8m QRP FT8 (Monday)

My 2.5W to the dipole was turned on at about 0530z.

UPDATE 1838z:   4 spots of me (OZ, IT9, EI and EA). QRT soon. See map.

Sunspots - Monday May 5th

 Solar flux is 159 and the SSN 92. A=25 and K=3.

10m QRP WSPR (Sunday)

 My 500mW beacon was turned on at about 0630z.

UPDATE 1635z: 4 stations have spotted me today. See table.

8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

My 2.5W to the low dipole was turned on at about 0630z.

UPDATE  1636z:  Just one spot from EI today.

Sunspots - Sunday May 4th

Solar  flux is 152 and the SSN 77. A=26 and K=3.

Israel, the West Bank and Gaza - NOT amateur radio

 Although I do not profess to properly understand the full history or know the whole story I know enough. 

• The October 7th attacks on innocent people in Israel was wrong.
• Taking innocent people hostage is wrong.
• Treating the people of Gaza so badly and raising much of it to rubble is wrong.
• Not allowing aid in to Gaza is wrong.
• Not allowing reporters freely into Gaza is wrong.
• Destroying homes in the West  Bank is wrong.
• Wishing to destroy the state of Israel is wrong.

Why can't people just live in peace with their neighbours? 

I am sure there are wrongs on both sides, but war rarely solve issues. We never learn from history it seems. In the end all sides have to compromise.

Are we at risk if power disappears? - NOT amateur radio

With the recent nationwide power cuts in Iberia, it begs the question of how we would cope if power disappeared for several days, whether due to natural causes or a cyber attack. From the (thankfully) rare occasions when the power goes down we realise just how much we depend on electricity for so much: lights, cooking, trains, traffic lights, card payments, email, charging, internet and so much more.

The threat is real. 

At one time "preppers" were thought as harmless cranks. Not any more. 

Maybe we all need a small stock of canned food, some batteries, a torch and some means of finding out what is going on.

One thing Covid taught us all: although a shock at first, humans adapt.

8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

My 2.5W to a low dipole has been on 8m FT8 since about 0630z.

UPDATE 1755: 2 spots today (EI and I).

10m QRP WSPR (Saturday)

My 500mW beacon was turned on at about 0630z.

UPDATE 1653z:  5 spots of me. See table.

MLS price for FTX 1

Apparently this will be available late May in 10W and 100W versions. In my opinion the prices are far too high. 

Also,  I have yet to see a spec sheet.

In my view this product is over £600 more expensive than it should be at £1599 for the 10W version.

I personally give Yaesu less than 5 years before they leave the amateur radio market. 

I suspect this product will be a total failure. Who in their right mind would part with this much money for a product without a spec?

According to the WIMO site,  Bluetooth is an option!! 

Wake up Yaesu - you have lost your way BIG time!!