3 Nov 2017

Up a tree - NOT amateur radio

These days I am very poor on ladders, so I was grateful that my son cut a few tall branches from the tree in our lawn earlier this afternoon.

Parliamentary Sex Scandal - NOT amateur radio

Times have changed.

When I was younger, girls were wolf-whistled at often. Putting ones hand on a knee was commonplace. Now, I am not saying this was right, just that it happened.

These politically correct days you can no longer do these things or you face the sack. In many ways, things are fairer nowadays, but personally I think the pendulum has swung too far. Open your mouth and say the wrong words and you are in jail!

When a real crime has been committed,  let the full force of the law be felt. When it was meant as innocent fun, let it go.

Also, I am a great believer in a trial in a court of law. A person is innocent until found guilty in law. It is wrong for the press and TV to besmirch a person beforehand. As they say, "mud sticks" and many an innocent person has a reputation for life. If guilty then a court of law will prove this.

OFCOM Update

OFCOM has given details of licences for 2GHz terrestrial base stations.

See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/010D3C06D35A5A8B2540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

UK Rallies on Sunday

5 NOVEMBER 2017 : WEST LONDON RADIO & ELECTRONICS SHOW (Kempton Rally)
Kempton Park Racecourse, Staines Road East, Sunbury on Thames, TW16 5AQ. There will be a talk in station and on site car parking is free. Doors open at 10am with disable d visitors gaining access 10 minutes earlier. There will be trade stations, a Bring & Buy and special interest groups. Other attractions are lectures, a raffle and catering on site. Details from Paul, M0CJX on 0845 165 0351, info@radiofairs.co.uk. www.radiofairs.co.uk.


5 NOVEMBER 2017 : BUSH VALLEY RADIO RALLY
United Services Club, 8 Roe Mill Rd, Limavady BT49 9DF Doors open at 11am and entry is £3 with a free draw ticket. Talk-in will be on 145.400MHz. There will be traders and a Bring & Buy. Refreshments are available on site. Tables are free and should be booked with Jack on 0788 529 2545.

630m WSPR

Overnight 12 unique stations spotted my 10mW ERP. Best DX spot was by DF2JP (448km). In turn, I spotted 13 uniques.

Son's brother-in-law - NOT amateur radio

The latest bulletin from Australia is "he's hanging on". Slowly dying, but clinging to life. At times our thoughts for his loved ones is totally overwhelming.  And yet, life goes on.

10m FT8 RX today - Friday Nov 3rd 2017

As usual, I am monitoring 10m FT8. So far a few Russians and a couple of Israelis, presumably via F2.  Best DX is currently 4Z5UY (3557km).

UPDATE 1000z: Although all spots so far have been Europe (including Russia) and Israel, there have been quite a number.

UPDATE 1046z: The earliest South African on 10m FT8 was ZS6ZA (9123km) at 1035z.

UPDATE 1130z:  Best 10m FT8 DX is VK9VKL (11970km).

UPDATE 1736z: Another 6 continent day on 10m FT8 with even KW4BY (7134km) in Florida spotted. Did someone say 10m is dead? Oh by the way, the sunspot count is zero again.

Sunspots - Friday November 3rd 2017

Solar flux is 73 today and the sunspot number zero. A=9 and K=2.

2 Nov 2017

Deep things - NOT amateur radio

Today has been a strange day: my son's brother-in-law is dying in Australia after a cruel accident and yet I seem calm now. Earlier both my wife and I shed bucket loads of tears just thinking how sad this all was. Is there meaning in life?

It is strange how life goes along then suddenly something happens to alter the status quo. I expect life will return to normality - in many ways, oddly, it already has. For the parents, sisters and girlfriend of this young lad, life can never, ever be the same again.

I guess it is at moments like this that life appears in its true colours: a mix of happiness and sadness. Yet life goes on. We must go on.

Margaret, are you grieving
Over Goldengrove unleaving?
Leaves, like the things of man, you
With your fresh thoughts care for, can you?
Ah! as the heart grows older
It will come to such sights colder
By and by, nor spare a sigh
Though worlds of wanwood leafmeal lie;
And yet you will weep know why.
Now no matter, child, the name:
Sorrow’s springs are the same.
Nor mouth had, no nor mind, expressed
What heart heard of, ghost guessed:
It is the blight man was born for,
It is Margaret you mourn for.


630m FT8 and WSPR

More in hope than expectation, I am on 630m FT8 transceive calling CQ. As yet, nobody has spotted me and no QSOs! Later, I shall try WSPR.

UPDATE 1837z: I have now changed to WSPR. So far, the only spot is of G4FTC (123km) who was quite strong.

UPDATE 2115z: Amazingly, my 10mW ERP WSPR to my unbelievably poor antenna and ground has been copied by 35 unique stations in 7 countries in the last 2 weeks with 9 unique spots in 4 countries this evening alone. If I can then anyone can! Basically, my 630m system is just cobbled together. Try it - you will have lots of fun even if your ERP is very low.