Useful data on social distancing - NOT amateur radio

Many of us are finding life harder at the moment with the current Covid-19 pandemic. This chart shows how social distancing can help slow the spread so that health services can better cope.

We are all asked to do our best to help. Don't just think of yourself: isolating yourself more really, really helps us all.

17m FT8 (10W and the tiny indoor loop)

As I think I have been spotted by most of the stations who would get me on 2m FT8, I may now try 17m FT8 until later this afternoon.

UPDATE 1104z:  Now on 17m FT8 (10W) with the tiny indoor loop. Just one station in southern Spain spotted so far and no-one has yet spotted my signal.

UPDATE 1122z:  Now 3 stations in Europe have spotted me. 4 stations spotted on 17m FT8 RX so far today (3 Europe and 1 Africa).

UPDATE 1235z: 18 stations have now spotted me with PY5EG (9891km) being the best so far. On RX, 16 stations spotted so far today on 17m FT8.

UPDATE 1408z: 35 spots by me of others and 35 spots of my 10W from North and South America, the Caribbean, Africa and Europe! Not bad for 10W and the tiny indoor loop.

Stations spotting me to
1546z today on 17m FT8

UPDATE 1546z: 46 stations have spotted me so far on 17m FT8.

UPDATE 1638z: Now 48 stations on 4 continents have spotted my 10W 17m FT8 to the tiny indoor loop. The loop should be even better on 10m.

UPDATE 1910z:  Now QSYed to 2m after being spotted by 51 stations on 2m FT8.

2m FT8

For a change, I have already gone on 2m FT8. Already 19 stations in 5 countries have spotted me including EI2OC (583km). As usual, still using 10W and the big-wheel omni. This must be some sort of (non-aircraft) scatter as it never fails.

Kestrel - NOT amateur radio

On a recent walk we saw a kestrel. These are quite common. When hunting prey they seem to hover in the sky. This is why the alternative name is wind hover.

Sunspots - Monday March 23rd 2020

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0.  A=7 and K=3.

2m FT8 (10W to the big-wheel omni)

Stations spotting my 10W FT8 TX to the 

big-wheel omni in the first few minutes

Although I have only been on 2m for about 5 minutes, I have been spotted by 20 stations in 4 countries already! Just like that! Amazing.

This is possible at any time it would appear. I am convinced this must be some sort of scatter, but not aircraft scatter.

UPDATE 2146z: Now 36 stations in 6 countries spotting my 10W with best DX being a spot by GI6ATZ (479km). This station seems to spot me every time! Only 5 stations spotted so far on 2m FT8 RX. I shall be active for a bit longer before going QRT.

UPDATE 2225z: Now spotted by 40 stations in 7 countries! QRT soon.

Stormy day - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows "our" windmill next door with a stormy sky. Thankfully, the last few days have been sunny. The marks at the bottom are filled cracks ahead of a repaint. The mill is 200 years old this year!

DXCC using FT8

DR4K was carrying out an experiment to see how long DXCC would take with modest power and a simple antenna using FT8. The answer is not long!

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2020/march/dxcc-experiment-completed.htm

CDARC (Cambridge Club) net on GB3PI - Friday 8pm

As CDARC cannot hold regular club nights at the moment, they are moving online. A net is being organised at 8pm Fridays on the repeater GB3PI. This is with the agreement of the Cambridgehire Repeater Group.

Sounds like a very good use of quiet repeaters.

Country walk - NOT amateur radio

Walk

Whilst we are still allowed, yesterday we did a nice walk seeing very few people. A tree had fallen partly obstructing the path. We had to go around it.