10m FT8 RX (Friday)

 My gear was turned on about 0830z. So far, 7 stations already spotted with the furthermost R7IW (3463km)

UPDATE 2020z: Now QRT.  In all, 124 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today.

Reminder: CQWW SSB contest this weekend

All weekend is the CQWW SSB contest. Activity is usually very high. I have never submitted a log, but enjoy going on for a while to work a few new countries and states. Because of my voice, I shall be unable to be on for long.

See www.cqww.com

40m QRP by DL1DN

 Jay W5OLF kindly sent me the link to this video for a QRP transceiver based on my rig linked yesterday. 

TEP opening from South Africa to Europe on 8m

Several stations in southern Europe have reported copying the South African 8m beacon recently.

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/2021/10/tep-opening-on-40-mhz-between-south.

Sunspots - Friday October 29th 2021

 Solar flux is 112 and the SSN 96.  A=3 and K=1.

The future of the hobby

It is hard to generalise, but amateur radio is changing. Years ago, to talk to people around the world meant an expensive phone call or getting an amateur licence and building your own gear. Today, many of us just buy a main transceiver and few build their own gear. We are (nearly) all guilty. I know I am. 

What happens in 20 years' time? Many of us will be old and frail and few of us will be interested in shiny new transceivers. Quite a few manufacturers will decide there is little profit in amateur radio and leave the market. Dealers will go out of business. There will be fewer adverts in magazines. Some magazines will close. The hobby will die.

I really hope I am wrong. It is up to us all to forget what brought us into the hobby, as the magic of radio will no longer be the magnet it once was. Today, talking across the planet is free and easy via the internet by video. We need to understand what "turns young people on" technologically and move with the times.

Grey haired old men waxing lyrical about the past is not the future.

No, I am concerned. Your views?

Ultra-simple 80m transceiver

As mentioned before, there is often a compulsion to get results with the fewest parts. Usually, this involves a compromise, often with the RX. This is the case with this rig. It certainly works, but be careful not to call over a co-channel station.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/80m-xbm80-2

Covid-19 data - NOT amateur radio

There is a lot of misinformation about Covid out there and it is very hard sometimes to know what is true and what is rubbish. My 2 most trusted sources are Dr John Campbell  and Professor Tim Spector of ZOE.

The view is that cases in the UK are still too high, although vaccines and previous infections are now stopping hospitalisations and deaths in most cases. These days the most common symptoms are like those of a cold. Experts think this will become endemic in the West rather than a pandemic.

If you have cold-like symptoms these days it could be Covid, so get tested.

See https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=dr+john+campbell

See https://www.youtube.com/c/ZOE-health .

Home grown tomatoes - NOT amateur radio

This year we had 2 tomato bags and these are the tomatoes that were left at the end. I love the smell. Those that stay green will probably be used for chutney. Overall, we probably had at least as many again.  

We also grew runner beans for the first time this year as they have attractive flowers on the way.

10m FT8 RX (Thursday)

My gear was turned on at about 0730z. 2 spots already at 0755z. Furthermost is R9CA (3677km). I guess this is F2.

UPDATE 1036z: So far today on 10m FT8 RX, 47 stations spotted.

UPDATE 1329z: 69 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX with the furthermost 7Q7CT (7955km) in Malawi.

UPDATE 1910z: 126 stations spotted.  As it is dark, I shall go QRT soon.

UPDATE 2113z:  QRT. 126 stations spotted, so no more stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today.