New museum shed - NOT amateur radio

Funny how being locked down you get excited by silly things! Years ago we would go on overseas holidays, but I guess we just have to wait....

Today, we had major excitement when a new shed was delivered to our local village museum. Imagine that! A new shed!!! 😄 Gosh! 

A lorry drove up and lots of helpers were on hand to help erect it. A year ago this would have been ignored!

70cm activity contest this evening

70cm 10W SSB QSOs
this evening

Being the second Tuesday in the month, this evening is the February leg of the RSGB organised activity contest on 70cm (UKAC). These start at 2000z and last for up to 2.5 hours. Usually I am on for far less than 1 hour with my 10W and 2m antenna (I use a 2m (144MHz) big-wheel omni that seems to match OK at 70cm).

Activity levels on 70cm SSB are better than most times, although with a lack of /P stations is a pity. Unlike many contests, these don't feel like contests and are very friendly. Despite my poor set-up on the band, I seem to be able to work over 100km most times. It is a good chance to work a few new squares.

UPDATE 2102z: 5 QSOs this evening.

Ads I hate - NOT amateur radio

There are some adverts in particular that I just hate! Those that say something like, "taking the UK by storm" or "seniors are missing out". These are obviously designed to draw us in. Sorry, here these are just deleted, unread.

Dust cloud "moons"? - NOT amateur radio

Southgate News has a piece on the dust clouds that appear to be circulating the Earth at about the same distance as the Moon. 

I do not think this is fake news! If it is please tell me.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2021/january/science-confirms-earth-has-more-than-one-moon.htm#.YCJWwiuTLrc .

2m FT8 QRP (Tuesday)

Today, I am again on 2m FT8 QRP with 2.5W and the big-wheel antenna. Already at 0930, 8 stations have spotted my QRP including (again) EI2FG (565km). The grabber at G0LRD is very useful.

See http://82.71.9.63:8080/cap/

UPDATE 1018z: 11 stations have spotted my 2m FT8 QRP.

UPDATE 1118z: 12 stations have spotted my 2m FT8 QRP this morning. I guess most that can spot me now have. On 2m FT8 RX,  8 stations spotted here so far.

Stations spotting
me at 1212z

UPDATE 1212z:  So far today, 14 stations in 4 countries have been spotted on 2m FT8 RX. On 2m FT8 QRP TX, I have been spotted by 15 stations in 3 countries.

UPDATE 1827z:   42 stations in 7 countries spotted here on 2m FT8 RX. On QRP 2m FT8 TX 23 stations in 6 countries have spotted me.

Last evening on 2m FT8 QRP

Last evening I was again on 2m FT8 with 2.5W to the big-wheel. Yet again, plenty of stations were spotting me including EI and GI.

Overnight snow - NOT amateur radio

Although it snowed again overnight here in Burwell, I suspect it is much worse to the east. We have some fresh snow on the road and plenty of ice, but it could be much worse. This is the coldest winter here for some time although nothing like 1947 or 1963.

Sunspots - Tuesday February 9th 2021

Solar flux is 74 and the SSN 0. A=6 and K=2.

2m FT8 QRP (Monday)

At 1844z I turned my 2m QRP using the FT817ND at 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. So far this evening 5 stations have spotted me in 2 countries.

SSB out-of-band?

There is an interesting piece on Southgate News about transmitting out of band. This is particularly important on 60m where the allocations are very small. The important thing is that the dial frequency may be in band but some of the modulation may not be! 

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2021/january/how-far-you-can-turn-the-dial-when-transmitting-ssb.htm#.YCEkAyuTLrc