Gecophone crystal set

When I retired in 2008 I was bought a Gecophone crystal set as a leaving present. This is almost 100 years old and still works.

It is in a polished wooden case and looks magnificent. They don't make things like this nowadays.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/gecophone

BREXIT deal done - NOT amateur radio

So, a deal has (eventually) been done between the EU and the UK. No doubt in the days ahead we will hear the details. I expect, and hope, that both sides compromised and came away feeling the deal was good for all. 

In the 2016 referendum I voted "remain", although I do appreciate that the EU can be protectionist and slow. Whilst we in the UK have vaccinated 500,000 people against Covid-19 the EU has not even started! I can understand the UK does not want to be burdened. On the other hand, the EU has been a power for good.

In my heart I expected a last minute deal: a deal is in the interests of all and there was a degree of brinkmanship to see who would blink first.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news

Online carols - NOT amateur radio

My wife took part in an online carol service with the Run by Singers with people from all over the world. Great. It is so good to think that all over the world people were taking part.

It is available on YouTube, but perhaps not yet. 

Sunny walk - NOT amateur radio

This morning it was very cold and crisp with a stiff northerly breeze. 

We did a walk around the village. The boat in the photo was seen at one point. You can just see the 2 ducks.

Often on this walk we see Muntjac deer, but none today.

Croatian 60m 100mW beacon

This may be worth listening for.   9A5ADI/B is a beacon on 5288.8MHz sending 100mW CW from Croatia (JN95).

2m FT8 QRP overnight and daytime December 24th

By accident, I left my 2m FT8 QRP station running overnight. I meant to turn it off. No more spots since last night of my QRP signal.  Staying on overnight is not worth it.  When we go for a walk shortly, I shall be RX only on 2m FT8. As usual, still using 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna.

UPDATE 1520z:  Since before lunch I have been on TX as well as RX. So far today I have been spotted by 14 stations with the furthermost being a spot by DF0MU (475km). If you want DX at any time, try 2m FT8.  Interestingly, 13 stations in just 2 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX. I get the impression more people are monitoring and not transmitting.

Birthday breakfast yesterday - NOT amateur radio

As reported, my birthday was yesterday. The photo shows me having breakfast yesterday.

It was a cooked breakfast with fruit.

Austria gets 60m and 630m

Southgate News reports that Austrian amateurs will have access to these bands.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/december/austria-receives-60m-and-630m-christmas-present.htm#.X-RRHNGTLrc

Sunspots - Thursday December 24th 2020

Solar flux is 86 and the SSN 27. A=12 and K=3.

2m FT8 QRP (Wednesday)

As 15m has been quiet for a while I QSYed to 2m FT8 QRP at 1800z using the usual 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna.  At the moment (1805z) 4 stations have spotted me on TX and I have spotted nobody yet on RX.

UPDATE 1945z: 7 stations in 2 countries have spotted my QRP on TX and I have spotted 3 stations in 2 countries on RX.