UPDATE 1852z: Spotted by 36 stations. 127 stations spotted on RX, but nothing from South America. See map of stations spotted here.
4 Apr 2026
QRPGuys digital transceiver
On the DX Explorer website is a series of videos about building and testing this rig. He mentions that it is no longer available. I must check the QRPGuys website. It is a reminder that very simple gear can result in worldwide contacts using FT8.
UPDATE 0934z: It looks like the earlier version is still available. I wonder if they had too many PAs failing at high power? From my experience , I am sure plenty of QSOs will be possible at the lower power.
What next?
As I write this the war in Iran could go either way.
On the one hand President Trump could be angered by the loss of that airman and escalate the war. He is in danger of committing war crimes to say nothing of Iran’s backlash.
Alternatively, he may fear the backlash at home and just walk away and de-escalate.
We’ll see.
Sixbox 6m transceiver
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Opening SPRAT 206 I was pleased and surprised to see my 6m Sixbox QRP transceiver. It was entered into the Constructors Competition . It is also on my website and there is a video on my G3XBM YouTube channel.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/homebrew/sixbox.
3 Apr 2026
Closer UK ties with Europe?
With all the political uncertainty around at the moment, it would appear the UK is moving back more towards Europe.
I think this makes sense both from a defence and economic viewpoint. The EU is far from perfect, but European allies appear more dependable than the USA currently.
On the world stage, the USA comes across as an arrogant bully, whereas I have always found those in the USA to have been kind and generous.
Pam Bondi no longer Attorney General in the USA
The background to this is confused and I am unsure how she left to go to the private sector.
10m 200mW WSPR (Friday)
My beacon was turned on at about 0955z.
CB radio in the UK
CB has been legal in the UK since 1981. At the time "the authorities" were a little snooty about CB and basically did not approve.
Originally in the UK two bands were allocated. These were at 27MHz (FM only) and 934MHz. The latter was later withdrawn.
In the early days 27MHz CB was very popular as gear was low cost and this was before the Internet. A licence was needed in the early days. Latterly the band was extended and other modes allowed and no licence was needed.
I have not used 27MHz for very many years. I think these days CB is very quiet apart from those chasing DX and farmers mainly.
In the future I can see CB and amateur radio merging.
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