End game? - NOT amateur radio

Like many, I have been appalled by recent events in the Middle East. Things carried out by both sides have been dreadful. One side is (understandably) out to reap revenge, but I fear far more innocent women, men and children will be killed or maimed for life across the whole Middle East.

It is likely that this bad feeling will continue well after I am pushing up daisies. Why, oh why, can't people respect others?!! They may be different, but we are still just human beings sharing one small planet.

It is not at all clear to me what the end game is.

1920s radio

This is a reproduction of a 1920's radio made a few years ago. It appeared on social media recently, but I cannot recall who made it. 

Neat job.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

Last night was one of my best nights ever on 630m with 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground with spots by 19 stations as the table shows. I was received yet again in Finland.

8m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

My 2.5W FT8 was turned on about 0845z, but no spots yet today (at 0900z).

UPDATE 1740z:  Just local G6KWA (22km) has spotted me today. On RX the furthermost spotted was ZS3/V51PJ (9081km).

10m QRP WSPR TX (Wednesday)

My 500mW 10m QRP WSPR TX beacon was turned on at about 0844z. So far, spotted by 2 stations by F2.

UPDATE 1737z:  37 stations have spotted me today.

Sunspots - Wednesday October 25th 2023

Solar flux is 121 and the SSN 34.  A=4 and K=1.

630m QRP WSPR (Tuesday)

Since about 2000z, I have been on TX. So far, UK spots.

UPDATE 2046z: 11 unique stations have spotted me today so far.

80m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

My 80m QRP (2.5W) has been on for the last few hours. My "antenna" is the (almost invisible) earth-electrodes in the ground on which the match is very good. I do not know the ERP on 80m.  2 QSOs have been made with one being PE4BAS, Bas, (450km). Results on TX and RX are far exceeding what I expected. My furthermost spot on TX is UN7MAU (3446km) - quite amazing.

UPDATE 2015z:   QSYed to 630m QRP WSPR.

CQWW SSB contest this weekend

This is this weekend (October 28/29th). It is the biggest contest on the planet with 35000 people taking part over the SSB and CW contests. 

Exchanges are just report and CQ zone. For example, in the UK, this might be "5914". There is no need to submit an entry, Just come on to work a few more countries. The contest runs all weekend. Exchanges usually take a few seconds only.

At one time (when my voice was OK!) I used to enjoy this contest and have pages filled in the logbook even with 2.5W. I even worked the USA on SSB handheld with the FT817 whip indoors on the bed!

These days, I often forget.

See https://www.cqww.com/

The fog of war - NOT amateur radio

Recently I have been watching different news TV sites trying to get a balanced view of things. It is very noticeable that different outlets emphasise different things. 

In the "fog of war" it is very hard to get to the facts. All sides tend to stress what they want you to believe.

The best we can do is get the news from various sources, make our own minds up, and don't believe all we hear.