Apparently WSJT-X 2.7.1 is now on general release. There is a YouTube video all about it. I shall have to download the new version and have a play.
UPDATE 1050z: No it is not!! I just looked and I could only see this as a release candidate. I expect it soon will be on general release.
Over the years my interest in amateur radio has changed.
Like very many others, I enjoyed chatting and chasing DX. Since my 2013 stroke, speaking is hard work for me. I still use voice modes, but not as often these days. Doing so is good for me. Instead I prefer digital modes like WSPR and FT8 which do not involve my voice.
It is not purely because of my poor voice.
These days, I get as much pleasure from seeing where my QRP on various bands can be received. Many purists will say, "that is not amateur radio" and I can understand where they are coming from. Use of just digital modes means newcomers will not chance upon amateur radio as I did.
I hope amateur radio will still be here as it was. However, it would not entirely surprise me if it evolves as PTTs grow tired of amateur radio administration and its lack of revenue generation. I am pretty sure any administration costs are greater than any revenue generated. This is not a sustainable position.
I guess I am running about 3W from the IC-705.
Some years ago I bought a Pixie kit from AliExpress. It cost a few pounds, but worked perfectly when fired up on the air.
Tomorrow I plan to try 10m QRP FT8 with the IC-705.
If I have time, I shall try to use PuTTY to put my QMX+ on 8m FT8 TX. I think the RX would need HW changes to the RX BPF. I intend to convert the 20m TX settings to 8m. This should only need me to change the frequency and low pass filter selected. The 6m LPF should do. As my fine motor skills are poor, I shall have to accept the (poor) RX sensitivity.
This is what the big Japanese manufacturers are up against. In my view, if the Japanese want to remain in the amateur market, I suspect the answer is to design in Japan, but make products in a low cost country. In the future this may not be China.
My 500mW WSPR beacon was turned on at about 1050z. So far, 7 stations have spotted me.
My gear was on all night. Lots of European spots. Was this the Geminid shower?
Throughout the year there are meteor showers. At the moment we are at the peak of the Geminid shower. Often the ionised trails enhance VHF signals.
We deliver local Christmas cards by hand. We were going to do it yesterday, but the rain was horrendous so we did it today instead in the co...
