Sunspots - Wednesday March 13th

Solar flux is 127 and the SSN 56. A=4 and K=1.

70cm activity contest

Yesterday was the 70cm leg of the RSGB organised activity contest (UKAC). I was on for only about 45 minutes with my 10W and 2m omni big-wheel antenna. 5 stations were worked.

USA puzzle - NOT amateur radio

The USA puzzles me. 

This November they go to the polls, but the contest for president is likely to be between two very old men. One is facing a host of charges and the other will be 81!! 

What puzzles me is why the presidency is likely to be a contest between these 2 when surely there are younger people who could do the job better? 

Also I cannot understand why Mr Trump is so popular when everyone (really everyone) I have spoken to outside of the USA hates him!

It bothers me that the biggest economy in the West, and the nuclear trigger, will be in the hands of a potentially doddery old man.

Does this say a lot about the USA?

630m QRP WSPR (Tuesday)

My 10mW ERP WSPR from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground has been spotted by 6 stations with the furthermost EI0CF (602km).

Bridge Street, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

There are many fine buildings in Cambridge. Often these are associated with the university. Many that are not college buildings are owned by a college. I am not sure if this one, which dates from the 1500s, is owned by a college.

See  https://capturingcambridge.org/centre/bridge-street/15-16-bridge-street/.

Is the world alright? - NOT amateur radio

Most mornings we watch BBC Breakfast with news every 30 minutes. Yesterday they spent ages on the photo for Mother's Day by the Princess of Wales. Today, we had lots about pet insurance.

Meanwhile, we have conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine and elsewhere. These were not even mentioned! Switching to Al Jazeera we heard plenty about the rest of the world.

Now Al Jazeera is biased, but just listening to the BBC, one could be forgiven for believing all is well with the world.

Sorry, but the only way to get news is to get it from multiple sources and not just one.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

My 10mW ERP WSPR was spotted by 18 stations overnight. Furthermost was Norway. 

Have a laugh - NOT amateur radio

This photo was sent to me by Steve G1KQH last night. It made me chuckle.

The serious point is many very old people are unhappy with smart phones, apps, online banking etc.  They are used to speaking with a human being!

At one time, for example, I could go into my local bank and speak to the manager.  Now you get connected to an overseas call centre and treated as a number. I am sure I am not alone in absolutely hating call centres on the far side of the planet. 

Do you also get thoroughly fed up being told "your call is very important to us" and please press button "x" if you want this service or "y" if you want this?  One of the worst is AI when you have to say something! With my poor voice I often have to repeat.

Every day we get further and further from real contact with human beings!

6m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

My 2.5W to the V2000 vertical omni antenna is on. One English station spotting me at 0742z.

UPDATE 1036z:  I was wondering why I was getting no new spots on 6m FT8.  When I looked, the rig was flashing "hi SWR". The PL259 was not making proper contact. Since connecting it tighter, I am getting spots (see map)!

UPDATE 1402z: 12 stations have spotted my QRP FT8 with the most distant EA7P (1770km).

Stations received
on 6m FT8 today

UPDATE 1525z:   On RX, some stations in Europe.

UPDATE 1916z: 15 stations have spotted my QRP FT8 on 6m today.

10m QRP WSPR (Tuesday)

 As solar conditions seem to be on the wane (although still quite good), I think it unlikely that my 500uW WSPR be spotted, so I shall return to 500mW today. 

Funny how this seems really high power now!

UPDATE 0736z: Changed to 500mW 10m WSPR and already spotted locally.

UPDATED 1040z:  At 500mW WSPR it is far easier! Plenty of spots from across the world.

UPDATE 1208z: Plenty of spots from the USA with 500mW 10m WSPR today.

UPDATE 1444z:  26 stations have spotted me today.  For just 500uW to have worked I would have needed these spots to be -3dB or better. As far as I can see, even if the RX noise was very low, it would have been very unlikely.

UPDATE 1515z:  30 stations have spotted me today. Map from WSPR rocks by VK7JJ.

UPDATE  1938z:   43 stations have spotted me. It's too easy!!