Just a reminder that many of my projects are on my video channel. Together with my main website http://www.g3xbm.co.uk you should find all the data you need on any of my projects.
As I remind people, experiment! Many (most?) of my projects are capable of improvement.
Before the FT817 became ubiquitous there were the 2m FT290 and 70cm FT790. Even today there are FT290s driving transverters.
I never understood why stupid Yaesu never offered a replacement, but it is now far too late as they have "missed the boat". These days there are plenty of rigs. In 2010 the world was their oyster.
Overnight I was on 50.280 MHz MSK144 RX and this certainly is popular in Europe. This was the Perseid meteor shower. 30 stations from Spain and Italy 🇮🇹 to Sweden were spotted on 6m RX. See map.
G8SEI (131km) is the only station so far spotted on 6m this evening on MSK144. Although I am no expert in these matters, I thought I would try monitoring 50.280 MHz (Europe) during the night to see if I manage any copy during the Perseid meteor shower. I suspect G8SEI is being copied by normal tropo and not via MS!
This site is really, really good. He is so modest and talks through his journey into amateur radio. In this video he is trying to make a simple regen RX better.
Today is expected to be very hot, so I don't want to speak too soon! The photo shows part of our garden this morning.
My mother-in-law would have called me a gunner. Why? Because I am "gunner do this and gunner do that".
Several days ago I was going to submit my (pathetic) entry into the RSGB organised 2m activity contest (UKAC). I nearly forgot and submitted my entry just now.
I get the feeling this contest is waning in popularity. Yes, there are still plenty of entries, but I seem to have fewer QSOs than I once did. This could be because urban stations find my 10W PEP harder now with increased local noise?
On a more positive note, we get migrant birds from the far north, who think we are warmer in winter. It takes all sorts! 😊
A reminder that this meteor shower is at its peak and may result in enhanced VHF conditions.
My 2.5W 10m FT8 has been on since just before breakfast. 17 stations have spotted me.
UPDATE 1256z: 88 stations have spotted my QRP with the furthermost OD5KU (3468km).
UPDATE 1258z: 99 stations spotted here with the furthermost South Africa.
From the BBC website:
"Ukrainian troops have advanced up to 30km inside Russia, in what has become the deepest and most significant incursion since Moscow began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022."
Although I don't like commenting on political matters, it would seem correct that Russia has to accept this sort of action. Wars, in the end, do not resolve conflicts. Both sides need to agree to a compromise in which both sides feel winners.
I just wish a ceasefire could be agreed here and in Gaza leading to a peaceful resolution of both conflicts.
With limits in many countries on driving with alcohol in the blood, less beer is being consumed. These days there is a real alternative.
I quite like the Guinness 0.0 and Heineken 0.0.
UPDATE 1122z: 59 stations have spotted me. On RX, 146 stations spotted with the furthermost 2 in South Africa.
UPDATE 1857z: Spotted by 170 stations (see map). On RX 444 stations were spotted with the furthermost RI1ANE in Antarctica (14845km).
My East Anglian churches blog has been updated with all three Suffolk churches recently visited.
