Active RX loop kit

Southgate News has a piece about a new active RX loop kit that retails in the UK for £44.66 inclusive of shipping.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/october/loop-antenna-amplifier-released.htm

2m FT8

Overnight I remained on 2m FT8 RX. As on previous occasions, most stations were spotted around breakfast time or later. Little was copied overnight. In fact there is little point remaining on 2m overnight.

By 0925z 16 stations in 7 countries were spotted.

UPDATE 1555z: Now 34 stations in 10 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX today. Best DX on 2m FT8 RX is EA2BFM (1030km) in northern Spain. This station was strong, suggesting aircraft reflection perhaps?

Self Importance - NOT amateur radio

Several times recently I have travelled by train and observed people in work talking with their colleagues. Usually there is a more senior person with someone more junior. Often the older person has to impress the younger member of staff or look "cool". The younger person looks in awe of the senior person and has to set a good impression as future advancement may depend on what his impressions of you are.

Having been retired now for 11 years it is amazing how silly all this looks. Work matters seem so important at the time, when really they are not.

I guess this is how we all behave or have behaved in the past. I am not saying it is wrong, but when you can stand back, it does look posed.

Sunspots - Thursday October 24th 2019

Solar flux is 66 and the SSN 0. A=2 and K =2.

Spelling Mistakes - NOT amateur radio

From time to time I make spelling mistakes. Today as an example I had Octeober  instead of October. Most times these are simple typing errors, but occasionally I just miss these because of my 2013 stroke. Where possible these are corrected as soon as I spot them. Don't be afraid to tell me if you spot any I miss!

2m FT8

So far today, 15 stations in 6 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX, including, Ireland and Germany. This is using the FT817ND and the big-wheel omni antenna. I have not tried calling CQ yet.

AMSAT-UK Colloquium

Southgate News has a report of a recent AMSAT-UK colloquium and links are being made available on YouTube to some presentations including one on Oscar 100.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/october/report-on-eshail-2-qo-100-ham-radio-geostationary-satellite.htm

Move to groups.io

Several of my groups had a home on Yahoo, but they are winding down their groups service, so I have migrated these to groups.io.  Many people have now moved.

Starting groups "from scratch" is free in .io, whereas transferring old Yahoo groups costs $110 in the first year. I started new groups and asked people to transfer files and photos they believe are needed, but to keep the size to a minimum. The historical messages will be lost though.

See https://groups.io/

Sunspots - Wednesday October 23rd 2019

Solar flux is 66 and the sunspot number 0.  A=3 and K=0.

Cactus Day - NOT amateur radio

Our younger grandson is quite creative. Here he is with his little sister baking the cake to celebrate Cactus Day (see photo).

In case you are wondering what Cactus Day is, it was invented by his little sister on October 22nd last year, inspired by a cactus on a cardboard box.

It is now an annual event!