Lightning maps

Although storms are more likely to occur further north, I like to assess the risks by looking at the lightning maps. At the moment the risk looks very low.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/#m=oss;t=3;s=0;o=0;b=;ts=0;y=27.9497;x=10.4637;z=4;d=2;dl=2;dc=0;

The fog of war - NOT amateur radio

Recently Israel and Iran have been fighting a war in the air. The Ukraine war has been raging since early 2022. Israel has been at war in Gaza since it was attacked in late 2023.

One common factor is "the fog of war". That is each side tries to outdo the other by spreading often false data. Recently, AI has been used.

All I am saying is this: it is very very easy to believe everything you see whereas it is quite common for this data to be wrong, especially during wars. Caveat emptor.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0k78715enxo .

10m 5W FT8

My gear was turned on at breakfast time.

UPDATE 1049z: So far,  93 stations have spotted me and I have spotted 52 stations here.

UPDATE 1525z: 170 stations have spotted me today. See map.

UPDATE 1840z: 196 stations have spotted my 10m 5W FT8 today. Although several stations in South America have spotted me, no spots of me from the Caribbean or USA.

Gilbert and Sullivan light opera - NOT amateur radio

In the UK, G&S light operas performed by local groups have become a tradition. These were written back in the late nineteenth century.

Last night we went to a local group performing in the village. They did “The Gondoliers” which is a favourite. My brother was in this in Devon in the late 1950s. 

When we got home it was 10.20pm and it was still just light. The photo shows the windmill next door at 10.20pm.

It was the longest day. Although night get about 1 minute later for a little while, the mornings start to get darker. It seems no time since the winter solstice!

Saturday plans

 Later I shall probably try 10m QRP FT8 with my IC-705 at 5W.

Sunspots - Saturday June 21st

 Solar flux is 130 and the SSN 95.  A=9 and K=2.

Ham radio costs

MLS was supposed to have been on the air earlier on HF.  What bothers me is the impression that is put on people that amateur radio is an expensive hobby. The MLS kit would not give you much change (if any) from £10k.

Let me say you do not need to spend much to enjoy the hobby.  You can spend lots if you want to, but you can communicate across the planet with gear costing a small fraction of the MLS price. 

Now, I have no wish to stop those who wish to spend a lot on our hobby, but this is a choice, not a necessity.

Electric cars - NOT amateur radio

My car is infrequently changed. I do not do long miles in my car: most are about 8 miles return with the occasional trip of about 30 miles return. For longer journeys I take the train. In years past I would have thought nothing of doing a 600 mile round trip.

In the past limited range of an electric car was a concern. This is not a concern any more. 

Important factors for me are (a) reliability (b) insurance costs (c) availability (d) home charging (e) space for the weekly shop and the occasional visitors and their luggage.

Which brings me on to electric cars: these are mostly too expensive to buy, but a lease deal might be better. The prices are dropping, but they still are high. However, home charging might offset this to some extent.

Most low cost offerings come from China such as MG and BYD.

I am still not convinced about battery technology that still seems to rely on lithium batteries. At some point I was expecting prices to drop with the advent of solid-state batteries, together with a better range. As far as I know this has not happened yet. Whoever gets there first will have a huge advantage.

At the moment, I shall probably hang on to my 2018 diesel car, but I expect my next car might well be electric.

6m QRP FT8 (Friday)

 My 5W gear has been on since lunchtime.

UPDATE 1335z:  57 stations have spotted me - mostly mainland Europe by Es.

10m 500mW WSPR (Friday)

My QRP beacon has been on since lunchtime.

UPDATE 1330z:  No spots.