Sunspots - Saturday January 3rd

 Solar flux is 166 and the SSN 124. A=24 and K=3.

6m 2W WSPR (Friday)

 WSPR is not a mode I widely use on 6m, so I thought I would try it. My gear was turned on at about 1445z.

UPDATE 1456z: Spotted by 2 stations so far, both English.

6m 5W FT8 (Friday)

At about 1422z I QSYed to 6m FT8.

UPDATE 1430z:   Spotted by 2 English stations so far.

Regime change?

If I have understood correctly, the USA president no longer wants the USA to be the world's policeman and is going for a more isolationist position. He is also looking for a "safer" world with fewer conflicts.   

We can all agree on the latter, but I suspect most would seek a world based on freedom and justice for all humankind. It would appear we are moving more towards a world of empires run by powerful rich billionaires.

President Trump's recent statements on Iran seem contradictory. There is little doubt he sees Iran as a threat to world order and stability, but I get the feeling he is really hoping there will be regime change in Iran.

10m 100mW WSPR (Friday)

My gear was turned on at about 1145z.

UPDATE 1205z:  Already spotted by 3 stations.

UPDATE 1354z:  20 spots of my 100mW 10m WSPR. See table, and map from WSPR Rocks.

10m 1W FT8 (Friday)

My IC-705 was turned on before breakfast.

UPDATE 1120z:  143 stations have spotted me with the most distant RA5CW (4778km).

Interconnected world

It concerns me just how interconnected much of our life now is and how all this could collapse like a pack of cards. 

Much electricity in the UK is produced from gas. Without gas, less heating , less electricity.  Less electricity less travel as fewer traffic lights. Less electricity less delivery, less food.  Less pumping affecting water and sewage.

I am not a fan of isolationism but if the intention is to reduce this interdependency I have some sympathy.

One way of reducing this interdependency is large trading blocks such as the EU, China, Russia and the USA. Basically trading within the blocks adds a degree of security. 

Outside large trading blocks we become very vulnerable.

Friday plans

 At the moment I am inclined to try 10m 1W FT8.

Sunspots - Friday January 2nd

 Solar flux is 169 and the SSN 120. A=12 and K=4.

6m 5W FT8 (Thursday)

 My gear was turned on at about 1000z. 

UPDATE 1054z:  7 stations have spotted me including one OH.

UPDATE 2142:   QRT soon. Lots of Europeans (63) have copied me today. See map.