Sunspots - Sunday May 4th

Solar  flux is 152 and the SSN 77. A=26 and K=3.

Israel, the West Bank and Gaza - NOT amateur radio

 Although I do not profess to properly understand the full history or know the whole story I know enough. 

• The October 7th attacks on innocent people in Israel was wrong.
• Taking innocent people hostage is wrong.
• Treating the people of Gaza so badly and raising much of it to rubble is wrong.
• Not allowing aid in to Gaza is wrong.
• Not allowing reporters freely into Gaza is wrong.
• Destroying homes in the West  Bank is wrong.
• Wishing to destroy the state of Israel is wrong.

Why can't people just live in peace with their neighbours? 

I am sure there are wrongs on both sides, but war rarely solve issues. We never learn from history it seems. In the end all sides have to compromise.

Are we at risk if power disappears? - NOT amateur radio

With the recent nationwide power cuts in Iberia, it begs the question of how we would cope if power disappeared for several days, whether due to natural causes or a cyber attack. From the (thankfully) rare occasions when the power goes down we realise just how much we depend on electricity for so much: lights, cooking, trains, traffic lights, card payments, email, charging, internet and so much more.

The threat is real. 

At one time "preppers" were thought as harmless cranks. Not any more. 

Maybe we all need a small stock of canned food, some batteries, a torch and some means of finding out what is going on.

One thing Covid taught us all: although a shock at first, humans adapt.

8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

My 2.5W to a low dipole has been on 8m FT8 since about 0630z.

UPDATE 1755: 2 spots today (EI and I).

10m QRP WSPR (Saturday)

My 500mW beacon was turned on at about 0630z.

UPDATE 1653z:  5 spots of me. See table.

MLS price for FTX 1

Apparently this will be available late May in 10W and 100W versions. In my opinion the prices are far too high. 

Also,  I have yet to see a spec sheet.

In my view this product is over £600 more expensive than it should be at £1599 for the 10W version.

I personally give Yaesu less than 5 years before they leave the amateur radio market. 

I suspect this product will be a total failure. Who in their right mind would part with this much money for a product without a spec?

According to the WIMO site,  Bluetooth is an option!! 

Wake up Yaesu - you have lost your way BIG time!!

Sunspots - Saturday May 3rd

 Solar flux is 152 and the SSN 38  A=39 and K=5.

Lilac in full bloom - NOT amateur radio

The lilac in next door's garden looks at its best now. 

In a few weeks time the flowers will be past their best until next spring.

Laburnum - NOT amateur radio

 

This is about 300m from our house and is now in full flower and looking at its best especially against a blue sky.

Yorkshire pudding - NOT amateur radio

My wife always makes her own Yorkshire Pudding. For those readers who are not familiar with this English food, it is like a thick pancake, usually savoury.

It was traditionally eaten as a first course to help "fill you up" so you needed less meat. 

These days it is often served with the main course. 

Our 17 years old grandson loves it.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Friday)

My beacon was turned on at about 0830z. Already spotted by 2 stations in central Europe, probably Es.

UPDATE 1034z:  Spotted by 5 stations. 

UPDATE 1350z:  Spotted by 8 stations with the furthermost Namibia. See table.

8m QRP FT8 (Friday)

My 8m gear was turned on at about 0830z.

UPDATE 0934z:  Already spotted by 5 stations on 8m FT8!  Thank you.  

UPDATE 1423z:  Spotted on 8m FT8 by 7 EU stations, mostly I assume by Es.

UPDATE 1438z:  I just cannot understand the totally blinkered and very negative attitude in the UK and USA to even a very tiny 8m amateur band, digital only, time limited around sunspot maximum, by application only. The impression you get is they just do not understand and are stupid in the extreme! It is not that they are neutral: the impression you get is that the RSGB and ARRL are dead set against this!!

UPDATE 1645z:  Spotted by 8 European stations.

 

Friday plans

Although conditions look disturbed, my plan is a repeat of yesterday with QRP 8m FT8 and QRP 10m WSPR. 

Sunspots - Friday May 2nd

 Solar flux is 152 and the SSN 59. A=28 and K=4.

Where I come from - NOT amateur radio

 

This is near where I come from in South Devon. In the distance is Bolt Tail with an Iron Age fort. One of my ancestors probably helped man it. 

Lunch in Ely - NOT amateur radio

This week, we have had our wedding "best man" staying with us. 1971!! He always treats us to lunch out as a way of saying thank you. 

He is a very old and good friend. 

We ate by the river in Ely.

Back on 8m FT8 QRP TX (Thursday)

 For the Es season I am back on 8m FT8 (40.680 MHz) QRP TX with 2.5W to a low dipole. DF is about 1950 Hz.

UPDATE 1516z: Just spotted by EI3KF (574km).

UPDATE 1937z: QRT.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Thursday)

My beacon has been on since mid-morning.

UPDATE 1510z: 4 spots of me with the furthermost Namibia.

UPDATE 1942z:  QRT.

Rallies this holiday weekend

The following have been notified to me:

• Sunday May 4th - Hamfest 2025,Tattershall Thorpe, LN4 4PL.
• Monday May 5th - Dartmoor Radio Rally, Yelverton, Devon, PL20 6AL . Contact 2e0rph@gmail.com.

Thursday plans

 I think it’s time to try 8m again, so will probably try QRP 8m FT8 and 10m 500mW WSPR later.