19 Oct 2026

160m FT8 RX overnight


Once again, I was monitoring 160m FT8 RX with the IC-705 and earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. 223 stations were spotted here (see map) with the best Asiatic Russia RA0AF (5588km). Nothing across the Atlantic.

Sunspots - Monday October 19th

 Solar flux is 137 and the SSN 82. A=6 and K=0.

18 Oct 2026

160m FT8 RX (Sunday)

My gear was turned on at about 1600z.

UPDATE 1739z:  So far, 76 stations have been spotted. See map.

UPDATE 1921z:  101 stations spotted.

Extreme minimalist QRP

 This video shows the construction of a single valve QRP transceiver.



Still looking good


We live opposite the village museum. Despite being well into autumn, the flowers still look good.

Our local windmill

 

This is our local windmill that forms part of our village museum. Our house is on the left.

Bomb Iran?

I have the feeling that the US administration is getting desperate about the upcoming midterm elections and may consider a last minute "spectacular"  to drive down prices.  This could be a bombing or land invasion of Iran. Let's hope it does not backfire badly.

1968 again?

Those of us old enough to remember may recall 1968 as the year of revolutions. There was the attempted revolution in Czechoslovakia and protests by students in France.  

In many nations today people are not happy.  I have the sense this is happening again.

10m 1W FT8 (Sunday)

At about 1050z I QSYed to 10m 1W FT8.

UPDATE 1152z:  So far, spotted by 23 stations.  My best is a spot of me in Argentina.

Video about President Trump

The Meidas Touch Network is not a fan of President Trump of the USA. You, as always, have to seek out videos from different sources and make up your own mind.