8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

My 2.5W 8m FT8 was turned on about 0930z. No reports yet.  It looks, to me, as if there are more monitors on 8m in Europe.

UPDATE 1430z:  4X1BG (3532km) has been a big signal on 8m FT8 this afternoon.

Brain filters? - NOT amateur radio

Recently, I have had some thoughts about the brain. 

In recent years, possibly as a result of my 2013 stroke, I have become very fearful of driving. In the early years after my stroke this was not an issue. It is as if my brain has to work far, far, harder assessing potential risks.  Touch wood, I have never had an accident.

I wonder if normal brains have a filter to allow information to be processed without overload? Perhaps this does not work properly in people with dyslexia or certain brain injuries? Maybe this changes with age?

Certainly, most people are able to block out certain traumatic events. If we worried about everything, life would be incredibly hard.

Sunspots - Sunday November 5th 2023

 Solar flux is 155 and the SSN 95.  A=14 and K=2.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

 

12 stations spotted me overnight with the furthermost Norway.

630m QRP WSPR (Saturday)

At about 1845z, I QSYed to 630m WSPR with my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Two stations spotting me so far. Both were G stations.

UPDATE 2224z:  7 stations have spotted me so far this evening (see table).

Evil - NOT amateur radio

One thing history teaches us - we never learn from history!  

Shortly after WW1 we were fighting in WW2. At the moment, there are 2 major conflicts in the world. All these conflicts have their roots in injustice. It pains me that humans seem incapable of living peacefully with others. Inevitably this hate boils over.

Sadly, I have come to the conclusion that human beings are evil. At one time, I thought we were all good at heart. Recent events make me doubt this.

Pampas Grass - NOT amateur radio

 

Some of our neighbours have some very successful clumps of pampas grass. At our old house I was very unsuccessful, although I have never tried growing it here. I guess the soil is different. Maybe I should give it a try next year?

Elecraft KH1 transceiver

This was designed with POTA operation in mind. At the time of writing, it does not have CE approval. At the moment, it is mainly aimed at the USA market. 

Certainly it is expensive, all though I expect it will sell well in the USA.

See https://qrper.com/2023/10/the-elecraft-kh1-has-arrived-a-few-photos/?utm_source=amateur-radio-weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Saturday)

 My beacon was turned on about 1005z. Just a single spot from OH8GKP (1994km). I think this is F2.

UPDATE 1211z: 16 stations have spotted me today.

UPDATE 1930z:  53 stations have spotted me today (see table).    Now QSYed to 630m QRP WSPR.

8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

My 2.5W FT8 was turned on about 1005z. So far, no spots.

UPDATE 1350z:  WW1L (4976km) has spotted me.

UPDATE 1538z:  3 transatlantic stations have spotted my 2.5W 8m FT8 today. I guess we must be at the peak of F2 conditions at the moment.