South Devon - NOT amateur radio

This photo of a beach in the South Hams was on my Facebook page a few years ago. 

IC-705 desk stand

Several dealers are now selling a desk stand for the ICOM IC-705.  At about £20, this is expensive for a piece of plastic.

It would not surprise me if ICOM launches an IC-705A in a few years time, as the lack of a desk stand is one of the complaints I have seen. Some have also had issues with digital modes using a USB lead. It looks like some ferrite beads and/or isolation could be required in an IC-705A. 

In a couple of years there may be other shortcomings that come to light. 

I hope 4m TX will be added back as a firmware update soon. It would be good to see 630m TX supported without having to wideband the radio.

For the latest IC-705 eHam reviews see https://www.eham.net/reviews/view-product?id=14776 .

 

Rishi Sunak - NOT amateur radio

I was disappointed to read yesterday that the UK chancellor is married to a billionaire. When someone is that wealthy it is hard to understand the problems of "the common man". This is a free country of course and you marry whoever you like. He has a difficult job. Just that wealth does not help.

Peter Alliss - NOT amateur radio

Many in the UK will recognise the voice of Peter Alliss, aged 89, who commentated on many golf games over many years. In the UK he was the voice of golf. He has died and will be greatly missed.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/55204070

Sunspots - Monday December 7th 2020

Solar flux is 91 and the SSN 25.  A=6 and K=0. Quite surprised how good the sunspot count is this soon after the minimum.

QSYed to 2m FT8 QRP (Sunday)

As 17m FT8 was fading out, I have QSYed to 2m FT8 using 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. Just 1 local spot so far from G0LRD (26km). Nothing yet on RX. His grabber is useful.

See http://82.71.9.63:8080/cap/

UPDATE 1650z:  5 stations spotted on RX. 8 stations have spotted me with the furthermost EI2FG (565km). See map for spots of me on QRP TX.

UPDATE 1846z:  So far today 11 stations in 5 countries have spotted me on QRP TX and I have spotted 11 stations in 4 countries on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2232z: 16 stations spotted on 2m FT8 RX this evening.  QRT. 

Virtual concert - NOT amateur radio

Last night my wife took part in a virtual concert online. 

There we were people from all over the world. My wife had been practicing for weeks. It was set in virtual Vienna. 

Amazing what can be done .

17m FT8

As 10m FT8 was poor here, I QSYed to 17m FT8. Immediately stations were spotted.  It is now 1328z and 4 stations have spotted my 2.5W to the indoor loop on TX. On 17m FT8 RX 72 stations so far spotted.

UPDATE 1356z:  7 stations have spotted me so far.  On 17m FT8 RX 110 stations spotted here so far today (see map). At the moment, 17m seems far more lively than 10m despite the loop being far less efficient on that band compared with 10m.

UPDATE 1504z:  138 stations spotted on RX and 11 spots of me on TX (see 2nd map).

Misty - NOT amateur radio

This morning it's cold and misty. The sun is trying to break through, but has not yet succeeded. It is thoroughly miserable. All our snow went yesterday.

10m FT8 RX

At 1017z I QSYed to 10m FT8 RX with the indoor loop and the FT817ND. 

UPDATED 1040z:  Nothing spotted yet on 10m FT8. It is interesting how different 15m and 10m are. On 15m FT8 I had no problems spotting loads of stations, whereas, so far, nothing at all spotted on 10m FT8 here today. By now I would have expected to have spotted a few stations.

UPDATE 1217z:  Still nothing spotted. Reloaded and briefly on TX. May go to 17m FT8.