GQRP Club

I have been a member for a very long time! It is run by volunteers and produces an excellent colour A5 magazine called "SPRAT" every quarter. This is filled with ideas and projects.

Joining GQRP club allows you to buy parts from member's sales, which includes nearly all the past SPRATs on DVD or flash stick. It is worth joining just for this! 

Many times in the past I have said that, if I was suddenly poor, SPRAT would be the last magazine to go. I still feel this way.

See http://www.gqrp.com/ .

Does the UK prime minister lie? - NOT amateur radio

To many outside the UK the heated discussions over who initially paid for renovation work on the UK PM's flat must seem odd.  Indeed they are, but at the heart is a question over whether Boris Johnson tells lies. If he tells lies, should we trust him? 

There is no doubt the the recent pandemic crisis has taxed us all with many things in life quite different. In many ways he has tried to "steer the ship" in very choppy waters and has done quite well, even though the death toll in the UK is high. He has definitely made mistakes and I just wish he would accept this and be honest with us.

Sadly, openness and honesty are in short supply with politicians.

No, what is at the heart of this is how honest is the UK PM?

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-56915307 .

Overseas holidays - NOT amateur radio

Many people are anxious to travel again. Since the Covid-19 pandemic few have been able to do so. The main worry is spreading the virus and one possible answer is Covid digital certificates. An EU wide scheme is being trialled in Spain in May and may be rolled out in time for the summer holiday season.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-56912667 .

The South Hams - NOT amateur radio

As a child I grew up in a most beautiful area of England. This aerial view shows Slapton Ley.  

These sands were used as practice areas for the D-day landings in WW2. It was where the tragic disaster known as "Operation Tiger" took place. Hundreds of American servicemen were killed. For a long time this was hushed up.

Several times in recent storms the road on Slapton Line has been damaged. Eventually the sea will break through and the road will have to be on the other side of the Ley.  All my life the A379 road has run along the sands. What is my lifetime? Just a blink in history.

It's arrived!

My 10m Phaser kit has arrived from the USA. This is a 4W SSB rig for 10m FT8. 

No duty or VAT was payable. It will get built in the coming weeks.

It is designed by Dave Benson K1SWL.

See https://midnightdesignsolutions.com/phaser/

Shopping Again - NOT amateur radio

Today we went into Cambridge shopping again. 

This was the first time since last summer that we have been into the city with the shops fully opened.  All the non-essential shops are now open again.  

It was nice to see buskers and collectors with their tins again! I never thought I'd say that!

Several places have gone for ever. Most are still there.

Slowly things are returning after dark days...

More bluebells - NOT amateur radio

As mentioned yesterday, we went bluebell hunting. Bluebells come out in the English spring and can look beautiful on the floor of woodlands, carpeting them in blue. We found one particular wood that looked stunning.

10m FT8 RX again

Once again, I have my 10FT8R RX turned on connected to my (poor) indoor loop antenna. I am monitoring 10m FT8. It was turned on at 0833z.

UPDATE 1258z: Just one European spotted so far today 9A6R (1542km).

UPDATE 1420z: So far today, 5 stations spotted. I really need that outside antenna!

UPDATE 1725z: 8 stations spotted so far.

UPDATE 2110z: 17 stations spotted me today. QRT shortly.

Sunspots - Wednesday April 28th 2021

 Solar flux is 79 and the SSN 47.  A=8 and K=1.

Garden blossom - NOT amateur radio

At the moment the garden is filled with blossom. This does not last long, but looks great whilst it lasts. 

In my opinion the garden looks its best in the spring.