For the first time, I submitted an entry for this 2m FT8 UKAC activity contest. It was surprising not to see a list of affiliated societies. If it was there, I missed it.
This being the case, I am unlikely to submit an entry in future. The only reason I entered a score was to help CDARC. I could enjoy the activity without submitting an entry.
Starting at 1900z, tonight is the 2m FT8 activity contest (UKAC). Although I often go on with my 5W and omni antenna, I rarely actually submit an entry. I might do this evening.
 |
| Stations spotting my 5W 2m FT8 this evening |
 |
| 71 stations spotted on 2m FT8 RX this evening |
As part of my University of the Third Age lectures , I am attending a course on Cosmology. It is very interesting, but also very hard.
Like last year, I try to take away some aspect of what I have learnt. My overwhelming thought is "this cannot be right". Yes, the explanations sound plausible, but we know so very little. My overriding thought is "in 100 years people will say, "did you really believe THAT?"".
It is very enjoyable just being able to learn for fun with no worries about exams etc..
Next term, I am doing something quite different: the history of the Bank of England.
It is also nice being in Cambridge.
UPDATE 1855z: It has been estimated that there are 60000000000 planets in the Milky Way galaxy alone that could support life. There are billions of galaxies in the universe that we know of. So, it looks like somewhere out there there should be life. Mind boggling.
Later this afternoon, I hope to be on 8m QRP FT8 TX on 40.680 MHz. 10m so far looks pretty promising.
UPDATE 1842z: No 8m spots.
After all this time I still find aspects of our hobby totally fascinating.
Most recently, I have ordered a 2W 23cm transverter from Bulgaria that I hope to use to work some locals and maybe further in the UKAC sessions when portable.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/g3xbm-history .
Any HF user will agree that 10m is good again these days. I am hoping for the E-W F2 MUF to exceed 8m.
My plan for today is to go on 10m FT8 RX and switch to 8m QRP FT8 TX if things look promising later.
UPDATE 1400z: On 10m FT8 RX 621 stations spotted today.
It puzzles me that many right wing candidates get elected to high office in many countries. Now I know many on the left and right of politics are less than perfect and we are free to elect the candidates we choose in most countries. This is fair. If we don't like the candidate we vote them out.
However, we seem to have a swing to the right in politics in many countries.
Perhaps this is a protest vote and these candidates better represent certain minorities?
All I can say is this. Politicians with extreme values can be dangerous. History has taught us this many times in many nations. Be very careful what you wish for!
My own politics is centralist. I think it is better to be fair to everyone and extreme left or right rarely works.
We had thunderstorms earlier, so I disconnected everything. In a few moments, I expect to be on 8m QRP FT8 TX on 40.680 MHz.
UPDATE 1548z: No spots after 60 minutes. Apparently the E-W F2 MUF reached 43 MHz this morning.
UPDATE 1726z: No spots today.
OFCOM is proposing changes to their Network and Information Systems (NIS) Guidance. See the OFCOM website for details.
This data is usually updated early in the month. As far as I can tell, it has only had a partial update. Last month they were still expecting the current solar cycle to peak in November 2023, which seems quite early. The last solar cycle had 2 peaks.
The RSGB 2m activity contest (UKAC) is on this evening. I hope to take part briefly with my QRP station.
At the moment, I am again on 10m FT8 RX. Propagation looks good, with stations across the world being copied. In all, 128 stations have been spotted early this morning.
Will 8m allow me to be copied in the USA later?
