Many times I have expressed concern that our hobby could just die out as existing amateurs get older and younger generations fail to be interested. I see on Southgate News that the Japanese Amateur Radio League President has used this in his New Year's address.
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2020/january/jarl-focus-is-on-younger-generations-and-women.htm
11 Jan 2020
Betelgeuse - NOT amateur radio
Southgate News reports that the famous star Betalgeuse is less intense than it was. At some point in the next million years it could turn into a supernova, although I don't expect to see it!
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2020/january/the-fainting-of-betelgeuse.htm
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2020/january/the-fainting-of-betelgeuse.htm
Labels:
southgate news
160m FT8 RX overnight
Fewer "real DX" stations copied, but still 628 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX in the last day. In all, just 10 North Americans and 3 Caribbeans spotted. Still using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground which XYL and neighbours do not even realise is there!
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| Stations spotted in last day on 160m FT8 RX |
6m FT8
At the moment I am on 6m FT8 with the V2000 omni vertical. My earlier 10W CQ call was spotted by no-one and just G4GIR (53km) spotted so far on RX.
UPDATE 1527z: Now 14 stations so far spotted on 6m FT8 RX. Although recent CQs (10W) on 6m FT8 went unanswered, I was copied in northern Italy by IV3VFR (1201km). Perhaps a little winter Es?
UPDATE 1740z: A recent 6m FT8 CQ (10W) resulted in a full QSO with OM5XX and being called by an OE, although he faded before a QSO could be completed.
UPDATE 1527z: Now 14 stations so far spotted on 6m FT8 RX. Although recent CQs (10W) on 6m FT8 went unanswered, I was copied in northern Italy by IV3VFR (1201km). Perhaps a little winter Es?
UPDATE 1740z: A recent 6m FT8 CQ (10W) resulted in a full QSO with OM5XX and being called by an OE, although he faded before a QSO could be completed.
10 Jan 2020
On 160m FT8 this evening and overnight
This evening and overnight I am on 160m FT8. A recent FT8 CW (10W) was spotted by 41 stations.
On 160m FT8 RX WU1ITU (4831km) was the first stateside station spotted this evening. So far this evening, 317 stations spotted on 160m FT8.
On 160m FT8 RX WU1ITU (4831km) was the first stateside station spotted this evening. So far this evening, 317 stations spotted on 160m FT8.
Spring coming - NOT amateur radio
Although we are still in the depths of winter, spring is in the air. Everywhere you look you can sense new life springing up. Today we saw the first daffodils fully out (see photo).
Aconites - NOT amateur radio
As the sun was shining we went for a walk around Anglesey Abbey. These aconites were the first seen this season.
FT991A review on Youtube
This video is on YouTube. Since the summer I have owned and used the Yaesu FT991A transceiver, although I have only used it QRP. For my sort of operating it is fine , although I get virtually the same results on my FT817ND at 2.5W.
Labels:
ft991a
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