For the last few days I have had a cold. Now I have given it to my wife! Just in case it was Omicron Covid-19 we both have done a couple of lateral flow tests that proved negative. It looks like it is a common cold.
It is several years since I have had a streaming nose and sore throat. I am largely recovered.
Let's hope Omicron turns out to be milder and we can all treat it like a common cold seeking medical help only when needed. Life could then go back to (nearly) as it was.
Today is celebrated around the world as Christmas Day.
I am not a strong believer these days, if at all. What I am sure of is all the world's religions are hints at a greater truth. We all need kindness and understanding.
Whatever you believe, I wish you peace and happiness now and next year.
Solar flux is 126 and the SSN 145. A=5 and K=1. These are quite remarkably high numbers.
At 1840z, I QSYed from 6m FT8 to 160m FT8 RX using the indoor Wellgood active loop.
UPDATE 1915z: So far, 25 stations have been spotted on 160m FT8 RX with the furthermost UA4HTZ (3293km).
As there is chance of mid-winter Es, I QSYed to 6m FT8. On TX (briefly) I was spotted by 1 G station. On RX (at 1335z) 3 stations spotted with the furthermost F6HGB (983km).
UPDATE 1641z: 5 stations spotted on RX and 2 have spotted my very brief QRP TX sessions. No QSOs.
UPDATE 1835z: Still just 5 stations spotted. I think I shall QSY to an LF band.
This is useless!! At the moment we're meant to have light cloud and no sun. It's sunny!! As a BBC licence payer, I object to them wasting my money. As a joke it is fine, but it is rarely useful as a forecasting aid. OK the UK weather is changeable, but this is terrible even in real time. In the meantime, the best forecast is Windows - just look out of them!! 😁
At 0634z I turned on my 10m FT8 gear. One station spotted (Es?) and my short transmission was spotted by 1 station in England.
UPDATE 0946z: So far, 155 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX with the furthermost VK6AS (14459km) in Western Australia.
UPDATE 1156z: 260 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX so far today.
It must be a hazard for aircraft flying overhead. I am glad I am not paying for the electricity!
At the moment, we all need cheering up.
Well that was a failure! Absolutely nothing spotted!
Overnight I was hoping to catch the end of the meteor shower. Either I was too late, I was on the wrong frequency, wrong mode, activity was low, or the antenna was not good enough. I have copied DX on 6m with this antenna via MS in the past.
Hamvention is now only a few weeks away. It is often the place where new rigs are announced. ICOM has announced a new concept model called t...
