European Es - Scandinavia again

This is, I am sure, more than coincidence as I have seen this pattern for many years. Scandinavian countries dominate. Es is not exclusively Scandinavian stations, but these are far more common than earlier in the Es season here. It is almost like there is some other Es mechanism in play.

See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .

US politics - NOT amateur radio

In the end I have come to the conclusion that I do not understand US politics at all. 

I am sure the Republicans say ill of the Democrats and vice versa. I am sure we hear the political propaganda from both sides, but it is impossible to know that facts. 

One thing is certain: gun crime in the USA is far, far higher than here in the UK and I blame the lax gun laws over there (see graph). 

UPDATE 1429z: If Mr Trump gets in again, the most likely route is USA isolationism. I do not mind that the USA stops being "the policeman of the world", but I can sense dangers over Ukraine, Taiwan and Israel.

Sunspots - Tuesday July 16th

 Solar flux is 233 and the SSN 205. A=6 and K=3.

10m QRP FT8 (Monday)

Quite late in the afternoon, I went on 10m QRP FT8  with my QMX+ rig. On TX, spots from eastern Europe and on RX spots from Europe, Africa and South America.

UPDATE 1804z:  So far, 37 spots of my QRP 10m FT8 with the furthermost VP8NO (12273km) in the Falkland Islands. See map.

UPDATE 2142z: 121 spots of my QRP FT8 on 10m. This is very good considering I did not start until late afternoon. Now QRT.

European Es : not over yet

Looking at the Es reports in Europe, it looks like we are still seeing plentiful Es in Europe. My motto is stick with the higher HF bands and lower VHF looking for Es.

See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .

Pye PF70

One of my early jobs in the labs at Pye Telecom was rebanding the PF70 to the band that included 2m. This involved optimising coils and capacitors. 

In the end I was in development for nearly 40 years before I retired. I used to come home and say my work was my hobby. Mostly it was great fun and I enjoyed it.

Plans for today

Today I have several aims:

• Sort out PuTTY so I can increase the audio level on FT8 using my QMX+.
• Try the QMX+ on 6m FT8.
• Try the QMX+ (again) on 10m FT8.

UPDATE 1937z:  I failed!  In the end I just went on 10m QRP FT8. That's the problem with being retired: there is always tomorrow. Things can wait.

Cars - NOT amateur radio

There were several vintage cars at our local museum and windmill on Sunday.

See  https://burwellmuseum.org.uk/ .

Bikes at the windmill - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday it was briefly sunny and these bikers 🚴 enjoyed a visit to the windmill next door.

By the way, this is our hedge in the front.

472kHz transverter breadboard

This photo from many years ago shows me breadboarding my 472kHz transverter.

UPDATE 0812z:  In the early autumn, I shall try again on 472kHz WSPR. Last season was very successful despite the low ERP.