BREXIT - NOT amateur radio

This Friday, the UK will no longer be in the EU. It has been a member for 47 years, after being famously blocked by General de Gaulle in 1963.  We eventually joined in the 1970s.  It will be a difficult year ahead with trade negotiations with the EU and other countries.

I have mixed feelings. There is a lot wrong with the EU and I feel the EU will be much weaker without the UK. On the whole, I favoured staying in the EU and trying to get change from within.

Having left, it is up to the UK to forge its place in the world. I hope we maintain close trading ties with the EU. That was why we joined in the first place. Federal Europe was never, as far as I know, ever in our thinking.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-51287430

Linear time? - NOT amateur radio

We always assume that time is linear going from the past into the future. But what if time is an illusion? One thing is certain: we know so little about so much. It is entirely possible that in our future we will come to a different conclusion about many things. Think how our world view changed with Einstein and later quantum physics.

New houses - NOT amateur radio

It seems that every nook and cranny in our Cambridgeshire village is being used for "fill-in" houses. At the moment, houses are not selling well, but that does not stop developers keen to make a quick profit.

SSTV from ISS?

Southgate News reports that there is expected to be SSTV from the International Space Station on Jan 30/31st.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/january/slow-scan-tv-from-iss-january-30-31.htm#.XjFNtfKTLnE

80m FT8 overnight

What strikes me is how similar results were to 160m FT8 recently. As before, I am still using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Overall, 769 stations spotted since yesterday afternoon.

80m FT8 RX here overnight

UPDATE 1322z: After remaining on 80m FT8 I was surprised to see a recent CQ (10W) was spotted by 6 stations with best DX spot being by LA7DFA (1311km). Earlier, I called a G station and enjoyed a solid 80m FT8 QSO. I am pleasantly surprised how well the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground is performing on 80m FT8.

Cambridgeshire's most inspiring teacher - NOT amateur radio

A few days ago my wife was named in the local media as a candidate for most legendary teacher.

She enjoyed her time as a teacher and judging by all the pupils who stop her when shopping years later, she certainly made a lasting impression.

I am proud of her. There have been some very kind comments made about her.

Ferrite rod transmitting antennas.

This has appeared before, but I think it is worth repeating.

Ferrite rods can be used on TX as long as the ferrite does not saturate. This means low power.  I like to think of the high permeability as a "shrinking of space".  Indeed this is how I visualise ferrites work on RX.

Being a loop, they can be very narrowband, but will work when frequency is fixed such as with WSPR or FT8.

I have no idea what the "gain" is, nor have I any idea of the ferrite material that I used.  It is some years since these experiments were carried out.  The results astounded me.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/ferrite_tx

See also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permeability_(electromagnetism)

Sunspots - Wednesday January 29th 2020

Solar flux is 74 and the SSN 11.  A=5 and K=3.

80m FT8 with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground

Just for a change I am trying 80m FT8.

At this frequency some may argue that as much energy is radiated by the wire running along the garden fence as is radiated by the "loop in the ground". I cannot be sure.

Anyway, it certainly works. I had to use my FT991A auto-ATU to get a low SWR and I am still limiting power to 10W so my PSU is well within its ratings (20A max).

So far this afternoon, my CQs have been spotted across Europe and I have spotted 77 stations on FT8 RX with best DX R4IK (3218km).

UPDATE 1938z: So far this evening plenty of EU stations spotting my 10W. On 80m FT8 RX 298 stations spotted so far.

Stations spotting my 10W FT8 TX so far

UPDATE 2047z: Now 359 stations spotted today on 80m FT8 RX.

80m FT8 RX so far today

How to call kingfishers in Assam - NOT amateur radio

You may enjoy this video. In the UK just seeing a kingfisher is a treat these days!