Local UK elections - NOT amateur radio

This Thursday, many in the UK vote in local elections. 

Admittedly, some enter politics for selfish reasons, but I would like to believe that most do so from a wish that they can do some good. For the first time, voter ID is needed. This may put off some less affluent voters. 

Whatever your political affiliation please use your vote. I have known some good and honest people in all political colours. Use your democratic right. 

8m band experiments

Later this week I expect to resume 8m experiments. 

After about 3 weeks I am still awaiting a response from OFCOM about changes to power levels. This is after several chases too. They obviously treat this as a really high priority!! 

Perhaps I should just run 10kW and a 10 el yagi?? 

OFCOM = OFfice for Comatose Old Men?

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/8m-band. 

Solar Maximum - cycle 25

The site below was updated yesterday. The forecast peak of solar cycle 25 has now been pushed back a month to December this year. We can expect conditions to be good for a few years.

See https://www.solen.info/solar/ .

Stubborn - NOT amateur radio

This plant was dead, so I thought I would just dig it up. Two days later, yes two days, I eventually got it up. Whenever I thought I was there, I found yet more deep thick roots! I have never, ever struggled so hard.

10m FT8 QRP (Monday)

Shortly, I shall turn on my QRP FT8 using the QDX transceiver.

UPDATE 1058z:  9 spots of my QRP FT8 today.

UPDATE 1739z:  20 stations have spotted me today.

Reach Fair - NOT amateur radio

There has been a fair here since the 1200s when King John gave it a charter. It will have changed a bit over the centuries, but it is great to think people have walked to it for centuries. It is on  today and traditionally opened by the Mayor of Cambridge. 

Sunspots - Monday May 1st 2023

Solar flux is 154 and the SSN 105.  A=10 and K=2.

10m FT8 simple receiver

This has been on before, so this is just a timely reminder. 

10m FT8 is becoming very popular and this receiver allows 10m FT8 reception without tying up the main rig. It is simple, very low cost and works really well.

I could probably convert it into a full FT8 transceiver!

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/10ft8r-rx .

"London" grandchildren - NOT amateur radio

Two of our grandchildren are half French. On May 2nd their French grandfather has his birthday, so we took a photo in our back garden to send.

10m (28 MHz)

At various times of the solar cycle our largest HF allocation enjoys most propagation modes. At all parts of the solar cycle it experiences Es openings in spring and summer. It is often open when people desert it. This is where FT8 could prove useful in the quieter years.

It is also good for local chats. At one time modified CB rigs were very popular. With these and a CB vertical ranges of about 30km locally were common.

At the moment, it is a great DX band. It is usually better in the daytime, although when it is really good, it is often open for DX in the evenings.

It is wide enough for all modes. Even digital TV has been tried above 29 MHz.

It remains my favourite HF band.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/10m-operation .