QDX 10m

Hans Summers has announced a new higher bands version of his QDX digital transceiver. It is tiny. I have just ordered one assembled as my fine motor skills prevent me building it these days sadly. 

This is a 5W transceiver covering 20m-10m. Used with a software package like WSJT-X, it should work the world on modes like FT8.

See https://www.qrp-labs.com/qdx.html .

10m FT8 RX (Monday)

Most of the day I have been on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2139z:   713 stations spotted today.

Dalham - NOT amateur radio

This is the nearby village of Dalham about 12km from us. 

Sunspots - Monday December 26th 2022

 Solar flux is 135 and the SSN 107. A=10 and K=1.

10m FT8

Stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX at 1240z

My problem with my 10m antenna was the coax plug, which I have re-done. At the moment (whilst getting ready for Christmas lunch!!) I am on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1240z:  So far today, 148 stations spotted.

UPDATE 1803z:  670 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today. QRT.

White Gold - NOT amateur radio

In the 17th and 18th centuries, many Devon people were captured as slaves by Turks (Barbary Pirates). In all 7000 people were captured and sold in North Africa. Many never returned and died in captivity. 

About half of these came from coastal Devon, so it is highly likely that some of my fishermen ancestors were captured. At that time fishermen travelled thousands of miles to the rich cod banks off Newfoundland and were captured as they left port on their arduous journeys. It must have been a very frightening time.

A very good book was "White Gold" by Giles Milton. Until I read this I knew nothing about this.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbary_pirates .

Merry Christmas! - NOT amateur radio

This winter festival at the darkest time of the year pre-dates Christianity by many thousands of years. Whatever your faith (or none), I hope you have a good time. 

Whatever your circumstances, you are loved. We all benefit from being kind and loving to each other.  This time of year is especially magical for young children, so please make it an especially happy for them.

Merry Christmas!

👍

USA digital geostationary satellite?

Excuse my ignorance, but I am confused by the difference between a geosynchronous and geostationary satellite. 

Apparently there are moves afoot to get a high orbit satellite with a footprint over the USA. Oscar 100 does not cover the USA. This one should be digital.  If so, I expect it will get even less attention that Oscar 100, which is seriously under-used.

In my view, these satellites are interesting to access at first, but interest soon wanes later: people know they can access them and then they get bored. It is just like talking on a terrestrial repeater.

Sunspots - Sunday December 25th 2022

Solar flux is 133 and the SSN 85. A=23 and K=3.

Cold Devon day - NOT amateur radio

This was the beach in Devon near Thurlestone Rock. It is near here that I come from.