Assuming it all works, I intend to go on 10m QRP FT8 after breakfast with my QDX.
UPDATE 1744z: It did not work! Apparently the QDX has to be power cycled. Not only that, but the Windows update wants to move to Windows 11 and the PC has not enough disk space. If I was more confident, I would convert it to Linux, but I do not understand how to do it and then install WSJT-X under Linux. Ideally, I would like someone locally to do it!
Clearly with such an insensitive receiver, it is better to call others calling CQ as you may not hear others on the frequency. The RX sensitivity will depend how good the headphones are.
See https://www.calameo.com/read/0076654746ade7e23a716 .
See also https://hackaday.com/2024/07/12/tiny-transceiver-gets-it-done-with-one-transistor/ .
They run as a worker's co-operative with staff sharing in profits. They seem to charge huge amounts for goods and they must be struggling in the fierce retail market.
It would not surprise me if they do not survive in their current form. It is a nice shop, but they charge silly prices.
Both these QRPlabs products are excellent rigs and I have them both.
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| QDX |
Now, with my limited ability to use SSB, I am questioning if I should keep the QMX+ rig. I probably will for now, but really the QDX would do all I need in the size of a pack of cards.
UPDATE 1806z: It has been such a long time since I used the QDX that I have forgotten the sequence in which things are connected. There is a known issue with Windows, but not with Linux. For some reason the QDX is not recognised at first.
Autumn seems just a few weeks after last Christmas! Where did the year go? At the moment in our garden, trees are looking tired, but most are still in leaf. A few weeks, a few autumn gales will soon change things!
My 2.5W FT8 to a low dipole has been on since about 0910z. Surprised to see a very strong spot of me from ON5SE (473km). I guess this was aircraft reflection.
UPDATE 1114z: Right on time, stations in South Africa are coming through (via TEP?) on 8m FT8.
UPDATE 1304z: Spotted by 2 stations in Europe. No luck calling the South Africans earlier.
My QRP WSPR beacon was turned on at about 0910z.
Although conditions again look disturbed, my plans currently are to try 8m QRP FT8 and 500mW WSPR TX.
In amateur radio different people enjoy the hobby in different ways. It is a good thing we are all different!
In my case, I enjoy getting the most from the least. Others chase DX and are happy to spend lots to get the very best gear. Others like amateur television. And so on...
I am still puzzled why MLS is advertising a microphone for almost £600. For a darn microphone!! Some people must have money to burn.
A reminder that many of my projects are shown on my video channel on YouTube.
Some of my best friends are Jewish, but I am at a loss to understand what is currently happening.
I understand that a certain state and its proxies Hamas, Hezbollah and the Huthies want to see the state of Israel wiped off the face of the earth. I also understand that Israel feels "on top" with their recent pager and walkie-talkie attacks.
What I fail to understand are these:
One would have thought after the horrors of WW2 that Israel would not want to cause suffering to anyone, even their sworn enemies. It would appear that Israel wants a war. The oft use phrase is these terrorists use innocent civilians as human shields.
In the end, the only long-term solution is a just peace for everyone. Israel has to be recognised, but so has Palestine.
At the moment, Israel is in danger of appearing arrogant and turning away good friends. If they attack Iran, the state of Israel is in mortal danger.
This cycle of hate does nobody any good.
At the moment the Middle East is strategically important still. Gradually, it will be less so.
As conditions seem quite disturbed, I only plan to try 500mW WSPR beaconing on 10m today.
It is my impression is that time passes faster as we age.
