Mikel wrote: ↑31 Oct 2020, 11:14
Judging by the local stations around here and by local I mean a 30 mile radius, many non licensed users on PMR446 and 11m are using widebanded HF rigs and BIG amplifiers. Some of these were bought brand new from dealers.
2m, 10m and 70cm are pretty dead from my location but 446 and 11m are teeming with life. If I call CQ on 2m, 10m or 70cm, rarely does anyone come back to me, but when I hear someone call out on 11m CB or PMR446, they get a reply pretty much straight away!
Pirate activity is greater than I have ever known it since the early 80's, at least around here through the summer it was, and that is most definitely keeping the dealers tills ringing big time, and I'm not talking about £20 walkie talkies, or a second hand Harrier CBX with a Zetagi B47 here.
But what is the point of getting licensed, if HF is pretty much wiped out by QRM and 10m and up, is devoid of life?
From 12m down to top band, the noise level locally (20db over 9 most days) makes it un-useable and I think many people are suffering the same way. I use a websdr (
http://kiwisdr.com/public/) as my receiver at times, but when my broadband runs slow or my laptop freezes, I am knackered there as well, not to mention the few seconds delay you get on received signals.
Realistically speaking, nothing is going to be done about this interference to my and many others, legitimate licensed activity.
It seems to me that dealers are getting revenue with or without amateur radio, and 'enthusiasts' are looking for other ways to get their radio fix and don't forget money talks, so may be this is one of the many reasons OFCOM are not interested in enforcement, they don't want to destroy the revenue stream and upset big business, or maybe they think it is better than them using the Echo Charlie aeronautical band?
As far as looking down on M3, M6 and M7 license holder goes, unfortunately it is human nature and it gets the better of SOME people.
SOME motorists look down on cyclists.
SOME home owners look down on Council tenants.
SOME white people look down on black people.
SOME Christians look down on Muslims.
Etc, etc.
A Psychologists stated that, "The next time someone seems to cast a judgemental eye on you, remember that their judgement may be more about them than about you. Maybe they’re facing stressors in their lives that you’re unaware of, and just trying their best to cope"
I have always wanted to learn CW but every time I have tried I lose interest and lack motivation or life just gets the better of me.
What is the best method to use I wonder? I will have to look into it again I think.
The websdr i like to use (
http://kiwisdr.com/public/) does have a CW decoder built in, so that has increased by interest a bit lately, so maybe I will make a bit of an effort in the near future.