IC-705 firmware updated

Following the instructions in "The RadioToday Guide to the IC-705", I have successfully upgraded the firmware from V1.12 to V1.24. All appears to have gone correctly. The next thing is to get a suitable interface cable from the rig to the PC and try FT8 and rig control.  Some have used cables with ferrite toroids on or isolators to minimise ground loops.

As you can tell, I am taking things very slowly. With my "brain fog" (probably as a result of my 2013 stroke) it is all too easy to make mistakes. Jobs that would once have seemed trivial are now quite hard. Even just unpacking the microSD card from the packaging was a challenge!

UPDATE 2029z:  Since doing the firmware update, a couple of new icons have appeared. The SD card is there, but flashing (why?) and there is an adjacent red circle. I am sure I shall find out what these are soon! I was able to have a 2m FM net OK this evening, but avoided touching anything just in case it all went wrong!  Investigation needed, HI.

Church clock - NOT amateur radio

It is comforting to hear the church clock chiming again. Sadly, the chimes are about 13 minutes early! I am not sure how old the clock is. 

The main tower bells have not been rung very often in the last year. When they return we will be back to "near normal".

Shack video

 

Some years ago, I did a video about the setup here. Sorry my voice is so poor!

NASA's Mars helicopter flies - NOT amateur radio

NASA has successfully test flown its helicopter on Mars.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56799755 .

Nostalgia time again

Since the 1960s we have come a very long way. Back then, I thought G4PJ's AT5 from Codar was amazing (see photo). This was a valve 160m/80m AM/CW TX putting out about 10-12W.  There was a companion RX, the T28, which was dreadful.

These days, you can buy a whole SDR transceiver covering 160m-70cm with all modes plus Bluetooth, WiFi and GPS in much the same size.  Mind you, the AT5 was a lot less expensive!

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/at5 .

10m FT8 RX

At 1030z, I turned on the FT817ND with the indoor loop on 10m RX. Comparing results with G0LRD, I think this antenna must be several dBs down. I can't wait to erect a 10m antenna outside again.

UPDATE 1236z:   No spots.

UPDATE 1301z: Just G0LRD spotted.

Geosynchronous Oscar 100

Every few weeks I check activity on the narrowband transponder of this satellite by looking at the web SDR at Goonhilly. The last time I looked was just before 0800z on Monday. 

My impression is activity levels are still low. As I have said before, this is just a quick view and far from scientific. If I looked a few minutes before or after, I might have formed a different view.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .

Grandchildren - NOT amateur radio

Like many, we enjoy seeing our grandchildren. We were fortunate to see them all over the last few weeks. Many grandparents overseas have been less fortunate. 

The collage shows them in the last few weeks.

DXCC entities

Long ago, I stopped chasing DX. If I work some rare country or QTH square then great, but I do not chase it as if my life depended on it. There is always tomorrow, but if it "gets away" does it really matter? This is just a hobby. Personally, I like to see where my QRP signals reach, but each to their own. There are many ways to enjoy our hobby.

To some working every entity matters. They enjoy the thrill of the chase. I see Southgate News has a link about this. Apparently there 209 DXCC entities active.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2021/april/dxcc-country-entity-report-19-04.htm#.YH0zZSjYrrc .

French proverb - NOT amateur radio

 "To understand all is to forgive all".  

I believe this is an old French proverb, but what a good one.

I am of the view that there is good and bad in all of us. Most things that go wrong whether personally or globally are as a result of not fully understanding the whole picture. It is all too easy to judge when we only see part of the picture.