We just went to a nearby town for our first AstraZeneca Covid-19 injection. They were very well organised with loads of people helping at every stage. The injection itself was totally painless. Within 3 weeks the immunity should build.
29 Jan 2021
Another CDARC Zoom talk
I have been pleasantly surprised how effective these talks are. We can all see each other and most sessions have at least as many people as a face-to-face meeting, with the added advantage that those people far away can still take part.
Some months ago we had a quiz with a club in N.Ireland and we have had members in Canada and Germany at times.
Details of CDARC are on the website. See http://www.cdarc.org.uk/ .
8m band?
Although 8m is allocated in EI and a very few other countries, some in other countries have asked for special permission to TX on this band.
I have lost touch who has permission. This allocation between 10m and 6m would be especially useful for Es and MS.
It may be some years before this is more generally allocated (if ever), but I expect more keen amateurs will seek special permits to TX, maybe for a limited time, with limited power, on spot frequencies on a non-interference basis i.e. as long as you don't cause trouble, you can proceed.
Haircut time - NOT amateur radio
It should rapidly regrow, although we hope slowly!
2m FT8 QRP (Thursday evening)
Stations spotting my 2m FT8 QRP Thursday evening |
28 Jan 2021
Lower cost HF rigs
Steve G1KQH and I have been discussing lower cost HF rigs. At the moment it would seem this market is being left to the Chinese and kits like the Indian uBITX.
Most modern rigs from the Japanese people like ICOM, Yaesu and Kenwood are expensive and there is a dearth of lower cost "entry level" products lacking many of the fancy features. Whilst some can afford expensive toys, many cannot.
In a way I am surprised that the uBITX design has not been bought by one of the big 3, improved, made in China and sold at an entry level price. It seems this is a market ready to be exploited. If the Japanese don't grab it, the Chinese surely will.
17m FT8 QRP (Thursday)
As 10m was not good, I QSYed to 17m FT8 QRP at about 1353z. I am running 2.5W to the tiny indoor loop.
At 17m, this is even smaller as a proportion of wavelength than 10m. Nonetheless, 11 spots on RX (including several from the USA) and 1 on TX.
UPDATE 1415z: 21 stations spotted so far on RX.
Yaesu FT991A
10m FT8 QRP (Thursday)
It is now 1137z. For about 5 minutes I have been on 10m FT8 with 2.5W and the tiny indoor loop. So far, no spots today.
UPDATE 1345z: Still no spots