The road not taken - NOT amateur radio

Perhaps this is something that comes with old age. I was 70 a few weeks ago.

Time and again I look back at my life and wonder what would have happened if I had made different decisions. I expect these questions are quite common in all of us. For example, what if I went to a different university, or actually had done that PhD? What if I had married someone else? What if I had accepted that directorship, or gone to work in California when I was offered a job?

My 2 claims to fame: I had lunch with Joselin Bell (who discovered pulsars) when interviewed for my PhD. Sir Clive Sinclair asked me for advice on antennas back in the 1970s!

All through life there are branches we could have taken, but didn't. I guess we will never know. This reminds me of a famous Robert Frost poem "The road not taken". Many years ago we visited Robert Frost's house in New England.

See https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44272/the-road-not-taken
See also (for audio readings) https://reelyredd.com/0602roadtravel.htm

Sunspots - Wednesday January 9th 2019

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=6 and K=1.

Back on 10m FT8 RX

After a foray on 60m FT8 using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, I have returned to 10m FT8 RX with my end fed Par antenna.

UPDATE 1350z: No spots yet today on 10m FT8 RX.

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.