Something for the weekend

Every weekend MLS, a UK dealer, does a promotion of some kind. This weekend, they are focusing on Yaesu.  As far as I can tell, there are no special discounts. Check their website for more details.

Perseids Meteor Shower

Southgate News reports on the Perseids Meteor Shower that reaches its peak soon.

DXing with crystal sets

Shortwave broadcasting has changed a lot in recent years as more switch to the internet to get their message across. The internet is lower cost and generally much higher quality.

Having said that you may be amazed just what can be heard on a humble crystal set on HF. A few years ago I had quite a bit of success.

There are bigger schematics and photos on the webpage below. Remember all the power comes from the TX end.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/crystalset

UK power outages - NOT amateur radio

All the public pronouncements have been that the recent UK power outages are from unexpected generator failures.

I hope this is the truth and that this isn't as a result of some malign foreign power or terrorists acting with ill intent on the software.  It seems odd (to me) that we have a major computer failure at a major airline a few days ago and now this. It will be interesting to see if a government COBRA meeting is held.

Perhaps I am being paranoid.

Sunspots - Saturday August 10th 2019

Solar flux is 69 today and the SSN 0. A=7 and K=2.

Rally Sunday

Sunday 11 AUGUST : FLIGHT REFUELLING ARS HAMFEST

Cobham Sports and Social Club Ground, Merley, nr Wimborne, Dorset BH21 3DA. A talk-in station will be on S22. There is car parking on site and doors are open from 10am to 4.30pm. Admission is £4, which includes parking. There will be trade stands with indoor and field pitches and a car boot area. Lectures will take place during the day. No dogs are allowed, except Guide dog, which is a condition set by the landowner. More from Tony Baker, G3PFM on ‪07743 475018‬, tbaker@tiscali.co.uk www.frars.co.uk .

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

Sunspots - Friday August 9th 2019

Solar flux is 65 and the SSN 0. A=3 and K=2.

Most photographed clock in England? - NOT amateur radio

As Big Ben is shrouded in scaffolding, this clock in Chester is supposed to be the most photographed clock in the country.

Liverpool dockside - NOT amateur radio

In recent years Liverpool dockside has been made into a very attractive area. When I was there as a student in the late 1960s it was very run down. The photo shows the skyline today.

Sunspots - Thursday August 8th 2019

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN 11. A=12 and K =1.