27 Oct 2025

Building the Hermes Lite transceiver

 This video shows how someone built a Hermes Lite . No soldering is needed.  It will be QRP.

Lounge view

 

This is the view from our lounge window. 

The hedge at the front is ours.

Monday plans

 Later, I hope to go on 10m 500mW WSPR and 6m 5W FT8.

WSJT-X 3.0.0

Steve G1KQH has reminded me that WSJT-X version V3.0.0 is available, but it is only available as a release candidate. Normally, a fully released version comes later. I believe V3.0.0 offers some further improvements.

See https://wsjt.sourceforge.io/wsjtx.html.

Sunspots - Monday October 27th

 Solar flux is 124 and the SSN 92. A=4 and K=1.


26 Oct 2025

10m 2W FT8 (Sunday)

My gear was turned on at about 1025z.

UPDATE 1147z:  So far, spotted by 141 stations. 

UPDATE 1804z:  
595 stations have spotted me today. See map.

UPDATE 2011:  600 stations have spotted my 2W 10m FT8 today. Now QRT.

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.