Iran

To me, it seems that the USA and Israel have come out far worse from their war with Iran than had they not started it. Few dispute that the regime there is bad, but I fail to see how this can be classed as a win for the USA/Israel. By most measures the outcome is worse than the 2015 agreement that President Trump  did not agree with!

Dandelions

 

Our lawns are a mass of dandelions. If they become dandelion clocks the seeds spread far and wide!

The lawns are regularly cut ... but the dandelions seem to grow the next day!

One of the pleasures of life. Lovely and free. 

10m 200mW WSPR (Sunday)

My beacon has been on all morning.

UPDATE 1321z:  74 European spots of me, presumably by Es plus EA8BFK (2880km).

Sunspots - Sunday May 24th

 Solar flux is 137 and the SSN 86. A=3 and K=1.

Strait of Hormuz - what next?

It seems certain that the world has suffered a shock by the closure of these straits controlling access to the Gulf though which 20% of the world's oil flowed, to say nothing of jet fuel, natural gas, diesel and fertilisers.

Oil products are limited. Even if we use them sensibly, they will be exhausted eventually.

To some extent the world will adapt, but I think it will take years and years, if ever, for the USA to come back as the beacon of liberty and democracy it once was. In my view, they have made a huge mistake on the world stage. They have made no new friends and, sadly, alienated many, who will not forget.

Solid state batteries

Recently a battery manufacturer in Taiwan (ProLogium) opened its doors. They seem to have made breakthroughs in  solid state batteries. 

I am unsure about how this ties in with getting rid of rare earth materials like lithium. Must watch the video again! The ultimate would be a solid-state battery without using rare earth materials.

10m 200mW WSPR (Saturday)

 My beacon was turned on at about 0815z . When I checked WSPRnet appeared not to be working? Which begs a question - is there a real alternative? In the past I have found PSKreporter poor for WSPR.

UPDATE 1529z: Spotted by 38 stations.

UPDATE 2106z: 69 stations have spotted me.

Sunspots - Saturday May 23rd

 Solar flux is 124 and the SSN 67. A=6 and K=1.

Cuba

The USA 🇺🇸 is putting pressure on Cuba.

They made a mess in Iraq and Afghanistan and appear to be in a mess over Iran now.

They don’t exactly have a good record!

University days

1967-70 I was an electronics student at Liverpool University. The photo from 1970 shows our year. 

As I recall we had 109 students in our year with just one woman and I don't think she is even in the photo!

To think I had hair then 😄.  I am on the left a few rows back. Perhaps you can spot me?  Happy days.

By the way, I chose Liverpool as it had the best amateur radio society (G3OUL) at the time! I don't think it is there now?

When I was there Liverpool University had about 7000 students. It now has about 22000 .