My beacon has been on since late morning.
UPDATE 1257z: Just EA8BFK (2880km) spotting me.
30 Sept 2025
6m 5W FT8 (Tuesday)
UPDATE 1255z: Just 11 English stations have spotted me so far. See map.
29 Sept 2025
Autumn in the garden
Before we know it it will be winter and spring.
Every season has things to enjoy.
Ultra-simple transceiver
Many years ago I set out to see just how simple a viable transceiver could be made. It was published in GQRP SPRAT. It certainly works! Others built it and have worked some remarkable DX. It is also on my website.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/80m-feter-transceiver .
6m 5W FT8 (Monday)
My gear has been on since mid morning.
UPDATE 1303z: So far just 10 English stations spotting me today. I had been looking at the last day by mistake.
My favourite walk
When I was younger and fitter this walk near Salcombe in Devon was one of my favourites. You crossed the foot ferry from Salcombe and walked about 5 miles to Prawle Point. The views are spectacular.
10m 500mW WSPR (Monday)
My beacon was turned on at about 0930z.
UPDATE 1001z: Spotted multiple times by EA8BFK (2880km). If this station is active I seem to get spotted most times. I guess this is single hop F2.
6m QRP FT8 yesterday
 |
| Stations spotting my 3W 6m FT8 yesterday |
It continues to surprise me how well just 3W 6m FT8 does. It is well after the main Es season has ended, and I am unsure of the propagation mechanism. Being spotted in Finland could be a patch of Es, it could be some sort of scatter and even F2 but I think this very unlikely.
Anyway, the message is clear: with FT8 on 6m be prepared to be surprised! If I can do it with 3W to a V2000 omni vertical imagine what 50W and a beam could do.
28 Sept 2025
Handheld QRP
This short video shows this rig in operation. Great fun. I see it is available from Amazon UK for less than £100.
Pears
These were on a tree in our village earlier. We moved ours a couple of years ago. It’s smothered and had no fruit this year.
10m 500mW WSPR (Sunday)
Most times, I start being spotted after lunch, but I put my 500mW WSPR beacon on at about 0900z.
UPDATE 1313z: 8 stations spotting me. Nothing yet from "across the pond".
6m 3W FT8 (Sunday)
UPDATE 1233z: So far, spotted by 15 stations. See map.
UPDATE 1418z: Spotted by 28 stations in 8 countries. Furthest Finland. Not bad with 3W 6m FT8 and a V2000 omni vertical antenna.
27 Sept 2025
6m 3W FT8 (Saturday)
My gear was switched at about 1242z.
UPDATE 1254z: Just 1 English stations spotting me.
Antarctica on 10m
In the last few days my 500mW 10m WSPR has been spotted 10 times in Antarctica by DP0GVN (13685km) on the German base down there.
10m 5W FT8 (Saturday)
My gear was turned on at about 0850z.
UPDATE 1250z: 256 stations spotting me so far today.
26 Sept 2025
6m 5W FT8 (Friday)
My gear was turned on at about 1300z.
UPDATE 1328z: So far today, spotted by 7 English stations. Reports suggest I might be copied at 1-2W, although this will depend on the local noise floor. In most urban areas this is getting worse. I think my chances of being spotted "across the pond" this autumn by F2 with my low ERP are very slim! It is very unlikely the MUF will climb this high and with my low ERP it is very unlikely I would be spotted.
"Our" tree
I take a photo around this time when the leaves are changing colour before the leaves fall for a few months over winter.
UV-5R Mini
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It will probably be used mainly on RX.
How much pull can you get with a VXO?
A VXO can be pulled more by adding an inductor in series with the crystal or putting more crystals in parallel. My own experience was that the more a VXO is pulled the less crystal control is obtained. So it is important not try to pull a crystal too much. DX Explorer has a video showing some experiments with pulling a VXO.
10m 500mW WSPR (Friday)
My beacon was turned on at about 0815z.
UPDATE 1313z: 11 stations have spotted me today. This looks like F2 propagation. The furthest is K6RFT (6958km).
10m 500mW WSPR yesterday
I think I have been spotted in Antarctica 7 times this week.
25 Sept 2025
The USA or China?
If I was a 3rd world country looking at the USA or China, which would I lean towards?
The USA is in grave danger of failing on the world stage and it would not surprise me if the US dollar was overtaken as the world's reserve currency.
There is a lot wrong with China, but at the moment few would look to the USA as a beacon of freedom and democracy sadly. The USA is no longer able to hold the moral ground. I find this sad as every American I have known has been kind and generous. Individually every person from the USA I have known has been really nice.
24 Sept 2025
Con?
All the scientific evidence, and just looking around with my own eyes, shows that climate change is real and is happening. Surely the evidence is now overwhelming. Tell me, can anyone really deny this by looking objectively at the evidence?
People may argue if this is because of man or is cyclical, but we definitely live in a warming world. "Drill baby drill" or migrate to a world we can sustain?
Renewables have dropped considerably in price. Luddites or adapt?
10m 500mW WSPR (Wednesday)
My stand-alone beacon was turned on at 1314z.
UPDATE 1602z: 21 stations have spotted me, of which 20 are in the USA. See map.
UPDATE 1712z: 25 stations have spotted me.
6m 5W FT8 (Wednesday)
My gear was turned on at 1314z.
UPDATE 1740z: So far, spotted by 7 stations. The furthest is Denmark.
AliExpress - a warning
On September 17th I ordered a Beofeng UV5 Mini via AliExpress. The money was taken from my PayPal account, but the order was not shown when I looked for it. I thought the order had been "lost in the system".
I contacted AliExpress who told me the order had been placed in a different way (paying via PayPal?) and to log in again using Google. The order appeared thankfully.
The goods are due to arrive in the coming days.
I have had no problems with AliExpress in the past. In fact I have been impressed.
10m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)
UPDATE 0927z: Spotted by 127 stations. With the sunspot count and solar flux high, even 5W FT8 gets you all over the planet on 10m.
UPDATE 1300z: 351 stations have spotted me. See map.
23 Sept 2025
10m QRP WSPR yesterday
Tuesday plans
As we have old university friends here, I doubt I shall be on the radio today. I shall try to be sociable!! 😄
6m QRP FT8 yesterday
Although not at the level in mid-summer, I was still spotted widely across Europe. See map.
Imagine if I was running 50W to a decent beam i.e. with an ERP 20dB higher! If I can do it with QRP....
Fragility of life
Yesterday my brother was playing a game of golf when his partner just dropped dead whilst walking away from the 1st green.
We have no idea when our time is up.
Live life as if this is your last day and enjoy every minute.
22 Sept 2025
10m 500mW WSPR TX (Monday)
My stand alone beacon has been on since about 1312z.
UPDATE 1513z: 22 stations including many in the USA and Canada have spotted me.
Sixbox revisited
A few moments ago I had a nice email and video from Marcos PU2MBZ. In it he says he has built the RX of the Sixbox with a few changes, on a PCB. Thank you Marcos!
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/homebrew/sixbox
6m 5W FT8 (Monday)
My gear was turned on at about 1313z.
UPDATE 1500z: So far, 8 stations have spotted me with one in Portugal.
Decreasing human contact
Just now I was invited to check my PayPal balance. They wanted to send me a code to my phone to verify it was me. I doubt a human was involved.
Most chat bots are computers rather than real people. At supermarket checkouts you are encouraged to use automatic checkouts. Most bank transactions are getting cash from an ATM. If you are lucky you may get a call centre somewhere on the planet, where a person might understand you and you might understand them! You are just a sort code and account number - no personal contact.
More and more there is less human contact. All this is done in the name of "progress" and to save money or increase profits.
In my view we are going backwards.
Monday plans
As I now know how 10m WSPR works, my plan is to continue on 6m FT8 QRP as well as 10m QRP WSPR .
10m conditions
It seems we are moving to autumnal HF conditions with afternoon openings across the Atlantic with my 10m 500mW WSPR. These openings seem almost daily.
I think it’s very unlikely that my 6m 5W FT8 would make it this autumn, but you never know!
21 Sept 2025
Windmill fantail shadow
This was the shadow of the fantail on the museum.
4m FT8 RX?
Even though I have no antennas for 4m, I am tempted to try 4m FT8 RX at some point. My recollection was that activity outside of the Es season was low though. I am also unsure of the 4m FT8 frequency these days.
I might be just wasting my time. I would have to use the V2000 or 2m big-wheel.
10m 500mW WSPR TX (Sunday)
My beacon was turned on at 0932z.
UPDATE 2143z: Spotted by 24 stations. Now QRT .
6m 5W FT8 (Sunday)
My gear was turned on at 0932z.
UPDATE 2130z: 37 stations from all over western Europe. I am sure FT8 is catching very brief patches of Es. Now QRT.
20 Sept 2025
Optical communications
This photo shows the gear used in these tests.
Micro80 QRP transceiver
As I recall my first contact was with a station about 200 miles away and before it was cased and the Morse key was just tapping a wire onto the chassis!
I cannot recall the antenna.
Spitting Image
This was a BBC TV show (1980s?) that made fun with puppets of politicians, who sometimes take themselves far too seriously. It is now available on YouTube.
In my view, it is a good thing to lampoon politicians and is a sign of grown-up leaders and countries.
10m 500mW WSPR TX (Saturday)
My beacon was turned on at about 0900z.
UPDATE 1757z: So far spotted by 26 stations . Furthest is V51RS (8481km). Now QRT.
6m 5W FT8 (Saturday)
UPDATE 1756z: So far spotted by 32 stations with the furthest OH7XM (1714km). Now QRT.
19 Sept 2025
FX-4c transceiver
This video was on the DX Explorer website. There is now a new version available with a small fan and USB-C socket. It is available via Ali Express for about £500-600. It gets good reviews although I have no personal experience.
Crane Flies (Daddy Long Legs)
Seasonal photobooks
For many years, my wife has produced a photo-book each season. It documents what we, our children and grandchildren have been up to. It's surprising how soon you forget.
10m 500mW WSPR TX (Friday)
UPDATE 1739z: So far, 19 spots, all transatlantic apart from a couple in the Canary Is.. and one in Austria.
UPDATE 2017z: 23 stations have spotted me with the furthest K6VZK (8719km). QRT soon.
6m 5W FT8 ( Friday)
My gear has been on since about 1330z.
UPDATE 1735z: So far, 19 stations spotting me. Furthest is I3VWK (1105km).
Quiet time
In Cambridge this is a quiet time. There are fewer visitors and the university students are not back yet.
18 Sept 2025
10m QRP WSPR (Thursday)
My beacon was turned at about 1140z.
UPDATE 1805z: Spotted by 8 stations with several in the USA. QRT soon.
6m 5W FT8 (Thursday)
UPDATE 1804z: 14 stations have spotted me. See map. QRT soon.
Seccumbed
In the end I ordered a UV5r mini (transparent). At the very low price with a discount it was a bargain. Even if it goes wrong after a while it is far less than one meal out.
Talking of meals out we really like Cote Brasserie which does an excellent fixed price menu.
Thursday plans
 |
| 10m QRP FT8 yesterday |
I have not yet decided what to do today, but my inclination is to try 6m FT8 later.
17 Sept 2025
10m 500mW WSPR TX (Wednesday)
When I am on 6m FT8, like now, I can go on 10m QRP WSPR as my antenna is available and my beacon does not need the PC.
UPDATE 1343z: No spots.
6m 5W FT8 (Wednesday)
At 1330z, I switched to 6m QRP FT8 from 10m QRP FT8.
UPDATE 1344z: Spotted by 4 English stations.
Early Halloween?
This was a shop window in our village earlier this week. It looks like this is a Halloween display. Personally, I think it is far too early.
Beofeng UV5R-mini
This product s available at ridiculously low prices (from China I think), although I have no personal experience.
Looking at Ali-express, the price varies depending on the colour, accessories and whether you want 1 or 2 units. I am very tempted!
10m 3W FT8 (Wednesday)
My gear has been on since about 0545z.
UPDATE 1236z: 59 stations have spotted me. See map.
16 Sept 2025
Sunflowers dying
Some of the seeds will be kept for next year and the birds will have the rest.
Better Regen RX
Dave Richards AA7EE who makes some excellent projects very neatly has done a regen RX which he will add to his blog soon. He is a real experimenter!
If you want to see neat layouts without a PCB, look at Dave's blog and be inspired.
More autumnal
10m 500mW WSPR TX (Tuesday)
6m 5W FT8 (Tuesday)
At about 0930z, I QSYed to 6m FT8.
UPDATE 1025z: Spotted by 8 stations, some in mainland Europe.
Gaza
Politically, I have always been a "floating voter" voting for the party that best represents my views.
Whilst fully understanding the revulsion felt by Israel for the horrific acts by Hamas on October 7th and the wish by its enemies to see the destruction of the state if Israel, I am sickened by the apparent wish to destroy and drive out the people of Gaza. The Israeli government will claim their only wish is to destroy Hamas.
In the eyes of the world, Israel is seen as the aggressor in Gaza. You would think after the sheer horror of the holocaust in WW2, they would not want innocents to suffer.
The aggression and killing must stop.
The only long-term peace will come from talking around a table. All sides will have to make some compromises.
Does Israel really believe they will defeat Hamas? Their actions are likely to result in even more people turning against Israel.
Give peace and reconciliation a chance!
WSJT-X
Although the officially released version is 2.7, my friend Steve G1KQH has pointed out that there is a release candidate of version 3.0. This is designed for experimenters and beta testers and may be unstable. It is usually released as a "proper" version some months later.
10m 3W FT8 (Tuesday)
My gear was turned on just before breakfast.
UPDATE 0830z: 9 stations spotting me. Some Es?
UPDATE 1347z: Back on 3W 10m FT8 after a spell on 6m QRP FT8. Just a single spot from a local.
15 Sept 2025
Noise floors
Most times I have no issues with QRP, but we all know that in many built-up areas noise can be an increasing problem. Over the years we have more gadgets in our homes which can produce RFI. Over time this is likely to get worse.
Weak signals can sometimes be masked by this noise, meaning QRP signals would be harder to spot. It will be interesting to see if QRP operation gets more difficult in the years ahead.
With narrow modes like FT8 (50Hz wide only) and WSPR (6Hz wide needed) this can be less of a problem as we can avoid noise on certain frequencies. Often man-made noise can drift.
Often people are surprised how low the noise floor can be when out /P.
Windy!!
For this early in the autumn it is unusually windy here.
Winds in October are common, but it is very unusual to get strong winds here when the trees are still with green leaves.
It would not surprise me if we see some trees in the UK uprooted.
10m 2W FT8 (Monday)
UPDATE 1030z: Spotted by just 1 local and a station in Israel. Power increased to 3W and re-synced clock. One station in Zambia on RX, but not on PSKreporter.
UPDATE 1826z: Just 6 stations spotted me all day. See map.
Really low cost HF radios
There are some very low cost radios available (I presume) from China. This review was on YouTube and the writer on YouTube feels the quality is improving. This is available from Banngood for about £60!!
14 Sept 2025
10 years time?
It would appear that amateur radio is mainly a hobby for older men, often with more disposable income than many. The hobby still attracts very few women and few young people. This may be different as I write this with a UK bias.
If we extrapolate to the next solar maximum in about 2035, many current amateurs will be dead, incapacitated, in care homes and NOT buying new rigs. The inevitable consequence is amateur radio is no longer a profitable business for many manufacturers or dealers. They will leave our market or go out of business, As I have said before, many magazines depend on a very few dealers to stay viable. I can see some magazines and dealers folding or magazines being published less often, digital only or smaller physically.
Many will say we have to attract and keep younger people. Perhaps.
There is little doubt that amateur radio is changing.
My own view has been for some time that amateur radio as we knew it will disappear. PTTs will want to wash their hands of it, so deregulation will be the order of the day.
My prediction? Amateur radio will combine with CB, amateur radio will become deregulated, fewer magazines , fewer dealers, manufacturers and national societies. Experimenters will continue in some other way.
10m 2W FT8 (Sunday)
UPDATE 1948z: Spotted by 54 stations. This looks like F2 propagation. See map. Furthermost is Reunion Is.. Now QRT.
The impression I am getting is "appliance operators" are moving down in frequency as the higher HF and 6m bands are now too hard without Es.
13 Sept 2025
The 21st century
Since the end of WW2 we have (sort of) lived in a fairly stable world. In many ways, the world seems to be changing in this century.
We seem to be moving into a world of dictators with the USA now being more isolationist and China coming strongly onto the world stage.
Unlike in years past, the world seems less stable. We need to accept that other people may hold views different from ourselves. In small ways we have to be kind to each other and work towards a better world.
In the bath
Some hate spiders, but to me they are just fun.
This spider appeared in the bath this morning. It is about 5cm across. I think it is a giant house spider. It must have come up the plug hole.
In the UK, most spiders are totally harmless. I usually catch them in a glass and put them out of the window.
QRP operation
Ever since I started in amateur radio I have enjoyed QRP. DXCC was worked with 10W SSB on 10m with a low dipole in the 1980s.
These days with FT8 basic QSOs are even easier. In my experience 5W FT8 or less and simple antennas are all that is needed to work the world. Of course 1000W and a big beam would make things easier, but where is the fun?
There is a whole array of QRP radios available either as kits or ready built. I guess the choice now is greater than ever.
Quantum consciousness theory: is your brain connected to the universe?
This video is over 2 hours long! It explores consciousness from a quantum mechanical viewpoint. It is controversial, but worth watching.
It argues that consciousness itself is an important component in the universe. It underlies just how little we really know.
10m 500mW WSPR (Saturday)
My beacon was turned on at about 1000z.
UPDATE 1830z: Spots by 4 stations. Best is EA8BFK (2880km).
12 Sept 2025
Allergies
It is noticeable that people in the developed world are more prone to allergies. As my mother-in-law used to say, "eat a peck of dirt before you die".
It looks like she was correct with far fewer allergies with people like the Amish who live closer to horses and are more exposed to microbes.
It would seem that we build up immunity by being exposed to these microbes which we are exposed to far less these days.
Made in China
It seems that most things I buy are "made in China". Often there is an importer, but the words "made in China" are marked on the goods. I guess we are addicted to low prices and making in the UK prices would be far higher.
It seems that prices of most goods in the USA imported from China will go up in price and that the price of products from other countries (like Japan) will go up in price there because of tariffs imposed by President Trump. I cannot see goods made in the USA will be as inexpensive with higher labour costs.
Red Admiral butterfly
Of course as soon as I tried to take a photo it flew away. This was the best I could manage.
10m 5W FT8 (Friday)
UPDATE 1433z: 261 spots of me with the furthest CA6SNT (12447km).
UPDATE 1808z: 285 stations have spotted me . Since about 1500z I have been at 1W FT8.
Looking at the number of spots of me on 10m FT8 compared with WSPR, it suggests I am far more likely to be spotted on FT8. In future I shall go on 10m WSPR only when I go on 6m FT8.
11 Sept 2025
Briefly on 10m 5W FT8 (Thursday)
Before a thunderstorm too close for comfort (everything disconnected!) I was briefly on 10m 5W FT8. 6 stations spotted me before my forced QRT. Best DX was a spotted by CX3VB (10791km).
Big skies
Anyone who knows the UK will agree that this part (the Fens) is pretty flat, but we get some great skies.
Buying a new rig
When we buy a new transceiver, we often go through many subconscious stages. This video might help you.
I don't buy new rigs that often, but it is worth asking why you need it and what bands is it going to be used on, what modes and how.
Some bands and features maybe a complete waste of money.
Should I carry on with 10m WSPR?
The main reason I carry on with 10m WSPR is because I can use my stand-alone beacon and the PC is unnecessary. The 10m antenna is also free when I go on 6m FT8.
Most times I get a few spots from V51RS, many from the Canary Is, and some from continental Europe. Really, I learn little.
My inclination is to QSY to 10m FT8, alternating with 6m FT8 on different days. Of course when on 6m FT8 I can also put the 500mW 10m WSPR beacon on.
Thunderstorm risks
At the moment the risk looks low, although I shall keep an eye on the thunderstorm map in case things chance. At the moment, the risks are far away.
10m 500mW WSPR (Thursday)
My beacon has been on since about 0830z.
UPDATE 1347z: 4 stations spotting me with the furthest V51RS (8481km).
6m 5W FT8 (Thursday)
My gear has been on since about 0830z.
UPDATE 0900z: 8 spots so far. One station in Poland with the rest in England.
10 Sept 2025
9 Sept 2025
10m 500mW WSPR TX (Tuesday)
My beacon has been on since 1210z.
UPDATE 1325z: Spotted by 4 stations including 2 in the Canary Is. F2?
Hedge trimming
Can you spot him?
6m 5W FT8 (Tuesday)
My gear has been on since 1210z.
UPDATE 1742z: Just 19 stations spotting me. A few Europeans, but not many. Aircraft? Scatter?
8 Sept 2025
6m 5W FT8 (Monday)
Already lots of spots from Europe. If this is Es, it is very late in the Es season. Could it be scatter or aircraft reflection?
UPDATE 2047z: Spotted by 92 stations in the last day on 6m FT8. Now QRT.
Stations spotting me on 6m FT8
Amsterdam cheese shop
The Netherlands is famous for cheese. This was a cheese shop in Amsterdam last week. Heaven for a cheese lover.
10m 500mW WSPR (Monday)
Already 9 stations spotting me with a surprising number of Europeans. I an unsure of the propagation. Furthest is V51RS (8481km) with very early spots of me.
UPDATE 2052z: 14 spots of me in the last day with 500mW 10m WSPR. Now QRT.
More Apple Day
The photo collage shows more of this happy day.
7 Sept 2025
PSKreporter maps
Most days I us this to see where my 5W 6m FT8 reaches. Hopefully this is just a temporary glitch, but mid afternoon in the UK on Sunday, this was not working,
Yes, the world is going mad
Usually I do not buy a Sunday newspaper preferring to watch TV and go on the internet. Today, for a change, I bought one.
On one of the pages was a photo of a model wearing some clothes: a tweed jacket over £12k, a tweed coat over £12k , some shorts £1.3k, and a shirt £1.23k.
All told, this outfit would be approaching £30k. Does anyone actually buy this crap? All I can say is there must be some very, very, stupid people around.
I also think this is grossly immoral when people are starving.
UK dealers
At one time there were many UK dealers, whereas now there are far fewer.
In the end these are businesses whose aim is to generate profits for their shareholders. To succeed, you have to provide customers with what they need at a price they can afford.
Sometimes rigs seem to be at daft prices, yet people still buy for something they must have. Those dealers that remain on the scene are desperate to please their customers as they may stay loyal in the future. One of the most successful UK dealers is MLS who have a video on their origins.
One thing I always say is will they still be around to honour their guarantee?
In the past I have dealt with several UK dealers that still remain.
Shack
Just out of shot is my 10m WSPR beacon that is about the size of a pack of cards on the shelf below producing 500mW.
Also out of shot it the small PC used for FT8.
The IC-705 at 5W to the V2000 vertical omni has been spotted across the planet on 6m FT8.
Postcards
People are sending fewer this days. We sent a few, but most people keep in touch and send pictures by digital means. These are the physical ones we posted .
10m 500mW WSPR TX (Sunday)
My beacon has been on since just after breakfast.
UPDATE 0929z: Spotted by 5 stations with the furthest EA8BFK (2880km).
UPDATE 2015z: Spotted by 8 stations with the furthest ZD7GB (7611km).
6m 5W FT8 ( Sunday)
UPDATE 0959z: Spotted by 22 stations.
UPDATE 2010z: Spotted today by 39 stations. See map.
Apple 🍏 Day
Every year he has an apple day when the neighbours can have as many free apples as they want. It’s a lovely occasion.
6 Sept 2025
10m 500mW WSPR (Saturday)
My 10m QRP WSPR beacon has been on since just before breakfast.
UPDATE 1356z: 9 stations have spotted me today
6m 5W FT8 (Saturday)
UPDATE 1936z: 71 stations have spotted me. Mostly continental Europeans. See map.
QSL Card bug?
Back home
After our brief trip to Amsterdam by Eurostar (through train from London), we are now back home, so the usual things have to be done like unpacking, washing etc 😢.
We love Amsterdam and have been there many times.
Even though there are cobbles and trams and lots of bikes 🚲 as well as driving on the wrong side of the road (!!) I actually found it easier than the last time.
5 Sept 2025
Amsterdam Centraal Station
In continental Europe they can have “double decker” trains as they do not have the height limits we have in the UK.
Begijnhof, Amsterdam
This is a quiet oasis of calm and tranquility in the heart of a busy city. We have been here often.
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