Compost - NOT amateur radio

As we ran out of compost earlier, we went shopping and bought more as well as other stuff.  

It was not busy.

Frangipani - NOT amateur radio

 

This was seen on our walk at Anglesey Abbey yesterday.

New website feedback

A reminder that the new website pages "went live" a few days ago. It would be good to hear of any omissions, errors or improvements needed. It is early days still, so any things I can do I shall.

See www.g3xbm.co.uk .

10m FT8 RX (Thursday) with the 10FT8R and the tiny indoor loop

At 0745z, I turned this kit on. Already, 10 stations spotted by Es. 

UPDATE 0847z:  48 stations spotted so far today.

UPDATE 1113z:  141 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today so far. 

UPDATE 1651z:  251 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today so far. Not bad for such a simple RX and tiny antenna! The furthermost is KP4UA (6841km). The map shows the stations spotted so far today.

UPDATE 1904z:  For some time now, I have been stuck on 252 RX spots on 10m FT8 today suggesting that is it for the day. I shall probably go QRT shortly on 10m.

Swifts screaming - NOT amateur radio

When gardening a few days ago I heard swifts overhead screaming. This a very English sound of spring and summer. They feed on the wing and are often heard before being seen.

Sunspots - Thursday May 20th 2021

Solar flux is 76 and the SSN 24.  A=6 and K=3.

60m amateur allocations in the UK

OFCOM has just put the latest amateur licence conditions on its website including an EMF calculator. Running 10W or less, I am not too concerned.

What does concern me are the UK slots at 60m. I am sure I cannot be alone in being totally confused. Yes, we may have more spectrum and higher power (100W) than the small WRC slot, but unless you are a regular user, these slots are messy and confusing. I counted 10 slots!!

Personally, I'd settle for a narrow contiguous allocation than the mess we currently have, and with lower power. I would also like to see more access to much more spectrum with very low ERP limits on a strictly non-interference basis. I guess that is too much to think about. Why can't we follow the Irish example?

See the OFCOM website for more details.

See https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/214116/emf-amateur-licence-terms-and-conditions.pdf

160m FT8

Just after 1800z, I QSYed to 160m FT8. Very briefly I was on QRP with 2.5W TX and the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. At the moment I am on RX only. As it is still daylight, I am not expecting any great DX until after dark.

UPDATE 2005z: European DX coming through now now it is dark.

Fresh Green - NOT amateur radio

It is good to see the fresh green leaves on the trees. This was nearby Anglesey Abbey earlier today.

OFCOM and mobile phone repeaters

OFCOM is to allow more type approved mobile phone repeaters to be licence-free to get more reliable coverage indoors. See the OFCOM website for details.