Blogs - NOT amateur radio

Just now, I looked at my profile, but had forgotten some of the blogs I created years ago!  

Usually, one is created when we go on holiday, as it is easy to forget things later. One was created shortly before we moved here 10 years ago. It is interesting to look at these again.

Storms stop play

We have just had a clap of thunder and looking at the lightning map, there are storms all around. As a precaution I have disconnected antennas, PSUs and the PC in the shack. when the danger has passed I may reconnect things. I have seen no flashes of lightning, so assume the storms are some way away.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/#m=oss;t=3;s=0;o=0;b=;ts=0; 

UPDATE 1739z:  We have not had thunder for several hours, so things in the shack have been reconnected. The storms look to be moving away now.

8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

 Although the 2.5W to the dipole has been on all morning, no spots on TX or RX at 1150z.

UPDATE 1434z:    No spots. 

UPDATE 1517z:   It seems odd that real experimenters have to pay to do experiments in the UK because OFCOM and the RSGB seem so stupid and short-sighted, for example, about 8m. I despair for the future of our hobby that is meant to be all about self-training. Tell that to OFCOM, the RSGB and the FCC!! I have said this many, many times: when most radio amateurs are very old, forgetful, men (most amateurs are old men), I can see our hobby just dying out. 20 years? Fewer (or no) profits, fewer adverts, fewer magazines, fewer new transceivers..... Am I bothered?  Not really. I have enjoyed experimenting, but many prefer to talk about gardening on 80m with commercial gear or chasing DXCC. Neither appeal to me. If this is amateur radio, sorry it is not for me.

UPDATE 1916z:  S50B (1220km) has spotted me.

UPDATE 1953z:  QRT shortly.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Saturday)

 

My beacon was turned on about 0810z. At 1145z, 9 stations had spotted me. These look like Es.

UPDATE 1455z:  11 spots of my 10m 500mW beacon today.

UPDATE 1934z:  14 spots of me today.

UPDATE 2000z:   QRT.

Eddystone EC10 receiver

This was the first transistorised communications receiver. Back in the 1960s, many lusted after one. I eventually got one in the 1970s. 

Actually it was very poor. By modern standards I expect a very low cost SDR is better. They still pop up on auction sites from time to time. They use germanium OC171 transistors which often get leaky and need replacing.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/commercial-rigs/eddystone-ec10 .

Life after death? - NOT amateur radio

As I get older, I am more aware than ever that life is time limited. Most (if not all) religions point to some sort of life after death. I think most people hope for this. 

At the same time, I cannot square this with the fact that when I die, I can have no memory. If I just ceased to exist how would I know? At the same time the whole concept of "I" has no meaning. Also, I am puzzled by the vast number of planets in the universe and the smallness of our brains. 

Death remains a mystery. Most religions fail to answer my questions.

Sunspots - Saturday August 26th 2023

Solar flux is 139 and the SSN 77. A=5 and K=2.

OFCOM reminder

Just to remind you that OFCOM publishes updates to the data it holds on licences etc every week. They also list the publications they produce. See the OFCOM website.

Brunch - NOT amateur radio

Before Covid, periodically we went to a local restaurant for a meal with friends. It was called the Merry Monk in Isleham, near Ely.  We went there for brunch this morning. It was great to be back. They have excellent food and service.

8m QRP FT8 (Friday)

My gear has been on since late morning. No spots. 

UPDATE 1515z:  Still no spots.

UPDATE  2044z:  WESSEXSDR (266km) spotted me. Now QRT.