Some people suffer horrendous interference that make operating HF and 6m virtually impossible. At the moment I am not one of these, but will I soon be affected too?
Southgate News has links to a recent RSGB survey published by OFCOM.
See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2019/november/spectrum-assurance-analysis-of-bt-openreach-vdsl.htm#.XeGKQOiTLnE
29 Nov 2019
Black Friday - NOT amateur radio
In the UK this American import arrived a few years ago. As far as I can see, it serves no real purpose other than trying to get us to part with our cash for even longer over the Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year period. It is about profits and greed. As far as I am concerned the good people of the USA can take it back. I for one have no interest at all. If I see an email with the words "Black Friday" it gets deleted right away.
Yes, our shops are struggling in the age of online sales, but from what I read Black Friday bargains are often not the bargains they appear.
Pure commercialism.
Yes, our shops are struggling in the age of online sales, but from what I read Black Friday bargains are often not the bargains they appear.
Pure commercialism.
2m FT8
Today, I have remained on 2m FT8. An earlier CQ (2.5W to the big-wheel omni antenna) was spotted by no-one. So far this morning, 9 stations have been spotted in 5 countries with best DX spotted on 2m FT8 RX being DF6PW (562km).
UPDATE 2230z: I am about to go QRT as the overnight period is rarely productive. Today, 52 stations in 8 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 2230z: I am about to go QRT as the overnight period is rarely productive. Today, 52 stations in 8 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX.
UK General Election 2019 - NOT amateur radio
In the UK, there is a General Election on December 12th. I quite like some Labour Party policies but they have swung too far left for me. I want BREXIT done, but I prefer a softer BREXIT than the Conservatives want. I think the Conservatives have moved to the right, which I do not like.
In the 2016 EU referendum I voted (narrowly) to remain in the EU. The Lib Dems are openly "remain", but I don't want yet more delay and indecision caused by a hung parliament. My brother-in-law who voted leave may spoil his ballot paper. I should vote Labour, but in this constituency they have little chance.
I really do not know how to vote.
In the 2016 EU referendum I voted (narrowly) to remain in the EU. The Lib Dems are openly "remain", but I don't want yet more delay and indecision caused by a hung parliament. My brother-in-law who voted leave may spoil his ballot paper. I should vote Labour, but in this constituency they have little chance.
I really do not know how to vote.
28 Nov 2019
2m FT8 this evening
About 20 minutes ago, I QSYed to 2m FT8. A couple of stations have spotted my 2.5W to the bigwheel with best DX spot being by G1BHM (365km) in IO70. On 2m FT8 RX just 2 spots so far (F and PA).
Clover-leaf 2m antenna
Some people call them "clover leaf" antennas as that is what they look like. These are horizontally polarised omni-directional antennas for 2m (in my case). Although I am not sure of the radiation pattern, it is quite a good match on 70cm too.
Mine has been up for several years now and I am very pleased with it. Only today my 2.5W FT8 TX signal was copied (again) in Eire and Germany. It has a few dB of gain in all directions. For my sort of operating it is ideal and it gets used for UKAC sessions on 2m and 70cm SSB as well as for FT8. Some may want the extra gain and directionality afforded by a beam, but beams need rotators.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/bigwheel
Burwell node improvement
This has just come in from Mark G7LEU. This is about MB7IBW an all-star node in Burwell, Cambs..
"I’ve just changed it over to a JPole, with the base about 2.5m AGL. That should be a little better than when it was using a (bungalow altitude) loft aerial.
Currently running with a UV-5R on low power, as high power was too much for it when linked to busy nodes. I have a real radio to put on there now, and how to build an interface for that over the weekend."
"I’ve just changed it over to a JPole, with the base about 2.5m AGL. That should be a little better than when it was using a (bungalow altitude) loft aerial.
Currently running with a UV-5R on low power, as high power was too much for it when linked to busy nodes. I have a real radio to put on there now, and how to build an interface for that over the weekend."
10m FT8
I must be a sucker for punishment!
About 40 minutes ago I switched to 10m FT8, calling CQ initially (2.5W). So far, no 10m spots.
UPDATES 1525z: Still no spots. At the moment, 10m FT8 again looks bad.
UPDATE 1628z: Well, 10m FT8 seems a bit like the weather here: dull and wet. There were no 10m FT8 spots here all day! I shall soon go QRT.
About 40 minutes ago I switched to 10m FT8, calling CQ initially (2.5W). So far, no 10m spots.
UPDATES 1525z: Still no spots. At the moment, 10m FT8 again looks bad.
UPDATE 1628z: Well, 10m FT8 seems a bit like the weather here: dull and wet. There were no 10m FT8 spots here all day! I shall soon go QRT.
Endings and change - NOT amateur radio
OK, I admit it: I am not good with endings.
Endings and change are a facts of life: things go along with a pattern that seems never ending and then something happens and it ends. Suddenly all that was familiar is no longer the same. Things change and the life that we seemed to have forever is forever changed. The pattern is changed.
Over time, we adapt and move on. For some change is accepted. For others, change comes as a shock. One thing life teaches us all is that there are always changes and endings. Much as we may not like these, they happen. I guess we all have to accept that nothing is forever and we must make the most of the here and now.
Endings and change are a facts of life: things go along with a pattern that seems never ending and then something happens and it ends. Suddenly all that was familiar is no longer the same. Things change and the life that we seemed to have forever is forever changed. The pattern is changed.
Over time, we adapt and move on. For some change is accepted. For others, change comes as a shock. One thing life teaches us all is that there are always changes and endings. Much as we may not like these, they happen. I guess we all have to accept that nothing is forever and we must make the most of the here and now.
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