IC-705 packaging

On the IC-705 Facebook page earlier was this photo of the packaging for the IC-705. Many people are lusting after one. Attractive packaging can help sales.

Covid-19 vaccine - NOT amateur radio

So the UK government will give temporary approval if clinically necessary for the administration of proven safe and effective vaccines for Covid-19 if available. There is still a way to go. See the UK government website for more information.

Sunspots - Saturday August 29th 2020

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=10 and K=5.

10m FT8

Since 0856z I have been on 10m FT8 with the tiny indoor loop antenna and 4W.  So far, I have been spotted by just 1 station up in the Faroes. A couple of stations in northern Spain copied. Otherwise very quiet here.

Yet again the Es (if that is what it is) seems to favour more northern stations, much as I found in previous years late in the season.

8 years ago - NOT amateur radio

This photo shows me with one of our grandchildren 8 years ago. This is the same boy as in the previous post.

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.