Sympathetically designed - NOT amateur radio

Near our church is a modern house which has been sympathetically designed to blend in.

Personally I think they made a good job.

2m FT8

At the moment I am on 2m FT8 using 10W and the big-wheel omni antenna. So far, at 0900z 9 spots of me.

Spots of me to 1040z today 

UPDATE 1040z: 18 spots of me so far today.

UPDATE 1555z: Now spotted by 29 stations in 6 countries.

10m WSPR TX again

Once again I am on 10m WSPR TX using 500mW to the tiny indoor loop antenna. No spots yet at 0855z.

UPDATE 0910z: A spot of me by G4KPX received.

Covid-19 hope - NOT amateur radio

Although the economic impact will be huge and the death toll is still rising, there are little glimmers of hope.

Across the planet, companies are going to extra-ordinary lengths to design and make things in impossibly fast times. Although a vaccine could be some way off, there are trials of re-purposed drugs that might just help.

The rate of spread of the infections here in the UK seems to be starting to slow since social distancing measures were introduced. We are learning to work from home in many cases and are using technology to keep in touch with friends and family.

This could be a long haul, but there is a glimmer of light.

East Cambridgeshire 2m FM net

Last night, at 8pm UK time on 144.575MHz vertical (yes 144.575 FM) we met on the air. Several people were listening too. We welcomed newcomer to the net Martin G4FZM, who has yet to erect a vertical antenna. I used to work with Martin many years ago.

Put it in your diary: 8pm Monday 144.575MHz FM vertical, in the East Cambs area. Everyone welcome.

Sunspots - Tuesday March 31st 2020

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN 0.  A=11 and K=4.

Daisies - NOT amateur radio

On our walk earlier we saw several patches of daisies in the grass. They are wild and cheer us up.

Springtime - NOT amateur radio

At the moment, for most of the world, life is very hard and uncertain. Nonetheless in the northern hemisphere we are starting the spring season with promises of new life. There are lots of spring flowers and trees have that fresh green look.

In the autumn we'll probably look back at these days in amazement.

As I post to many places, I cannot remember if this has appeared on this blog before or not, but it is a nice cheerful image and I am sure you don't mind it appearing again!

UPDATE 1247z: The photo was first on on March 25th.

Cheese scone recipe - NOT amateur radio

These turned out very easy to make and excellent to eat. I have made a couple of batches and you might like to have a go.

Method

• Preheat fan oven to 180 deg C.
• Weigh out 300g self raising flour.
• Add 150g of grated cheese.
• Add dried chives to taste.
• Mix a little water and milk in a jug.
• Add water/milk to dough and mix just enough to make a dough (not too wet) when mixed by hand.
• Roll out dough to about 2cm thick.
• Cut out scones with a cutter.
• Add some grated cheese on top of each.
• Place on an oiled baking tray.
• Place in oven for 18 minutes.

Take out and enjoy, ideally warm with butter!

The original Tesco recipe used natural yoghurt.

10m WSPR TX

As on the last 2 days, I am on 10m WSPR TX (500mW) using my W5OLF WSPR beacon to my indoor loop. Frequency randomly changes every TX period. This series of transmissios is more in hope than expectation.

If you can see me and upload to the WSPRnet database I would much appreciate this, even if you are local.  As yet, I have still to get any spots this year!

UPDATE  1104z: Spots! G4KPX (14km) Richard in Ely has spotted me. These are my first 10m WSPR spots this year. Thank you.

UPDATE 1230z: Just been spotted by OE9GHV (871km).

UPDATE 1530z: More spots by G4KPX. No DX other than the Austrian earlier.

UPDATE 2030z: Now QRT.