Sunspots - Tuesday February 17th

 Solar flux is 118 and the SSN 69. A=29 and K=2.

UK antenna petition

In the UK planning permission is required for (some?) amateur radio antennas. 

I am strongly opposed to this change, which would allow amateurs to erect towers to 15m and 2 antennas with widths up to 8m to be put up without planning permission!

Imagine that in your next door neighbour's garden!

No!!

Personally, I would rather people "self train" with modest antennas and low power.

Thankfully, this is very likely to fail.

King's College Chapel, Cambridge, UK

 

The picture shows King's College Chapel from 2 different sides.

10m 200mW WSPR (Monday)

 My beacon has been on since about 0900z.

UPDATE 0932z:   Several spots already by EA8BFK (2880km).

UPDATE 1615z:   Spotted by 29 stations so far. 200mW seems quite enough. See table. I must be getting lazy: I just switch on my WSPR beacon (no PC needed) and just  monitor where I am received. I was planning to try 10m 5W FT8, but that will now have to wait until tomorrow!

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.