Today, I shall probably not go on the radio. On Sunday I may give 10m FT8 a try with 50mW.
I have just heard that the richest man in the world has just got a salary package that could be worth an extra $1trillion.
When some in the world are starving, I find this obscene. Meanwhile the poor get even poorer.
Some advert for democracy - NOT.
There are quite a few SDRs (software defined radios) connected to the internet often with extensions so you can decode your favourite modes. It is fun to take a listen to these.
I was listening on 10m FT8 via http://sdr.gb0snb.com:8073/ which uses an active loop by George Smart M1GEO called the Wellgood loop. See https://www.george-smart.co.uk/projects/wellgood-loop/ .
A search on Google or similar will produce a list. of webSDRs. Alternatively see https://rsgb.org/main/operating/web-sdr-receiver/.
Not being a politician, I am unclear about the government shutdown in the USA, but it must be costing a lot to the USA economy. I can see this becoming a massive issue.
Without an external attenuator, 500mW FT8 is the lowest power I can run from my IC-705. It was turned on at about 0945z.
UPDATE 1036z: So far, spotted by 83 stations. It is still too easy!! Furthest is RN4WA (3365km).
Every month, despite my poor voice I go on the 2m and 70cm activity contests (UKAC) organised by the RSGB. It may be me, but I am sense there are fewer people taking part.
Perhaps it is me, but maybe the higher local noise floors in urban areas are making it harder for QRP stations. Certainly, I generally work fewer 2m stations, whereas I don't have the same problem on 70cm. in fact I usually work more now on 70cm SSB!
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| Where I was spotted with 2m 10W SSB to the big-wheel omni antenna |
