9 Mar 2016
10m WSPR today
A bit disappointing on 10m WSPR today. Maybe tomorrow will bring better results? As the solar activity gradually declines, 10m DX will be harder to find. It is there, at least on some days, and this is where WSPR really will prove useful.
FTSE 100 - NOT amateur radio
The FTSE 100 ended the day up 0.34%. I am still expecting large falls but so far this has not happened. Sentiment is pushing it higher but reality should push it well down.
I can't help thinking we are living in a parallel universe where reality does not apply.
With all the debt and uncertainty in the world, I think those who invest in the companies listed in the FTSE 100 are living their lives with their eyes and ears closed. At some point, reality will set in and the brown stuff will hit the fan big time and all hell will let loose. At some point, the world faces a MASSIVE re-adjustment and no-one will be immune.
Growth cannot continue in a world with limited resources. Also, living on debt cannot go on for ever. When interest rates are very low it may make sense, but what happens when these rise? China is a real danger and so apparently is Japan.
I can't help thinking we are living in a parallel universe where reality does not apply.
With all the debt and uncertainty in the world, I think those who invest in the companies listed in the FTSE 100 are living their lives with their eyes and ears closed. At some point, reality will set in and the brown stuff will hit the fan big time and all hell will let loose. At some point, the world faces a MASSIVE re-adjustment and no-one will be immune.
Growth cannot continue in a world with limited resources. Also, living on debt cannot go on for ever. When interest rates are very low it may make sense, but what happens when these rise? China is a real danger and so apparently is Japan.
Sunspots and 10m - Wed March 9th 2016
Solar flux is 95 today. Sunspot number is 48 (K=2) and the forecast for 10m propagation remains "poor".
70cm UKAC activity contest last night
Last night was the 70cm UKAC activity contest which is a monthly event organised by the RSGB. I started out (5W pep) using my 2m big-wheel but swapped to the 2m halo as the match was better on 70cm. This maybe because the coax feeding the halo is far more lossy than that to the big-wheel. It meant my ERP was even lower because of the feeder loss.
In all I worked just 3 stations before going QRT after less than 1 hour because of my poor voice. There were very few portable stations heard. No great DX was heard or worked on this occasion.
Some of the locals who were doing "search and pounce" such as G2XV. The CDARC station was strong but they were moving so I did not work them. A few others were missed too. I expect there will be more out on hilltops when the weather gets better.
In all I worked just 3 stations before going QRT after less than 1 hour because of my poor voice. There were very few portable stations heard. No great DX was heard or worked on this occasion.
Some of the locals who were doing "search and pounce" such as G2XV. The CDARC station was strong but they were moving so I did not work them. A few others were missed too. I expect there will be more out on hilltops when the weather gets better.
8 Mar 2016
China meltdown? - NOT amateur radio
Broadband - NOT amateur radio
EU referendum - NOT amateur radio
See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-35751919 .
It seems a bit suspicious that the banks and big business want us to vote IN. At the moment I am in favour of IN, but I could well be persuaded otherwise if the facts are clearly presented without the spin.
It seems a bit suspicious that the banks and big business want us to vote IN. At the moment I am in favour of IN, but I could well be persuaded otherwise if the facts are clearly presented without the spin.
ICOM IC7300 UK Price
I am certain the UK price will fall once the "early adopters" have had theirs. Considering the architecture, this price is high. Even with a less favorable exchange rate than of late, they have room to shave a few hundred pounds I am sure and still make good profits. It will depend how well it sells at the £1049 price. There is sure to be a price war against the Yaesu FT991. Both rigs have merit.
This came to me via Steve G1KQH.
73 Steve
http://www.g1kqh.talktalk.net/
This came to me via Steve G1KQH.
7300= £1049
73 Steve
http://www.g1kqh.talktalk.net/
Enormous Jordanian refugee camp - NOT amateur radio
The size of this is truly staggering.
See https://www.facebook.com/bbcshorts/videos/1140808579272340/ .
See https://www.facebook.com/bbcshorts/videos/1140808579272340/ .
2m VHF beacons
So far, I have not tried listening to the 2m Cornish, N.Ireland and Scottish beacons with the big-wheel horizontal omni antenna. I must give these a try. I expect I shall only hear them via MS or lifts and possibly aircraft reflections. On my 3el 2m beam the N.Ireland beacon was right on the edge. Normally I can copy the Kent beacon as well as beacons in Holland and Belgium.
GB3NGI (N.Ireland) 144.482MHz Ballymena
GB3MCB (Cornwall) 144.469MHz St Austell
GB3ANG (Scotland) 144.453MHz Angus
See http://www.microwavers.org/maps/2m.htm .
UPDATE 1517z: A casual listen on each frequency (probably not for long enough) and none was detected. I shall try again and listen for each for longer. I remember the GB3RMK Scottish beacon on 6m could always be copied by MS pings for a few seconds every 10-15 minutes. I was using a wire dipole at the time.
GB3NGI (N.Ireland) 144.482MHz Ballymena
GB3MCB (Cornwall) 144.469MHz St Austell
GB3ANG (Scotland) 144.453MHz Angus
See http://www.microwavers.org/maps/2m.htm .
UPDATE 1517z: A casual listen on each frequency (probably not for long enough) and none was detected. I shall try again and listen for each for longer. I remember the GB3RMK Scottish beacon on 6m could always be copied by MS pings for a few seconds every 10-15 minutes. I was using a wire dipole at the time.
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