Politics - NOT amateur radio

Isn't it amazing that Mr Trump is so popular in the USA? It is surprising that a nation so vast cannot find a young, sharp, intelligent potential president. It looks likely both candidates will be older than me and I retired 14 years ago!

In the UK the leaders of the major political parties are younger. I am so glad we live in a democracy and can change parties every few years. Some policies need long term agreements like health and social care.

The way we elect people in the UK can probably be improved. The important thing is that we use our vote. There are good people and bad (sadly) in all political parties in all nations.

Oscar 100 narrowband activity

My last peek was late afternoon in Europe on a weekday.  To my surprise there was more activity than I expected. At this stage, I would have hoped for even more activity.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .

Sunspots - Saturday August 5th 2023

Solar flux is 171 and the SSN 122.  A=13 and K=6.

2m activity contest - August 1st

As I was out last Tuesday, I only managed a few minutes at the end. Furthermost was a QSO with a portable station on the Isle of Wight. I was running 10W to the big-wheel omni antenna.

Front garden - NOT amateur radio

Every spring and summer we plant bedding plants in the border under our lounge window. The photo shows how they look at the moment.  Come October they get replaced by winter flowering plants.

OFCOM publications

A reminder that OFCOM has a number of new publications and it updates the data it holds on licences every week. See the OFCOM website for details.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Friday)

Since I am on 6m FT8, I am on 10m WSPR TX with the 500mW TX beacon. So far, 3 unique spots from Germany.

UPDATE 1248z:  20 unique stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR TX.

UPDATE 2013z:  21 stations have spotted me today. QRT shortly.

6m QRP FT8 (Friday)

My gear (2.5W to the V2000 vertical omni) was turned on about 0700z. So far, I have been spotted by 13 stations across Europe at 0738z.

Spots of my QRP 6m
FT8 TX at 1608z

UPDATE 1608z:  72 unique stations have spotted my 6m QRP FT8.  On RX, 46 stations have been spotted. 

UPDATE 2015z:  QRT soon. 77 unique stations have spotted my QRP today. 

Virtual ham radio

Although I own a "network radio", I am not a great fan.   Using an app called Droidstar, I can access to the DMR network across the planet. Effectively, all you need is an Android phone. Mine has a PTT and looks just like a VHF handheld

There are radios that use systems like Echolink. These use the internet, but the final link can be to, for example, a distant repeater. I have had chats with someone in a car in Australia. It is novel.

Some systems e.g. Hamsphere and CQ100 use the internet entirely. No traditional ham radio is involved. 

If you are unable to erect antennas e.g. in a care home, such systems might allow you to keep in contact with fellow hams. At the moment, I am not a great fan. In the future I might be pleased to use these.

See https://qsonet.com/programs.html .

Sunspots - Friday August 4th 2023

 Solar flux flux is 163 and the SSN 124. A=6 and K=0.