Eating out - NOT amateur radio

Since the lockdown we have eaten out 3 times so far. The last time was last Wednesday with one of our sons and his children. Every time we have eaten out we have felt perfectly safe.

60m in Australia

As of now, Australia has not allocated the WRC 60m amateur band. The main concern is sharing the band with commercial users. At present there is a consultation about sharing this small allocation.

In the UK we have more slots with higher power limits. Personally, I'd prefer a narrower band with a lower power limit in the UK i.e. swap the various slots for a smaller, contiguous and shared WRC band.

See https://www.acma.gov.au/consultations/2020-05/possible-use-53515-53665-khz-band-amateur-service-consultation-132020

Indoor verticals

Many have restrictions on outside antennas, possibly with covenants preventing any form of outside antenna. Some years ago I made one for 160m, although similar antennas could be made of other HF bands. If I can make one for 160m, I am pretty sure ones for higher HF bands should be even better. Never say you cannot erect an effective HF antenna.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/160m_loft_ant

Sunspots - Friday August 28th 2020

Solar flux is 70 and the sunspot number 0. A=8 and K=0.

10m FT8 (4W to the indoor loop)

Since late morning, I have been on 10m FT8. So far 2 stations have spotted me: Faroes and Sweden.

UPDATE 2004z:  10 stations have spotted me today.

UK rally updates

The following rally updates were received earlier. If the background makes these hard to read on some screens, please accept my apologies, but this is how I get them.

Sunday 30 AUGUST : CANCELLED 

MILTON KEYNES ARS RALLY. MKARS, Irish Centre, Manor Fields, Watling Street, Bletchley MK2 2HX Additional information at www.mkars.org.uk/rally.


Sunday 30 AUGUST : POSSIBLY CANCELLED check TARS website

TORBAY ANNUAL COMMUNICATIONS FAIR. Newton Abbot Racecourse, Devon TQ12 3AF. Doors open at 10am with disabled visitors gaining access at 9.30am. Indoor event with plenty of free parking on site. There will be a Bring & Buy as well as an RSGB bookstall. Catering will be available on site. Details & bookings: Mike, G1TUU, 01803 557941 or rally@tars.org.uk.

A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

Meal out - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows our son with his son during our meal yesterday.

Day off amateur radio yesterday

Yesterday for the first time in some time, I decided to take a day off operating. We were out for much of the day and the gear was not turned on when we got back. I shall probably turn things on later although I am unsure which band.

Sunspots - Thursday August 27th 2020

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

Simple pleasures - NOT amateur radio

Let this morning we went to Cavenham Heath. The photo shows our son showing his daughter a caterpillar.