Old and new - NOT amateur radio

A few years ago, a pub car park became a building site. 

The new houses have now been finished as the before and after photo shows.

When we first came to this village near Cambridge, the population was under 5000. It is now almost 7000. It seems every spare space is a chance to make builders money. Sadly there are few houses for ordinary folk as the profits would be too low.

Sunspots - Friday January 22nd 2021

Solar flux is 78 and the SSN 26. A=2 and K=0.

Hyacinths - NOT amateur radio

 

Every year my wife grows a pot of hyacinths. These are just coming out. They smell fantastic.

See https://www.almanac.com/plant/growing-hyacinth-muscari

FT8 and breakfast spread

There is no doubt that FT8 has divided the amateur community . 

On the plus side every day my 2m QRP to a  simple non-directional antenna is copied in EI and GI. FT8 has made this possible. At the same time there is less chatting, especially with modes that casual listeners will chance upon.

It is a bit like Marmite (a UK yeast spread) that some love and some hate. 

I have mixed views. With my poor voice FT8 has been a godsend. At the same time I don't want less chatting on the bands. 

Village churches - NOT amateur radio

 

The photo shows the churches in our village. Only 2 are still in use as churches. Like pubs, many are now private houses.

IC-705, IC-7300 and IC-9700 firmware updates

Southgate News reports that a firmware update to these ICOM products is due at the end of January.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2021/january/new-fimware-updates.htm#.YAmcZ_GTLrc

2m FT8 QRP (Thursday)

Since about 1505z, I have been on 2m FT8 with the usual 2.5W and big-wheel omni antenna. So far today, just 1 spot of me by G0LRD (26km).

UPDATE 1724z:  9 stations in 4 countries have spotted me today. It would seem EI and GI spots are an everyday thing even with real QRP.  No QSOs yet. 7 stations in 4 countries have been spotted here so far.

UPDATE 1820z: 11 stations in 4 countries spotted on 2m RX. On QRP TX 11 station in 4 countries spotted. No QSOs. My technique is to call CQ and wait, which is the lazy way. If I called stations I am sure I'd get more contacts.

Spots of my QRP today
on 2m FT8 TX

UPDATE 2120z:  So far today I have spotted 20 stations in 5 countries on 2m FT8 RX and I have been spotted by 14 stations in 4 countries on 2m FT8 TX with the furthermost being EI2FG (565km).  QRT soon. 

Sunspots - Thursday January 21st 2021

Solar flux is 77 and the SSN 25. A=6 and K=0. 

Treewashing - NOT amateur radio

At nearby Anglesey Abbey, some of the silver birch trees have their bark washed so they look at their best. See the photo.

See https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/anglesey-abbey-gardens-and-lode-mill

UK prices for the IC-705

It seems odd to me that the XBS Telecom price (Europe) with included 3 year warranty and VAT is a fair bit lower than the price from any UK dealer. As an example, a 5 year warranty is extra from MLS.  By the way, MLS say that all their IC-705 transceivers come from ICOM UK.

Like the IC-7300 I am convinced the IC-705 is being market priced (if the punters will pay, then do not drop the price). Most are working on the assumption that if the radio is wanted enough, then we will pay. It seems if you want an IC-705 from a UK dealer, you have to accept the market price.

I am all for fair prices as I want dealers to still be there, but I do not like to be exploited. 

Any views?