Transatlantic super DX on 2m

John EI7GL reports on some amazing DX on 2m across the Atlantic from the Canary Is to the Caribbean.  Yet again, FT8 was mainly used although there was some SSB too.

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/2021/08/day-2-of-trans-atlantic-opening-on-144.html .

Dahlias - NOT amateur radio

Our neighbour always grows some spectacular dahlias in his front garden. This year is no exception. 

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  .