Early 2000s?

My XYL found this photo of me in what was probably the early 2000s. It shows me with the FT817 and a Miracle Whip at the operating table in the bedroom. 

Sunspots - Wednesday August 10th 2022

Solar flux is 109 and the SSN 58. A=19 and K=2.

Thatched cottage - NOT amateur radio

 

This is about 12km away from where we live.

Revolution? - NOT amateur radio

Certainly here in the UK, some people are worried sick over the horrendous rise in energy costs. Some are thinking is it food or heating? This is in a wealthy western country!  I cannot see how some people will be able to manage. Many more people will be dragged into poverty.

My personal view is some people will be unable to pay and we therefore risk revolution.  We are in for a difficult period.

Mystery rigs

My son went into our loft and brought down some rigs I had not seen for 9 years! One was a 2m to 10m QRP transverter and one looks like a Micro 80, although I have no recollection of building it!! Funny what you forget.

Miracle Whip

Since my 2013 stroke, I have not been in our loft. Last night, one of my sons brought down a box and in it was my old Miracle Whip antenna! Later, I shall try it on FT8, probably on 15m.

UPDATE 1057z:  I decided to go on 20m FT8 initially. Within a few minutes I have already been reported by 16 stations with the Miracle Whip on the shack windowsill and the FT817ND!

UPDATE 1154z:  Now on 15m FT8 with the Miracle Whip on the shack windowsill. I was only on for a short while but the best DX was a spot of me from 3365km away.

UPDATE 1221z:   Now on 30m QRP FT8 with the Miracle Whip on the shack windowsill. 20 spots of my QRP. Even on 30m it works pretty well.

UPDATE 1221z:  On 40m FT8 with the Miracle Whip. 7 spots of my QRP within the first 3 minutes.

 

UPDATE 2008z:  153 stations spotted on 20m FT8 RX today, so far, with the Miracle Whip.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Tuesday)

Been on for a couple of hours so far with my 500mW beacon. No spots of me so far today.

UPDATE 1302z:   Still no spots of me so far today on 10m WSPR TX. I am quite surprised. Must check the beacon is correctly synced.

UPDATE 1315z:  Resynced "just in case".

8m experiment (Tuesday)

Been on 40.680 MHz USB dial QRP FT8 for a couple of hours. Nothing on RX, but spotted by HC02 (1808km) in Portugal.

Rye, Sussex - NOT amateur radio

This is Rye in Sussex. We visited there some years ago. It is a delightful place. 

Sunspots - Tuesday August 9th 2022

Solar flux is 113 and the SSN 63. A=31 and K=3.