10m FT8

Once again, after a brief session on 2.5W TX (11 spots of my TX, but no QSOs), I am RX only. So far (at 0730z) 41 stations spotted.

UPDATE 0740z:  67 stations spotted 10m FT8 RX. This looks like a mix of Es and F2.

2m activity contest (UKAC) results

 The results have been published by the RSGB. I am still in the same position in the low power section.

Masks in England - NOT amateur radio

 Today, July 19th, is supposed to be "freedom day" in England when most Covid-19 laws end. 

It was interesting that going to the bakers this morning, nothing had changed. All customers and staff were wearing masks and still only 2 customers inside at a time. From the BBC Breakfast Time it looked like Manchester airport was quiet.

Now, of course, there will be some stupid, selfish people that will go mad. Hopefully, enough people will remain sensible to keep Covid-19 infections low enough.

Personally, I wish the government had mandated wearing of masks in shops and public transport. This is about protecting others and, ultimately, freeing society. By being selfish now, people are probably endangering freedoms later.

Sunspots - Monday July 19th 2021

Solar flux is 80 and the SSN 42.  A=4 and K=2. 

40MHz experimental station in the USA

According to John's blog there is an experimental station WL2XUP active in the USA on the 8m band. As time progresses a bigger antenna and more power are planned.

Is this the first of many?

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/ .

Herd Immunity? - NOT amateur radio

With regard to the current Covid-19 pandemic, it looks like the English government is (again) trying for herd immunity. 

This was last tried briefly in spring 2020. There is little doubt that cases will rise, but hopefully most cases will be mild. This time around, many have been fully vaccinated. Many have had the disease and recovered. Antibodies could be much higher than spring 2020.

This is a gamble. It may not work, but it might.

Whatever happens, we cannot "go mad". The virus is still here and new variants could be imported from abroad.

I wish the English government would abandon self isolation and replace this with daily testing. This seems a far better way, with far fewer economic impacts and just as safe.

FT817

The FT817/818 has appeared in a few guises, but Yaesu has totally "missed the boat" with regard to a really competitive replacement. 

It is still a decent radio, covering all the HF bands, 6m, 2m and 70cm with all modes. It may be used at home or out portable, but some quite small changes could transform it. 

My feelings are that Yaesu has lost its way and become, at best, a follower rather than a leader. I have owned several Yaesu radios since the 1970s. I really hope they "get on their game" soon.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/commercial-rigs/yaesu-ft817nd

Runner beans - NOT amateur radio

As an experiment this year, I am growing runner beans. These were planted in a shady spot and I quite expected them to fail, or be eaten by the Muntjac Deer.  

Actually (as the photo shows) thay are doing pretty well. In a month they have shot up and are now in the sunlight most of the day. The flowers are attractive and there are already some runner beans appearing. 

In the background are wild flowers and "our" windmill (due to be repainted soon).

As you can tell, apart from a few tomatoes, I am not a great vegetable grower, although next year I might try a few more things.

Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio

This collage was taken in the herbaceous garden at nearby Anglesey Abbey. This is at its best now. Shortly, it starts to turn and look "tired".

10m FT8 (Sunday)

Apart from a very brief spell on TX with 2.5W (7 spots of my TX), I am RX only. I went on about 0635z. So far today (at 0845z) 231 stations spotted on RX. Most seem to be by Es. It looks like Es is good today.

UPDATE 0944z:  316 stations spotted (see map).

UPDATE 1512z:  814 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX so far in the last 12 hours.