UPDATE 1121z: 2 spots of me on TX with the best -7dB S/N by SV1AVD (2410km). With this tiny poorer loop (see photo), I find this incredible. 22 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX with the furthermost being UA4IU (3290km).
Steve G1KQH has informed me about a new Yaesu radio that will be sold by Martin Lynch. At the moment they will be taking deposits. It is called the FTDX10 and will be an SDR transceiver covering HF, 6m and 4m with 100W. Check the Martin Lynch website for more details.
Don't ask me why, but I keep a watch on the currency markets on the BBC website. At the moment, the UK pound is maintaining its value against the US dollar, the euro and the Japanese yen. Some would argue the currency market is just another form of gambling, bearing little resemblance to the real world. This is probably true.
See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cx250jmk4e7t/pound-sterling-gbp
Since just before 1500z this afternoon, I QSYed to 10m FT8 using the poorer indoor loop and 2.5W. Every time I have tried 10m FT8 recently there have been South Americans spotted. Today was no exception. I am not sure if this is just F layer all the way or TEP linking with E layer further north. Interestingly, I was spotting EA1 (Northern Spain) at the same time. On TX briefly no spots of me.
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| Stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX |
Steve G1KQH has told me of a link that I was not aware about. According to a video on the Essex Ham website OFCOM has held consultations which could mean in future radio amateurs may have to know their EIRP either by calculating or measuring it.
As a dedicated QRP man this does not bother me, but if OFCOM ever investigated an interference complaint they could ask for a risk assessment. Imagine if you ran full legal power and a big HF beam.
On my next birthday I shall be 72. When younger, life seemed endless and death was rarely on the radar. Nowadays more and more people of my age are dying, so death is more immediate. In the last few months several people that I know have died.
As a younger person, I had a quite strong faith. It was a bit "off the wall" though. These days I am aware of other faiths across the world and I just do not know. Our planet is just one of probably billions in the known universe. Maybe all religions are just attempts to come to terms with our existence.
I am puzzled by human consciousness. One thing is certain: our brains are small and incapable of answering the deep questions. Somehow I cannot believe that when we die we just cease to exist. Before we were born we knew nothing however. Death remains the ultimate mystery.
Puzzled.
The people of the USA vote for their next president next week.
Every American I have ever met has been kind and generous. On the whole they are warm and kind people. It is not my intention to interfere, but this is a once in 4 year chance to have your say. Vote!
I am disappointed that the choice is between two 70-80 year olds and am surprised that no-one younger could be found. To the rest of the world it appears like you have to be old to lead the USA!
Although I am not a great Trump fan, Joe Biden will be in his 80s if he is elected and serves a full 4 year term. It seems to me a choice of who will do the least harm rather than who will be the most dynamic and charismatic leader.
Today I am on 21MHz FT8 with the loop indoors and 2.5W. 38 stations spotted so far (at 1055z), but nobody has yet spotted my 2.5W.
UPDATE 1219z: 79 stations in 3 continents spotted so far on 15m FT8 RX with the furthermost being YB2MM (11920km) in Java. On TX 3 spots of me so far. Results with the indoor loop continues to astound me. This is the poorer loop too! On the loop with copper pipe it is several dB better. The first Caribbean station has just been spotted today.
UPDATE 1450z: 169 stations spotted on 15m FT8 RX so far today.
Stations spotted to 1450z today
The photo shows Trinity Street in Cambridge, UK. In the right foreground is a bookshop that has been a bookshop for centuries.
