Nearly spring

This was spotted on the Backs in Cambridge on Saturday. Soon be better weather.

Mini RX

On order, is a really tiny multi-band, multi-mode RX from Banggood. Apparently, as is common, there are copies reported to be less good. Mine is due at the end of March I think.

There is a website worth looking at if you are thinking if getting one.

See https://atsmini.github.io/ .

Someone in Germany has some upgrade software.

Monday plans

 At first I propose to go on 10m 200mW WSPR TX and maybe 10m FT8 at 5W later.

Portable antennas with gain

When operating /P  in a park, beach or elsewhere it is often possible to erect a temporary antenna that has gain in the direction you are targeting. VK3YE has a video that may give you some ideas.

Online MOT checker

If you have a car in the UK on the road you need a valid MOT for insurance to be valid. The status of an MOT can be checked online.

See https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/VehicleFound?locale=en

I am unsure what the rules are for vintage cars.

Mike Rainey AA1TJ?

When you don't hear about people for a while, you worry. 

A few days ago I chanced upon a circuit by AA1TJ and realised I had not heard any news from Mike in a while. Does anyone have any news please?

Like every person from the USA I have ever dealt with he was kind and generous. 

UPDATE  1910z:  Just had an email from Mike. Great.

Sunspots - Monday February 16th

 Solar flux is 118 and the SSN 65. A=26 and K=4.

10m 5W FT8 (Sunday)

My 10m QRP FT8 was turned on at 1144z.

UPDATE 1149z: So far, spotted by 13 stations.

UPDATE 1252z:  Currently 10m FT8 RX only. 249 stations spotted.

UPDATE 1656z:  662 stations spotted here. See map. Seeing this 5W radio (QDX-M) is about the same size as a pack of cards, i.e. tiny, I am very impressed! Actually it is probably smaller than a pack of cards!  My antenna is just a low end fed. Now QRT.

Archetypal Cambridge

When many think of Cambridge, they think of King's College Chapel, punts on the Cam and weeping willows. 

Yesterday we had all three in one photo ....and blue sky!

IPSOS radio listening survey

In the last week I have been recording the broadcast radio stations that I have listened to as part of an IPSOS survey.  Mostly it is BBC Radio 4 around breakfast time.

OFCOM is consulting on the future of radio broadcasting in the UK.  According to them AM broadcast listeners have been declining.  I am not sure if this is true or as a result of more people listening to traditional broadcasts via smart speakers and DAB. Yours truly is as guilty as the rest!

If traditional AM broadcasts are declining this is a pity as many first came across radio by building simple Medium Wave receivers. My first introduction to amateur radio was hearing some locals on 160m AM. To many, radio was magic whereas nowadays we take it for granted.