The South Hams - NOT amateur radio

As a child I grew up in a most beautiful area of England. This aerial view shows Slapton Ley.  

These sands were used as practice areas for the D-day landings in WW2. It was where the tragic disaster known as "Operation Tiger" took place. Hundreds of American servicemen were killed. For a long time this was hushed up.

Several times in recent storms the road on Slapton Line has been damaged. Eventually the sea will break through and the road will have to be on the other side of the Ley.  All my life the A379 road has run along the sands. What is my lifetime? Just a blink in history.

It's arrived!

My 10m Phaser kit has arrived from the USA. This is a 4W SSB rig for 10m FT8. 

No duty or VAT was payable. It will get built in the coming weeks.

It is designed by Dave Benson K1SWL.

See https://midnightdesignsolutions.com/phaser/

Shopping Again - NOT amateur radio

Today we went into Cambridge shopping again. 

This was the first time since last summer that we have been into the city with the shops fully opened.  All the non-essential shops are now open again.  

It was nice to see buskers and collectors with their tins again! I never thought I'd say that!

Several places have gone for ever. Most are still there.

Slowly things are returning after dark days...

More bluebells - NOT amateur radio

As mentioned yesterday, we went bluebell hunting. Bluebells come out in the English spring and can look beautiful on the floor of woodlands, carpeting them in blue. We found one particular wood that looked stunning.

10m FT8 RX again

Once again, I have my 10FT8R RX turned on connected to my (poor) indoor loop antenna. I am monitoring 10m FT8. It was turned on at 0833z.

UPDATE 1258z: Just one European spotted so far today 9A6R (1542km).

UPDATE 1420z: So far today, 5 stations spotted. I really need that outside antenna!

UPDATE 1725z: 8 stations spotted so far.

UPDATE 2110z: 17 stations spotted me today. QRT shortly.

Sunspots - Wednesday April 28th 2021

 Solar flux is 79 and the SSN 47.  A=8 and K=1.

Garden blossom - NOT amateur radio

At the moment the garden is filled with blossom. This does not last long, but looks great whilst it lasts. 

In my opinion the garden looks its best in the spring.

Amplitude Modulation

Although I have not used AM recently, partly as a result of my poor voice, I can see the attraction of the mode. It lends itself to home brewing and in the past I have designed and made several AM rigs. At one time they were practically giving away ex PMR AM rigs.  

The Fredbox and Sixbox are examples of AM rigs I have designed and made in the past.

Southgate News has announced the formation of an AM Amateur Radio Society.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2021/april/announcing-the-formation-of-the-amplitude-modulation-amateur-radio-society.htm#.YIgZpGjYrrd .

My thanks to Steve G1KQH for pointing this out.

Bluebell hunting - NOT amateur radio

This morning we went bluebell hunting and saw this tree. 

We also saw plenty of bluebells. 

This Waresley Woods near Sandy, Bedfordshire.

Happier times - NOT amateur radio

 

The photo shows happier times when we ate out. I cannot recall when or where. It looks good.