Return to 10m FT8

At about 0845z today I returned to 10m FT8. Initially, I am calling CQ (2.5W) although shortly I shall be RX only.

UPDATE 0923z: No spots of my CQ, but I have spotted 3 stations in eastern Europe, presumably by Es.

UPDATE 1206z: Now 7 stations in 5 countries spotted so far today on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1635z: Now 13 stations in 7 EU countries spotted on 10m FT8 RX today.

UPDATE 1822z: 15 stations in 8 EU countries spotted today on 10m FT8 RX. I shall probably stay on 10m FT8 for another hour, then QSY to 472kHz (630m) WSPR overnight.

The map shows the stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX to 1825z..

472kHz WSPR overnight

Although the real DX "season" on 472kHz is over, I remained on the band overnight using 10mW ERP from my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.  The activity on the band as seen here (on WSPR) is shown in the table.

Parkinson's hope? - NOT amateur radio

Parkinson's disease can be debilitating. New research has given some hope to sufferers.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-47803496

Tender moment - NOT amateur radio

This is a real Easter picture!

It shows one of my grandsons holding a lamb. I think you will agree that it is a very tender moment. You can almost sense the love and gentleness in his eyes.

Sunspots - Tuesday April 23rd 2019

Solar flux is 68 and the sunspot number 0.  A=4 and K=1.

472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP)

Although it is late in the season, I decided to try 472kHz WSPR with 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. As usual, I am on TX 20% and RX 80% of the time. So far, a couple of G spots received of my 10mW ERP. No spots of others yet.

UPDATE 2022z:  6 spots of my QRPP so far this evening with my best spot being by PA0O (440km). Only a couple of stations spotted here so far.

TV webSDR for Oscar 100?

Although I regularly check the narrowband SDR at Goonhilly in Cornwall, I am not aware of the equivalent for amateur TV signals. I know there are various standards and this may make such a RX difficult. I am aware of the SDR showing activity levels in the wideband transponder, but not actual TV signals. If you are aware of one, please let me know.

By the way, activity on the narrowband transponder still seems low.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/

That move to the right - NOT amateur radio

So the Ukraine has, allegedly, voted a clown as president. All over the western world it seems people are getting disillusioned with their elected representatives. There seems to be a march to the right in many countries. I am not quite sure why this is, but it points to disappointment and a sense of disconnectedness.

Like many things, this is probably cyclical, but it points to a deeper anxiety: we lack credible leaders.

Certainly here in the UK the gap between the richest and poorest in society seems to be growing and the poorer are being left behind. This cannot go on. At some point things will change, either peacefully or violently. Likewise we cannot continue to live on the principle of endless growth, when resources are finite.

Climate change - NOT amateur radio

Whatever your views on recent protests by Extinction Rebellion around the world, there is little doubt, unless you are Canute or Trump, that the world is getting warmer. Most experts agree and you only have to look with your own eyes.

People may argue whether this is mankind's influence or a natural variation. The evidence points to the former. In time, we will all move away from fossil fuels (like we did with flat screen TVs and digital cameras), but it is arguably not soon enough. In the meantime, we may be doing irreparable damage.

See https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/articles/zm63xyc

Israel Amateur Radio Club

Ok, I could use Google Translate to convert these pages into English, but I did not bother. Apparently there will be a special station to celebrate the Eurovision Song Contest from Israel. It would not surprise me if the UK was bottom this year! I am not quite sure why we still take part. Like Trump, the UK is a laughing stock and the butt of jokes at this event. Mind you, can you blame people?

See https://www.iarc.org/iarc/