OFCOM latest

OFCOM today told us of a rule change affecting digital broadcasters and that current 700MHz users can apply for financial help to move to different frequencies as this band is being vacated and reallocated here in the UK.

See https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-1/support-pmse-equipment-owners

"Our" windmill - NOT amateur radio

As this is right next door to us, we get rather possessive! At this time of year when the museum and mill are closed, volunteers are busy with maintenance work. That is why there is filler on the mill side. I expect before the season starts at Easter, the windmill will get a coat of paint.

See http://www.burwellmuseum.org.uk/

2m FT8

For a change, I am on 2m FT8 (2.5W to the big wheel omni antenna). I called CQ but was spotted only by GW4BVE (237km).

Maybe there are fewer stations on 2m FT8 and the bubble has burst? On RX no stations yet spotted. OK, it is a weekday and many will be at work. However, the last time I checked there was plenty of 2m FT8 activity.

UPDATE 1135z: Perhaps I spoke too soon about 2m FT8! Already 11 stations spotted with best DX on 2m FT8 RX DL6BF (479km).

UPDATE 2012z: 52 stations in 6 countries so far spotted today on 2m FT8 RX with best DX DK1FG (815km). A recent call to another station (I was using 2.5W) was unanswered but was spotted by 7 stations including GI6ATZ (479km) near Belfast.

Stations spotted so far today on 2m FT8 RX

472kHz WSPR overnight

An average night with best DX on TX (10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground was PA0O (440km). A couple of other PAs copied me too. On RX best DX was LA2XPA (1310km). In all, 8 stations spotted me and I spotted 9.

Stations that spotted me overnight

Stations that I spotted overnight

Sunspots Monday February 4th 2019

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 0. A=11 and K=0

Return to 472kHz WSPR

Most nights I go on either 1.84MHz FT8 RX or 472kHz WSPR TX (20% 10mW ERP, with 80% RX). In both cases, the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground is used. Tonight (well this evening) it is the turn of 472kHz WSPR. I have yet to decide on the overnight period as most DX is spotted on 472kHz well before midnight, whereas transatlantic 160m DX usually come in after midnight. So, I may QSY to 160m FT8 RX at bedtime. G8LCO (58km) has already spotted my 472kHz WSPR transmission, even though it has yet to settle.

UPDATE 1636z: G1GKN (99km) is a good signal again on 472kHz WSPR RX.

UPDATE 2042z: LA2XPA (1310km) is the best DX so far this evening on 472kHz WSPR RX. With my 10mW ERP my best DX on TX is PA3ABK (306km).

10m FT8

Since about 5 minutes ago, I have been on 10m FT8. At first I called CQ (2.5W) and since then I have been on RX only.  Guess what? No spots!

UPDATE 1546z: So far today, just a single 10m FT8 RX spot.: G0OYQ (177km) in Humberside.

Wasted boxes - NOT amateur radio

According to a recent Facebook post there are 900000000 wasted boxes on consumer products every year in the USA alone. The example is toothpaste which comes in a tube, which is then put in a box, which is just thrown away. What a stupid waste! We need to force companies away from wasted packaging. In Iceland toothpaste does not come in boxes. If they can, so can we.

Perhaps we should all start by leaving the unnecessary packaging in the supermarkets?

"Going away" - NOT amateur radio

No doubt like many, I got an email yesterday to tell me Google+ was "going away" and that I needed to archive any data I wanted before Feb 9th. Yet another example of things getting worse, not better, with time. I have to admit, I have not used Google+ for years.

Why don't they just be honest and say Google+ was a failure? Sorry, I have little time for this "marketing speak". Please, tell us the truth, as we are grown ups and are not stupid.

Daffodils - NOT amateur radio

We still have several weeks of winter, but daffodils in flower promise spring and new life. These were in Dalham, a delightful village not far from here, where we did a walk earlier today.