Chocolate bars getting smaller? - NOT amateur radio

The common view, widely held, is that chocolate bars are getting smaller and that this is a clever marketing ploy: we cannot be sure they are really getting smaller or that they seem to get smaller as we grow up.

The truth is some have indeed got smaller, but some have actually got bigger!  Most seem to have shrunk in recent years.

See https://www.confectionerynews.com/Article/2015/11/13/Chocolate-bar-sizes-Historic-comparison-of-Hershey-s-and-Mars-bars#

See also https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/food/article-5128597/Graphics-reveal-chocolate-shrunk-size.html

Transatlantic on 472kHz WSPR

Jason, M1PRO, built my 472kHz transverter and reports on his blog that he was spotted in the USA last night.

2m FT8 activity contest this evening

Some East Europeans have started 2m and 70cm FT8 activity contests each month. I shall take part in the 2m session tonight.

See https://www.ft8activity.eu/index.php/en/

17m FT8

At about 0905z I went on 17m FT8  with about 8W to the tiny indoor loop antenna. Although no spots on RX, I have already been spotted by 2 stations on TX!!

UPDATE 1025z:  4 spots of me so far with best DX 5B60ALJ (3185km). 2 RX spots so far on 17m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1040z:  6 spots of me so far this morning on 17m FT8 RX with the tiny indoor loop.

UPDATE 1132z: My tiny indoor loop continues to amaze me! So far this morning with 8-10W 17m FT8 this has been spotted by 8 stations right across the compass. On 17m FT8 RX 6 stations spotted so far.

UPDATE 1207z: 11 stations has so far today spotted my signal on 17m FT8 TX. Quite amazing.

UPDATE 1415z: 24 spots of me on 17m FT8 TX (10W) with best DX being a spot by KC5LT (4058 miles). All on the tiny indoor loop!

UPDATE 1534z: 35 spots of my 10W 17m FT8 today so far and 63 stations in 5 continents spotted here with the loop on 17m FT8 RX.

17m FT8 TX today

UPDATE 1810z: 40 spots of my 17m FT8 TX today. I am running 10W. Now QSYed to 2m FT8.

USA presidential elections

The money spent in the campaign strikes me as obscene. The amounts of money spent by these candidates is staggering. Talk of caring about the poor rings hollow with me.

To me it smacks of ego and power. In the USA you choose, but personally I find them all a poor choice whether Democratic or Republican.

It seems a general problem that we lack politicians who have good motives and are electable. I can think of very few people.  Everyone has dark secrets, but, tell me, who can you think would really make a good leader in any country? Sorry, but I bet you are struggling.

Sunspots - Wednesday March 4th 2020

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=6 and K =2.

2m UKAC activity contest

2m SSB contacts this evening

Starting at 2000z is the March leg of the 2m activity contest organised by the RSGB. Because my voice is poor I usually manage an hour. This is about 40% of the time in the contest.  I use an omni big-wheel antenna and 5-10W.

Activity is usually high and, unlike many contests, this one is fun. Although I usually submit a log in the AL (low power) section there is no compulsion to do so and many just come on for fun.

UPDATE 2130z: With my poor voice this evening, it seemed very hard. I all 7 QSOs made with best DX G4RUL/P on the south coast.

Feline friend? - NOT amateur radio

On our walk around the village at the weekend, my wife managed this photo. Shortly afterwards the cat decided to run away. I think it was just checking me out!

Another loop

Jay, W5OLF sent me a photo of the loop antenna he has been using on 10m WSPR. The loop is quite small, but the wire diameter quite large, so it should be pretty efficient. For modes like WSPR, FT8 and PSK loops can be a good choice as they are small and narrowband.

OFCOM updates

As usual at the start of the month, OFCOM has updated its Communications Monthly. See the OFCOM website for details.