Sunspots - Monday March 17th

 Solar flux is 186 and the SSN 185.  A=10 and K=3.

Quatermass and the Pit - NOT amateur radio

When this was first broadcast as a series on BBC TV in 1957, I recall being terrified. 

It was produced as a DVD and we are watching it again. 

It still is pretty good even now. It raises the possibility of a racial memory that is deeply buried within us all, perhaps for millions of years.

Best SDR transeivers

This is a Chinese video (I think) promoting Chinese SDR transceivers. Many (including me) are still a bit concerned about Chinese quality and reliability in amateur radio products.

They have definitely "got there" in many consumer products with most goods bought these days having a "Made in China" label. We are addicted to low costs with labour costs in China (at the moment) much lower than in Europe or the USA.

When it comes to SDR transceivers, the Chinese offerings are much lower cost than the Japanese offerings. In the future this is the competition. 

As labour costs in China go up, I can see people scanning the world to see where labour costs are lower, or adopting more automation to compete.

6m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

 My IC-705 at 6W  has been on since breakfast.  11 spots (G, and GW) so far at 1036z.

UPDATE 1632z:  18 stations spotting me.  All G and GW.

10m 500mW WSPR (Sunday)

 My beacon has been on since breakfast. Plenty of European spots of me. 

UPDATE 2113z:  42 stations have spotted me with the furthermost Brazil.

Sunspots - Sunday March 16th

 Solar flux is 178 and the SSN 187. A=18 and K=3.

The (UK) Times newspaper - NOT amateur radio

One of the many sources from which I get news is The Times, which is a UK newspaper, also available online. I also listen to Times Radio.

This weekend you can download or share anything on their site.

See https://www.thetimes.com/

Konik ponies - NOT amateur radio

These were at Kingfisher Bridge nature reserve near Ely UK as well as water buffalo. They’re wild ponies used to keep the grass short.

Ut I Vorid - NOT amateur radio

Many years ago when we were on holiday in Iceland we went, by chance, to a concert in a small church in northern Iceland and heard some of the best singing we have ever heard. 

It was a singing group called Ut I Vorid. I have just chanced upon them on YouTube. I have no idea if they still exist. We have several of their CDs.

10m 500mW WSPR (Saturday)

 My QRP WSPR beacon was turned on about 1016z. No spots of me yet.

UPDATE 1052z:  10 spots of me by EA8BFK (2880km). 

UPDATE 1515z:  Spotted by 24 stations. See table.