Friends across the world

One of the aspects of amateur radio I really like is its ability to completely transcend politics. 

Way back in the days of the USSR many stations were worked. Likewise I worked many stations in the USA and Canada. These days there are more Chinese stations active.  To this day I still exchange emails with a radio amateur in Moscow.  I also exchange emails with someone in the USA.

Most of us are just interested in some aspect of the hobby and politics just doesn't matter. Some are capitalists, some are communists. It really does not impact us. 

All we can do is continue to break down barriers and remember we are all the same really.

Yaesu FTX-1F latest

The last I heard they were awaiting FCC approval before doing a worldwide launch.  With all the turbulence in the USA, I have no idea when this will be. 

What I do know is each additional month, and extra tariffs make it less likely to be successful in the USA, which would have been one of the major markets.

It would not surprise me if this was quietly dropped.

Shrew in loft - NOT amateur radio

One  of my Facebook memories was of finding this shrew in our loft. I  had never seen a shrew in our loft before and no idea how it got there. 

We have since moved.

10m 6W FT8 (Friday)

My IC-705 at 6W FT8 was turned on at about 0815z.

UPDATE 0832z:  3 spots of me.

Child slavery? - NOT amateur radio

This was my grandson cutting our grass yesterday ..... for money!!

Sunspots - Friday April 11th

Solar flux is 153 and the SSN 113. A=17 and K=3.

Rallies this weekend

The following should take place at the weekend, although I always recommend checking first.

• Saturday  April 12th - Yeovil Amateur Radio Club QRP Conventon, Sherborne. See yeovil-arc.com/QRPconvention.php
• Sunday April 13th - Holsworthy ARC Spring Radio Rally,  EX22 7FA. No contact details.
• Sunday April 13th - Northern Amateur Radio Societies Exhibition (Blackpool Rally), Blackpool, FY2 9AA. Contact dwilson@btinternet.com

Beer o’clock- NOT amateur radio

One of the joys of having our younger son staying with us this week has been having a beer 🍺 in the garden in the sun. It is duller this morning.

10m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

My IC-705 at 6W was turned on at about 0740z.

UPDATE 1132z:  79 spots of me that look like F2 propagation. Best spot is from Brazil. 

UPDATE 1321z:  126 spots of me with the furthermost Western Australia. 

UPDATE  1650z:  201 stations have spotted me today. See map. Now QRT.

Hope Cove, Devon - NOT amateur radio

I can trace my family history continuously back to the mid 1500s in Hope Cove, Devon, UK. This is shown in the photo. 

The headland is called Bolt Tail, the site of an Iron Age fort. It is quite possible that one of my ancestors manned this!

Sunspots - Thursday April 10th

 Solar flux is 167 and the SSN 113. A=22 and K=3.

Salcombe, Devon - NOT amateur radio

Several times before, I have mentioned that I spent my early childhood in Salcombe, Devon, UK. 

At the time it was just home. We just took it all for granted.

I think it now has the most expensive homes in the UK.  It is now dominated by second homes owned by the yachting crowd and rich bankers.

Times change: centuries back it was a ship building place and before that a home of smugglers.

Possible SPRAT article?

This morning I  submitted another short article for possible inclusion in SPRAT magazine.  Way back I submitted an article on the 6m Sixbox.  This was a follow-up article. 

Sadly I have not really been fit enough since my 2013 stroke to do much design and soldering, so I now experiment in other ways.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/homebrew/sixbox

Signs of spring - NOT amateur radio

Although it soon goes there are now clear signs of spring all around. I was able to enjoy a beer outside with my son for the second time in the garden. We can enjoy spring and new life whilst it is here.

Oscar 100 activity

My last peek at activity on the narrowband transponder using the web SDR at Gonhilly Downs in Cornwall was at 2210z on a Tuesday evening. There was no activity at all, which is the lowest activity I have ever seen. 

My theory is that outside Europe there are few users. In Europe it is late and most people are in bed. Also setting up a satellite station for Oscar 100 is too hard for appliance operators who are mostly old men. 

Overall, I am disappointed. However, I am not too surprised.

6m 6W FT8 (Wednesday)

My IC-705 was turned on at about 0800z. Just 9 English stations spotting me.

UPDATE 1619z:  34 stations have spotted me.  It looks like we may have had some Es? Spotted in 6 countries today.

UPDATE 1935z:  QRT at 1900z approximately.

10m 500mW WSPR (Wednesday)

My QRP beacon is on. No spots.

UPDATE 1930z: 50 spots all by EA8BFK (2880km).

Sunspots - Wednesday April 9th

 Solar flux is 159 and the SSN 167. A=24 and K=4.

SPRAT

Many times I have said that if I ever had to give up all my amateur radio magazines, SPRAT would be the very last to go. It is an A5 colour magazine that comes out every quarter and is packed with articles, many of which are constructional. It is produced by volunteers and people submit articles for nothing. It remains my favourite magazine.

See https://www.gqrp.com/ . 

Spirea - NOT amateur radio

This plant produces a splash of white flowers in spring. Sadly, these do not last  long so we have to enjoy them when they are here. 

Our ornamental cherry is just coming into blossom. It will all be gone by the end of the month I expect.