At the moment I am trying MSK144 on 50.280 MHz in a test with OZ9FZ.
UPDATE 2122z: Nothing so QSYed to 4m FT8 RX.
1 Apr 2023
Bicone antennas
Sometimes people want a wideband antenna covering several bands. One to consider is the bicone. these can be quite large, but can cover several bands.
Solar maximum?
The site I always look at for the latest data is still showing the peak of this solar cycle in November 2023, i.e. this year. The information was only updated today.
Sign of the times - NOT amateur radio
We have had more cold weather this winter than for a long time. We have also had lots of potholes in the roads! I suspect that councils are trying to save money, perhaps by using inferior materials. As they are finding out, this is quite short sighted as potholes are reappearing in the same places!
4m FT8
Perhaps I am a sucker for punishment! Once again, I am on 4m FT8 on 70.154 MHz. No spots. Last weekend I was spotted by a few stations and had a contact on 4m FT8 with a station in Wales.
UPDATE 1627z: Still no 4m FT8 spots! I find it hard to believe that days have passed and nobody, absolutely nobody, spotted. Looking on PSKreporter, there look to be very few monitors as well.
UPDATE 1757z: Just G3SHK (200km) spotted, but he could not copy me sadly.
Rain - NOT amateur radio
Usually this is a dry part of the UK with very little rain. February was exceptionally dry, but March was exceptionally wet. I think we had more rain in March than the whole winter! We needed the rain, but March was very dull.
31 Mar 2023
23cm SSB sked with G4BAO
This was very successful. John gave me an RS58 report which was very satisfying for 2W indoors to a 2 el yagi indoors. John suggested an FT8 test at some point in the future, which I shall do. Aiming the small beam in all sorts of directions made little difference on John's signal.
Home deliveries - NOT amateur radio
Since the pandemic, many people have turned to home deliveries. We have used these services for many years. You cannot beat looking at goods in shops, but for some things the convenience of home deliveries is great. The downside is shops find it hard to compete and close. It is a very difficult decision.
Peoples' shopping habits are changing. In my view, the shops that will still be here are those that adjust to this new model, perhaps acting as showcases for goods ordered online.
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