I know this has been on several times before, but it is worth reminding folks of my 10m antenna that can be made from easily obtainable material, is small and really works. If you are after a simple 10m antenna, this may "fit the bill". It was in Practical Wireless many years ago and is on my website.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/antennas/homebase10-10m-halo .
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| Stations monitoring 8m FT8 |
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| Stations spotting my QRP 8m FT8 |
As well as spots of me by G4KPX (14km) and EA8BFK (2880km) I am getting spots from YO3BN (2083km). I assume the latter is via F2.
It looks like there are openings to Eastern Europe on 10m and 6m from Western Europe. I am hoping there is some activity on 8m and that it spreads further west.
See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .
So far, just G4KPX (14km) and EA8BFK (2880km) spotting me.
Although my 2.5W 8m FT8 has been on for much of the morning, no spots on TX or RX.
UPDATE 1117z: Although no spots yet, it is interesting to see so many stations monitoring the 8m band. See the map of monitors.
With all the increased tension in the Middle East I am surprised how little prices have moved. I remember back in the Suez crisis of 1956, petrol was rationed again. It is as if the world either expects a ceasefire or knows how to cope if the Gulf is closed.
Are we far less dependent on oil from the Middle East?
My brother will be 80 in December. He seems to be going to several funerals of late. I guess we are now at an age when many of our friends and relatives get serious illnesses or die.
I wonder if our brains modify to accept this as the norm?
It is interesting how we now talk about illnesses more as we age. There are several friends and relatives who are now in the "firing line". In the past we assumed we would all go on forever. Now we think of our finality.
Once we went to a New Year's Eve party. The host said, "you are not allowed to talk about illnesses". What a good idea!
UPDATE 1433z: We just heard that one of my wife's best friends has died. Not unexpected, but so sad for those left behind.
Later, I hope to go on 10m 500mW WSPR and 8m QRP FT8.
In all, stations in 3 countries spotted my 2.5W 8m FT8 yesterday, which was better than I expected.
This dates back many years and is not recommended when 6m is "open" as it has been recently.
On the other hand, it makes a nice homebrew project and an ideal natterbox across town.
As I always say, use it as a starting point for your own ideas. For example, add a loudspeaker amplifier, or increase the RF power. Most of my designs are starting points and could usually be improved. Do not be afraid to experiment as this is where a lot of the fun is.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/homebrew/sixbox .
The inside (as far as I recall) has never been on, until now. This is inside the windmill.
One thing I am certain about - wars rarely settle things, often resulting in long-term distrust and hatred.
In the Middle East this is true at the moment. For many years Israel has had people opposed to the very state of Israel. At the same time Israel has opposed the existence of the people of Palestine. There is much bitterness.
Surely, the only long-term solution, no matter the past history, is peaceful co-existence. Everyone on the planet has a right to peace.
My 2.5W 8m FT8 has been on since breakfast. So far, nobody has spotted me, but ZR1ADI (9777km) spotted on 8m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1022z: My QRP 8m FT8 spotted by G4OGI (123km).
My stand-alone 10m WSPR TX has been on since breakfast.
This was several years ago at the QTH of G6ALB. Andrew did the building of this valve Sputnik TX and I did the operating. After about 10 minutes a CQ call on 15m resulted in a contact with a station in the USA. Present were G4NUA (SK), G6ALB and G3XBM (me). What fun we all had!
Around the world it seems harder to find radio magazines on the stands of newsagents. This is certainly true here in the UK, but I am wondering if it is different in other countries?
It is Yaesu's answer to the IC-705 and it also is the long awaited answer to the FT817/818 series.
It is not a hand portable, although I suspect Yaesu have done their homework in that most people will not use it pedestrian portable but in hotel rooms and on park benches. In this regard it may be an ideal choice with a large battery capacity.
So far, there is no indication of price, but I hope it is well under £1000. Also, we have only, so far, seen very preliminary specs. The IC-705 has things like Bluetooth and GPS. It will be interesting to see what appears in the full specs.
Often there are hardware and software bugs in very early models. This will be the first time that Yaesu will have made units in significant volumes, so they will be looking for feedback so they can "tweek" the design on the next production run. In some ways early adopters are guinea pigs.
As an experiment, Soldersmoke did an experimental AI generated podcast. It is frightening.
If this is possible now, what will be possible in 2050? To me, it sounded incredible. You would never have known it was AI generated.
It is frightening how realistic this podcast sounds, making you wonder how AI could be used to distort truth in future e.g. in elections.
My wife has been to see her old work colleague and friend several times recently.
After a long battle with stage 4 cancer she has come home to die. They gave her less than 5 years, but she has lasted 8 years. She probably only has days left. It is all so sad. She sleeps a lot of the time and is confined to bed.
It is odd. In some ways this experience has dulled the fear of death. For her husband it must be unbelievably sad knowing that your wife is dying and there is no prospect of her getting better.
My stand-alone 10m WSPR beacon by W5OLF was turned on at about 0835z. No spots.
UPDATE 0848z: Just a couple of spots by local G4KPX (14km).
UPDATE 0855z: Just G4KPX spotting me.
My 2.5W 8m FT8 was turned on at about 0835z.
UPDATE 1317z: QRT. No spots all day on RX or TX on 8m FT8.
UPDATE 1703z: On again, but still no spots. So far, I have been disappointed with 8m FT8 this autumn.
Yesterday, I turned them into crab apple jelly as the photo shows. It is delicious on some meats.
I have no idea why they are called crab apples. They are tiny compared with more usual apples. I would guess 2cm diameter or less would be more typical.
My 10m 500mW WSPT TX beacon was turned on at about 1630z. EA8BFK (2880km) has spotted me.
UPDATE 2035z: In the end 2 stations in the USA spotted me (see table).
My grandson helped me re-erect my 8m dipole. At about 1600z, I restarted my 40.680MHz 2.5W FT8.
Yesterday as well as seeing a couple of house martins I saw a late swallow.
This is probably the last I shall see until the spring. I am pretty sure this is the latest I have ever seen one up here in East Anglia.
I heard yesterday that all the major UK rail station WiFi systems had suffered what was thought to be a cyber attack. If these can be attacked what else could be done?
During the dark evenings this autumn and winter I intend to update my PDF Project Scrapbook. There have been a few changes to rigs that I should include. Also, there is more to say about 8m and 23cm.
We go for walks in nearby Anglesey Abbey most months. This is a photo of the main house. The property is owned by the National Trust.
