For those readers on Mars or outside the UK, the Conservative Party is the party in government, supported by a Northern Ireland party, to give a slim majority. It is led by Theresa May who is Prime Minister.
At the moment the Conservative Party Conference is drawing to a close and Theresa May is due to speak. By the time you read, or skip, this she may have spoken. Her speech last year was a PR disaster with a bad cough and signs falling off the wall behind her.
She could also face a leadership challenge. It is not an enviable position with many in her own party against her over BREXIT. The trouble is who would replace her? We have plenty of people keen, but no-one that stands out as a great leader. All the people "in the wings" come over as weasels - career politicians with them as their main focus, not the good of the UK.
If there was a General Election it is quite possible Labour, led by Jeremy Corbyn, would be elected on a very left wing ticket. Personally, I am more centralist and wish centralists on all sides would try to form a new party
See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-45725615
UPDATE 1320z: It happened and passed off without a hitch. Bet she was pleased!
3 Oct 2018
MF WSPR last night
Last night I was on 472kHz WSPR again with 10mW ERP and the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.
An average night with a new station (at least for this season) spotting me. GM4OAS (653km) and 3 others spotted me. On RX 7 different stations with the best DX again being LA8AV(1035km).
An average night with a new station (at least for this season) spotting me. GM4OAS (653km) and 3 others spotted me. On RX 7 different stations with the best DX again being LA8AV(1035km).
Autumn coming - NOT amateur radio
2m FT8
When in the home, but out of the shack, I tend to go on 2m FT8 often. This is true at the moment. So far today, 8 stations spotted in 4 countries. Not sure if these are aircraft reflections or tropo. Judging by the strengths, I suspect some were tropo and some were off aircraft.
Later this afternoon I shall probably switch to 10m FT8 to see if South Americans are, yet again, spotted.
A few CQ calls were not spotted at all, which is quite unusual. Perhaps there are less people monitoring 2m FT8?
UPDATE 1126z: A CQ on 2m FT8 (2.5W) was spotted again by no-one. On 2m FT8 RX 18 stations in 5 countries spotted so far.
UPDATE 1316z: Mystery solved!! After several CQ calls on 2m FT8, I was wondering why no-one was spotting me. I went into the shack, called CQ and monitored the power - nothing! In the end I discovered the FT817ND was set to USB and not DIG so it was looking for audio via the mic rather than data lead. After changing the setting both modulation and power appeared and 3 spots immediately followed. Doh! Best DX on 2m FT8 TX (2.5W to the omni antenna) is G4RRA (334km) in Devon.
UPDATE 1330z: Best DX on 2m FT8 RX is DJ6AG (689km) in Lower Saxony, Germany. So far today, 22 stations in 6 countries on 2m FT8 RX.
Later this afternoon I shall probably switch to 10m FT8 to see if South Americans are, yet again, spotted.
A few CQ calls were not spotted at all, which is quite unusual. Perhaps there are less people monitoring 2m FT8?
UPDATE 1126z: A CQ on 2m FT8 (2.5W) was spotted again by no-one. On 2m FT8 RX 18 stations in 5 countries spotted so far.
UPDATE 1316z: Mystery solved!! After several CQ calls on 2m FT8, I was wondering why no-one was spotting me. I went into the shack, called CQ and monitored the power - nothing! In the end I discovered the FT817ND was set to USB and not DIG so it was looking for audio via the mic rather than data lead. After changing the setting both modulation and power appeared and 3 spots immediately followed. Doh! Best DX on 2m FT8 TX (2.5W to the omni antenna) is G4RRA (334km) in Devon.
UPDATE 1330z: Best DX on 2m FT8 RX is DJ6AG (689km) in Lower Saxony, Germany. So far today, 22 stations in 6 countries on 2m FT8 RX.
2m UKAC RSGB activity contest
In the October leg of the 2m UKAC RSGB activity contest, I made 6 QSOs in the short time I was on. Best DX was G6DOD/P (216km) on the Isle of Wight. As usual I was using 5W and the big-wheel omni antenna.
2 Oct 2018
MF WSPR
After the 2m contest I QSYed to 472kHz (630m) WSPR. So far, the usual suspects copying my 10mW ERP and the same stations being copied.
2m activity contest this evening
The October leg of the 2m activity contest (UKAC) organised by the RSGB starts at 1900z this evening. I usually enter and send a log in, although I rarely stay on long because of my poor voice. 30-60 minutes and I am done in!
I run 5W to my big-wheel omni antenna. These days, I seem to work (or get spotted) far further with 2m FT8, which does not strain my voice. Most contests I work out to about 200km on SSB. My best is much further.
As I have said many times before, this is a very friendly contest with lots of activity. If you don't want to, there is no compulsion to send in a log. It is a great chance to work a few new stations and squares. As I usually work fewer than 10 stations it is quick to transcribe my logs.
UPDATE 2040z: I was late on tonight and could not stop on long. 6 stations worked in 5 squares with 5W and the omni antenna. I have yet to work out the best DX.
I run 5W to my big-wheel omni antenna. These days, I seem to work (or get spotted) far further with 2m FT8, which does not strain my voice. Most contests I work out to about 200km on SSB. My best is much further.
As I have said many times before, this is a very friendly contest with lots of activity. If you don't want to, there is no compulsion to send in a log. It is a great chance to work a few new stations and squares. As I usually work fewer than 10 stations it is quick to transcribe my logs.
UPDATE 2040z: I was late on tonight and could not stop on long. 6 stations worked in 5 squares with 5W and the omni antenna. I have yet to work out the best DX.
Return to 10m FT8
After a few hours on 2m, I have returned to 10m FT8 and already spotted loads of EU stations and had a few 2-way QSOs. Will 10m open to South America later?
A CQ (2.5W) was spotted by CS7AOL (1457km) and a QSO resulted.
UPDATE 1650z: So far today, 36 stations in 10 EU countries spotted on 10m FT8. 10m dead?
UPDATE 1752z: Best DX on 10m FT8 RX is currently ZD7GWM (7605km) on St Helena.
UPDATE 1818z: So far today 46 stations spotted in 12 countries and 3 continents today on 10m FT8. Hardly dead!
UPDATE 1856z: Already a couple of South American stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX this evening. So far, 51 stations spotted in 14 countries.
A CQ (2.5W) was spotted by CS7AOL (1457km) and a QSO resulted.
UPDATE 1650z: So far today, 36 stations in 10 EU countries spotted on 10m FT8. 10m dead?
UPDATE 1752z: Best DX on 10m FT8 RX is currently ZD7GWM (7605km) on St Helena.
UPDATE 1818z: So far today 46 stations spotted in 12 countries and 3 continents today on 10m FT8. Hardly dead!
UPDATE 1856z: Already a couple of South American stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX this evening. So far, 51 stations spotted in 14 countries.
2m FT8
Just before lunch I switched to 2m FT8 (2.5W to the omni antenna). No QSOs but yet again I was spotted by G7RAU (461km) on The Lizard in Cornwall and by GW3ATZ (248km) in north Wales. I shall probably stick with 2m FT8 until late this afternoon when I'll probably return to 10m FT8.
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