As in many countries, the high rate of inflation, higher fuel costs and higher interest rates are fuelling a round of strikes by people who are finding the cost of living too high. I am not sure of the answer, but remember the painful days of high inflation in the last century.
18 Jul 2023
17 Jul 2023
Oil and gas prices - NOT amateur radio
In recent months, these have fallen in the UK. There is a suspicion that prices rise like a rocket and fall like a feather here in the UK.
At its peak diesel was £199.9 a litre. It has since fallen about 50p. In some places it is even cheaper. I get the distinct impression all the reductions in wholesale prices are not being passed on. I am not sure who is trying to claw back profits lost during the pandemic, but somebody is!
For the hard pressed motorist or someone depending on gas or oil to heat their home, a full and quick reduction is needed, by law if necessary.
Most swifts still here - NOT amateur radio
Most swifts (birds) are still here. They usual start migrating south in late July or early August. Suddenly one realises the screaming of feeding parties high above has stopped.
See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swift/ .
6m QRP FT8 (Monday)
My system (2.5W and a vertical omni V2000) has been on since 0726z. So far spotted by 2 stations in East Anglia on TX and I have spotted 1 station in Devon on RX. No Es.
UPDATE 1008z: 8 stations have spotted my 6m FT8 QRP (including Portugal and Italy) and 2 stations have been spotted on RX (one by Es).
UPDATE 1212z: 23 stations have spotted my 6m FT8 QRP today. |
| Stations spotting me at 1253z |
UPDATE 1722z: 29 stations have spotted me today on 6m QRP FT8.
Plans for Monday
Later, I expect to go on 6m QRP FT8 again. On recent days, there has been some good Es on 6m . I have yet to see how European Es is shaping up.
UPDATE 0712z: It is quite early, but early indications are that European Es is not as great as yesterday. Things may well change.
VLF earth mode experiments in 2011
Some years before my stroke, I was out doing earth mode experiments at VLF. This was 2011.
Oscar 100 narrowband activity
Every few weeks I take a peek to judge the activity level. My last look was mid afternoon in Europe on a Sunday, when activity is likely to be good. Yet again, there were few stations and plenty of space.
Judging by the activity levels, I cannot see another geosynchronous satellite happening soon. This underlines to me that the Amateur Radio Service is no longer about self training and research. Instead, most would appear to be "black box" operators. Getting on Oscar 100 is just too hard for most. Instead, many spend thousands on a rig, linear, tower and beam.
I can see the hobby dying out as many people age and no longer buy Japanese "black boxes". Maybe before 2040?
See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/
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