Pandora's Box - NOT amateur radio

There are some very old houses in our village. The one in the photo is Pandora's Box that was a haberdashery shop until a few years ago. 

It is probably 400 years old and is on a street that dates from the 1300s. It would be wonderful to see the street as it was long ago.

Garden in autumn - NOT amateur radio

At this time of year gardens can look a bit dull so we plant primroses to brighten things up. 

The photo shows our front garden today. 

Most leaves have now gone. It will be fun to await the new buds in the spring. I also look forward to seeing the first migrant birds back from Africa. Before that we have the birds from the Arctic and Scandinavia who think we are warm! Maybe this year I'll see a waxwing.

Animal carvings - NOT amateur radio

Most of our church dates from the 1400s. 

High up on the ceiling and easily missed are some animal carvings. These are very old and mostly done by people who had never seen these animals! 

If you ever visit Burwell church, don't miss these. A torch might be helpful and some binoculars.

6m FT8 QRP Sunday

Certainly we seem to have little or no Es on 6m at the moment. Most of the morning, I have been on 6m FT8 QRP with 2.5W and the V2000 vertical. So far (it is now 1133z), I have been spotted by G0PQO (50km) and I have spotted G4FKA (207km).

UPDATE 1206z:  Nothing further. I shall stick with 6m FT8 most of the afternoon "just in case".

UPDATE 1500z:  Now 2 stations have spotted me and I have spotted 2 on RX. The latest is G3XDV (45km). Hardly great DX! Unless things change, I suspect today will pass with the band acting very much as a VHF band. I am sure with a big horizontal beam, more power and greater height, 6m could be a useful band inter-G in the quieter times. Imagine what 10-20dB could do on marginal paths. With my V2000 vertical, 2.5W and cheap CB coax I think many would say I am "playing". I get the impression that 2m is better for "scatter". Probably the cross sectional area in terms of wavelengths is smaller on 6m.  Some debate what type of scatter I experience on 2m FT8. Some think it is aircraft, but I have my doubts. Certainly some paths are aided by aircraft scatter, but to me it seems too random.

Sunspots - Sunday November 15th 2020

Solar flux is 80 and the SSN 11.  A=3 and K=0.

Solar flux seems to be in the high 70s or 80s most days now.

Covid-19 locally - NOT amateur radio

Compared with many areas in England we are not bad. The table shows the state of play in our county. We live in East Cambridgeshire. 

New normal? - NOT amateur radio

For the last week we have been in a second lockdown in England. Luckily our nearest National Trust gardens are still open. As part of this new lockdown, they have again closed their cafe and have set up a couple of outdoor kiosks serving take-aways.

For those not in the UK, the National Trust owns some gardens, homes and wild places for the nation. Members can visit free and non-members can visit for a fee.

6m FT8

At 1417z, I QSYed to 6m FT8 using 2.5W to the V2000 vertical. If I spot anyone today, or if anyone spots me, I shall be pleasantly surprised.

UPDATE 1426z: Well, pleasantly surprised!  M0MVB (31km) has spotted my 6m FT8 QRP already. As I recall he has a very good 6m antenna and station. We are probably cross polarised.

UPDATE 1807z:  Just the single spot of me today on TX. 2 stations spotted on RX with the furthermost GW0GEI (308km) in west Wales.

UPDATE 2300z: QRT. 

2m FT8 QRP

Since 0855z, I have been on 2m FT8 with the usual 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. It is now 0930z. So far, I have been spotted by a couple of stations with the furthermost being G4MSA (222km).

UPDATE 1400z:  6 stations in 3 countries have spotted me today with the furthermost being GI6ATZ (479km).

Antenna video

A friend, Chris, passed on the link to this old talk and demonstration about antennas. You might find it helpful. 

For some reason, the video did not work, so I hope this link works!

See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEigIMS6bo4