End of an era

Later this week BBC Long Wave on 198kHz goes QRT for the last time.

We went by the Droitwich TX yesterday on the train. Sad, but inevitable I guess.

What will happen to the spectrum?

Sunspots - Tuesday June 23rd

 Solar flux is 122 and the SSN 83. A=5 and K=1

UK politics - momentous day?

As I write this it is not clear what the UK Prime Minister will do, although it is likely that Andy Burnham who is further left wing than the present PM will take office.  

We have seen far too many UK Prime Ministers in the last 10 years. I hope the new PM (if there is one!) makes a success.

Already President Trump has weighed in. I would have thought he would want to put his own house in order first.

Sunspots - Monday June 22nd

 Solar flux is 128 and the SSN  53.  A=5 and K=1.

8m FT8 RX (Sunday)

My gear is on 8m (40.680) FT8  RX. I know activity is way down on 6m.

UPDATE 1711z: No spots. I suspect people are on 6m, 4m and 2m Es.

Meshtastic - the future?

 As I mentioned yesterday, there is a small, but dedicated group of experimenters. In my view, these experimeners will increasingly use licence-free bands such as LoRa at 868 or 915MHz.

In my view, Meshtastic and Meshcore are in their infancy. Given this, I expect we will see maturity in the next 10 years. In theory, these rely on mesh networks and don't depend on the internet. In big cities where coverage is good, this is fine. In rural areas, or areas with poor coverage, meshes may not reliably cover an area. Over time, these gaps are likely to be filled in.

I can imagine we will see "mature" data transceivers in the near future.

Is this where real experimenters will be found?

The end of linear broadcasting?

Increasingly people are watching what they want, when they want, using subscription services. At the same time many broadcasters are trying to save money.

To my mind, I can see an end to linear broadcasting. 

Instead people will watch what they want, when they want, all using subscription services. For example we may watch the latest news followed by the weather, followed by a film.

In the end I can see the BBC iPlayer becoming a subscription service and the licence fee in the UK going.

Most people will watch TV using subscription services or listen to things on their smart speakers.

Of course, the danger is we become even more dependent on the internet. What happens if the internet goes off either because of periodic issues or, heaven forbid, hacking?

Sunspots - Sunday June 21st

 Solar flux is 113 and the SSN 73. A=7 and K=1.

Superpowers YouTube

 The opinion of Lieutenant General Ben Hodges is wise and inciteful.

Amateur radio future?

This is a subject that I have raised on this blog many times. It is a fact that in many countries that the average age of radio amateurs is now very high. Fewer young people are joining the ranks and even fewer stay. Radio no longer is the magic it was to old people.

In my view amateur radio splits into two camps. This may be a simplification. 

Some now just prefer to operate, increasingly using digital modes like FT8 with CW and SSB sharply declining. Some of these want to rise to the challenge of DXCC.

A few enjoy the challenge of experimentation. This can take many forms.

Another trend is deregulation, with many PTTS not wanting the hassle of dealing with a service that does not generate money.

In the future I can see a day coming when many PTTs will "throw in the towel" and will no longer police amateur radio and the allocation of callsigns. This could go several ways: amateur radio could merge with CB and become licence free. Experimenters will continue using licence free frequencies or paying for the privilage. Other options may emerge.

What is certain is amateur radio will change.