29 Dec 2022
Ultra simple 80m transceiver
If you get bored this holiday, you may get some ideas from the XBM80-2 transceiver on my website. It really works!! You would be hard pressed to find anything simpler.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/80m-xbm80-2 .
8m QRP FT8 (Thursday)
About 10 minutes ago, I switched to 8m QRP FT8 on 40.680 MHz. So far today (it is now 1435z) no spots.
UPDATE 1643z: No spots. QRT soon on 8m. I suspect that with my low ERP, I miss a lot on 8m. Still that was what I wanted to find out: just what could be achieved with an ultra-simple QRP 8m set-up. I think I now know what my limits are and also the limitations of the 10mW ERP (the legal 8m ISM limit for ALL in the UK without a licence) locally. I shall probably renew my T&I permit for another year, although I doubt I shall learn much more. It would be really helpful if more tried to get 8m permits, if only for the Es season. Wouldn't it be great if many countries had 8m FT8 or WSPR access next year?
QDX - creeping up
As mentioned a few days ago, I have ordered a built QDX transceiver for 20-10m from QRP Labs. This is a 5W transceiver that will be mostly used on 10m FT8 and WSPR.
I can still use voice modes like SSB and FM, but it is much harder for me these days.
Looking at the priority list, my order is creeping up. I can see it being my main rig and well used when it comes. My antenna is a good match on most of the bands covered by the QDX.
Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio
We expected to see quite a few snowdrops out and maybe a daffodil. Instead, we saw no daffodils out (just a few that will be out in 2-3 weeks) and just one snowdrop out.
10m FT8 RX (Thursday)
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| Stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX to 1322z |
UPDATE 1322z: 362 stations spotted today. 422 stations
UPDATE 1357z: 422 stations spotted.
8m FT8 QRP yesterday
Yesterday, I spotted no stations on 8m FT8, but my 2.5W FT8 was spotted again by EI9FP (649km) and G0HVQ (181km). Later today, I may try 8m FT8 again.
28 Dec 2022
17m FT8 RX
Just turned on 17m FT8 RX. 15 stations spotted so far.
UPDATE 2245: 59 stations spotted today. BTW, using the 10m end-fed antenna. QRT.
Amazon - NOT amateur radio
Amazon is like Marmite in that some are dead against Amazon and some are for the company.
They should always treat workers well. Yes, they should pay fair taxes. In fact, perhaps all online sales should be taxed so that we are encouraged to use high street shops more?
Personally, I quite like the convenience of Amazon. Things get ordered one day and the goods usually arrive the next day.
One day my wife went to our local chemists to buy some very ordinary nail scissors. They had none and no plans to stock any. She went on Amazon and they came next day. I cannot remember the price we paid. If you are housebound or unable to carry things a long way, the convenience of online delivery is great.
The demise of retail outlets on the high streets is sad, but our shopping habits have changed. I just wonder what our high streets will be like in 2030. We cannot be like Canute. Change always happens. Perhaps the nature of high streets will change with more independent shops and bigger retailers offering free home delivery of goods bought in store. Also, I expect there will be more places to meet and more flats.
UPDATE 1513z: Toilet seat broken. Ordered from Amazon after lunch yesterday. Arrived and fitted just after lunchtime today. Free return not needed.
UPDATE 1515z: Amazon has been used here for years. In all this time, I have never had things delivered to the wrong place. I have had to return things very, very infrequently. Whether from Amazon or other suppliers, my experience of shopping online has been good.
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