70cm activity contest (UKAC)

Every month I take part briefly in the low power section of this activity contest organised by the RSGB. This evening activity levels seemed very low and I only stopped on for 35 minutes. I have since QSYed to 2m FT8. As I have no suitable antennas I again used my 144MHz big-wheel omni antenna. After just 3 contacts I gave up. The map shows the few contacts made.

Havanna Syndrome - NOT amateur radio

Some people in countries that are maybe considered "hostile" have come down with a mysterious illness. Southgate News relays some research on this. It could be directed microwaves.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/december/havanna-syndrome-could-be-directed-microwave-energy.htm#.X8_Q6GiTLrc

17m FT8 QRP (Tuesday)

Since about 1100z I have been on 17m FT8 with the tiny indoor loop antenna and 2.5W. Already spotted by 4 stations at 1125z

UPDATE 1343z: 17 stations have spotted my QRP and 171 stations in 5 continents have been spotted here today on 17m FT8 RX with the tiny loop. The furthermost spotted here is VK2QV (1698km).

UPDATE 1922z: 18 stations have spotted me today on QRP TX and 237 stations spotted on RX today (see map).  QRT soon. 

December morning - NOT amateur radio

For several days now we have had mist or fog. Today the sun came out! 

Cold and crisp. 

Sunspots - Tuesday December 8th 2020

 Solar flux is 90 and the SSN 35. A=3 and K=1.

OFCOM and licence exemptions

OFCOM is consulting people about some proposed changes to the licencing of some short range devices. See the OFCOM website for more details.

2m FT8 QRP (Monday)

It is very cold and foggy outside, so I am hoping 2m tropo might be promising. At about 0855z (it is now 0905z) my 2m FT8 was turned on with the usual 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna.

So far this morning, 2 stations spotted and 2 stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 0925z: Already spotted by EI2FG (565km) as well as 7 others in 4 countries on 2m FT8 TX. Reports at this distance are usually very similar (--19 to -21dB S/N) suggesting some sort of scatter rather than tropo I think. 1 QSO so far.

UPDATE 1247z: So far today 12 stations in 5 countries have spotted my QRP on 2m FT8 TX z:   9 stations have been spotted here on 2m FT8 RX with the furthermost being DL6YBF (471km).

UPDATE 1644z:  18 stations have spotted my 2m FT8 QRP TX.  22 stations spotted on RX and 2 QSOs today.

UPDATE 2130z:  QRT.

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.