31 Jan 2025

Heathkit

Many old timers have fond memories of Heathkits.  Their kits were excellent with building manuals that step-by-step showed you how to build the item. 

Someone restarted the company some years ago, and I think this is still going. I won't say "strongly" as the last time I looked they had a very limited range at very high prices!  Sadly, it has a very limited range. I suspect they must have a very loyal customer base. By my judgment they would have closed several years ago. I wish them well, but they need far more kits at reasonable prices. The competition from the Far East must be crippling.

My introduction to radio was a Heathkit Electronics Workshop for Christmas 1961 bought for me by my dad. Little did he know it was the start of a career and hobby. Even now this hobby still gives me loads of fun.

I still like the form factor of the "Benton Harbour Lunchboxes".  These were a series of AM transceivers for 11m CB, 10m, 6m and 2m. At the time these were ideal, although their wide super-regen receivers would struggle today.


See https://shop.heathkit.com/ .

More Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio

My wife did this collage of our walk at Anglesey Abbey yesterday in the sunshine, blue skies and cold.

8m QRP FT8 (Friday)

My QMX+ at 2W on 40.680 MHz USB was turned on FT8 at about 0945z.

UPDATE 1920z:   Just EA7KBX (1661km) has spotted  me.

630m WSPR RX last evening


5 stations were spotted with the furthermost LA3EQ (769km) in Norway. No further stations were spotted overnight. 

Winter sunshine - NOT amateur radio

 

Yesterday, although it was only about 5 degrees C, was sunny, so we went for a walk at nearby Anglesey Abbey. This is where the photo was taken.

10m QRP WSPR (Friday)

My 500mW 10m WSPR beacon has been on since breakfast.


UPDATE 1404z: 
15 stations have spotted me today.

Sunspots - Friday January 31st

 Solar flux is 164 and the SSN 144. A=6 and K=1.

30 Jan 2025

630m WSPR RX overnight?

Once again I may try 630m WSPR RX overnight. It will be interesting to see if any new stations are spotted.

UPDATE 1808z:  My 630m WSPR RX was turned on.  G1GKN (54km) spotted.

“Our” windmill - NOT amateur radio


This was our windmill in the frost a few years ago.  We can see it from the kitchen and lounge.

8m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

Despite being on most of the day, nobody spotted me. I shall try again tomorrow.