Draconid meteor shower

I have never heard of this and have no idea how it affects VHF radio propagation. The more common meteor showers lead to enhanced pings and some real DX being worked on the VHF bands, especially with weak signal modes. 

It peaked last night, but should still be good tonight. Often MS signals are strong, but short lived. Certain modes are optimised for this sort of signal.  Even with very simple antennas I have copied some excellent DX via meteor trails on 2m.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-54450553 .

RSGB Convention

This is online only this year - October  9th-11th. See the RSGB website for more details.

See http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

Crystal sets

Some years ago I tried my hand at crystal set DXing on HF. Results surprised me. I was even able to envelope detect some SSB amateur signals on 80m. 

Broadcast stations from their originating countries (many use relays) were copied including Australia and India. The only power is that from the TX with no batteries or other source of energy at the RX.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/crystalset

See also http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Technology/tis/info/pdf/culter.pdf

The cycle of life - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday, we did a nice walk in the autumn sunshine at Anglesey Abbey. We mainly went there to see one particular tree that is changing colour. At the moment it is a lovely red.

On the way we saw a family (actually 2 families) with young children under school age. We were asked if we wanted 4 noisy kids!  We said, "done that, got the tee shirt". We also said enjoy them as they grow up quickly.

Each generation has its own issues, but life goes in a cycle.

Wind pump - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows the wind pump at Wicken Fen used to pump water. 

2m FT8

Since about 0737z I have been on 2m FT8 with 2.5W to the big-wheel omni. My signal has been copied by  4 stations with best DX a spot by G7RAU (461km). On RX 4 stations with best DX spotted DL6YBF (461km).

Sunspots - Thursday October 8th 2020

 Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 0. A=5 and K=0.

2m activity contest - nearly forgot!

On Tuesday evening the RSGB held its 2m activity contest. This runs for 2.5 hours from 1900z. At 2100z I checked my mail and saw I had a contest alert. I had totally forgotten! 

Luckily  I was able to go on for the last 28 minutes working the stations shown on the map with 10W and the big-wheel omni antenna.

Covid-19 vaccines - NOT amateur radio

There is a worldwide race on to find vaccines that overcome Covid-19. In most countries of the world this disease is causing widespread issues and an effective and safe vaccine is urgently needed.  Most expect a vaccine to be widely available my mid 2021. It is possible there may be limited vaccine availability late this year. 

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-51665497

USA presidents - NOT amateur radio

Although I have no intention of getting involved with the USA presidential election in a few weeks time, I feel obliged to point out a couple of things. In the last few years I have spoken with many people about US politics. The following observations have been made:

• How come the best you can find is old men to lead you? Trump is 74 and Biden 77 I believe. Is there no-one younger who can do the job?
• Everyone, and I mean everyone, I have spoken with thinks Trump is thick and cannot understand how he was chosen as the US president. In the rest of the world he is the butt of many jokes.