After a few minutes it flew off!
7 Mar 2020
Goldfinch - NOT amateur radio
After a few minutes it flew off!
472kHz transverter repairs
Although it is replaced, the antenna current is still low, so more investigation is needed.
UPDATE 0910z: I tried the earth-electrode "antenna" on a different rig on 160m and was still getting a high SWR. This suggests something is wrong outside still. More investigations needed!
UPDATE 1725z: A visual test indicated nothing untoward. Possibly tomorrow I may replace the wire in case there is something not visible that is wrong. I measured the DC resistance and this was higher than I was expecting, but not exceptionally high.
Peregrine falcons - NOT amateur radio
The photo shows my brother's wife with me looking up at the steeple.
See https://hawkandowltrust.org/web-cam-live/norwich-cathedral-side
6 Mar 2020
Space weather
Southgate News has a piece on the space weather forecast by expert Dr Tamitha Skov.
See http://www.southgatearc.org/space-weather/index.htm#.XmKtf46TK00
See http://www.southgatearc.org/space-weather/index.htm#.XmKtf46TK00
Oil price way down - NOT amateur radio
At 1230z today oil prices have dropped over 4%. This is a sure sign of low demand. The FTSI100 stock index has fallen about 1000 points. One UK airline has gone into administration.
UPDATE 1546z: It is now down 6.58%. Recession here we come....
UPDATE 1638z: Now down 8.96%.
UPDATE 2000z: Oil ended the day 9.1% down.
UPDATE 2102z: Oil prices are still falling. At the moment things are still bad.
UPDATE 1546z: It is now down 6.58%. Recession here we come....
UPDATE 1638z: Now down 8.96%.
UPDATE 2000z: Oil ended the day 9.1% down.
UPDATE 2102z: Oil prices are still falling. At the moment things are still bad.
Risk averse? - NOT amateur radio
Having just cancelled a 2 week holiday in Corfu, I am wondering if I am becoming more risk averse as result of my 2013 stroke or old age? My basic concern was corona virus.
The thought of having to spend 2 weeks self-isolating abroad or in a Greek hospital filled me with dread. In all, we would have to spend about 5 hours in planes and 4 hours in airports, plus the 2 weeks in the hotel. I decided that it would be better to self-isolate at home or, if required, be treated in a UK hospital.
My wife is upset (as am I), but we can always have a 2 week holiday another year.
The thought of having to spend 2 weeks self-isolating abroad or in a Greek hospital filled me with dread. In all, we would have to spend about 5 hours in planes and 4 hours in airports, plus the 2 weeks in the hotel. I decided that it would be better to self-isolate at home or, if required, be treated in a UK hospital.
My wife is upset (as am I), but we can always have a 2 week holiday another year.
FT8 popularity
Southgate News has a piece asking how long it takes to get DXCC using FT8.
In the piece they say that 80% of contacts are now on FT8. If true, and I do not know if this is, it means there is a huge drop in SSB use and far less chatting.
Although I enjoy FT8 as my voice is poor, I hope people still want to use other modes and chat. Without this, our hobby is much poorer.
Years ago people often chanced on amateur radio. Operators heard amateur AM transmissions and they were curious. FT8 needs special free software, so newcomers are very unlikely to chance upon it.
In the piece they say that 80% of contacts are now on FT8. If true, and I do not know if this is, it means there is a huge drop in SSB use and far less chatting.
Although I enjoy FT8 as my voice is poor, I hope people still want to use other modes and chat. Without this, our hobby is much poorer.
Years ago people often chanced on amateur radio. Operators heard amateur AM transmissions and they were curious. FT8 needs special free software, so newcomers are very unlikely to chance upon it.
Britbox: crap? - NOT amateur radio
A few days ago I signed up to this streaming service set up by ITV and the BBC.
Since then, I have found the website mostly unavailable. Not only that, but I cannot find out how to access it on my TV which I get via Virgin Media. Amazon Prime and Netflix are apps, which I can easily access.
So far, my impressions are not good. This should be easy and painless. It is not!
As soon as the website is accessible I am going to cancel.
Since then, I have found the website mostly unavailable. Not only that, but I cannot find out how to access it on my TV which I get via Virgin Media. Amazon Prime and Netflix are apps, which I can easily access.
So far, my impressions are not good. This should be easy and painless. It is not!
As soon as the website is accessible I am going to cancel.
20m FT8 on the tiny indoor loop
A few moments ago I turned on 20m FT8 using the only 20m antenna I have: the tiny indoor loop.
Plenty of stations coming in on RX including lots of Japanese stations with the best DX so far on 20m FT8 RX being JQ2QHQ (9526km).
On TX (10W) just one spot so far EU1SW (1799km).
UPDATE 1202z: 227 stations spotted so far on 20m FT8 RX with 5 spots of my 10W 20m FT8 TX with best being WW1WW (3255 miles).
UPDATE 1643z: Now 28 stations have spotted my 10W 20m FT8 TX to the tiny indoor loop. On 20m FT8 RX 541 stations spotted. Absolutely amazing!
UPDATE 1953z: 39 spots of my 10W to the tiny indoor loop antenna. On 20m FT8 RX 668 stations spotted. Now QRT on 20m.
Plenty of stations coming in on RX including lots of Japanese stations with the best DX so far on 20m FT8 RX being JQ2QHQ (9526km).
On TX (10W) just one spot so far EU1SW (1799km).
 |
| Stations spotting my 10W FT8 TX to the tiny indoor loop today |
UPDATE 1953z: 39 spots of my 10W to the tiny indoor loop antenna. On 20m FT8 RX 668 stations spotted. Now QRT on 20m.
 |
| Stations spotted on 20m FT8 RX with the tiny indoor loop |
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