USA politics - NOT amateur radio

In no way can (or should) I express views on how the people of the USA should vote for their president in November. They will rightly vote for the person they choose. But I am puzzled. Let me explain.

1. Firstly, I am surprised that their choice is really between two very old men. In a country as vast as the USA, surely they could have found candidates that were younger and sharper.  At 75 (as I am now) there is no way I'd want such high office.
2. Secondly, about half of the USA supports Mr Trump. Whatever your views I have yet to find anyone outside the USA who likes him. I really do mean anyone. Not one person has said a positive word. I have spoken with lots of people from the USA in the last few years.
3. Thirdly, I am puzzled that so many people want to be led by a billionaire who seems to want to be all powerful.

No, the USA puzzles me.

Rallies at the weekend

The following have been notified to me. Always check if travelling a long way.

    Sunday June 9th -  Junction 28 Radio Rally, Alfreton, DE55 7BD. Contact j28rally@snadarc.com .

    Sunday June 9th - Mendips Rally, Farrington Gurney, BS39 6UA. Contact mendipsrally@hotmail.com .

Amazon - NOT amateur radio

Amazon, the online delivery service, is like a UK wheat spread in that some hate it and some love it. Over the years we must have ordered hundreds of items. Only once has a delivery ever gone wrong, and that was just to an address a few doors away.

I recall my wife trying to buy some very ordinary nail scissors from our local chemist. She was told they had none and would be getting none in. She went on Amazon and got them delivered next day to the door at a lower price.

Yes, shopping patterns are changing, with many people preferring the convenience of home delivery.  Many retailers will close or adapt.

Today I wanted some wood filler, forgetting I had given my last to our son. I went on Amazon and two tubes will be delivered to my door tomorrow for less cost than 1 tube at our local DIY store. Delivery is free.

10m 500uW (0.5mW) WSPR

 Yet again, my 500uW 10m WSPR is turned on.

UPDATE 2020z: No spots all day today.

6m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

Stations spotting my
2.5W 6m FT8 today

My 2.5W 6m FT8 to the V2000 vertical omni antenna is on and, so far, 18 stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 1103z:  30 spots of me today, mostly Es.

UPDATE 2000z:   52 spots of me today.

European Es (Thursday)

 At the moment the Es does not look to great, yet my QRP 6m FT8 has been spotted by 17 stations already!

See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .

Ship Queen Anne leaving Liverpool - NOT amateur radio

This was the new cruise ship 🛳️ Queen Anne leaving Liverpool on Monday after being named earlier in the day.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

 

5 stations spotted my 10mW ERP on 630m WSPR overnight. No great DX, although it is June.

Sunspots - Thursday June 6th

 Solar flux is 195 and the SSN is 193. A=7 and K=1.

630m QRP WSPR (Wednesday)

 My 10mW ERP 630m WSPR is on and will remain on overnight. At 2145z 2 stations have spotted me.

UK General Election, July 4th - NOT amateur radio

Last night was the first TV debate between the leaders of the 2 main political parties.   If you can imagine what 2 cats fighting over a dead bird is like, that was it. Sad, pathetic.

All parties make promises in the run-up to a General Election. Come the election all these will be forgotten, or there will not enough money. What is certain is that whichever party governs, tough times are ahead. Either taxes have to rise, or public services will be cut, or both. Saying either of these things is a vote loser.

Come the General Election I shall be tactically voting for the least worst party. My heart says Green,but I know they have no chance in our constituency. 

My prediction?  Labour will be the governing party, but the majority will be smaller than expected. The minor parties may well hold the balance of power. I also expect closer ties with Europe since BREXIT has turned (as some expected) into a dreadful mistake. I am sure some expected a UK like the 1950s forgetting just how inter connected the world now is.

Liverpool reunion - NOT amateur radio

As many know, I was in Liverpool for a reunion of old university friends. 

The photo shows me after my train arrived. 

I was taking a photo of my train.

European Es (Wednesday)

Es looks promising in the east of Europe, but I have not yet seen evidence here.

See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .

UPDATE 1501z:  Plenty of 6m Es evident in western Europe.

6m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

My 2.5W 6m FT8 to the V2000 vertical omni antenna is turned on. So far just 5 G stations.

UPDATE 1046z:  22 stations have spotted me including 2 in Hungary and one Scandinavian that I assume are by Es.

UPDATE 1545z:  57 stations have spotted me today.

Garden wildlife - NOT amateur radio

This Muntjac deer was in our front garden yesterday. It stared at me, then carried on as if I was stupid and not there. They are quite common around here. 

Frankly, they are a darn pest eating many flower heads. Last year we had loads of tulips, but most were eaten.

They are about the size of a large dog.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

In all, 8 stations spotted my 10mW ERP 630m WSPR, which is the most for some time. Furthest was a station in Germany 🇩🇪. Not a bad session.

Sunspots - Wednesday June 5th

 Solar flux is 192 and the SSN 224. A=8 and K=1.

630m QRP WSPR (Tuesday)

 Since coming home, I am now on 630m QRP again (10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground) and expect to stay on overnight.  Already spots by 2 stations.

That reunion - NOT amateur radio

As mentioned before, I have been away for a few days at a reunion of old university friends. This was us (less me as I took the photo!) at a meal last night. 

It looks a bit like an old masters painting of the last supper! I used my camera phone on panorama.

Later we were treated to a firework display as a newly named cruise ship left.

500uW 10m WSPR (Tuesday)

Since returning home this afternoon, I have been on 10m WSPR with 500uW (0.5mW). 

UPDATE 2038z:   No spots.