10m 200mW WSPR (Wednesday)

My beacon was turned on at about 0900z.

UPDATE 1210 z:  Spots from the Canary Islands and Italy.

Sunspots - Wednesday September 16th

 Solar flux is 107 and the SSN 23. A=8 and K=3.

Politics and billionaires

Some in the world can influence by donating millions to political parties. Although some would claim not to seek influence or power, there is a danger that you look more towards those who helped you get into power than those that elected you.

Personally, I would be happy to see no party get any donations.

Christ’s College. Cambridge

 

In all, there are 29 colleges in Cambridge and of these 16 were founded in the 1300s, 1400s and 1500s.

The photo shows Christ's College. I believe this is where Charles Darwin studied.

AI hoax?

 Someone with a supposedly very high IQ who leads (?) the free world has said the recent worries about AI are a hoax. Hmmmm.

IC7100 v IC7110?

Some people with deep pockets rush out and buy a new radio, just because it is new and shiny. This video compares the old and new ICOM radios.

10m 200mW WSPR (Tuesday)

 My beacon was turned on at about 0645z.

UPDATE 1650z:  5 stations have spotted me with the best V51RS (8481km)

6m 1W FT8 (Tuesday)

 

My gear was turned on before breakfast.

UPDATE 1657z:  10 stations spotting me.  See map.

Sunspots - Tuesday September 15th

 Solar flux is 104 and the SSN 51. A=11 and K=3.

AI stocks

Perhaps with all the headlines about AI in the news recently, AI companies have fallen in value today, both in Asia and Europe. People are concerned that AI is becoming a real threat to human life.

Lots of people and pension funds have invested in AI, afraid of being left behind. The worry is that not all companies will be successful.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cm70d91rg7l4t

Magnetic loop antennas

In the past I have used magnetic loop antennas with QRP. Although the RF voltage can be very high in magnetic loops, requiring special high voltage capacitors, this is not an issue with QRP.  I have used ordinary variable capacitors or a length of coax if the loop is fixed in frequency.

Loops can be effective antennas when you are restricted for space.

The video is an example of a homemade magnetic loop although there are lots of examples on YouTube.

10m 200mW WSPR (Monday)

My beacon is on around breakfast.

UPDATE 1426z: 12 stations spotting me. Es? See map. I just leave my beacon on when I am around.

President Trump - seen as a joke?

It would seem remarks made by the current US president are no longer treated as seriously as they once were. 

His recent remarks on a reunited Ireland may be correct but were not helpful. The only people who can decide that are the people who live there. 

This is a difficult one with lots of history. It’s very unlikely in my lifetime, but might happen in my grandchildren’s lives.

6m 1W FT8 (Monday)

My 6m gear is on. 

UPDATE 1415z: 14 stations spotting me so far including several in Spain and Portugal. See map.

Sunspots- Monday September 14th

 Solar flux is 114 and the SSN 77. A=6 and K=1.

10m 200mW WSPR (Sunday)

My beacon was turned on before breakfast.

UPDATE 1241z: Spotted by 4X1DA (3592km) and EA8BFK (2880km). F2?

6m 1W FT8 (Sunday)

 My gear was turned on before breakfast.

UPDATE 1241z: 7 stations spotting me, all British Is..

Sunspots — Sunday September 13th

 Solar flux is 109 and the SSN 87. A=7 and K=1.

The power of the billionaires?

Today a party (Reform) that is considered on the right of UK politics has received 2 donations totalling £72M from crypto currency billionaires. I believe similar donations have been made elsewhere in other countries.

One could argue that such donations are aimed at helping that party be successful. This begs the question who is more important - the people being governed or the donors?

Personally I fear for democracy.

6m 1W FT8 (Saturday)

My gear has been on most of the day.

UPDATE 1526z:  9 stations (all British Is) have spotted me.  The Es seaon is well and truly over!