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Rather earlier than usual, my 630m 10mW ERP WSPR was turned on at about 1515z. So far, spotted by 3 stations. As usual, I am using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.
Today I heard that Roger Taylor had passed away. He was very much into VHF/UHF and microwaves and had an excellent location at Haddenham near Cambridge, UK. Many will miss him.
More of us are shopping online.
Gradually, over the last 20 years, the way many of us shop has changed. On the whole we are more confident that goods delivered to our door will be fine and, if they are not, they can be easily returned. No longer do we need to find car parking spaces (and pay for these) and we no longer struggle with heavy packages.
This means more retail businesses will go out of business and those that remain are working harder to retain customers. In my view (as it has been for many years) is that those who will survive will have a strong online business and shops that remain will be mainly for browsing. Many of our well loved brands in shops may disappear. This is a trend that will continue. In a few years' time we may not recognise our high streets.
In my view, High Street shops will only survive if they offer something unique. I expect the future will be more places where people can meet (cafes) and more flats for single people to live.
This morning, I am getting no 8m FT8 spots whereas G9PUV and SV1DH have plenty. Their ERPs are probably at least 10dB up on mine as I run just 2.5W to a low dipole.
At the moment, my inclination is not to go for a new 8m permit in April.
Possibly I may try 8m WSPR in the ISM band with the call 8M3ISM with 10mW ERP without a licence, as is the right of all in the UK.
The results obtained so far are impressive, but without more stations, I am unsure of the usefulness of continuing.
As the 8m band is located between 10m and 6m, we could expect 8m to open more often than 6m. It is highly disappointing that OFCOM (and the RSGB) and the FCC has shown such a negative attitude to even a small 8m secondary allocation. It is not as if they are neutral. It would appear they are dead set against!
If beggars believe that both the FCC and OFCOM (and the RSGB) can have such a negative attitude to the real purpose of our hobby. I am left with a bitter taste.
My 2.5W 8m FT8 was turned on at 1016z.
Although my QRPP beacon is on, no spots today (well yet). It amazes me this is so widely spotted.
I suppose it shouldn't surprise me as 500mW is so strong sometimes and 500uW is just 30dB weaker and we are now around solar maximum.
The journey is relaxed and the scenery pleasant. Being East Anglia (which is a fairly flat part of the UK) hills are rare! Travelling there and back, you see fens, brecks, forest and arable land as well as a glimpse of Wymondham Abbey with its 2 towers.
The photo shows a pig farm! I know you couldn't wait! 😀
