Working on optical frequencies at 481THz seems easier!
28 Jun 2021
Grandchildren - NOT amateur radio
Here two of them are with their granny.
eBay fan - NOT amateur radio
PFX Manual
Years ago, I worked on the Pye PFX. An old friend has just pointed me to a PFX service manual for sale on eBay.
I have just spotted that it was my personal copy with my name on it!
No, I shall not be bidding, HI.
The PFX was widely used by the UK police and some were used on 70cm. It was the first synthesised portable Pye Telecom ever made. It had a few false starts, but was very successful in the end. The PF85 was a crystal controlled handheld using many of the same modules.
10m FT8 RX with the indoor loop
At about 0750z, I turned on the 10m FT8 RX with the 50cm diameter indoor loop. So far, 2 Iberian spots on RX.
UPDATE 1022z: Now 30 stations spotted on RX with furthermost 5T5PA (3791km).
UPDATE 1142z: 59 stations spotted on RX.
UPDATE 1545z: 86 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX.
27 Jun 2021
Earth-mode VLF
Earth-mode is a form of VLF communication that is open to all. With 5W I managed to cover 6km, although far further should be possible even with the same gear. I have updated my webpage to include a link to my earth-mode blog showing my experiments some years ago.
My understanding is this does not require a UK licence, but check with OFCOM as I cannot give legal advice.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vlf/vlf-earth-mode .
Lightning threat?
Later, we have the threat of thunderstorms. At the moment there are storms on the near continent, but not here. If they get close I shall go QRT.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/lightning-maps .
UPDATE 1710z: Still nothing here. At the moment the storms are not expected until 0100z tomorrow.
Our son's kitten - NOT amateur radio
After the pandemic - NOT amateur radio
When the current pandemic ends (it will) things will be different in many ways:
High streets will be different. Many of us have got used to online shopping. Some of this started before the pandemic, but certainly this trend has speeded up. Those shops that survive will be those that adapt. Those that do not are unlikely to be around long. Expect fewer shops, more in-town flats and more places to meet. In 20 years, things will be very different. People will shop more locally.
People will work from home more. I suspect people will go into the office a few days a week, but maybe commute on fewer days. People will realise that living in a village rather than a big city has its advantages.
People will have meetings online more rather than travel a long way. Most of us have been pleasantly surprised how effective online meetings can be. I have attended several lectures by Zoom and sometimes we have had speakers and viewers on different continents.
There will be less air travel. People are realising there are actually good places to see without getting on a plane.
Live music will suffer. People often prefer live music, but may be more reluctant to travel far.
Inflation could rise.
Low interest rates will be around for a long time. Savings are likely to suffer.
For a while people will be nervous about socialising.
There is a danger of social unrest with fewer jobs and more unemployment.
We are going to have a very different time. Not all is bad.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/non-amateur-radio/covid-19-aftermath .
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
