6m FT8 today (Thursday)

Stations spotting me to
1455z on 6m FT8 TX

Already spotted across the Atlantic on 6m FT8 TX as well as lots of spots nearer. 56 stations spotted on RX.

UPDATE 1455z:  182 spots of my 2.5W to the omni vertical V2000 so far. On 6m FT8 RX plenty of stations from North America and the Caribbean.

1620 pub - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday lunchtime we ate lunch at a pub nearby that has been a pub since at least 1620! 

It is amazing to think this was serving ale when the Pilgrim Fathers sailed to America 400 years ago!  The bit on the right was added about 150 years ago. Most is thatched.

The food and service were excellent. There were quite a few tables occupied, which is always a good sign.

See http://www.redlionsoham.com/ .

Sunspots - Thursday July 8th 2021

 Solar flux is 76 and the SSN 25. A=6 and K=1.

Amateur radio cartoon

 

This came to me via Steve G1KQH. 

I have no idea where this originated. 

Talk a lot? Radio amateurs? Surely not. Well maybe 80m nets! 😉

Phaser kits

These are QRP SSB phasing transceivers for FT8 designed by Dave Benson K1SWL. I have one (unbuilt) for 10m. My intention was to have a go at building it for the Es season, but I guess I shall miss this based on the time I get around to it!  Since my 2013 stroke, I have found building things far harder. Maybe it will have to be a winter project.

I think these are meant to be about 3-4W pep and take about 6 hours to build. That means 26 hours for me! The idea is to have a rig that can be on, but freeing up the "big rig" for other things.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/10m-phaser .

Ely with sibs earlier - NOT amateur radio

This photo was taken earlier in Ely and shows my wife with her brothers. Ely Cathedral is in the background, 

2m activity contest (UKAC)

Every month the RSGB organises a 2m activity contest on Tuesday evenings. Last evening, I went on for far shorter than normal (because of the sibling reunion) with 5W and the big-wheel antenna.

Iceland - NOT amateur radio

 

10 years ago we went to Iceland for a holiday. We expected it to be barren, but it was green and beautiful with lots of wild lupins. This was the church at Vik. 

Sibling reunion - NOT amateur radio

Every year for 18 years bar two because of my stroke and Covid-19 we have had a sibling reunion with my wife's brothers and wives. We take it in turns to host. From next year we will meet in hotels as we are getting older! 

OFCOM updates

Every month, OFCOM updates its "Communications Monthly" which shows the statistics it holds. See the OFCOM website for the July edition.