Most mornings I get an email from Amazon recommending certain things. Clearly this is done with an algorithm based on what you have looked at or bought. This means "big brother" knows all about your browsing and buying habits.
It is sobering to think of all the sites (and governments) that have a host of data on all of us. Big brother indeed.
Once again, I am on 6m FT8 with my 2.5W and V2000 vertical omni antenna. At 1005z, 7 English stations have spotted me. On RX 3 English stations have been spotted.
The impression I am getting is that activity on 6m has picked up. Perhaps people are expecting some Es or TEP?
UPDATE 1014z: Still 7 English spots of me.
Although I think spots are very unlikely today, I am again on 10m WSPR with 500uW (0.5mW). No spots at 1001z.
UPDATE 1421z: It pays to set expectations low. Two spots of my 500uW (0.5mW) when I was not expecting any! I shall remain at 500uW on 10m WSPR all day.
As is my usual pattern, I have QSYed to 630m WSPR with my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.
UPDATE 1935z: 4 stations in England have spotted me.
For 2 weeks, I have been trying to buy my sister-in-law's new children's book from multiple bookshops in Cambridge without success. I saw it was available from Amazon and it was here next day.
Retail is changing and nothing will stop this. Like many, I enjoy going into a physical bookshop and leafing through a book. However, the convenience of online shopping is very compelling.
My PL259 plugs have arrived. The 50 ohm coax and everything needed to replace my 8m dipole is at hand. Erection should really be trivial, but ladder work is far harder these days.
Until my TX permit expires early next month I hope to use 2.5W. After that I may try 10mW ERP 8m WSPR which does not require an 8m TX permit in the UK. As long as people are monitoring, much of Europe should be possible. Tests at similar powers have reached the USA on 10m WSPR. One of the issues on 8m is there are far fewer monitors than on 10m.
This would be an interesting test. Sadly, the attenuator would also be in circuit on RX too making the RX deafer.
I guess some local tests would be useful to ensure all is well. At the moment I am unsure what callsign to use for these 10mW 8m tests.
So far, at 1453z, my 2.5W 6m FT8 to the V2000 omni antenna has been spotted by 8 English stations. Here, on RX 10 stations have been spotted with the best Germany.
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| 6m FT8 RX today |
The following rallies have been notified to me. I always recommend checking first if going any distance to avoid disappointment.
Sunday March 17th - Callington Radio and Electronics Rally, Callington, Cornwall, PL17 7BD. Contact alastair.kerr1@btinternet.com
Sunday 17 Mar - Pencoed & District Amateur Radio Club Radio Rally, Bridgend, CF32 9NY. Contact Leuan Jones on 07791709691.
Amazingly, my 500uW (0.5mW) 10m WSPR was spotted once in the Canary Is. yesterday. I honestly was not expecting this. I left my beacon running more in hope than any real expectation.
It is on now and just been resynced to internet time, so I am again on 10m WSPR with just 500uW (0.5mW).
UPDATE 1425z: No spots today with QRPP WSPR!
My 2.5W FT8 to the V2000 vertical omni antenna is on. At 1022z, 5 English stations spotted me.
As 500mW 10m WSPR yesterday was so easy, I returned to 500uW (0.5mW) today. Judging by yesterday, I might have got one spot at 500uW. SSN is slightly better today, so we will see!
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| 70cm FT8 RX |
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| 70cm QRP FT8 TX |
As locals, we can see it for free. Cambridge has many fine buildings.
My 2.5W 6m FT8 to the V2000 vertical omni is now on. So far, just one English station near Oxford has spotted me.
This morning, I am again running (for me!!) QRO i.e. 500mW WSPR. After just a few minutes, DX spots of me received.
UPDATE 1650z: So far today 16 stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR.
Yesterday was the 70cm leg of the RSGB organised activity contest (UKAC). I was on for only about 45 minutes with my 10W and 2m omni big-wheel antenna. 5 stations were worked.
The USA puzzles me.
This November they go to the polls, but the contest for president is likely to be between two very old men. One is facing a host of charges and the other will be 81!!
What puzzles me is why the presidency is likely to be a contest between these 2 when surely there are younger people who could do the job better?
Also I cannot understand why Mr Trump is so popular when everyone (really everyone) I have spoken to outside of the USA hates him!
It bothers me that the biggest economy in the West, and the nuclear trigger, will be in the hands of a potentially doddery old man.
Does this say a lot about the USA?
My 10mW ERP WSPR from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground has been spotted by 6 stations with the furthermost EI0CF (602km).
See https://capturingcambridge.org/centre/bridge-street/15-16-bridge-street/.
Most mornings we watch BBC Breakfast with news every 30 minutes. Yesterday they spent ages on the photo for Mother's Day by the Princess of Wales. Today, we had lots about pet insurance.
Meanwhile, we have conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine and elsewhere. These were not even mentioned! Switching to Al Jazeera we heard plenty about the rest of the world.
Now Al Jazeera is biased, but just listening to the BBC, one could be forgiven for believing all is well with the world.
Sorry, but the only way to get news is to get it from multiple sources and not just one.
My 2.5W to the V2000 vertical omni antenna is on. One English station spotting me at 0742z.
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| Stations received on 6m FT8 today |
As solar conditions seem to be on the wane (although still quite good), I think it unlikely that my 500uW WSPR be spotted, so I shall return to 500mW today.
Funny how this seems really high power now!
UPDATE 0736z: Changed to 500mW 10m WSPR and already spotted locally.
UPDATED 1040z: At 500mW WSPR it is far easier! Plenty of spots from across the world.
My 630m QRP WSPR (10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground) was turned on at about 1730z. So far, 4 stations have spotted me.
My QRPP 10m WSPR signal is on again.
UPDATE 1706z: No spots all day. I have definitely concluded that 500uW 10m WSPR only works when (a) conditions are very good, and (b) the RX noise floor is low.
For reasons I do not understand my 8m dipole has gone to resonance at about 49MHz. It is simpler to replace the antenna and coax. Assuming the weather is OK, I may try doing this in the next week.
At the moment I am inclined not to apply for an 8m TX permit again, but instead concentrate on ISM rules and WSPR. In the UK this means 10mW ERP and compliance with IR2030. In the UK this is totally free (no licence needed) and I believe open to all. As long as there are people monitoring, much of Europe should be within range on 8m WSPR in the Es season.
We deliver local Christmas cards by hand. We were going to do it yesterday, but the rain was horrendous so we did it today instead in the co...
