Kindness of radio amateurs

As many know I had a stroke 8 years ago and can no longer do some of the things I used to enjoy.

Several times in the last few years I have been struck by how kind some people are. I won't name them, but 2 have offered to build my Phaser kit, one to fix my transverter for 472kHz and someone else did a schematic for me and has sent a ferrite antenna and crystals. Someone sent me some sensitive earpieces and I have been sent crystals and a clock. I am sure I have forgotten something, but you get the drift.

This was pure kindness and generosity. I have been so impressed with the sheer kindness of others. They wanted nothing in return. Thank you so very much.

The ham spirit is alive and well. If you can, do something kind for others and keep the amateur spirit alive.

As I have often said, there are far more kind people than bad people, but kindness is not newsworthy.

Thank you again.

Ely - NOT amateur radio

A few days ago we visited Ely. We ate at the Almonry overlooking Ely Cathedral. 

Sunspots - Thursday September 23rd 2021

 Solar flux is 89 and the SSN 76. A=12 and K=3.

Cambs Net Wednesday 2m FM 1900z

Every Wednesday evening the Cambridge Radio Club (CDARC) has a net on 145.55MHz FM at 1900z. It usually lasts just over 30 minutes. We recently combined this with the East Cambs Net that used to meet on Mondays. The same people were largely on.

With my poor voice, this is quite a challenge, but I try to come on if I can. It helps when there are several people on so I don't have to speak that often, HI.

Usually I run 10W to my V2000 vertical omni. Last time I forgot to connect the PSU, so was running 5W from the battery on the IC-705.

Anyone is warmly welcomed. You do not have to be a CDARC member.

Ely - NOT amateur radio

The Covid-19 pandemic is far from over, but it is good to see and feel life returning. The photo shows Ely yesterday.

Blackberry picking - NOT amateur radio

One of the joys of this time of year is picking blackberries. This year they are smaller than last, but we still have enough for a blackberry and apple crumble. 

10m FT8 RX (Wednesday)

By mistake, I left my 10m FT8 RX running overnight. Late last night, 1 G was spotted calling CQ, but nothing was spotted overnight. 

My antenna is a low Par end-fed dipole at about 3m above ground.

So far today just a spot of PA0KGB (278km) on RX.

UPDATE 1715z:  34 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today with the furthermost PT2VHF (8874km) in Brazil. Seems to be quite quiet at the moment.

UPDATE 2016z:  A brief period on TX was spotted by M0NKR (27km). No further spots on RX.

Religions - NOT amateur radio

As a youth, I was quite a good Christian. As I got older, I have become less sure what I believe.  I think agnostic best describes me: I am unsure.

It seems to me that all world religions hint at something beyond ourselves. It puzzles me that, depending on where we are in the world, we are Christians, Jews, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, Taos, Dos etc. All cannot be totally wrong. It seems amazing to me that in different cultures different religions take hold. 

There has always been an element of trying to "sell" a particular religion to a different culture with the chosen religion always being "right". 

Most wars and conflicts have religions at their heart, sadly.

No, I think all religions are hints and try to explain our finite lives. Not one religion succeeds in my view.

Shetland - NOT amateur radio

 

 

The photo shows Compass Head in the Shetland Islands. It was on 365project yesterday.  Shetland is the most northerly part of Scotland and at one time belonged to Norway, a country with which these islands have close links even today.

GQRP club sales

Just seen this message from Steve G1KQH:

"Graham G3MFJ is currently in hospital so club sales is closed until further notice. Please send no orders and make no enquiries about components until you hear from us.

If you have already placed an order then we will appreciate your patience as it can't obviously  be dealt with.

Kind Regards 

Tony G4WIF" 

I have no information further to this. I bought a SPRAT on a stick only quite recently. Quite a few people use GQRP club sales. Let us hope this is nothing too serious.