countries on 60m after about 15 minutes!  I am looking on 5.357MHz as suggested by Jan.

UPDATE 1642z: 60m FT8 RX with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground is exceeding expectations.

UPDATE 2215z: VE1YX (4719km) is currently the best DX on 60m FT8 RX this evening.

UPDATE 2220z: CO8LY (7324km) in Cuba is now the best 60m DX tonight.

Spots so far this evening on 60m FT8 RX

Lavenham - NOT amateur radio

Today we had lunch out at a small café in Lavenham, Suffolk, UK. This is an old wool town that made its money when the wool trade was at its height centuries ago. There are many fine buildings in this village.

My son had his wedding reception at the Swan hotel here, where I came for course 40 years ago. After a week here I ended up half a stone heavier! The Swan is on the right in the second photo, just beyond the road works. It is a fine Tudor building.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavenham

Es'hail

Last night I was speaking to G3KKD on 2m FM. Ian is a keen ATV man.  He tells me he is receiving the beacon from the geosynchronous Es'hail satellite that will carry amateur all-mode and TV transponders. He uses a dish and LNB with an SDR receiver at around 1446MHz IF. The beacon is strong.

80m FT8 RX

Overnight, I remained on 80m FT8 RX. Basically very similar to the previous night with best DX a Brazilian PY2XU (9584km).

Once again on the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground was used.  I guess the next band to try with this "antenna" is 40m FT8, although I very much doubt it will be any good up there! Mind you, I thought it would be useless on 80m!

Sunspots - Tuesday January 8th 2019

Solar flux is 71 and the sunspot number 12. A=7 and K=2.

80m FT8 RX this evening

Already in the last 30 minutes alone, stations all over Europe are again being spotted using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. At present the best DX spotted is A45XR (5794km) in the Middle East.

UPDATE 2218z: The first North American spotted on 80m FT8 RX this evening was K1CP (4997km).

My ancestors - NOT amateur radio

Many times on this blog I have mentioned that I come from the South Hams in Devon. Today on Facebook it mentioned that ancient trees, not seen since the last Ice Age had been exposed at Hallsands. There were a few photos of these. The last Ice Age was about 10000 years ago.

What amazes me is that probably some of my distant ancestors hunted in these very trees thousands of years ago when this was still woodland and before the seas rose. Humbling.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_age

OFCOM bla bla

Bla, bla, bla, bla.  Motherhood, motherhood, and yet more motherhood...

More OFCOM rubbish in my view. This time it is to remind us about public meetings on their annual plan for 2019.

Sorry, but I would rather they enforced what is there rather than waste money on these meetings. Bring back the GPO and adults who were keen to enforce laws!!

These are my views and others are welcome to theirs.

See https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-1/annual-plan-2019-20