Friends - NOT amateur radio

On the bridge over 

the River Lark

For the last couple of nights we had an old school friend of my wife and her husband staying. They were on their way to a holiday in Norfolk.

They are very good company and we really enjoyed them staying.

Yesterday, we took them to Bury St Edmunds, which is a delightful East Anglian place with an old (and new!) abbey.

6m FT8

With 85 stations spotted on 6m FT8 so far this morning this is a bit more promising than yesterday. Best DX spotted so far on 6m FT8 RX is EA8JK (3022km) in the Canaries. Nothing yet from Asia on 6m.

UPDATE 1032z: Now 141 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX this morning. Still nothing from Asia.

UPDATE 1245z: Now 230 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1317z:  Still 230 stations spotted, suggesting the Es opening has ended, for now.

UPDATE 1646z: Now 294 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2030z: 310 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX in the last half day. Nothing here spotted from "across the pond" on 6m FT8 RX.

Sunspots - Saturday June 22nd 2019

Solar flux is just 66 and the sunspot number zero. A=6 and K=2.

Sunspot minimum definitely. Well, it can hardly be worse! Pretty sure this month will be spotless.

Quieter day on 6m FT8?

OK it is only 0945z, but so far 6m is far quieter than yesterday. There is some European Es, but only 8 stations spotted so far today.

UPDATE 1600z:  Now 82 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX.

Some amazing transatlantic 2m DX

This has been a remarkable week on 2m with some amazing contacts across the Atlantic. See this blog:

https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/2019/06/historic-trans-atlantic-contact-made-on.html

The question now is when transatlantic 2m QSOs will take place further north. Certainly modes like FT8 are improving chances.

Sunspots - Friday June 21st 2019

Solar flux is 66 and the SSN 0. A=7 and K=1.

Still firmly at sunspot minimum. Basically crap!

"All in one" instrument

This afternoon I got the XBS Telecom newsletter and noticed this Rigol instrument. If I was still fit and doing a fair bit of design work, I could be seriously tempted. This is a very useful piece of kit.

See https://www.xbstelecom.eu/shop/en/rigol/1068-rigol-mso-5072-oscilloscope-2x70mhz-8gss-16-voies.html?utm_source=sendinblue&utm_campaign=en_Newsletter_ham-radio_-_May_2019&utm_medium=email

See also https://www.telonic.co.uk/Rigol-s/1831.htm?_vsrefdom=p.17432&gclid=CjwKCAjw3azoBRAXEiwA-_64OnE25XJW9zSOI9bvFhv8fgxSfqrWBHNUtoI2DBF0kOuOEtyKEshGCRoCUCkQAvD_BwE

The future of UK politics - NOT amateur radio

OK, I have a crystal ball and this is my look at the next 6 months:

• Boris Johnson will be elected Conservative leader in the UK.
• He will also become UK Prime Minister
• He will try to get a better deal for BREXIT
• The EU will not play ball.
• There will be a no confidence vote in the UK parliament. 
• This will be lost by the Conservative government.
• There will be a General Election in the UK.
• A coalition government of Labour (now pro EU remaining) and Lib-Dems would become the governing party.
• A second national referendum on leaving the EU will be held.
• We vote to remain in the EU.
• The EU will reform or eventually fall apart. The ascendency of right wing parties forces reforms.

In June 2020 it will be interesting to see how right (or wrong!) I am.

Rallies

Saturday 22 JUNE : BANGOR & DISTRICT ARS RALLY

The Hub, Hamilton Road, Bangor. There's a nearby Council pay car park. Doors open 11am. Entrance fee is £3 inclusive of a raffle ticket. There will be traders, a Bring & Buy and a Book stall. More from 02890422762 or by e-mail to samanumi11@gmail.com.


Sunday 23 JUNE : NEWBURY RADIO RALLY AND BOOT SALE

Newbury Showground, next to M4 J13. A talk-in station will be on S22 (V44). There is free car parking. Traders can gain access at 8am and visitors at 9am. Admissions will be £2.50. Car boot sale pitches are £12.50. The show will have a huge radio, electronics & computing boot sale, plus demonstration marquee with display of amateur radio on air, plus clubs and national society stands. Catering is available on site. Contact Phill, G6EES on 07771 504738 or by email to NewburyRally@nadars.org.uk www.nadars.org.uk.


A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

Funerals - NOT amateur radio

Going into the butchers today in a suit and tie felt quite odd!  The only time I seem to wear a suit and tie is going to a funeral.

Today was the funeral of our old neighbour for 37 years. She and her husband, who died some years ago, were good "salt of the earth" sort of people. We liked them a lot. She was very talented and we still have one of her sculptures and her Christmas decorations come out every year.

For about 6 years she has been in a home suffering with Alzheimers disease. This is a cruel condition that can affect any of us. Gradually minds go and in the end people cannot remember even their loved ones. Over time I hope her daughter can remember her as she was most of her life.

We shall remember them as they were - good, simple, people with hearts of gold.