24 Aug 2020
23 Aug 2020
10m WSPR (500mW and indoor loop)
So, I am expecting to be spotted by no-one! If anyone is monitoring I shall get a pleasant surprise. As the 10m TX WSPR beacon was available and the indoor loop, I have turned these on "just in case".
UPDATE 1205z: Surprise, surprise! A single spot by DJ9PC (825km) proves that there is some propagation on 10m after all. I am sure I'd have far more spots on FT8, but that ties up the main rig and PC.
UPDATE 1325z: Also being spotted by a Danish station. Sometimes he's getting me very strongly.
UPDATE 2016z: QRT.
UPDATE 1205z: Surprise, surprise! A single spot by DJ9PC (825km) proves that there is some propagation on 10m after all. I am sure I'd have far more spots on FT8, but that ties up the main rig and PC.
UPDATE 1325z: Also being spotted by a Danish station. Sometimes he's getting me very strongly.
UPDATE 2016z: QRT.
2m FT8 (10W and big-wheel omni antenna)
It is now 0816z and I have been active for a few minutes. So far, 17 spots of me in 2 countries with the best being F0EYI (465km) in Brittany. G7RAU (461km) has a great site and antenna and is also spotting me. No RX spots yet.
UPDATE 1030z: 37 stations in 3 countries have spotted my 10W FT8 so far with the best DX spot being by GI6ATZ (479km). It seems odd that none of my spots have been uploaded. I may try a total reset.
UPDATE 1225z: 40 stations have spotted me so far, but just 1 station copied on RX. This suggests there are far more stations monitoring than transmitting.
UPDATE 1630z: 54 stations in 5 countries have spotted my 2m FT8 10W so far today.
UPDATE 2017z: QRT. 56 stations in 6 countries spotted my 10W FT8 today on 2m with the big-wheel omni antenna.
UPDATE 1030z: 37 stations in 3 countries have spotted my 10W FT8 so far with the best DX spot being by GI6ATZ (479km). It seems odd that none of my spots have been uploaded. I may try a total reset.
UPDATE 1225z: 40 stations have spotted me so far, but just 1 station copied on RX. This suggests there are far more stations monitoring than transmitting.
UPDATE 1630z: 54 stations in 5 countries have spotted my 2m FT8 10W so far today.
UPDATE 2017z: QRT. 56 stations in 6 countries spotted my 10W FT8 today on 2m with the big-wheel omni antenna.
Time - NOT amateur radio
This year, I shall be 72 years old.
In some ways I feel old now, but at the same time I feel as if the years since I was a teenager have never happened: in some ways it is almost as if time is just an illusion. Memories of those days are still strong.
Time and memories could be illusions. Every day we wake up it could be that we think we remember past events and places, but we don't. There is always the feeling that time's arrow goes forward into the future, but it could equally well point into the past. Our whole notion of time past, present and future could be flawed.
No, time is puzzling.
Our view of space also puzzles me. I note the similarly between the very big and very small. Is the universe somehow different from how we see it? 100 years on we may say, "did they believe THAT?".
In some ways I feel old now, but at the same time I feel as if the years since I was a teenager have never happened: in some ways it is almost as if time is just an illusion. Memories of those days are still strong.
Time and memories could be illusions. Every day we wake up it could be that we think we remember past events and places, but we don't. There is always the feeling that time's arrow goes forward into the future, but it could equally well point into the past. Our whole notion of time past, present and future could be flawed.
No, time is puzzling.
Our view of space also puzzles me. I note the similarly between the very big and very small. Is the universe somehow different from how we see it? 100 years on we may say, "did they believe THAT?".
Favourite walk - NOT amateur radio
One of my favourite walks (when I was fit!) was along the coastal path from Hope Cove to Salcombe along the coastal path in South Devon. It remains very unspoilt and beautiful. I cannot imagine this has changed much since my father walked this way almost 100 years ago.
22 Aug 2020
2m FT8
As 6m seems dead here, I have QSYed to 2m FT8 with 10W and the big-wheel antenna. After about 15 minutes 19 stations in 4 countries have spotted me.
UPDATE 2034z: QRT now. 34 stations in 7 countries spotted me today. Just 1 station spotted on RX today on 2m.
Butterfly - NOT amateur radio
It is a nice photo taken earlier this summer. If I recall correctly, it was at nearby Anglesey Abbey.
Social media - NOT amateur radio
Like many, I seem to be addicted to instant social media fixes. When waking in the morning I grab my smart phone to check Facebook, emails, blogs, BBC etc. Most of these could easily wait several hours or even days. Talk about "must get a life"! These things could and should be relegated to their proper place.
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