Soon be winter, brrrr - NOT amateur radio

A few days ago, I cut our front lawn. The nights are already getting darker sooner. 

We have already switched to "winter mode". 

8m NoV submitted to OFCOM

My online application for a time and power limited access to the 8m band is with OFCOM and the RSGB. OFCOM has acknowledged receipt. No doubt it will take months to process. I hope it is successful.

I note that the OFCOM NoV application form has a tickbox to say the RSGB approves. I guess without this they immediately reject it.

Burwell 2015 - NOT amateur radio

 

This was the sky over our village in 2015. It was a FaceBook memory yesterday. 

I was commenting yesterday that we have had very few swallows (birds) this summer, but swifts seem as plentiful. It would appear swallows are more localised. At this rate we could see no swallows within a few years.

10m FT8 RX (Wednesday)

At about 0745z, I turned on 10m FT8 RX. So far,  no spots.

UPDATE 1222z:  59 spots on RX so far with the furthermost ZS6RHL (9089km). Most propagation on 10m now appears to be by F2.

Mappa Mundi - NOT amateur radio

 

Yesterday, my brother went to see this in Hereford Cathedral. It is one of the oldest maps in the world. 

Sunspots - Wednesday October 6th 2021

 Solar flux is 82 and the SSN 27. A=5 and K=2.

2m activity contest (UKAC)

 This evening, I went on 2m SSB with 10W and the big-wheel omni antenna. I was on for about 30 minutes. GD was heard, but not worked. I stopped early because of my poor voice after working 6 stations.

10m FT8 RX

 

Late this afternoon and this evening, I have been on 10m FT8 RX. 34 stations spotted today (see map).

Coasters and placemats - NOT amateur radio

 

We recently bought some placemats and coasters as shown in the photo.

OFCOM updates

 As usual, OFCOM has updated its "Communications Monthly" with the latest statistics it holds.  See the OFCOM website for details.