Mars will one day be explored by humans. For now, we have oribiting satellites and robots on the surface. The recent UAE satellite has been put in an orbit around the red planet.
14 Feb 2021
2m FT8 QRP (Sunday)
Once again I am on 2m FT8 QRP with 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. So far, spotted on TX by 8 stations with the furthermost GI6ATZ (479km) and one station spotted so far on RX. It is now 1052z.
If I come on randomly, the chances are high that I will be spotted in EI or GI. This is definitely some sort of scatter, although the randomness makes me think aircraft scatter is unlikely.
UPDATE 1306z: Several QSOs already on 2m FT8.
The USA - NOT amateur radio
Ex-president Trump has been cleared of impeachment. This is not too surprising as the senate would have needed a 2/3rds majority.
What I sincerely hope is that the USA can move on peacefully. Judging by the votes, he clearly has a large following in the USA, although I very much doubt most of those would have wanted the violence that erupted.
As a beacon of democracy, the violence that erupted some weeks ago was ugly and self-destructive. Now is a time to heal.
Earth-electrode "antenna" replaced
Yesterday, I replaced the wire that I used successfully on 472kHz WSPR TX with a very low ERP.
It was also used successfully on 160m and 80m.
As yet, it has still to be tested.
UPDATE 0940z: Tested on 160m and 80m. Still high VSWR. Totally puzzled.
UPDATE 1538z: I cleaned the contacts at the far end and the VSWR remained high on 80m. With the auto ATU it matches on 160m. I have not tried 630m, which needs the transverter. My conclusion is that over the years tree roots have grown and effectively shorted out across the "loop" in the ground rendering this "antenna" no longer useful. I may try 160m WSPR or FT8 tonight, but may remove it tomorrow.
Me 1968 - NOT amateur radio
These days I am bald and quite a bit heavier!
13 Feb 2021
CDARC (Cambridge) talk
Last evening, the Cambridge radio club had another Zoom talk, this time on the monitoring station at Baldock.
This time, we also had a viewer in Russia! On previous times we have been watched in Canada and Northern Ireland. In all, 29 people attended.
Zoom has exceeded my expectations. Attendance is at least as good as a face-to-face meetings. At least with Zoom, the whole world can watch!
2m FT8 QRP (Saturday)
At 0945z, when we went for a walk, I went on 2m FT8 RX. Since getting back, I have been on TX too with 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna.
It is now 1145z and I have been copied on TX by 7 stations in 2 countries with the furthermost being GI6ATZ (479km). On RX, 20 stations spotted in 4 countries.
South Africa - NOT amateur radio
This was a very good holiday with such a variety of scenery. In places it was like Scotland and others the Mediterranean. In other places scrub.
The photo shows False Bay near Cape Town, which is a fine city.
Not quite sure what we were expecting. We saw "the big five" wild animals, but the sheer variety of scenery was such a surprise. It really is "a world in one country". If you get a chance to go there in the future do go as you are very unlikely to be disappointed.
It is not a place I would wish to live in, but for a holiday it was wonderful. Certainly one of the most beautiful places in the world.
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