23cm antennas (again)

At one time, a very popular 23cm antenna, for ATV I think, was the bow tie designed by G8GML (now SK). As I recall it was 2 diamond shaped elements with a solid reflector. I think it had a useful (not high) gain and a fairly broad forward lobe. 

For DX contacts, a decent beam with lots of forward gain is usually essential, but such an antenna might be better for me than the PCB HB9CV that, I believe, is supplied with the 23cm transverter that should come next month.

What I am wondering is does anyone make this commercially and at what price?

Such an antenna might be useful on 70cm too.

UPDATE 1907z:   As David says in the comments, Wimo make such an antenna. It looks expensive.

8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

At the moment, I do not think conditions are good enough for E-W F2 propagation on 8m. Unless things change, I think I shall give 8m a miss today.

UPDATE 1659z:  On 40.680 MHz QRP FT8 (first). ZS6WAB has been very strong in central Europe on 40.680 MHz FT8 in the last hour, but I doubt he will be spotted further north. I think this is TEP.

Shack walk-through

Nearly 4 years ago, I did a walk-through of my shack at that time. Since then, the rigs have changed a bit and I have an 8m dipole erected.

10m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

After a very brief period on TX, I have been on 10m FT8 RX most of the day with 144 stations spotted at 1109z. 

Stations spotted mid-afternoon
on 10m FT8 RX

UPDATE 1551z:  547 stations spotted today on 10m FT8. Later, if 10m is good, I may QSY to 8m FT8.  I do not think conditions are good enough for E-W 8m FT8 via F2. So far, nothing from central or north America on 10m FT8. Conditions on 10m F2 would have to be very good for me to have a chance on 8m.

The future of radio clubs

For several years radio clubs have been unable to meet because of Covid-19. Some turned to Zoom and found it far better than many expected. I have been very impressed how good these meetings have been. With Zoom all participants can chat and see each other if they wish.

The Cambridge Club has started meeting again in person, but has held "virtual" meetings, so that people at home can still see the talks and take part. As I am really unable to drive far by car at night, I have joined the last 2 meetings by Zoom.

Last night there were far more people on Zoom than in person! I just wonder if this is the future of radio clubs? The advantage of Zoom is speakers and listeners can be anywhere in the world. In the past, CDARC has had people give talks from Canada. With screen sharing this has been really good. We have had viewers from all sorts of places, from where they would be totally unable to attend in person.

What I wonder is should clubs do talks via Zoom with "in person" meet ups, say, once a month? No need to hire rooms, members could be from across the world, they could have lower fees. For those without PCs, people could get together in each other's homes. Social meetings could be in a pub or someone's home.

Love lies bleeding - NOT amateur radio

Until a friend in the village grew these from seed and gave them to us we had never heard of them. We planted them and they made a great display. The name is apt. 

Plans for today

After breakfast, I hope to be on 10m FT8. If 10m is promising, I shall QSY to 8m FT8. 

Where I come from - NOT amateur radio

This is where I come from in South Devon. It is still very beautiful. I try to get there every year. My brother still lives there.

Sunspots - Saturday September 24th 2022

Solar flux is 146 and the SSN 111. A=12 and K=4.

Slovenia - NOT amateur radio

 

It is hard to believe that we went to Slovenia 10 years ago. It is a beautiful country.

It is like Switzerland, but about half the price!