Sunspots - Thursday October 17th

Solar flux is 168 and the SSN 135. A=15 and K=3.

Sorting out the QDX and PC

 As we are out later, I think working on the QDX and PC will have to wait until Thursday now.

Lunchtime - NOT amateur radio

This lunchtime we met up with old friends. My wife used to teach with the husband in 1972. I did say “old“ friends!!

Plans for Wednesday

 Later this afternoon I hope to sort out my PC and QDX. As you know I had planned to do this earlier in the week, but events overtook this. 

Assuming it all works and there is no thunder (!) I shall try 10m QRP FT8.

QDX videos

There are lots of videos on YouTube singing the praises of the tiny QDX digital transceiver from QRP Labs. This is just one as an example. It really is tiny and for many it will be all you ever need on HF.

Last ones? - NOT amateur radio

We try to have a small bowl of fruit each morning with breakfast. For several weeks this has included wild blackberries picked from a bush about 25m away. 

I think the last ones have been picked for this year, but will see if there are any more, but I am not hopeful.

Yesterday

Yesterday I planned to sort out my PC and QDX. Instead I helped someone else with their PC and service provider. Can you imagine someone who is more ignorant about PCs than me!!? They exist! Later today I hope to do what I hoped to do some days before. 

Sunspots - Wednesday October 16th

Solar flux is 172 and the SSN 141. A=15 and K=2.

Middle East - NOT amateur radio

Although I understand Israel being aggrieved that certain countries want the nation wiped off the face of the earth, I have no sympathy at all for this endless cycle of violence that sees so many innocent people killed or wounded. It must stop.

In the end the only viable solution is for Israel to be accepted as a state with a right to exist and the people of Palestine also having a right to statehood and a right to live in peace.

Recent pronouncements about doing things in the interest of Israel by the Israeli leader don't exactly sound like words of peace. It seems to me that violence will lead to more hatred, more violence and probably Israel in even more peril. If Israel attacks Iran, Iran and all its proxi groups will lash back at Israel.

Jaw jaw, not war war!! 

Through the ground

 Back in 2012 I was busy with earth mode VLF through the ground before my stroke got in the way! On QRSS3 I managed 6km but had the feeling much further would have been possible with more power and a bigger baseline.