More eHam IC-705 reviews

The last time I looked there were 2 eHam reviews of the ICOM IC-705 transceiver. Last week there were none. As more people outside of Japan get them, we can expect quite a few more.

See https://www.eham.net/reviews/view-product?id=14776

There is more news of this transceiver on: https://www.fbnews.jp/

Views - NOT amateur radio

My brother plays golf at Thurlestone, Devon. The photo shows the view from the 12th hole. 

The weather was better there than here!

How simple can you go and communicate?

Some years ago I wanted to see how few parts are needed to make a viable transceiver that really worked. The result was the FETer transceiver for 80m. This appeared in GQRP "SPRAT" magazine and copies were made. G3XIZ worked as far as Switzerland with his!

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/feter-80m-qrpp-cw-transceiver

Modern life - NOT amateur radio

 

We have an old friend staying with us this week. The photo shows him relaxing with his paper and phone this morning. It has been dull and wet here most of the day.

Sunshine in the west - NOT amateur radio

My brother seems to have had better weather than us this weekend. 

Here it is cold, dull, windy and wet. 

There, it seems far sunnier. This photo shows him on the beach with 3 of his grandchildren.

6m FT8 today

For a short while I have been on 6m FT8 with 10W and the V2000 vertical omni. I have had spots from a couple of G stations and I have spotted 1 G.

UPDATE 1641z:  13 spots of me today. 6 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1915z:  QRT.

Yesterday on 6m FT8

Yet again we saw the benefits of FT8 on 6m. Whilst getting on with other things I was on 6m FT8. There was some Es around that would have been missed by casual listening. Some argue that FT8 is not "real radio" and  it has resulted in less chatting. I agree that many prefer FT8 these days, but it's been a godsend to me with my poor voice and does enable very modest stations to hear and work DX. 

Sunspots - Sunday September 27th 2020

 Solar flux is 73 and the SSN 0. A=20 and K=4.

Vegetables NOT amateur radio

Yesterday my wife went to a farm growing organic vegetables. It is run by people with learning difficulties. 

6m FT8 (10W to the V2000 vertical omni antenna)

As Friday was quite successful, I am again on 6m FT8.  I was even spotted in North Africa!  No spots yet at 0754z. 

At the moment I am not even getting spots from Gs, although it is early on Saturday.

UPDATE 0930z:  3 spots received on TX and 3 on RX. So far, all Gs.

UPDATE 1435z: 22 stations have spotted me today so far. Some of them seem like Es. 

UPDATE 2152z: QRT.