2m FT8

At about 1900z I QSYed to 2m FT8. Already a QSO with a station in Brittany and my 10W to the big-wheel omni spotted by 15 stations in 4 countries.

UPDATE 2117z:  26 stations in 5 countries have spotted me so far, as well as several QSOs on 2m FT8.

Solar farm - NOT amateur radio

A UK company wants to build a large solar farm with back-up batteries around villages in the area. I have replied to their questionnaire on line. If eventually approved building will start in 2022 and the farm will be operational in 2025. 

Although I have few concerns overall, I have raised the issue of RF pollution if they design and fit power converters "on the cheap". This unlikely to affect me, but could make life tough for those trying to detect weak signals nearer these sites.

That wind - NOT amateur radio

Today has been very windy in East Anglia. A local friend took this picture from a bus that was delayed 45 minutes because of a fallen tree across the road.  He had to direct the driver on an alternative route.

Our tree - NOT amateur radio

For several years now we have watched a nearby tree though the seasons. It is starting to turn autumnal. In a few weeks most leaves will have gone until the spring.

Another Zoom meeting

The Cambridge radio club (CDARC) is holding another Zoom talk tonight at 8pm. This is a talk about noise cancelling by ex RSGB president Bob Whelan G3PJT. Details are on the CDARC website. Zoom meetings suit me well. Last time we had a very large number of people.

Autumn cyclamen - NOT amateur radio

We saw these yesterday on our walk at Anglesey Abbey.

IC-705 in the UK

From reports I am seeing, it looks as if UK customers are getting IC-705 transceivers from UK dealers at last.  Most seem pleased. The first review has appeared on eHam.

See https://www.eham.net/reviews/view-product?id=14776

6m FT8

 At about 0800z, I turned on my 10W 6m FT8 to the V2000 vertical. So far, just 1 G spot of me - G0PQO (50km) and nothing on RX.

UPDATE 1105z:  9 stations have spotted me so far with the best being EI2FG (565km) in southern Eire. This could be aircraft scatter. 3 stations (all G) spotted on RX.

UPDATE 1550z:  Now 16 spots of me with the best DX spot being by CN8LI in Morocco (2114km). 

UPDATE 1800z:  20 stations spotted my 10W today. Several were probably Es.

Old workshop

I came across this photo of my old workshop at the back of the garage at the old QTH. Although I have a workbench in my current shack, my health precludes much building. 

Sunspots - Friday September 25th th 2020

Solar flux is 74 and the SSN 0 again. A=19 and K=4.