Weak signal modes

One of the questions people ask is how effective various weak signal modes are.  This link may provide some answers. This table is extracted from the article.

Sunspots - Sunday March 30th

 Solar flux is 157 and the SSN 107. A=9 and K=2.

Oscar 100

This geosynchronous satellite has been up now for several years. Many would like a "solution in one box", which is almost possible with the DX Patrol full duplex unit. You still need rigs for TX,RX, a fixed dish and LNB plus a GPS antenna. Overall, it is still not cheap.

There  is a video of this from TX Factor.

Powerful autocrats - NOT amateur radio

There is an interesting piece in The Knowledge today about the most powerful men in the world (Putin, Trump, Erdogan and Xi Jinping). 

They all seem to have had a difficult childhood. In some way they all seem to be "damaged" people.

10m QRP WSPR (Saturday)

 My 500mW stand-alone WSPR beacon has been on since about 1410z.

UPDATE 1437z:  No spots yet.

UPDATE 1449z:  Mind you, it helps to turn the PSU on! Still no spots.

UPDATE 1911z: Just EA8BFK (2880km) and TA4/G8SCU (3010km) spotting me.

6m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

Since about 1410z, I have been on 6m FT8 with my IC-705 at 6W.

UPDATE 1453z:  6 English stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 1912z:  16 stations have spotted me including one in Germany. QRT soon.

8m permits in the USA?

If I am correct 8m TX permits in the USA are granted by the FCC.  With all the changes in the USA of late, I am wondering if 8m permits in the USA are more, or less, likely?  

In my view the FCC in the USA and OFCOM in the UK have been stupid over 8m.

Old trees - NOT amateur radio

 

This photo, taken a few days ago, shows some dead trees near a river in the nearby village of Lode.

Western Democracy - NOT amateur radio

 If I was in Africa looking for a politics to follow would I look towards the USA currently? The USA (sadly) comes across as a big bullying nation at present. I say sadly as EVERY person I have ever met from the USA has been kind and generous, in the true spirit of democracy.

Whilst I understand that free trade means lower costs and making things where labour costs are low, I cannot believe that making everything in the USA will be as low cost for consumers. Also, why fall out with your friends and allies?

None of us is perfect I do accept.

10m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

My IC-705 at 6W was turned on at about 0930z. So far, mostly eastern Europe and Middle East stations spotting me.

UPDATE 1413z:  67 stations have spotted me on 4 continents.