New QSL card from Antarctica

The operator at the German base in Antarctica has a new QSL card for DP1POL. 

I have been spotted down there on 10m 500mW WSPR,

My last actual SSB QSO was with 10W SSB with a station on the British base in the 1980s. I think they had a big Rhombic antenna if I recall. It was a very solid QSO.

Made in China - NOT amateur radio

We are all guilty.  

My daughter-in-law kindly bought me a bobble hat. A look inside at the label said, "made in China". It seems most things now are made in China!  

In the USA, if they slap a tariff on Chinese imports it is inevitable costs for USA consumers will go up i.e. inflation will increase. 

If we make goods in the USA or Europe it is inevitable inflation will go up.

I have no idea what the answer is.

Merry Christmas - NOT amateur radio

 May I wish everyone a very happy Christmas.  The basic lesson is to share kindness. People appreciate kindness, as do we. 

The most basic message, whatever your beliefs, is sharing kindness is the most powerful thing in humanity. 🎄🎂🧑‍🎄

10m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

My QMX+ has been on since breakfast.

UPDATE 2000z:  622 stations have spotted me today. See map. In all, QRP 10m FT8 can give worldwide reception. Tomorrow I think I shall go back to 6m FT8.

Proud grandparents - NOT amateur radio

Last night our young granddaughter was performing ballet in front of 2 future kings and many famous people at Westminster Abbey. 

It was recorded a few weeks ago and on UK ITV1 television last night. 

Watch out for YouTube copies.

Sunspots - Wednesday December 25th (Christmas Day)

 Solar flux is 259 and the SSN 219. A=10 and K=3.

UV5 (8) handheld

One of my birthday presents was this dual band, 5W, portable. At well below £20 delivered by airmail it is hard to go wrong . 

I am aware there are several firmware upgrades possible, but for now I am just finding out how to do basic things! 

Remember for an old timer like me things take a bit longer, HI. 😉

Seen earlier - NOT amateur radio

 This was seen earlier .  Very appropriate for Christmas. Whatever your beliefs or none, this is a time to think of those that mean a lot to us.

10m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

This morning I am on 10m QRP FT8 with my QMX+ . It was turned on at about 0930z. At 1000z, 63 spots of me.

UPDATE 1811z:  532 stations have spotted me. See map. Basically a few watts FT8 is quite enough.

Birthday cards - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday was my birthday. According to the single candle on my cake I am aged one!

Sunspots - Tuesday December 24th

 Solar flux is 238 and the SSN 199. A=12 and K=2.

It can only get better - NOT amateur radio

This morning, we went for a walk at nearby Anglesey Abbey. In addition to the first snowdrops we also saw some daffodils out.

10m 500mW WSPR (Monday)

 My little beacon was turned on at about 0910z. No spots of me yet at 0921z.

6m QRP FT8 (Monday)

 My gear was turned on at about 0910z. 6 English spots so far at 0919z.

Programming languages

Yesterday I came across a site that showed the progession of programming languages from the time I started working to today. Some of the languages I had never heard of!! Just as well I was not a software engineer!🥴

Sunspots - Monday December 23rd

 Solar flux is 223 and the SSN 176. A=14 and K=2.

10m QRP WSPR (Sunday)

My 500mW stand-alone 10m WSPR beacon has been on since this afternoon. So far, 13 stations have spotted me.

6m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

 

My QRP 6m FT8 has been on since mid-afternoon. At 1648z,  9 stations had spotted me.

"At home" - NOT amateur radio

Every year at Christmas we have an "at home" day when the neighbours come in for drinks and nibbles. It is always a happy occasion.

Plans for Sunday

 Probably the same as yesterday with QRP WSPR on 10m and 6m QRP FT8