This afternoon we did a walk around Anglesey Abbey. The daffodils will be at their best in about 1 - 2 weeks.
The photo shows one spot where they are out.
12 Mar 2021
Walkies - NOT amateur radio
This afternoon we did a walk around Anglesey Abbey. The daffodils will be at their best in about 1 - 2 weeks.
17m FT8 QRP (Friday)
At 1135z, I turned on 17m FT8 QRP with 2.5W and the tiny indoor loop antenna. So far today (after 5 minutes only) 15 stations spotted on RX, but nobody has spotted my QRP on TX.
UPDATE 1252z: 75 stations in 4 continents spotted on RX. 3 stations have spotted my QRP on TX with the furthermost UW5ZM (2317km).
Zoom "dinner" - NOT amateur radio
Surprisingly, these have been pretty effective: not as good as chatting in person over a real meal, but better than nothing. Zoom allows everyone to see and hear everyone.
We even had a deaf member last night. Lipreading with Zoom was a challenge and a lot of use was made of the typed "chat" feature!
Age of radio amateurs
Southgate News has some feedback on a Freedom of Information request made to OFCOM asking for data on the age of radio amateurs. As no age records need to be kept now, the released data is only partial.
I think it is fair to say that many (most?) UK radio amateurs are old. It is also well known that most are men.
Recently, our local church has lost several members who have either died or moved away. What will amateur radio look like in 20 years' time?
11 Mar 2021
4m
These days many more countries have permanent or temporary access to the band. There are far more European countries with access nowadays.
At one time there was a push to get CEPT to grant access to the band in all CEPT countries I think.
The photo shows my transverter that has never been used at this QTH. I am not sure where it is even!
At some point I would like to get on 4m again. With a few watts and a halo antenna much of Europe should be workable in Es openings.
Bee friendly - NOT amateur radio
At one point he climbed on my hand.
OFCOM and EMF
Although in the UK OFCOM is consulting, it is likely that it will make safeguarding the public from harmful EMF a condition of our licence.
What this means is that if were ever investigated, we may have to prove we are safeguarding the public.
With very low power, this is very unlikely to be a problem. However, with full legal limits and big beams this could be a problem, although antenna height may well help. There are spreadsheets on the RSGB and OFCOM websites to help. Many are awaiting the final rules.
The bottom line will be that if you cannot show proof e.g. a printed out spreadsheet with results for your station, you could be closed down. Forearmed is forewarned.
See the OFCOM website for more details.
Covid-19 saliva test - NOT amateur radio
Since trials were carried out some months ago, it has gone very quiet on this. Putting swabs up noses and down throats can be distressing for some. Just spitting down a tube would be far easier, and quicker.
I am also puzzled that vitamin D and zinc supplements are not ever mentioned. Vitamin D supplements are very low cost and have strong evidence of effectiveness. I have never, ever, heard vitamin D supplements mentioned ever. Why not? If this is a "quick win" why are we not encouraged to take these? I know of several friends who are taking these.
UHF/VHF scatter
Recent QRP FT8 operations on 2m and 70cm have got me thinking. On the face of it, aircraft and tropo scatter might actually be better on 70cm than 2m.
Certainly for aircraft scatter, the smaller wavelength at 70cm might mean better scattering. I am no expert and may well be wrong. By my argument 23cm might be better still!
Certainly, path losses would be higher on 70cm, but antenna gain at each end can be easier as you go up in frequency.
What are your views?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
