South Hams trains again - NOT amateur radio

Once again, after many years, Kingsbridge in Devon has trains again. The light railway is again running along the side of the water delighting children and adults alike. I wish them all the best.

See https://www.facebook.com/kdlr.co.uk/ .

Record? - NOT amateur adio

I am nearly 68 and an Old Age Pensioner. Today, I lost my lone baby tooth that was still in my mouth. For all this time it had remained until today. I guess my gums are shrinking.

Will the tooth fairy still pay out at my age? I guess not!

Tenbox 10m QRP transceiver

This was a project started before my stroke, but it is a reminder that 10m is always a good band for cross-town nattering. It is not a coincidence that the 11m CB band is "next door" in the spectrum.

My Tenbox is just one approach.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/tenbox .

Bands 30-88MHz

The lower VHF bands are becoming less popular for professional users as antennas on handhelds are long and there is Es interference from time-to-time. This is great news for amateurs as lower VHF ex mobile radio gear is often cheaply available and the chances of amateur 6m and 4m allocations around the world get better. I certainly hope we get a small 8m (40MHz) allocation (mainly for Es work) and we see 6m and 4m allocations worldwide.

More deals

This morning I got an email from Waters and Stanton offering 5% off in a "post Black Friday" deal. I expect MLS will be doing similar.

See http://hamradiostore.co.uk/ .

10m JT65 since breakfast

As you know if you read this regularly, I was not active overnight. I returned to 10m JT65 around breakfast time, but no spots as yet.

UPDATE 1036z: Still no spots on 10m JT65

UPDATE 1344z: Still no 10m spots. Disappointing.

Sunspots and 10m - Saturday December 3rd 2016

Solar flux is 83 today (this is quite good for where we are in the solar cycle). Sunspot number is 59. A=4 and K=1. I wonder what joys 10m JT65 will bring today?

Not on any band tonight

Tonight, overnight, I am not on any band. I went QRT on 10m JT65 about an hour ago and should be back in the morning around breakfast time.

KX2 review

Southgate News has a link to a nice review of the Elecraft KX2 transceiver. The KX2 is smaller than the KX3 but is ideal for QRP portable use with a wide range internal ATU and an internal Li-Ion battery pack. Both these are extras and not in the basic price. Sadly the case has to be opened to charge the battery.

See http://swling.com/blog/2016/12/a-review-of-the-elecraft-kx2-general-coverage-qrp-transceiver/

Return to 10m JT65

After a rather disappointing evening and overnight on 630m WSPR, I QSYed to 10m JT65 at breakfast time today. As yet, no spots given or received.

UPDATE 2205z:  Sadly no spots given or received today on 10m JT65.