Sunspots - Saturday January 23rd 2021

 Solar flux is 78 and the SSN 39.  A=4 and K=0. 

2m FT8 QRP (Friday)

This evening from 2000z I have been on 2m FT8 using 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. So far I have been spotted by 7 stations in 3 countries on TX. 

January - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows Anglesey Abbey on a cold and frosty January morning. 

We went for a walk there earlier. 

More humour - NOT amateur radio

This was sent to me yesterday. it brought a smile to my face.
 

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