Greylag Geese - NOT amateur radio

In the UK, greylag geese are the geese of farmyards. These two were spotted yesterday at Stow-cum-Quy near Cambridge.

10m WSPR TX (500mW beacon)

As yesterday (when I got no spots!) I am again on 10m WSPR TX (500mW, 100%, randomised frequencies) as the antenna is available. If I get any spots it will be a miracle. I am not expecting much. First TX period was at 0740z.

UPDATE 0905z: No spots.

UPDATE 1827z: Well there's a surprise! Still no 10m WSPR TX spots today. Soon time to QSY, but I am not sure (yet) where to, either 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP) or 1.84MHz FT8 RX.

2m FT8 RX

At the moment, I am still monitoring 2m FT8 RX. So far, 6 stations in 3 countries spotted with best DX spotted GI6ATZ (479km).

UPDATE 0908z: Now 7 stations in 4 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1057z: Now 11 stations in 7 countries spotted today so far.

UPDATE 1412z: Now 26 stations in 7 countries spotted so far today on 2m. Best DX is DK1FG (815km).

UPDATE 1820z: Now 43 stations in 7 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX.

Sunspots (at last!) - Wednesday March 6th 2019

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 14 (yes some sunspots!). A=5 and K=1.

OFCOM Communications Monthly - February 2019

OFCOM has updated it monthly report on communications.

10m WSPR TX (500mW)

As the antenna is free, I am on 10m WSPR TX (100% TX, 500mW, randomised frequencies). Although I have been active all morning, not a single spot received, although I am not too surprised.

At sunspot minimum, there is little activity on 10m sadly, and I suspect not too many are on 10m WSPR. Although WSPR is better with weak signals, I suspect many are now using FT8 instead with its 15 second TX periods rather than 2 minutes for WSPR.

UPDATE 1830z: No 10m WSPR spots all day.

Pancakes - NOT amateur radio

As today is Shrove Tuesday, we had pancakes, as is the tradition. My wife had sweet ones and I had savoury ones.

2m FT8 - amazing!

Despite running just 2.5W to an omni antenna, yet again my CQ is copied in Cornwall! Best DX on TX (2.5W) is G7RAU (461km). I suspect this is normal tropo as it never seems to fail. On RX, 9 stations in 3 countries spotted with best DX GI6ATZ (479km).

UPDATE 1400z:  Now 25 stations in 8 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX with best DX GM4JTJ (520km).

UPDATE 1826z: Now 44 stations spotted with best DX F6APE (551km).

UPDATE  1935z: Now 67 stations in 9 countries spotted here on 2m FT8 RX with just an omni antenna in the last day!!

UPDATE 2200z: Overall, 74 stations in 9 countries spotted on 2m FT8 in the last day.

Electric cars - NOT amateur radio

Like flat screen TVs and digital cameras, I think there will be a sudden "tipping point" when we wonder with amazement at internal combustion powered cars running on petrol or diesel.

Assuming we can achieve genuine ranges of 300 miles or more between charges, then this will remove the charging anxiety that currently goes with electric cars, unless all your driving is on local trips to the shops.

We are not there yet. I do not know how far off this point is. It could be 5 years or 25 years. I guess it depends on battery research and price. I hope it comes in my lifetime.

I know some national radio societies are concerned that induction power transfer could be a source of radio noise pollution. I suspect home charging will help reduce this.

HIV treatment coming? - NOT amateur radio

A UK patient with HIV who also has cancer is reportedly showing no detectable traces of HIV after undergoing stem cell treatment. I believe this the second reported stem cell success in the battle against HIV/aids. A proper treatment may still be some years away, but there is hope. Already drug treatments have changed HIV/aids to a condition that some people live with rather than die from.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-47421855 .