Times are changing

In the last few years we have had some innovations that allow simple stations to work the world like FT8.

At the same time fewer young people (generally) are coming into the hobby, putting the hobby under threat. Also (certainly in the UK and USA) PTTs to want less bureaucracy especially if it generates no income.

Many national amateur radio societies are working hard to buck the trend.

In the end, I cannot see amateur radio surviving as it has in the past. What the future holds I do not know. 

I really hope that people continue to experiment and innovate, which is how our great hobby started.

10m 200mW WSPR (Tuesday)

My beacon was turned on just after breakfast.

UPDATE 0826z:   5 stations have spotted me already.

I do not get it

 The president of the USA gave another press briefing in the White House. I was not very impressed, although I accept others may not agree.

Sunspots - Tuesday August 18th

 Solar flux is 124 and the SSN 76. A=11 and K=4.

Amazon - like marmite

Amazon home delivery gets a bad press. I have used it trouble-free for 26 years.

Some refuse to use it at all saying it will be the end of conventional shops. Yes, that is true, but people have already changed shopping patterns. Home shopping is now far more common in the last few years.

In my view, there are two sorts of high street shops (1) those that do not adapt and fail, and (2) those that adapt to internet shopping (browsing hubs?) and succeed.

Let me give you an example: at about 2230 last night I ordered 3 charging leads for my iPhone. By about 1500z the very next day they were on my doorstep delivered by Amazon. 

The alternative would have been to take a bus ride into Cambridge and go to the Apple store. Assuming they had stock, I would expect to pay far more for just a single lead!

No, times are changing. We have to adapt.

UPDATE 1506z: A single charging lead from the Apple store in Cambridge would have been more than 3 times the price of 3 leads online.

In app ads

This morning I noticed that advertisements were appearing in the main body of the blog. I find this intrusive and will try to stop them.

UPDATE 1111z: I think I have removed them.

Red legged partridges

At one time these handsome introduced birds were a common site in our garden. We have not seen them for several years. Apparently they were bred locally and released for shooting, but  they have stopped doing so.

LoRa repeaters

At the moment there is a move towards off-grid reliable communication that does not need the internet or mobile phones. 

As far as I can tell there are 2 systems coming to the fore Meshstastic and Meshcore. 

Both (I think) are in their infancy and which system is better depends on where you live. 

The systems are licence free, meaning anyone can use them. They’re based on either 868MHz or 915MHz if you are in the USA. 

As it is meshed-based the more users the better. Often sparsely populated places have poor coverage. 

As far as I know, this is just a messaging service as the data rate is low. In Romania YO6DXE has been experimenting with solar powered repeaters to extend range. He has made a video as part of his DX Explorer series.

Classic Car Show

The museum across the road held its annual Classic Car Day yesterday. 

It was a success with good weather, plenty of vehicles and people.

As it’s been very hot and dry, I was a bit concerned that a fire might be triggered, but it was fine.

10m 200mW WSPR (Monday)

 My beacon was turned on at about 0620z. 

UPDATE 1912z: 23 stations spotting me QRT soon.