How simple can you make a transceiver?

Many years ago, I built the XBM80-2 80m CW transceiver. It never got cased, but shows how simple a transceiver can be! Somewhere recently I was told that it is a good idea to keep DC from hitting the crystal earpiece. If this is the case, it is probably worth adding a DC blocking capacitor between the audio transistor and earpiece. I have no idea if this is an old wive's tale or fact.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/80m-xbm80-2 .

Shetland - NOT amateur radio

This was on 365project a few days ago. It shows a Shetland scene.

8m QRP FT8

At 1736z, my 8m QRP FT8 was turned on 40.680 MHz hoping for some F2 transatlantic propagation. 

UPDATE 2010z:   No spots. QRT.

Where I was brought up - NOT amateur radio

This is Salcombe in Devon where I lived for part of my childhood. I lived there as a young child until 1959. 

10m WSPR

All being well, I hope to be on 10m WSPR later when we get home. I should be back this afternoon. 

UPDATE 1430z:  Back home at 1329z. 10m QRP FT8 turned on. 19 stations have already spotted me with the furthermost WA5TXY (7632km) near Dallas Texas. On 10m FT8 RX 123 stations already spotted.

UPDATE 1811z:   386 stations spotted on RX and I have been spotted by 33 stations in the last 4 hours (see map).

Sunspots - Thursday September 29th 2022

Solar flux is 135 and the SSN 72. A=5 and K=1. 

Sputnik Day 2011

11 years ago, some colleagues and I made a TX based on Sputnik valves. Although it was only 400mW QRP, it worked the USA with the first CQ. 

1350 Window - NOT amateur radio

This is the great east window in Gloucester Cathedral. 

It was made in 1350 and was the biggest window in the world at the time. It is a great example of ancient glass. 

Gloucester Cathedral - NOT amateur radio

This is one of the finest cathedrals in the UK, although we have many fine ones! I like the link with history. People have worshipped on this site since 600ad. Whatever your beliefs may be, you can feel the history all around 

QST stray

My free PDF book got a plug in October QST I see. Please feel free to download it should you want. It is totally free.