Boeing 737 Max: what utter rubbish!! - NOT amateur radio

18 months after it was removed from service following 2 fatal crashes, the Boeing 737 max has been declared airworthy again. My simple question is why has it taken so long? My brother-in-law was on one. Little did I know at the time that his life was in danger.

This whole affair is utterly disgraceful.  I hope Boeing, and whoever deemed it safe to fly originally, reflect on this.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/extra/jDOe2y9Tbo/boeing-737-max 

2m FT8 QRP - Thursday

In a few minutes I shall go on 2m FT8 QRP with 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna.

UPDATE 0953z:   2 stations spotted on RX and I have been spotted by 6 stations already.

UPDATE 1210z:  So far today I have spotted 11 stations in 4 countries and I have been spotted by 9 stations in 3 countries on 2m FT8.

UPDATE 1537z: At about 1220z I had a QSO and have been RX only since then until a few moments ago. So far today, 34 stations in 7 countries have been spotted here on 2m FT8 RX and I have been spotted by 12 stations in 4 countries with 1 QSO.

UPDATE 1832z:  So far today I have been spotted by 19 stations in 6 countries (see map).

Sunspots - Thursday November 19th 2020

Solar flux is 77 and the SSN 11. A=4 and K=0.

OFCOM spectrum auction

OFCOM has announced details of the next auction of spectrum at 700MHz and 3.6GHz  See their website for details.

Somehow I suspect £100 won't win, so I think I won't bother .😆

Last ones? - NOT amateur radio

Most blackberries have now shrivelled up. The photo shows one today seen on our walk earlier. 

The one I had was bitter. 

2m FT8 QRP

It is now 1002z.  For about 10 minutes I have been on 2m FT8 QRP using my 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. So far I have been spotted by 11 stations already with the furthermost being G7RAU (461km) in Cornwall.

I am still puzzled by WSJT-X RX with Windows 10 and the SignaLink USB. At times it works whereas at other times the waterfall is smeary and I get no decodes. At first I thought this was just the first few minutes, but I have seen this be OK then not.

UPDATE 1434z:  Spotted by 18 stations in 3 countries and I have spotted 44 stations in 7 countries today with furthermost OZ1CCM (796km). Just turned TX on again as it was turned off.

2m FT8 RX

UPDATE 1757z:  So far today I have been spotted by 23 stations on QRP TX and I have spotted 54 stations on RX.

Sunspots - Wednesday November 18th 2020

 Solar flux is 79 and the SSN 11. A=3 and K=1.

Allotments - NOT amateur radio

Quite a few villagers (not me!) have allotments where they grow vegetables or flowers. I expect it is also a place to escape!  The photo shows a view of the allotments with "our" windmill in the distance.

Par End Fed antenna

Someone suggested I either build a homemade version or replace the broken EF-10-20-40 Par end fed antenna. Par antennas were made by LnR Precision many years ago and I have no idea if these antennas are still in production. Anyone know? 

My original one gave good performance at this and the old QTH. It stopped working last year.

See http://www.parelectronics.com/end-fedz.php

Thanks to Keith, I am a little closer. Apparently Vibroplex now sell these.
See http://www.vibroplex.com/contents/en-us/d9176.html

Nevada sells a 30W MFJ version covering 10-40m.
See https://www.nevadaradio.co.uk/product/mfj-1984lp/

BREXIT deal? - NOT amateur radio

Time is running out. Several have said this is crunch week. Both the EU and UK say they want to forge a deal, but both sides seem not to want to compromise. Surely there is a way.