Last night's 2m FT8 activity contest

For the first time, I submitted an entry for this 2m FT8 UKAC activity contest. It was surprising not to see a list of affiliated societies. If it was there, I missed it. 

This being the case, I am unlikely to submit an entry in future. The only reason I entered a score was to help CDARC. I could enjoy the activity without submitting an entry.

Sunspots - Thursday November 3rd 2022

 Solar flux is 130 and the SSN 49.  K=14 and K=4.

2m FT8 activity contest (Wednesday)

Starting at 1900z, tonight is the 2m FT8 activity contest (UKAC). Although I often go on with my 5W and omni antenna, I rarely actually submit an entry. I might do this evening.

Stations spotting my 5W
2m FT8 this evening

71 stations spotted on
2m FT8 RX this evening

UPDATE 2045z:  4 QSOs and spotted by loads of stations. 71 stations spotted here.

Cosmology - NOT amateur radio

As part of my University of the Third Age lectures , I am attending a course on Cosmology. It is very interesting, but also very hard.

Like last year, I try to take away some aspect of what I have learnt. My overwhelming thought is "this cannot be right".  Yes, the explanations sound plausible, but we know so very little. My overriding thought is "in 100 years people will say, "did you really believe THAT?"".

It is very enjoyable just being able to learn for fun with no worries about exams  etc..

Next term, I am doing something quite different: the history of the Bank of England.

It is also nice being in Cambridge.

UPDATE 1855z:   It has been estimated that there are 60000000000 planets in the Milky Way galaxy alone that could support life.  There are billions of galaxies in the universe that we know of. So, it looks like somewhere out there there should be life. Mind boggling.

Nice walk - NOT amateur radio

Quite regularly we go for a walk around nearby Anglesey Abbey which is a National Trust property. At all times of the year there is something to see. It has certainly turned autumnal in the last few weeks.

8m QRP FT8 TX (Wednesday)

Later this afternoon, I hope to be on 8m QRP FT8 TX on 40.680 MHz. 10m so far looks pretty promising.

UPDATE 1842z: No 8m spots.

G3XBM history

My interest in radio goes back to 1961. Since then, it was my career and an absorbing hobby. 

After all this time I still find aspects of our hobby totally fascinating. 

Most recently, I have ordered a 2W 23cm transverter from Bulgaria that I hope to use to work some locals and maybe further in the UKAC sessions when portable.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/g3xbm-history .

2m UKAC yesterday evening

As usual, I went on the 2m activity contest organised by the RSGB with 10W pep and my horizontal omni antenna. 6 contacts were had in about 40 minutes before I stopped. 2 QSOs at 105km.

10m FT8 RX (Wednesday)

Any HF user will agree that 10m is good again these days. I am hoping for the E-W F2 MUF to exceed 8m.

My plan for today is to go on 10m FT8 RX and switch to 8m QRP FT8 TX if things look promising later.

UPDATE 1400z:  On 10m FT8 RX 621 stations spotted today.

Sunspots - Wednesday November 2nd 2022

Solar flux is 128 and the SSN 63. A=8 and K=4.