Video channel

From time to time I like to remind readers of my video channel. This gives more details on some of my projects and some of my non amateur radio videos.

See https://www.youtube.com/user/G3XBM .

Almonry, Ely - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday, we went to Ely with my wife's brothers and wives. We had a snack in the Almonry, which has been serving drinks and meals since the 1200s.  I suspect the scones are not as old! 

This photo was in the Almonry Garden.

See https://www.elycathedral.org/visit/the-almonry-restaurant .

10m WSPR TX

For several hours I have been on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW. Nobody has spotted me yet at 1400z.

UPDATE 1530z:  All day had gone by without a single spot, despite my 2.5W 6m signal getting to Newfoundland and lots of 6m stations being copied. I was getting suspicious, so I reset the 10m WSPR beacon. Suddenly lots of spots! All very odd. Perhaps something with my timing was off. Anyway, all fine now. 

It seems that every time I try, I get spotted in South America on 10m WSPR. Not bad with a self contained unit (no PC needed) about the size of a pack of cards and a low wire antenna. My thanks to Jay, W5OLF for such a wonderful unit. It continues to give me hours and hours of fun.

Iceland - NOT amateur radio

We were in Iceland 10 years ago. There were lots of wild lupins and waterfalls. 

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,