Homebase10 dual band

One of my Facebook memories today was this photo of my dual band 10m /6m version of my Homebase10 antenna. It was erected at my old QTH some years ago. This was taken in 2012. This antenna is on my website. Sadly I cannot make this now. 

10m FT8 RX (Tuesday)

At 0640z I turned on my 10m FT8 RX with the 10FT8R and tiny indoor loop antenna. No spots yet. 

Sunspots - Tuesday May 4th 2021

 Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 0. A=5 and K=1.

New website ready soon (this week?)

As mentioned yesterday, I am working on a new Googles Sites website. All being well, it will "go live" later this week. You will still point to www.g3xbm.co.uk and it will automatically take you to the new pages when they are ready. Most pages have been done, but some remain to be done. 

The main difference is pages will be accessed via drop-down menus at the top of the home page rather than the index on the left. It allows some new features including embedding, so my 10m FT8 grabber will be there too. I may be able to use this feature for other things as well.

All being well, there will be some new pages too.

10m FT8 RX with the 10FT8R

It is now 0948z. I have been on RX for about 25 minutes using the 10m 10FT8R receiver with the tiny indoor loop antenna.  So far, just OM0ALE (1431km) spotted.

UPDATE 1014z:  Now more stations being received by Es.

UPDATE 1129z:  10 stations received today so far using the 10FT8R RX and the tiny indoor loop antenna.

UPDATE 1547z:  20 stations spotted so far today. The 10FT8R seems to work well, even with the tiny indoor loop.

UPDATE 2128z: 47 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX with the 10FT8R and the tiny indoor loop.

Albania - NOT amateur radio

When we think of Albania we often think of the dark communist days and as a sort of "dour" place devoid of fun. These days, Albania is trying to throw off these shackles. It is trying to market itself as a holiday destination.

Some years ago we went to coastal Albania on a day trip from Corfu. We had a total surprise. We went by coach down the coast to one of their very ancient sites. After lunch we went to a place with the purest, clearest, water I have ever seen.

The main town where our boat landed was filled with empty beaches, awaiting visitors. Prices were far lower than on Corfu. They accepted Euros.

Other parts may still be backward. All I can say is do not let your old views get in the way. Albania is trying to change. We were very pleasantly surprised.

Updated solar data

If you are like me you will be keen to see the latest solar data. My favourite site (solan) for solar data has been updated. Numbers have been increased yet again. Hopeful signs. I have no idea what the latest peak will look like. 

See https://www.solen.info/solar/ .

UPDATE 0834z:  At the moment this solar cycle looks very similar to the last one.

Tree roots - NOT amateur radio

Our village, Burwell,  owns an 11 acre meadow that has Roman remains and the remains of a castle built in the reign of King Stephen about 1000 years ago. 

Children paddle in the stream below these tree roots. 

Years ago, when still privately owned, a farmer kept cows in the meadow in summer.  We used to hear them early in the morning.

Sunspots - Monday May 3rd 2021

 Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 0. A=10 and K=2.

Progress

As mentioned in an earlier post, I am working on a new website. Things are progressing well so the new pages could be up soon. All the old stuff should be there plus some new stuff.

For creating "all new" sites Google Sites is very user friendly. It is a pity that just migrating classic sites is appallingly bad.