Grass cutting - NOT amateur radio

A few days ago we got one of our grandsons to cut our front lawn as the photo shows. For a first attempt he did quite well.

Sunspots - Friday September 4th 2020

 Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=1.

Rally changes

This is the latest information I have on rallies. As mentioned before, my apologies if this is hard to read on some screens, but this is how I receive it.

Sunday 6 SEPTEMBER : CANCELLED

ANDOVER RADIO CLUB AUTUMN BOOT SALE. Wildhern.


Sunday 6 SEPTEMBER : ONLINE ONLY

TELFORD HAMFEST & G-QRP CONVENTION 

Harper Adams University, near Telford, TF10 8NB Due to uncertainty about large gatherings being allowed, and in recognition that many radio amateurs may not want to attend physical meetings for some time, the G-QRP Club took the unwelcome decision to cancel their Conventions for 2020. However, following a very successful survey of members, a meeting of the Standing Committee this week confirmed that the G-QRP Convention fisor 2020 will definitely take place as a virtual event over the weekend of the 5th and 6th of September. There will be a series of webinars and possibly a virtual Buildathon. A small working group are now developing the detail and a number of key speakers have already volunteered. Full details will be shared as soon as they are known. More information and e-mail details may be found on the Telford HamFest website www.telfordhamfest.org.uk or by contacting Martyn, G3UKV on 01952 255 416 or John, M0JZH on 07824 737716.


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

Another great IC-705 video

This was a live stream yesterday. It is long video but one of the best I have seen.

 

6m FT8 (10W and the V2000 vertical omni)

For the last few minutes, I have been on 6m FT8. Already spotted by 6 stations including OY1OF (1163km). Just G3RIK (224km) spotted on RX so far.

UPDATE 1952z: 48 stations have spotted my 10W 6m FT8 today. Plenty of Es on 6m today.  See photo to see stations that have spotted me. QRT soon.  37 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX today.

UPDATE 2050z:  QRT.

A year ago - NOT amateur radio

A year ago things were quite different. There was no Covid-19 around and our local museum next door had a vintage car weekend.

Sunspots - Thursday September 3rd 2020

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN 0. A=9 and K=1.

6m FT8

It is now 0945z. A few moment ago I turned on 6m FT8 (10W and the V2000 vertical omni). So far, 3 spots of me (all G) and nothing on RX.

UPDATE 2050z:  Now QRT.  3 QSOs and spots of me by 22 stations including 2 that look like Es. Best DX spot of me was by ES5PC (1783km).

Dragonfly - NOT amateur radio

My son took this photo a few days ago on his iPhone

V2000 vertical

The photo shows the V2000 vertical omni antenna used on 6m, 2m and 70cm FM. For 2m and 70cm SSB and FT8 I use the big-wheel omni antenna.

The V2000 is also used on 6m FT8. On the same mast is a rarely used 2m halo antenna.