Antenna issues

It is like busses, with all issues happening at once! 

Now my big-wheel omni (2m) has developed a high SWR. It probably just wants a good clean as some of the joints may have oxidised. Sadly, I need help these days. I think the coax is still fine. Well I hope so!

Earlier, my V2000 developed issues. Despite trying hard, G3TFX was unable to get the bottom part off. I think a new antenna and coax are called for before the poorer weather sets in. The V2000 must be very old. It was up at the old QTH before going up here for nearly 8 years, so I have had my money's worth.

With some luck, all my antennas will be in good shape again before autumn.

Roses - NOT amateur radio

This collage shows some of the roses seen on our walk yesterday. 

Gilbert and Sullivan

The English have a love affair with G&S comic opera. These were written in Victorian times. 

Until Covid-19 times a local group performed every year in a local barn. I hope this returns next year (2022). It was part of our year. 

6m FT8 in the last day

 In all 844 stations have been spotted on RX with the V2000 vertical omni antenna in the last 24 hours on 6m FT8 RX . The V2000 is faulty and has a high SWR on TX. 

Sunspots - Friday June 11th 2021

 Solar flux is 73 and the SSN 29.  A=4 and K=3.

Visit Ely - NOT amateur radio

Ely is about 12km north from here. 

Recently a free booklet has been produced called, "Visit Ely" promoting Ely as a good base to explore the area. 

The world famous university boat race took place here earlier in the year and it has a wonderful cathedral. It makes a good base.

See www.visitely.org.uk. 

SPRAT 187

The GQRP Club produces an excellent quarterly magazine called SPRAT that is always packed with ideas and projects. It is, without fail, excellent. 

They also offer SPRAT 1-184 on a DVD or Flash stick for £5 plus postage - excellent. 

If ALL other magazines had to stop, I'd keep SPRAT. 

See www.gqrp.com. 

Rally news

The East Suffolk Wireless Revival (Ipswich Radio Rally) has been postponed until July and the Junction 28 Rally has been cancelled this year, hopefully on in 2022.

OFCOM appoints new Chief Technology Officer

Apparently OFCOM is appointing a new Chief Technology Officer who used to work at Amazon. This person seems well qualified in business. Let's hope this person really understands technology too.

See the OFCOM website for details.

6m FT8 RX (Thursday)

Since about 0830z, I have been on 6m FT8 RX. It is now 1104z and 41 stations spotted so far. Surprising number of UK stations, suggesting some tropo?UPDATE 1132z: 55 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX today so far.

UPDATE 1538z:  256 stations spotted so far.

UPDATE 1755z: 427 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX with the furthermost WP4G (6803km) in Puerto Rico.

UPDATE 1936z: 646 stations spotted today on RX with the furthermost PV8DX (7830km) in northern Brazil. Not bad for a VHF band with an omni antenna with a poor SWR!

UPDATE 2116z: 815 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX today (see map)