Overnight I went on 630m QRP WSPR, but I think WSPRnet had/has a problem so I do not know who was spotting my 10mW ERP.
Until this is fixed, there is little point me being on WSPR TX.
UPDATE 1740z: It looks like it is still in trouble. Unless things are fixed in the next couple of hours, I shall probably give 630m WSPR a miss tonight. If it is soon fixed, my 10mW ERP WSPR will be on.
Every few weeks I take a look at the online SDR at Goonhilly Downs in Cornwall , UK monitoring the narrowband transponder on this geosynchronous satellite.
It has certainly encouraged amateurs to experiment with microwaves but, in my honest personal opinion, it has not attracted the following I was expecting. There is still plenty of space.
This is a pity as it offered DXing without QSB at any time covering large parts of the planet with small, fixed antennas. There is no need for towers, big beams and linears. Antennas could even be ground mounted.
The map shows the stations spotted on 2m FT8 RX. It seems to me these distant stations are coming through by tropospheric scatter.
In the end, Chinese products really will be competitive against the Japanese. They are not there yet, quite. I give it 5 years, possibly less.
One of the aspects of our hobby I really like is that it is not political in the least. What binds us is a common interest in radio. Politically, we may be poles apart, but it matters not. None of us is perfect. As individuals, we are all equal.
Whether you live in deepest Africa, China, Australia, Russia, the USA or elsewhere does not matter at all. Back in the days of the USSR, it was common to hear chats between people in the USA and the USSR. Today, I exchanged Happy New Year's emails with a station in Moscow. Tomorrow it will probably be someone in the USA!!
Those interested in digital modes may be pleased to hear that the latest release candidate of WSJT-X is available. I have no idea when this will be formally released.
Looking at the state of the world, it is easy to be pessimistic on many fronts. There are wars in the Middle East, Ukraine and elsewhere and we seem to be making no real progress on climate change.
However, there are very many fronts where progress really is being made. As mentioned earlier in the week, we can expect a big breakthrough in batteries and electric cars. Many of the world's killer diseases are being eradicated and there are far few children dying than was the case even just a few years ago.
Overall, each and every one of us has to make the world better. If we each make small steps then change for the better does occur.
This is a tiny 5W digital transceiver from QRP Labs. It is available in 2 versions covering the HF bands. I have had the 20-10m version for several months now, but used it little recently as 5W seems like high power! It really is small. It is about the size of a fist mic only.
If digital modes are your "thing" then this low cost transceiver is probably all you need. It is available as a kit or ready built.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/qdx
One of the pleasures of Cambridge is gliding along the back of the colleges on a punt on the river Cam. Many prefer others to do the puntin...
