Thoughts on 8m

In the last few years I have (not now) had an 8m TX permit in the UK.

I ran 2.5W to a low dipole using my FT817ND modified by the dealer MLS. Most DX paths were worked on FT8 like South Africa, USA, Canada and the Caribbean.

Both OFCOM and the dealer were helpful, although I am sorry to say I did NOT find the RSGB supportive or helpful in the least. To be honest the RSGB appeared dead set against me and even a temporary NoV. Instead I had to pay £50 to do propagation research when many other CEPT nations gave either temporary or permanent access to the band.

In the RSGB's defence, they are often dependent on volunteers and saw defending 6m as a higher priority.

In my view, the most important propagation research was around sunspot maximum. We are now on the downward slope. Yes, there may well be more very long paths opening especially N-S and there will be other modes such as Es and MS.

What of the future?  I cling to the (weak) hope that the RSGB will change to a more supportive role and encourage OFCOM to join other enlightened CEPT nations that have allowed radio amateurs access to the band. Unless we gain free access to the band I am unlikely to apply for a TX permit.

6m 5W FT8 (Wednesday)

My gear was turned on after breakfast.

UPDATE  1524z:  16 stations have spotted me in 4 countries with the furthest SM5EPO (1344km). See map.

UPDATE 2120z:  28 stations spotted me today. See map. Now QRT.

10m 500mW WSPR (Wednesday)

My stand-alone W5OLF (SK) beacon was turned on after breakfast, It must now be over 10 years old.

UPDATE 2215z:  21 stations spotting me.  Map courtesy of WSPRrocks by Phil VK7JJ.

Amaryllis

Every year we grow amaryllis bulbs and enjoy watching them grow in to enormous plants. 

It usually takes about 6 weeks to grow from just the bulb to mature flowers. 

We often have them out around now and I have a new one to plant that should mature around mid February.

Sunspots - Wednesday December 31st

 Solar flux is 182 and the SSN 141. A=8 and K=1.

10m 500mW WSPR (Tuesday)

My beacon was turned on at about 1500z.

UPDATE 1526z: So far, spotted by just one station in the USA.

6m 5W FT8 (Tuesday)

At about 1455z, I QSYed to 6m 5W FT8.

UPDATE 1521z:  Spotted by 5 English stations.

10m 1W FT8 (Tuesday)

 As mentioned earlier, I decided to go on 10m 1W FT8.

UPDATE 1435z: 1l0 stations have spotted me. See map.

DXpedition

 

These days I don’t chase DX but you may be interested in the DXpedition to an island in the Caribbean quite close to Puerto Rico. I  had to check where this was as I had no idea!!

Too interconnected?

In these days we live in a very interconnected way and we take this for granted. 

Electricity in the UK (and many places) comes from gas a great deal still. Most of the UK's food is imported. Most goods are bought with cards. Fuel is imported. Most of out manufactured goods come from abroad. The internet works because it is vastly connected. Most of us depend on our smart phones.

Just imagine if we had a sudden shock and had to live without some (or all) of these. Would society be able to cope?