Apart from a brief outing this evening on the CDARC 2m FM net, I have had a day off from radio. Usually I go on FT8 on some band. Depending on how the mood takes me this can be anywhere from 30m to 70cm.
28 Oct 2020
CDARC 2m FM Net 145.55MHz - Wednesdays
This net is being resurrected by 2E0WDN, Steve. It meet at 8pm.
Water buffalo - NOT amateur radio
Sunspots - Wednesday October 28th 2020
Solar flux is 82, which is the highest for some time. SSN is 22. A=9 and K=3.
27 Oct 2020
2m FT8
Just before tea I QSYed to 2m FT8 using 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. I transmitted very briefly, but most of the time I was RX only. So far today 15 stations in 4 countries spotted.
UPDATE 2235z: QRT.
Chinese radios
One example is the Ailunce product that retails at £389.99 with free post and packing from the Far East. The price drops even further if you buy more than one.
What has always bothered me is what happens when it goes wrong?
At this price, even if you add import duties and VAT it is way below the price of Japanese made products. When the Chinese really get into the amateur radio market (assuming they do) we can expect to see the big Japanese manufacturers really getting a shock.
I gather the UK designer did not register the design, hence the clones.
Getting ready - NOT amateur radio
15m FT8 RX
For about 15 minutes (it is now 1000z) I have been on 15m FT8 RX. So far, 15 stations spotted using the indoor loop.
UPDATE 1358z: 210 stations spotted so far on 15m FT8 RX today. Best DX spotted is PP5BK (10115km).