WISPY 10m WSPR receiver

It is amazing to believe that this design of mine is 10 years old!  These days, many have gone on to FT8 instead, but there is a good following on 10m WSPR as well. This used very low cost 14.060 MHz crystals that were pulled, making this a very low cost design. It worked well.

Rye, Sussex - NOT amateur radio

 

This is Rye in Sussex. It is a beautiful place. 

10m QRP WSPR TX

My 500mW WSPR TX gear was turned on at 0939z. At 0949z, no spots.

UPDATE 1240z:  Several spots from just Sweden. Limited Es opening?

UPDATE 1325z:  Now spotted in Spain.

UPDATE 1335z:  Now spotted in Norway.

UPDATE 1720z:  Copied by 5 unique stations today.

8m experiment (Friday)

My QRP 8m FT8 gear on 40.680 MHz USB dial was turned on at 0939z. No spots yet. 

UPDATE 1325z:  No spots today on 8m.

UPDATE 1729z:  HC02 (1808km) in Portugal has spotted my 8m FT8 QRP TX today.

The dealer shootout

Hopefully I will be very wrong, but I predict that at least one amateur radio dealer will be gone by the end of next year. 

There could be more than one. Over time magazines will see revenue dip, which in turn could lead to smaller editions or even some magazines closing. 

In my view, some dealers will survive, but others may not. Hard times are ahead.

As I said before, I hope I will be very wrong, but the signs are not good. I wrote to one dealer almost a week ago and I did not have the courtesy of a reply. They certainly won't be getting any business from me. Will they be one of the first to go? I shall not name and shame them.

It is not just dealers. Some manufacturers are also considering whether amateur radio offers them profits in the future. Some may decide it is better to get out soon. 

Sunspots - Friday August 26th 2022

Solar flux is 118 and the SSN 94.  A=5 and K=1.

Love lies bleeding - NOT amateur radio

This is an odd name for a garden flower. Some time ago, my wife was given some small plants by a friend. She had no idea how they would turn out. Now they are mature she knows why they have this odd name! 

Creosoting the garden bench - NOT amateur radio

OK, I know it is no longer creosote (I used to love the smell) as it is banned, I think. This week, a son and granddaughter sanded and re-coated the garden seat as it was covered in bird droppings. 

It has since been moved so should be better in future.

Yaesu FTDX-10

At the moment MLS is offering some good deals on this with a £100 gift voucher to use on future purchases. This offer runs until Monday. The gift voucher can be used at any time. Yaesu also has a £85 cash back offer. 

The rig has received rave reviews, but does not have 2m or 70cm, but does have 4m and an auto ATU. Although seriously tempted, at the moment I am inclined against it. My fear (hopefully unfounded) is that Yaesu is leaving the market. To me, the MLS move is to retain custom.

In these hard times, all dealers will struggle. Amateur radio usually depends on disposable income. There is less.

Rallies

The following rallies should be on over this weekend. In some countries in the UK, Monday is a public holiday. As always, check with organisers before going any distance.

Sunday August 28th Milton Keynes ARC rally. Contact rally@mkars.org.uk.

Sunday  August 28th Torbay Annual Communications Fair. Contact rally@tars.org.uk.

Monday August 29th HARS Annual Rally (Huntingdon).  Contact events@hunts-hams.co.uk .