Moles - NOT amateur radio

In the UK we get moles. These are small, furry animals that spend most of their time underground. They eat mainly worms.

You rarely see them but they have a nasty habit of leaving "mole hills" at regular intervals, often in well-kept lawns. They are otherwise harmless, but these mole hills can be a darn nuisance.

We saw these earlier today, but luckily not in our lawns!

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/other-garden-wildlife/mammals/mole/ .

10m FT8 RX

Yesterday I think I was on 10m FT8 but with the wrong antenna. Today I double checked! Quite a lot of Europeans spotted already on 10m.

UPDATE 1612z: 12 unique stations spotted so far today in 5 European countries on 10m FT8.

UPDATE 1727z: So far,17 uniques in 7 countries.

UPDATE 2123z: As well as lots of Europeans VP8LP (12772km) was spotted at 1751z. This is the first non-European spotted here on 10m FT8 this year, although my 10m antenna is very average.

630m WSPR RX last night

Turning off the mains to my shack laptop definitely helps reduce my 630m noise floor. Last night 16 unique stations were spotted, which is a record for me.

Winter - NOT amateur radio

At this time of year everything looks dead. In a few months we will have returning swallows, lambs, fresh green leaves and life. In reality, life is already stirring, but largely unseen.

Sunspots - Saturday January 13th 2018

Solar flux is 69 today and the sunspot number zero. A=4 and K=1.

BREXIT - NOT amateur radio

If we leave the EU it is naïve to expect to get a trade deal that is more favourable than if we are members of the "club".

My own view is we want the trade deal, but we want a final say over laws in the UK parliament and control over who can stay and work here in the UK. Our trade in the short term has been helped by low cost immigrant workers, but we have been lazy and done little to increase efficiency in many sectors.

Personally I'd prefer to remain in a reformed EU without the needless waste and with control (ultimately) of our laws and people coming into the UK.

If we have to leave, so be it. In the end, I am sure the UK will do just fine. The bigger losers will be the EU.  There is a lot right about the EU. There is also a lot wrong with it.

630m WSPR RX

Up to now I have used the shack PC on mains power with the internal PC battery charging. In a few minutes I shall run the PC on its internal battery hoping for a lower noise floor.

UPDATE 2054z: Shack PC now running on its internal battery.

UPDATE 2132z: From the evidence of the last 1.5 hours the S/N of signals received on 630m WSPR improves by at least 10dB when the shack PC is on internal batteries. Previous tests were rather inconclusive, but results this evening are very clear.

10m FT8 RX

Rather later than usual, I have QSYed from 630m WSPR to 10m FT8 RX. This is where I shall probably be for the rest of the day, before going back to 630m WSPR tonight. As yet, no spots.

UPDATE 1825z:  No spots all day on 10m FT8. Soon be time to QSY to 630m WSPR RX.

UK rally

14 JANUARY 2018 : RED ROSE WINTER RALLY

The George H Carnall Leisure Centre, Kingsway Park M41 7FJ. Venue is easily accessible from Jct 9 of the M60 (opposite the Trafford Centre). This vast hall has superb disabled facilities, being all on one level. It has a huge free car park. There will be our usual bring and buy stall and there is an excellent cafe on site. Doors open at 11am. There will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy, special interest groups and an RSGB bookstall. Further details from John on 0787 016 1953 www.wmrc.co.uk.

A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

President Trump - NOT amateur radio

If recent reports allegedly coming out of the White House are correct, then the USA president is rapidly losing friends around the globe and probably at home.

His latest reported outburst was another swipe at immigrants and their families.

I must remind the good people of the USA (all those I have met were decent, kind, generous and caring folk), and the President, that ALL white Americans were from immigrant stock. The land of freedom and liberty. People want to come to the USA because of its values.

UPDATE 2042z:  I notice that the US $ is rapidly losing value against the UK £.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42656433 .