Kierkegaard

Many may not have heard of this Danish existentialist philosopher and theologian. 

With Denmark much in the news lately, perhaps I should introduce him.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%B8ren_Kierkegaard .

"There's always tomorrow"

In amateur radio there are many things still to try.  

For example 23cm beacon hunting,  /P 23cm UKAC, using my SDR receiver properly, monitoring 630m WSPR, SSTV, etc,etc..

Time and again I say, "there's always tomorrow". 

When I was working time really mattered. In retirement, things can wait.  Hopefully, there will be tomorrow to do these things. 

The trouble is the list keeps growing! 😀

6m FT8 yesterday

 

Yesterday 11 stations spotted my 5W 6m FT8. See map.

Sunspots- Monday January 19th

 Solar flux is 148 and the SSN 140. A=14 and K=1.

6m 5W FT8 (Sunday)

My gear was turned on at  1435z.

UPDATE 1441z:  Spotted by no stations? Odd. Perhaps a reset is called for.

UPDATE 1450z:  PC reset. But spotted by G8SEI (133km) 11 minutes ago, so perhaps things were fine.

Icom IC-705

This radio was first introduced in 2020. Its price in the UK has recently been reduced. My personal opinion is that it represents much better value than the Yaseu FTX-1.

I have no idea what plans ICOM has for the future, but an IC-705A with a new form factor, an auto ATU built in, 4m, and USB-C socket would not surprise me aimed at the portable handheld market. They have the electronics, and could even use the same case.

Dull January

After Christmas, January seems a long, dark month. At least in December there are lights for Christmas and things seem more cheerful.  At least the days are now getting longer.

Everywhere there are hints of new life. Snowdrops are coming out and I have even seen a few daffodils in flower. Spring is still a way off, but it is getting better.

Greenland

Suddenly this frozen landmass has come into sharp focus with President Trump of the USA wanting to own it. 

He claims he has to own it to defend it, despite Denmark and Greenland being in NATO. It is interesting that it has lots of rare earth materials as well.

Most countries of the world are opposed to the USA owning it unless the people of Greenland agree. They have the right to determine their future.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyn90l1dneo .

Reserve currencies?

Since the end of WW2, the US dollar has been the reserve currency of world trade, but recent events have brought that into question. In the short-term this may continue, but what about the future?

Way back during WW2 Keynes suggested a neutral "currency" called the Bancor that clearing banks only could use in world trade. 

BRICS countries have suggested something else in place of the US dollar. 

I do not know the future, but it seems clear the USA under President Trump is moving away from world trade, so the US dollar no longer makes sense as the world's reserve currency. Also, if the US dollar loses value what then?

Maybe it is time to reconsider the Bancor?

See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqv-HcHTZAg&t=461s

10m 200mW WSPR (Sunday)

My beacon was turned on at 0754z.

UPDATE 1200z: So far, 4 stations have spotted me with the best HZ1SF (4939km).

UPDATE 1510z: Spotted by 16 stations, with many in the USA. See table.