Covid-19 facts - NOT amateur radio

There is a lot of rubbish and misinformation about this out there. Ignore it!!!

Some time ago I was pointed to the talks (usually updated daily) by Dr John Campbell. His videos are usually between 20-30 minutes long. He works with published facts and always shows the original source. I often look at these. He is frequently interviewed internationally. His YouTube channel has over a million subscribers. The video below came out yesterday.

Another good source of accurate data is the ZOE app and the weekly updates by Professor Tim Spector.

Above all, get vaccinated. 

You are far safer with 2 doses than with no vaccines. The vaccines work, are safe and help protect you and others. It is quick and painless. Do it, please.

Liverpool skyline - NOT amateur radio

We have just got back from a few days with our best man who lives on the Wirral near Liverpool. This is a photo showing the Liverpool skyline from Birkenhead. We had a good time. 

10m FT8 and thunder

We were supposed to have thunderstorms here, so I avoided connecting things. It looks like the storms are further east, so I shall go on 10m FT8 shortly. 

UPDATE 0817z:  Earlier I was briefly on TX with 2.5W for a few minutes. Nobody spotted me and no QSOs. On 10m FT8 RX 2 stations spotted so far, by what seems to be Es.

UPDATE 1445z:  36 stations spotted and 1 UW5 /MM station worked.

UPDATE 1638z: Now 40 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX including 1 in South America.

Soar Mill Cove - NOT amateur radio

This is where I come from in South Devon. It is on a walk from Hope Cove to Salcombe and is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Mind you I am biased! 

Sunspots - Sunday August 22nd 2021

 Solar flux is 77 and the SSN 25.  A=3 and K=1. 

History of SSB

Southgate News has a piece on the history of SSB.

See Southgatearc.org/news/2021/august/the-history-of-single-sideband.htm#.YSEdbfLYrrc  .

Retreat from Kabul 1842 - NOT amateur radio

Apparently we retreated from Kabul in 1842 as the photo of the picture shows. We never learn from history.

Note the date!!!

See www.historic-uk.com  . 

10m Tenbox QRP transceiver

Because of my poor health, progress on this project stopped. It would make an ideal winter project. It is designed as a local natter box, ideal for local nets. It is not intended for DX.

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

10m FT8 RX

Now I am back home, I am on 10m FT8 RX again. 64 stations spotted with the furthermost 4Z5LX (3633km) in Israel.

UPDATE 1314z:  181 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX including 2 in Newfoundland, probably Es.

UPDATE 1955z:  QRT soon. In all, 237 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX (see map).

UPDATE 2008z:  Now QRT with 240 stations spotted today including LU1HW (11230km) in Corduba, Argentina.  He was very strong, but too late to be shown on the map. This was the best DX today. When I went QRT there were still South Americans coming in.

Rally and BATC ATV Convention

In the last few days I have been reminded of the following:

• On this Saturday August 21st is the BATV Convention. You may recall the date has changed. One person missing will be Ian G3KKD who died earlier this year.  He was a keen ATV man.
• On Sunday August 22nd is the Grand Field Day Out at Willesborough  Windmill, near ashford in Kent. 

As usual, I'd made sure these are on before setting out.