VLF E-field probe?

 

This photo was taken some years ago. I think it shows my VLF E-field probe.  It is just possible it was the VLF loop pre-amp as they looked very similar.

Iceland - NOT amateur radio

We visited Iceland some years ago and were surprised. We had expected a barren land, but most was green and beautiful. There were lupins everywhere. 

10m propagation

 We are now moving out of the main Es season into F2 being the main propagation mode. Using WSPR I mainly copy European stations whereas with FT8 I often copy South Americans. This is with the same RX, antenna and WSJT-X software! 

My only conclusion is that far more people are now using FT8 than WSPR or that much shorter openings are caught with a 15 second burst of FT8 than a much longer WSPR burst. 

ICOM IC-905

This is the new radio announced by ICOM. I have serious doubts about it ever making it to market. 

It is meant to cover 2m-3cm with a control head based on the IC-705 and an RF unit that could be mounted next to the antenna. 

It looks expensive and I just can't see it selling in huge volumes. Also, I cannot imagine it being low cost.

If it ever gets to market I can see this being a flop. Nice idea, but unlikely to make them rich. 

Yaesu FTDX-10

After a huge amount of thought I have decided not to buy this radio. 

Apart from 4m, it is unlikely to offer me much more than I already have. I am sure the IC-705 offers nearly as much.  The 100W is wasted on me!  What I might have bought was a 10W version or a real FT817 replacement.

There is little doubt that this is an excellent transceiver especially with the special bank holiday deals from MLS.

So, I'll pass. Maybe I'll regret this. 

Sunspots - Monday August 28th 2022

Solar flux is 128 and the SSN 84. A=14 and K=2 .

Harvest home - NOT amateur radio

 

Seen on our walk earlier. Rural England. 

Blackberry picking - NOT amateur radio

After lunch, we hope to go on a local walk with our grandson and collect some wild blackberries for breakfast and a crumble. They are early this year. I hope there are still some left! 

UPDATE 1545z: Came back with plenty. 

10m WSPR QRP TX

The 10m WSPR 500mW beacon has been on since 0735z. It is now 0846z. So far only spots from local G6TUS (17km).

UPDATE 1734z:  6 unique stations have spotted me today on 10m WSPR QRP.

Shetland sunrise - NOT amateur radio

This photo appeared on 365project earlier and was posted by a friend on the Shetland Islands in the far north of Scotland. The days are long in summer, but short in winter.