Freed slaves - NOT amateur radio

Until I saw this photo I did not know the back story. As a child, I was brought up in Salcombe, Devon. Most people were white, but there was one black-skinned person, who was well respected in the town as a monumental mason. I remember him well.

What I did not know was that his family had settled in the area in the 1800s as freed slaves.  I wonder how many people today, perhaps unknowingly, owe their wealth to slavery centuries earlier?

Until recently I did not know that when slavery was abolished in the UK, slave owners received compensation for their losses! This debt has only recently been paid off. There must be some very rich people today who owe their wealth to this.

Personally I find slavery abhorrent.

6m FT8

At 0744z, the 6m FT8 gear was turned on. Again using 10W and the V2000 vertical omni antenna. Just a single spot from of me from G4IFX (146km) so far.

UPDATE  0850z:  Just a little early Es today with a spot of me from Lithuania. In all 5 spots. On 6m FT8 RX just 2 spots so far.

10m WSPR

At 0744z, I turned on my 500mW 10m WSPR TX beacon. As usual, it is using the tiny loop in the shack.

UPDATE 1238z:  3 stations have spotted me today.

UPDATE 1930z: QRT now and no other stations spotting me today on 10m WSPR.

Sunspots - Wednesday August 5th 2020

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 12.  A=8 and K=2. Looks like the more active side of the sun is rotating out of view.

2m activity contest tonight

The next leg of the 2m UKAC acitivy contest starts tonight at 1900z for 2.5 hours. I usually use 10W and the big-wheel omni antenna and stay on for about an hour as my voice is poor.

Unlike many contests, this is good humoured. Although I usually submit a log and enter the contest, there is no compulsion to do so. Many just come on as there is plenty of 2m SSB activity.

UPDATE 2050z:  In all, 9 stations worked tonight. I stayed on one hour.

OFCOM news

OFCOM has updated its Communications Monthly with the latest information. See the OFCOM website.

New normal - NOT amateur radio

We just walked at Anglesey Abbey owned by the National Trust. There were plenty of people having picnics. The photo shows the mobile café serving coffee and snacks as the main café is closed.

10m FT8 with the tiny indoor loop antenna

The main Es season is ending. I am on 10m FT8 with 4W and the indoor loop antenna. So far, several European stations have spotted me as well as one meant to be in the Far East. As most of his spots are European, I am suspicious of this one. If true, great.

UPDATE 1355z:  So far today, 1 QSO and 24 spots of my 4W to the indoor loop.

UPDATE 1710z:  Best DX on RX is VP8LP (12773km). On TX 29 stations have spotted my 4W with the indoor. 1 QSO.

UPDATE 2114z:  67 stations spotted on RX (including two in South America and one in the Falklands) and 30 stations spotted me on TX. Now QRT.

6m FT8

Since 0715z I have been on 6m FT8 with 10W and the V2000 vertical omni. So far, no spots. I have decided to go on 10m FT8 with 4W and the indoor loop instead.

10m WSPR TX (500mW to the indoor loop)

It is now 0815z. For about 50 minutes, I have been on 10m WSPR. So far no spots.