Russian oil

Most, if not all, people want an end to the war in Ukraine. 

This has caused a lot of deaths and injuries on both sides. Much of Russian income comes from oil and the recent sanctions on the two biggest oil companies in Russia just might lead to an "off ramp" and an end to the fighting.

In my view one solution is a bit like Germany after WW2. Parts of Ukraine would be East Ukraine, linked to Russia and the rest Western Ukraine much as Ukraine was. In 20-30 years who knows what will happen, possibly Ukraine will be reunited much like Germany. 

I have nothing at all but respect for the Russian people. I still exchange emails with a radio amateur in Moscow.

In my view almost all wars are unnecessary. Most ordinary folk are just the same underneath and just want to live at peace. Sadly, some in power have huge egos or insecurities.

19 set?

I am no expert on WW2 radios. This looks like a 19 set, but I have an idea it is not. Maybe versions were made in the USA?

UPDATE 1033z:  According to Keith (thank you!) it is a 22 set.  See https://www.pa3esy.nl/military/gb/army/WS22/html/ws22_set-gb.html

Sunspots - Sunday October 26th

Solar flux is 127 and the SSN 89.  A=9 and K=1.

Pasties

It is rumoured these started life as a meal for Cornish miners with one half being savoury and one half being dessert. They could be held in the hand. I have no idea if this is true or not.

What I do know is that I enjoy pasties. One of my favourites used to be Ivor Dewdney pasties that one could buy in Plymouth. 

You can buy them by post but they are very expensive. They also make vegetarian and vegan pasties these days. I suppose beef is now very expensive.

Autumn visitor

This must have crawled up the plug hole. It was about 3cm long. I put it out the window.  

Some have phobias about spiders. To me they are just fun.

10m 2W FT8 (Saturday)

My gear was turned on at about 0930z.

UPDATE 1805z: 642 stations have spotted me across the planet. At one point this afternoon I noticed the number of stations spotting me had not gone up. Then I noticed that I had not turned the PSU on at the mains. So all reports up to about 1500z were at 1W and not 2W.

UPDATE 2025z:   647 stations have spotted me. Now QRT.

Autumn sky yesterday

This was Anglesey Abbey near Cambridge, UK yesterday. 

QDX and QDX-M

QRP-Labs produce some high class transceivers as kits or ready built units at very competitive prices. 

These are made in Turkey and designed by Hans Summers  G0UPL.

The QDX is a digital only, 5W, transceiver about the size of a pack of cards. 

They also do a simpler radio (the same size) covering just one band (2200m - 10m) called the QDX-M which is shown in the photo.

See https://qrp-labs.com/ .

Spooky?

This year, Halloween seems to have come early. 

The cynic in me says this is all about making more money, but the kids enjoy the fun. 

Our grandchildren loved it, but they are now too old: they enjoyed carving a pumpkin and playing silly games.

This was the decoration outside a house locally. 

Sunspots - Saturday October 25th

 Solar flux is 134 and the SSN 99. A=10 and K=0.