Birthday - NOT amateur radio

 

Last week was our granddaughter’s birthday. We had some cake 🎂 in the garden.

6m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

 

My 5W was turned on before breakfast. So far, 19 stations have spotted me, many I guess via Es. See map created at 0830z.

UPDATE 1900z: 139 spots of me. I have spotted 186 here.

Sunspots - Sunday June 1st

 Solar flux is 150 and the SSN 96. A=126 and K=7.

AI and circuit design

For some time now software engineers have being using AI to generate code. It would appear that hardware designers could also use AI to design circuits. It would appear that AI is capable of doing everything as well as humans (and more?) , if trained.

The future is indeed scary. When we eventually meet intelligent life in outer space how do we know if it is conscious? 

Where will AI be on Earth in 50 years' time?

Geostationary amateur satellite - inputs wanted

AMSAT-DL is seeking inputs on a possible future geosynchronous amateur satellite covering Europe and much of North America. 

The take-up would probably be low, although coverage of much of North America might help. It might appeal to real enthusiasts.

Based on the experiences with Oscar 100, a lot of effort seems to be needed to get a station together, then people lose interest. The lack of commercial products puts many off.

See  https://amsat-dl.org/ .

FTX-1 versus IC-705

In the USA the FTX -1 is now on sale. 

People have reported some bugs with the Yasesu radio and I am not sure if these have been corrected with latest firmware. Certainly in the UK, the Yaesu radio is far more expensive that the IC-705. 

In my view the ICOM IC-705 represents far better value. There is certainly (at least) one video on YouTube comparing the two. 

I am definitely NOT rushing out to buy the FTX-1F. Personally, I still think Yaesu is floundering again.

10m QRP WSPR (Saturday)

My 500mW W5OLF beacon was turned on at about 0844z, but no spots yet.

UPDATE 1327z:  4 stations spotting me.

6m 5W FT8 (Saturday)

Stations spotting me today

My gear was turned on at about 0844z.  So far just 8 English spots of me.

UPDATE 1035z: 56 stations have spotted me. Plenty of Es.

UPDATE 1858z:   220 stations spotted on RX with the furthermost Kuwait 9K2NO (4689km) in the Gulf. On TX I have been spotted by 214 stations. See map.

At first we are glad to see European openings on 6m Es. Then we keep an eye open for inter-continental DX. As yet, I have not seen South America or North America on 6m this spring, although I have spotted the Caribbean.

Saturday plans

 Probably the same as yesterday i.e. 10m QRP WSPR and 6m QRP FT8.

Sunspots - Saturday May 31st

 Solar flux is 157 and the SSN 107. A=30 and K=3.