See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/robin/ .
 |
| QRP 10m FT8 spots of me today |
Endings do not work for me. When things end, I can find things hard. As I get older, and friends around me die, it is sometimes harder to make sense of things. Many years ago some things were very important to me whereas now they are less so. Impulses that were strong long ago are less so now.
As I have said many times, most religions seem to be too Earth-centred for me. I still think it must be great to have a strong faith, but I cannot be true to myself. As a youth I tried to be "saved", but never was.
My philosophy has been to be as honest and open as I can be and kind to others. I am not perfect, but I know this.
 |
| 80m FT8 spots of my QRP using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground |
Later, I may try calling into the CDARC (Cambridge) 80m net.
UPDATE 1000z: I tried to go on the CDARC 80m net, but heard nobody. Noise level was S9, so I QSYed to 10m FT8 instead on the FT-710 at QRP level. Plenty of spots on TX and RX.
Last evening and overnight I was on 160m QRP FT8 using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Even my XYL cannot see it!
 |
| 6 hours 160m FT8 TX at 3W using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground |
For about 2.5 years I have owned and used a Chromebook rather than a Windows PC. When I first got it, I wondered whether I had made the right decision. It uses Chrome OS rather than Windows 10 or 11.
It was the right decision, definitely.
It starts very fast, does updates painlessly in the background, and does everything I need for my lounge PC. I have not found anything I want to do with it that I cannot do. Also, it was far less expensive than a Windows PC and came with a 3 year "at home" warranty. It is pretty rugged too. It runs Linux apps too, although I have never needed to. It can also be used as a touch screen tablet.
I have been extremely pleased with it. Next year I shall probably buy another one!
Just might try 80m FT8 TX this evening after dark when 10m is no good. It means matching the FT-710 to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground and setting WSJT-X for use with the FT-710. For the last few days I have been using the QDX.
UPDATE 1606z: As 10m does not exactly look great, I might swap to 80m FT8 quite soon.
In the UK, we call soccer "football". I am definitely an armchair fan! The last time I went to a match in person was 3 years ago with my son and grandson at Cambridge United. Watching on the TV is not the same, but some matches are very expensive.
Today, I have split loyalties: Plymouth Argyle used to be my local team. If they win today they have a better chance of promotion to the next league up. Cambridge United are struggling at the bottom of the table and face relegation. Last time I looked, Plymouth were 3:1 up.
Wrexham Town, who are a non-league team, could be promoted into the Football League if they win tonight.
UPDATE 1600z: Plymouth Argyle won 3:1.
My plans for next week are currently as follows:
On the trees, the leaves are a fresh green, whereas later they look tired. Blossom is ephemeral. In a few days it will be gone until next spring and so the cycle goes on.
The photo shows spring in our garden.
My tiny QRP QDX transceiver was turned on at 0830z. So far, just a local spotting me. On RX, I suspect a pirate as the only station spotted so far is in South America where it is still dark and the time is all wrong.
In the last day, 222 stations have spotted my 10m FT8 QRP from all over the world.
UPDATE 0841z: A few more stations coming through on RX.
UPDATE 1000z: Sorry, the South American was last night, not this morning as I was looking at the last 12 hours, so was probably genuine. So far this morning, 10 stations have spotted my QRP 10m FT8.
 |
| Stations spotting my 10m FT8 QRP today |
It would be good to do some more experiments in the future, if my health allows.
The whole painting reminds me of Bosch. It was whitewashed out by the "thought police" and rediscovered in the 1800s. Attached is a small part of the painting in detail.
The following have been notified to me. It is advisable to check first for accuracy before going far.
Saturday April 22nd - Moray Firth ARS (no location or postcode given). Contact mfars.secretary@gmail.com .
Sunday April 23rd - North ARS Blackpool, FY2 9AA. Contact dwilson@btinternet.com .
Just a reminder that OFCOM updates its data every week. See the OFCOM website for details.
Certainly here in the UK and probably many (or all?) countries people seem to have licence free access to the 40.66-40.70 MHz ISM band as long as any national conditions are met. In the UK this means 10mW ERP maximum and full compliance with IR2030. Interference must be accepted and not caused. We know from Australia that 5mW 8m WSPR has been received at 5000km, so much of Europe could be spanned on 8m WSPR by anyone.
This is NOT the Amateur Radio Service!
This probably means any ISM band may be used licence free as long as national law is followed, although I have not asked OFCOM specifically about other ISM bands. Remember OFCOM only covers the UK. You have to either be sure of the legality in your country or seek legal advice if you are unsure.
My tiny QDX was turned on just before 0700z and already at 0721z 12 stations have spotted me.
UPDATE 0905z: 35 stations have spotted me with the furthermost 5Z4VJ (6858km) in Kenya and 53 stations spotted here.
 |
| Stations spotting my 10m FT8 QRP today |
Later, I hope to be on 10m QRP FT8 with the tiny QDX transceiver.
Last night I wanted to try my FT-710 in the UKAC on 4m, but totally forgot!!
As an experiment just now I asked Chat GPT4 about my son, who is a professional jazz pianist. I tried about 7 times. The answers were all correct in parts, but every one was totally wrong on when and where he was born and many other details.
My worry is people will believe that AI always is factually correct, when it isn't.
Yes, I am sure a great deal of good can come from AI, but also it could result in a lot of incorrect data being assumed as correct.
At the moment, Chat GPT4 gets about 3/10 from me and "must try harder".
Artificial intelligence (AI) is coming, but it still has some way to go. I wonder what AI will be capable of in 10 or 20 years' time.
 |
| Stations spotting my 10m QRP FT8 late today |
Every day I get "The Knowledge " by email. It is a few minutes read summary of the news from various sources. It is free and produced by the makers of "The Week". As far as I can tell it is neutral, neither left or right politically. I find it excellent, especially if you have not too much time.
Today there was a piece about AI. Be afraid, be very afraid.
This is a very useful site. Many use it in mid QSO to find out a bit more about the QSO partner. It is also useful for address and location details.
See www.qrz.com.
Activity on the geosynchronous Oscar 100 remains low. I look at the web SDR at Goonhilly Down. Last time I looked was on a weekday evening in Europe. Activity has always been lower than I expected.
Opening SPRAT 206 I was pleased and surprised to see my 6m Sixbox QRP transceiver. It was entered into the Constructors Competition . It is ...
.jpeg)
