More history

Whilst sorting my bookshelf I came across these magazines. Clearly the late 1940s and early 1950s were a golden age in our hobby. 

Most people made their own gear or adapted war surplus gear. No credit cards and Japanese transceivers back then. An amateur radio licence really meant something.

If I remember  correctly these magazines were bought at Hay-on-Wye some years ago. I used to stop there when I went to stay with my mother in Devon. At a guess I bought them in the late 1990s.

10m FT8 at 1W yesterday

 Late in the afternoon I tried 10m FT8 at 1W. It was still spotted all over Europe and as far as South America. I was really trying to run the IC-705 well within its ratings .

History - ZN414 book

 

Whilst trying to find something else I came across this A5 booklet. It must date from the mid 1970s?

The ZN414 was a 3 pinned TRF receiver designed to make a very simple LW or MW broadcast receiver. I think it worked to about 3 MHz. 

I think it is still available from other manufacturers in a plastic case. At one time the equivalent was available via GQRP sales. I am not sure if it is still stocked.

As I recall it was used to make a couple of MW receivers for my boys.

Sunspots - Tuesday July 29th

 Solar flux is 145 and the SSN 126. A=7 and K=2.

10m 5W FT8 (Monday)

 My gear was turned on mid-morning.

UPDATE 1040z:  67 stations have spotted me with the furthest 9K2WA (4657km) and I have spotted 44 here.

UPDATE 1641z:  190 stations have spotted me with the furthest FR4OO (9722km). On RX 204 stations have been spotted.

UPDATE 1755z:  About 40 minutes ago I decided to reduce power yet again. Since about 1715z it has been at 1W FT8. 19 spots of my 1W 10m FT8.

Memories

The photo shows my grandson way back in 2011 chasing a piglet. 

He is now almost an adult and as tall as his dad.  They grow up all too fast.

Monday plans

 Today, I expect to try 10m 5W FT8 again later.

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?