The Internet

We all take instant global communications for granted. 

As an example yesterday we had a (free) video call from our son who is staying with his Australian in-laws in Brisbane. The quality was excellent. It was almost as if he was in the next room. 

It has not always been easy. I was surprised to read how extensive the telegraph network already was in the mid 1800s. Before that, news was very slow depending on boats, pigeons and dispatch riders. Just imagine life now without the internet. We have grown dependent on it in so many ways.

Just for chatting, we no longer need amateur radio.

Pathfinders - NOT amateur radio

I have just finished reading a book about the RAF Pathfinders. My dad was one in WW2. I had no idea how brave they were. On every mission they must have been terrified. No wonder my dad did not want to talk about his wartime that much.

My dad died in 1987. I think his wartime experiences haunted him. Overall, he was a peace loving man who enjoyed his quiet life. What a pity he died before I really understood. RIP dad.

The book by Will Iredale is available on Amazon and I expect it may be ordered by most bookshops.

Most wars serve no good.

6m QRP FT8 (Monday)

My 2.5W FT8 has been on most of the morning.

UPDATE  1032z:  So far, spotted by 14 stations mostly in England. The spots in Southern Eire and Norway could be Es.

UPDATE 1336z: Spotted by 19 stations. 

UPDATE 1814z:   28 stations have spotted me today including V51MA (8460km) in Namibia.  6m TEP? See map.

Sunspots - Monday August 19th

 Solar flux is 231 and the SSN 170 . A-=12 and K=2.

Most from the least?

One of the things I like is seeing how much I can get from something not costing much. 

There are plenty of designs for regenerative receivers around, but I was pleased with this one. I am sure it may be improved.

See  https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/80m-or-40m-regen-rx .

Cottage in Moulton earlier - NOT amateur radio

 

Earlier today. Moulton is not far from us.

6m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

 My 6m 2.5W FT8 has been on most of the morning.

UPDATE 1117z:  Spotted by 29 stations mainly in the UK and northern Europe. 13 stations spotted here.

Stations spotting me

UPDATE 1810z:  44 stations have spotted me and I have spotted 13 stations. See map for stations spotting me.

Sunspots - Sunday August 18th

 Solar flux is 230 and the SSN 170. A=30 and K=2.

Anglesey Abbey walk - NOT amateur radio

This is a National Trust property with extensive grounds not far from us by car. We went there yesterday (early) for a walk. 

This is a collage my wife made. 

The bottom photo is two old friends we bumped into with the same idea!

10m FT8 RX on the cheap

With 10m in such good shape, perhaps it is time to remind readers of my very simple receiver for 10m FT8. It works remarkably well and could be built and cased for the cost a few coffees out. It frees up "the big rig" for something else. It was in RadCom not long ago.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/10ft8r-rx