Kings - NOT amateur radio

This photo was on this blog some years ago. It shows the famous King's College Chapel in the sun with people punting on the Cam in the foreground. 

Hopefully it will be like this again next year. Cambridge misses its overseas visitors, but is as beautiful as ever.

Oscar 100 - quiet

 A few moments ago I did my usual peek at the activity on the narrowband transponder of this geosynchronous satellite. It was Friday lunchtime in Europe. 

Activity? Very quiet. In fact there was just one QSO when I looked! It appears this sort of amateur radio does not appeal. After 2 years there seems to be even less activity!

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .

Outdoor fun - NOT amateur radio

This photo is of the park in Cambridge just behind Drummer Street bus station. It is good to see the table tennis tables out and the cafe spilling onto the grass. Even with restrictions (until quite recently) banning inside meetings in England, people still find ways to have fun.

Yesterday, I had my first indoor coffee in Cambridge for a very long time. Slowly, things are becoming more normal again.

10m FT8 RX with the tiny loop and simple 10FT8R RX

It is now 0825z. I have been on 10m FT8 RX since before breakfast. So far, 21 stations spotted. Mostly Es from across Europe. 

UPDATE 1735z:  183 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX so far today.  See map.

Slug - NOT amateur radio

This slug (I don't think it was a snail without a shell) was seen at Anglesey Abbey on Thursday . No doubt it was on the path as we had a very wet May in the UK. It has felt more like March than May.

Sunspots - Friday May 28th 2021

 Solar flux is 83 and the SSN 34. A=16 and K=1. 

Hamsphere

Hamsphere is a form of "virtual" amateur radio that uses the internet rather than the ionosphere as the bearer. Unlike "real" radio, it does not need HF rigs or antennas. It is ideal perhaps for those unable to use "real" radio, for example those in flats or care homes. It does not appeal to me.

See http://hamsphere.com/ .

Website

 Please let me know about any issues with the www.g3xbm.co.uk website. Hopefully all schematics are readable. If not, shout. 

Also, if you spot pages with wrong or absent images, let me know so I can put this right. 

Most pages should be OK, but I am only human and am bound to have something wrong. My aim is to correct any errors or omissions as soon as possible. This is only possible if people point these out!  😄

Nearly normal - NOT amateur radio

We went shopping in Cambridge this morning and I had a coffee in Pret a Manger. Things are getting back to normal slowly. 

10m FT8 RX with the 10FT8R and the tiny indoor loop antenna

In a few moments I hope to go on 10m FT8 RX with the tiny indoor loop antenna. 

UPDATE 1306z:   10m FT8 gear turned on 1256z.