Sunspots - Thursday July 15th 2021

 Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 23.  A=14 and K=2. 

Pass it on - NOT amateur radio

“Pass the parcel. That's sometimes all you can do. Take it, feel it, and pass it on. Not for me, not for you, but for someone, somewhere, one day. Pass it on, boys. That's the game I want you to learn. Pass it on.” 

This famous "pass it on" quote from "The History Boys" by Alan Bennett resonated with me. 

In the end this is what all of us has to do. We pass on our experiences of life to children, friends and colleagues. Not one of us is perfect, but we must strive to pass on what makes the world better to those around us.

Bellbind - NOT amateur radio

At this time of year, bellbind flowers look great. 

 

Sadly this plant can strangle garden plants. 

It is also known as bindweed.

ICOM IC-705

This QRP radio has been on sale now for several months and is proving very popular. It has its own battery pack (5W) or can run off an external PSU (10W).  

Although I have had mine for several months now, I have only scratched the surface of what it can do.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/commercial-rigs/icom-ic-705 .

Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

 

We live quite close to the university town (or is it a city?) of Cambridge. Usually visitors come from all over the world to see what we can see every day for nothing. It is all too easy to take it for granted.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/non-amateur-radio/cambridge .

10m WSPR TX with 500mW (Wednesday)

It is now 0835z and I have been active for about 20 minutes. Much to my surprise, spotted by OH6BG and a couple of Germans already, presumably Es.

UPDATE 1020z: 26 spots of me so far today on 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 1252z: 33 spots of me so far today.

6m FT8 RX (Wednesday)

It  is now 0830z. I have been active (V2000 omni antenna) for about 15 minutes. So far just a couple of Gs spotted. No Es evident yet.

UPDATE 1025z:  153 stations spotted with the furthermost 4X1TI (3633km).

UPDATE 1255z:  313 stations spotted today. Most by Es.

OFCOM mobile licences

OFCOM has proposed some changes to mobile licences at 800MHz. See the OFCOM website for more details.

Sunspots - Wednesday July 14th 2021

 Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 11. A=5 and K=1.

UK Home Secretary under fire

UK Home Secretary, Pity Patel, is under fire for her views on race. I have seen better Home Secretaries. The UK Prime Minister seems determined to keep her. I could not possibly comment.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-57778668 .