4m transverter

 This was designed and built some years ago and is on my main website.  It was also in GQRP SPRAT.

Old photo

The validity of this photo is not known. I first saw it well before AI!  If correct, it is probably a photo of a human being born in the 1700s

Working Antarctica

 This may be a rare chance to work a station in Antarctica although you might have to be quick as I think the station is only active for a few days.

Soham

 Soham is a fenland town about 8km from our village. This was a view earlier with the church behind the trees.

Autumn in our village

Many trees in our village have lost their leaves until the spring when new buds will form and the cycles go on as they have for millions of years.

70cm FT8

 

Last evening 34 stations were spotted in the activity contest on 70cm FT8. See map. This is typical . Amazing. 

Sunspots - Thursday November 13th

 Solar flux is 163 and the SSN 150. A=127 and K=6.

70cm FT8 activity contest (Wednesday)

This evening is the 70cm FT8 activity contest organised by the RSGB. I think the contest in Europe starts earlier.

UPDATE 1813z: Already spotted 8 stations with the furthest PA2WDR (280km). My antenna is just the 144MHz big-wheel omni.

UPDATE  1946z:  29 stations spotted with the most distant EI8KD (518km). See map,

UPDATE 2047z: 9 stations spotted my 10W 70cm FT8 with the furthest PI4VPO (337km). Not bad for a 144MHz omni antenna!

More on solid state batteries for electric cars

Last week I mentioned solid state batteries. 

For years, we have heard a lot of hype about these that promise lower costs, greater range and no rare earths. 

It would appear we are now getting closer. I saw this video which compares various approaches.

IC-705 Portable?

If I was ICOM develepment now I would be working on a true handheld version of the IC-705. They have the electronics, so just need to re-develop the mechanics. There has never been a decent replacement of the FT817 by Yaesu.

Should such a product come to market, ICOM could make a killing.