Talent

One of our friends made and decorated these cup-cakes by hand. 

If I had tried to decorate them, they would have looked a mess!

10m 500mW WSPR (Friday)

 

My beacon was turned on at about 1425z.

UPDATE 1522z:  7 stations have spotted me so far. See map.

6m 5W FT8 (Friday)

My gear was turned on at about 1425z.

UPDATE 1531z:  8 stations spotting me, with the furthest EI4DQ (580km).

10m 2W FT8 (Friday)

 

My gear was turned on at about 0650z.

UPDATE 1430z: 335 spots of me.  See map of those spotting me. Now QSYed to 6m FT8 and 10m WSPR.

New cafe

Most  Thursdays I spend some time in a nearby village whilst my wife attends a class. Usually I go shopping. Yesterday I went to a cafe which served an omelette and coffee at very reasonable prices. Service was good. I shall go there again.

Sunspots - Friday November 28th

Solar  flux is 120 and the SSN 76.  A=27 and K=3.

10m 2W FT8 (Thursday)

At about 1600z I QSYed to 10m FT8 from 8m. 

UPDATE  2105z: So far, 144 stations have spotted me. See map.

UPDATE 2139z: QRT. In the end 146 stations spotted me.

8m FT8 RX (Thursday)

 My gear was turned on at about 0920z.

UPDATE 1523:   No spots.

Sunspots - Thursday November 27th

 Solar flux is 120 and the SSN 85. A=23 and K=3.

Thursday plans

 Probably more 8m FT8 receive again. Yesterday was disappointing with nobody spotted .

Memories?

If you live in the UK I wonder if you remember the French onion men?  They were quite common in the 1950s.  

They came across from France and travelled across England with onions strung over their shoulders. These onions in a UK supermarket reminded me of them.

8m FT8 RX (Wednesday)

 Since lunchtime I have been on 8m FT8 RX.

 UPDATE 1512z:  No spots.

Ely in the sunshine

 This was Ely this morning.

Brunch

This was some time ago when we went out for brunch with our son.

Sunspots - Wednesday November 26th

 Solar flux is 120 and the SSN 99.  A=26 and K=3.

Wednesday plans

 Probably stick with 8m FT8 receive today. Spots are far fewer than on 6m, but already 3 countries spotted.

Margaret are you grieving?

Today we heard the very sad news that my wife's brother has died. He was in hospital and was in pain. In the end he just slipped away.

At one time it was our parents dying. Now it is those of our generation who are passing away.

I am reminded of this poem by Gerard Mandley Hopkins.

"Márgarét, áre you gríeving......"

Faroe Islands

A friend of mine on 365project (one photo a day and no connection with Microsoft 365) lives in the Faroe Islands and posts some amazing scenes. At this time of year it must be dark for a lot of the time. At my age I doubt very much I shall get there, but I enjoy the photos.

Black Friday sceptic

In recent years we appear to have adopted this American sales date in the UK.  I cannot speak for the rest of Europe. Like Halloween, which was nothing years ago in the UK, this has grown enormously.

The common factor is commercialism. Anything that can help retailers make a profit must now be exploited. Research has shown that retailers often raise prices in the months before Black Friday so we think we are getting a real bargain in the Black Friday sales. I expect there are some exceptions, but do not be fooled. This is ultimately about making profits over a longer period and selling more Black Friday and Halloween merchandise.

As a child I had never heard about Halloween "trick or treat". In my view both Black Friday and making profits from Halloween both stink.

Reconsidering 8m TX permit

 At the moment, I am undecided about submitting a new application for an 8m TX permit. I am unlikely ever to need modes except FT8, WSPR and CW and unlikely to need much power.  I really just need 40.680-40.683MHz.

The best time would be to get active around February to catch any F2 and then the Es in the spring and summer. Also I might catch some F2 in autumn 2026.

I enjoy experimenting, but don't like the idea of paying.  Maybe just one year? Thinking!