It is funny how we just adapt. In the summer we have light evenings until at least 10pm. At the moment it is dark before 4pm! We really see the difference by the end of January. I like the seasons.
17 Dec 2019
Strictly Come Dancing - NOT amateur radio
This BBC TV show has become an institution on dark autumn and winter evenings. It has now ended.
According to the internet we are now at the point when evenings get no darker, although it gets darker in the mornings for a few more weeks yet.
It is funny how we just adapt. In the summer we have light evenings until at least 10pm. At the moment it is dark before 4pm! We really see the difference by the end of January. I like the seasons.
It is funny how we just adapt. In the summer we have light evenings until at least 10pm. At the moment it is dark before 4pm! We really see the difference by the end of January. I like the seasons.
160m FT8 overnight
It is something when I can say, "only about 40 odd USA stations spotted on 160m FT8 overnight". Overnight just a couple of Caribbeans and nothing from continental Africa or South America spotted. In all, just 480 stations in 4 continents spotted overnight on 160m FT8 with the best DX being N6VR (8358km) in Arizona, USA. As usual, using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.
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| Stations spotted overnight on 160m FT8 RX using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground |
Electric and hybrid cars - NOT amateur radio
Quite a few of my friends have electric or hybrid cars. At the moment these seem too expensive for me and the range is still sub-optimal. Common electrics cars are the Nissan Leaf. On a typical trip I usually see a couple nowadays. In 10 years' time I expect the majority of cars will be electric. Honda is launching an electric car in early 2020.
See www.honda.co.uk/
See www.honda.co.uk/
16 Dec 2019
160m FT8
A brief 160m FT8 CQ (2.5W to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground) was spotted by 4 stations in 4 countries with the best DX spot being by DK7LO (650km). On 160m FT8 RX 52 stations so far spotted with best DX UA9MA (4598km) in Omsk. This is within 20 minutes of going on 160m!
UPDATE 2024z: A recent 160m FT8 CQ (2.5W) was widely spotted in Western Europe. On 160m FT8 RX 111 spots so far. 20 stations within 2kHz!!
UPDATE 2104z: WU1ITU (4831km) was spotted at 2027z!
UPDATE 2138z: Now 217 stations spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX with best DX UA0ZC (8130km). Something tells me this might be a pirate - not sure why.
UPDATE 2024z: A recent 160m FT8 CQ (2.5W) was widely spotted in Western Europe. On 160m FT8 RX 111 spots so far. 20 stations within 2kHz!!
UPDATE 2104z: WU1ITU (4831km) was spotted at 2027z!
UPDATE 2138z: Now 217 stations spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX with best DX UA0ZC (8130km). Something tells me this might be a pirate - not sure why.
2m FT8
2m FT8 is where I tend to be during the day. On 2.5W TX to the big-wheel omni antenna 4 stations in 3 countries with best DX being EI2FG (565km). On 2m FT8 RX 6 stations spotted so far.
UPDATE 1245z: Now 10 stations in 5 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1801z: Now 31 stations in 7 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX in the last day.
UPDATE 1245z: Now 10 stations in 5 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1801z: Now 31 stations in 7 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX in the last day.
472kHz TX QRPP success
Last night my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground reached Norway 39 times on 472kHz WSPR. This is my best session this season. The table shows the spots last night and overnight.
Sub 9kHz amateur radio
These days a dedicated bunch of amateurs continue to "push the envelope" by experimenting below 9kHz. At one time though getting outside the garden would be seen as amazing with the small antennas and low powers possible by amateurs. In actual fact amateurs have crossed the Atlantic! Although I don't claim to be always up to date, I try to be on my sub-9kHz website. If you are interested, take a look.
One myth is you need big antennas. On TX this helps with radiated signals, but on VLF RX they can be very small. An E-field probe just a few centimetres long can be very effective.
One myth is you need big antennas. On TX this helps with radiated signals, but on VLF RX they can be very small. An E-field probe just a few centimetres long can be very effective.
XBS Telecom
Every month I get an email from this EU company. Prices include VAT and warranty and are always lower than the prices from UK dealers. Although I have never bought from them, they look good value.
See https://www.xbstelecom.eu/shop/en/12-ham-radio
See https://www.xbstelecom.eu/shop/en/12-ham-radio
Climate change - NOT amateur radio
There is little argument that our climate is changing, although people still argue about whether this a natural cycle or worsened by the actions of man. Personally, I am more than convinced that what we do has a lot to do with rising temperatures and rising sea levels.
Although recyclable sources of energy are now far less expensive, most of us still drive around in cars powered by fossil fuels. At some point when electric cars have better ranges and are less expensive we will all change and drive these; much like flat screen TVs and digital photography, we will change and quite quickly. Cathode ray tubes and photographic film seem so outdated now.
Likewise, we will eat less meat and think nothing of it. Speaking as someone who eats and enjoys bacon, sausages and beef it would not really bother me if I had to eat less, or no, meat. By the subtle power of advertising we will all think eating healthy food will be wonderful.
At some point we will change our habits. Only a few years ago, nothing was recycled. Now we all do it. We have lots of plastic packaging - this will change.
If we do nothing the Earth may be in grave danger, although I think we will change, even in those nations that do our polluting for us like China, India and the USA. Let us all hope we change sooner rather than later. I am as guilty as anyone.
Although recyclable sources of energy are now far less expensive, most of us still drive around in cars powered by fossil fuels. At some point when electric cars have better ranges and are less expensive we will all change and drive these; much like flat screen TVs and digital photography, we will change and quite quickly. Cathode ray tubes and photographic film seem so outdated now.
Likewise, we will eat less meat and think nothing of it. Speaking as someone who eats and enjoys bacon, sausages and beef it would not really bother me if I had to eat less, or no, meat. By the subtle power of advertising we will all think eating healthy food will be wonderful.
At some point we will change our habits. Only a few years ago, nothing was recycled. Now we all do it. We have lots of plastic packaging - this will change.
If we do nothing the Earth may be in grave danger, although I think we will change, even in those nations that do our polluting for us like China, India and the USA. Let us all hope we change sooner rather than later. I am as guilty as anyone.
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