Batson, Devon, UK

 This hamlet is near where I grew up as a child.

472 kHz

 

This photo was many years ago testing my 472 kHz transverter that later featured in QST. 

With my earth- electrode "antenna" in the ground it has got as far as Finland. 

Apart from the last few years I have been on the band every year.

DNA tests?

At least 2 companies have DNA tests with offers ending soon. My daughter in law did one a few years ago and was disappointed to see no mention of her Vietnamese roots a few generations back. And no I don’t think she had a different father as a result of an affair! Her daughter looked very Vietnamese as a young girl.

I am wondering if anyone has experience of these tests?

Sunspots - Monday July 28th

 Solar flux is 145 and the SSN 126. A=5 and K=1.

Out of touch?

Yesterday I was listening to a UK repeater that seemed to be linked to loads of stations by Allstar and Hubnet. I was listening via Echolink. It was good to hear it busy.

It is interesting that I know very little about this branch of amateur radio.

Es going?

At the end of the Es "season" the usual pattern is there are fewer good days and fewer really big days. Es can still occur, but it becomes more sporadic. 

In past years I have noticed it opens to the north more, but this is not scientific. I have worked Scandinavians on 6m QRP SSB as late as September with just my vertical omni antenna.

My advice is stick with it, especially 10m and 6m FT8. F2 will be good in the autumn and we might see a few fleeting openings where Es and F2 link up.

10m 5W FT8 (Sunday)

My gear was turned on at about 0836z. At first it was on FM which seemed odd. Then I realised!

UPDATE 0926z:  3 stations have spotted me. As I had received no spots (which I thought was odd)  I quickly tried 15m FT8 to confirm everything was OK. 2 spots were soon received on 15m, so I QSYed back to 10m. I am surprised how few people I am seeing on 10m FT8. It is almost as people have QSYed to lower bands now the Es season is going as it's easier. I get the impression that most people are only really interested in working new countries, so 10m would be too hard if you are an"appliance operator".

UPDATE 1019z:  7 stations have spotted me today. Es?  By the time of the next solar cycle peak, I suspect amateur radio as we knew it will have all but ended. Hopefully I will be wrong. See map.

UPDATE 1134z: 27 stations have spotted me. Es I think.

UPDATE 1540z:   63 stations have spotted me and I have spotted 30 here including North and South America.

Sunday plans

 At the moment I think I shall try 10m 5W FT8 for a change.

Crumble

My wife makes a very good crumble.This one is wild blackberry and apple. It’s delicious with the ice cream.

Vegan "steak" pie

Usually I am a meat eater, so I bought this Vegan pie as an experiment. 

I am sure if I was given a blind test, I would not have been able to tell which was which. It was excellent, but far less expensive. 

I shall buy these again.