UPDATE 1948z: Spotted by 54 stations. This looks like F2 propagation. See map. Furthermost is Reunion Is.. Now QRT.
The impression I am getting is "appliance operators" are moving down in frequency as the higher HF and 6m bands are now too hard without Es.
Since the end of WW2 we have (sort of) lived in a fairly stable world. In many ways, the world seems to be changing in this century.
We seem to be moving into a world of dictators with the USA now being more isolationist and China coming strongly onto the world stage.
Unlike in years past, the world seems less stable. We need to accept that other people may hold views different from ourselves. In small ways we have to be kind to each other and work towards a better world.
Some hate spiders, but to me they are just fun.
This spider appeared in the bath this morning. It is about 5cm across. I think it is a giant house spider. It must have come up the plug hole.
In the UK, most spiders are totally harmless. I usually catch them in a glass and put them out of the window.
Ever since I started in amateur radio I have enjoyed QRP. DXCC was worked with 10W SSB on 10m with a low dipole in the 1980s.
These days with FT8 basic QSOs are even easier. In my experience 5W FT8 or less and simple antennas are all that is needed to work the world. Of course 1000W and a big beam would make things easier, but where is the fun?
There is a whole array of QRP radios available either as kits or ready built. I guess the choice now is greater than ever.
This video is over 2 hours long! It explores consciousness from a quantum mechanical viewpoint. It is controversial, but worth watching.
It argues that consciousness itself is an important component in the universe. It underlies just how little we really know.
My beacon was turned on at about 1000z.
UPDATE 1830z: Spots by 4 stations. Best is EA8BFK (2880km).
It is noticeable that people in the developed world are more prone to allergies. As my mother-in-law used to say, "eat a peck of dirt before you die".
It looks like she was correct with far fewer allergies with people like the Amish who live closer to horses and are more exposed to microbes.
It would seem that we build up immunity by being exposed to these microbes which we are exposed to far less these days.
We go for walks in nearby Anglesey Abbey most months. This is a photo of the main house. The property is owned by the National Trust.
