Election crappery - NOT amateur radio

In the UK we have a General Election on December 12th.

It would appear that all major parties are telling lies or are involved in dirty tricks. Facebook has banned a Conservative advert and today we got a LibDem leaflet than looked like a free local paper. Last week we had a Conservative video that had been doctored to show an opposition MP looking stupid.

We lack politicians with backbone and integrity. Most seem to want the best for them rather than the common good.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2019-50624086

Sunspots - Monday December 2nd 2019

Solar flux is 71 and the sunspot number 0. A=4 and K=1.

VLF upconverter

Some years ago I needed a VLF upconverter so I could listen for SAQ on 17.2kHz CW. The converter(s) here might be of use to help you copy some of the commercial VLF stations. It will not help copy most amateur VLF stations where frequency accuracy and long integration times are needed.

If my memory serves me right, this design of mine appeared in GQRP SPRAT, although I cannot remember which one it was.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vlf/vlfconv

Cookies - NOT amateur radio

Certainly in the UK and possibly elsewhere, we now have to accept (or otherwise) cookies on websites. No doubt someone somewhere thought this was "a good idea".

In reality we get annoyed and click "accept" without bothering to read. So, the whole thing becomes pointless, even dangerous. We get cross.

eHam.net

This website often has some good reviews and much else as well. If you are looking to buy something, it is worth checking this site first. If people have a very bad experience they tend to say so, but many reviews are balanced and fair.

See https://www.eham.net/

DX on 10m FT8 RX

Shortly before breakfast I turned on 10m FT8 for the day. My early 2.5W CQ on FT8 was spotted by no-one, but it seems the band has suddenly burst into life with plenty of Europeans plus 3B8CW (9752km) on Mauritius in the southern Indian Ocean. It is only 0938z.

UPDATE 1440z: Now 291 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1738z: 302 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX in the last day. I think that is it, although I shall leave the RX on for a bit longer. It is already dark here.

10m FT8 RX here today

UPDATE 1955z:  Well, that was not it! At 1808z LU5HA (11096km) was coming through. But not only that, PU2TWU and AK4QR also spotted but for some reason did not get uploaded to PSKreporter. Quite the best 10m FT8 day in some time.

Sunspots - Sunday December 1st 2019

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=1.

Sunshine - NOT amateur radio

As the sun was shining brightly we went for a walk at Anglesey Abbey. It was cold at 6 degrees C but we were surprised to see a choir singing. I have to admit, I thought this was a recording at first!

Architypal Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

This picture was taken in central Cambridge yesterday. The red phoneboxes are archetypal UK and the bikes archetypal Cambridge.

Falkland Is amateur bands

Some recent changes to the amateur frequencies in the Falkland Islands have been announced including 60m.

Also included is 4m. This may have been there before, although I was not aware. I guess VP8 to ZS might be possible but EU to the Falklands on 4m is very unlikely although just possible with TEP. Someone will give it a go. A 4m beacon in the Falklands beaming north would be interesting. I guess the path VP8 to EU on 4m might just be possible at times with a combination of TEP and Es.

See https://www.regulatorfi.org.fk/spectrum/amateur-radio/70-terms-and-conditions-amateur-radio-licence-v2-0-121119-pdf/file