Although not at the level in mid-summer, I was still spotted widely across Europe. See map.
Imagine if I was running 50W to a decent beam i.e. with an ERP 20dB higher! If I can do it with QRP....
23 Sept 2025
Fragility of life
Yesterday my brother was playing a game of golf when his partner just dropped dead whilst walking away from the 1st green.
We have no idea when our time is up.
Live life as if this is your last day and enjoy every minute.
22 Sept 2025
10m 500mW WSPR TX (Monday)
My stand alone beacon has been on since about 1312z.
UPDATE 1513z: 22 stations including many in the USA and Canada have spotted me.
Sixbox revisited
A few moments ago I had a nice email and video from Marcos PU2MBZ. In it he says he has built the RX of the Sixbox with a few changes, on a PCB. Thank you Marcos!
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/homebrew/sixbox
6m 5W FT8 (Monday)
My gear was turned on at about 1313z.
UPDATE 1500z: So far, 8 stations have spotted me with one in Portugal.
Decreasing human contact
Just now I was invited to check my PayPal balance. They wanted to send me a code to my phone to verify it was me. I doubt a human was involved.
Most chat bots are computers rather than real people. At supermarket checkouts you are encouraged to use automatic checkouts. Most bank transactions are getting cash from an ATM. If you are lucky you may get a call centre somewhere on the planet, where a person might understand you and you might understand them! You are just a sort code and account number - no personal contact.
More and more there is less human contact. All this is done in the name of "progress" and to save money or increase profits.
In my view we are going backwards.
Monday plans
As I now know how 10m WSPR works, my plan is to continue on 6m FT8 QRP as well as 10m QRP WSPR .
10m conditions
It seems we are moving to autumnal HF conditions with afternoon openings across the Atlantic with my 10m 500mW WSPR. These openings seem almost daily.
I think it’s very unlikely that my 6m 5W FT8 would make it this autumn, but you never know!
21 Sept 2025
Windmill fantail shadow
This was the shadow of the fantail on the museum.
4m FT8 RX?
Even though I have no antennas for 4m, I am tempted to try 4m FT8 RX at some point. My recollection was that activity outside of the Es season was low though. I am also unsure of the 4m FT8 frequency these days.
I might be just wasting my time. I would have to use the V2000 or 2m big-wheel.
10m 500mW WSPR TX (Sunday)
My beacon was turned on at 0932z.
UPDATE 2143z: Spotted by 24 stations. Now QRT .
6m 5W FT8 (Sunday)
My gear was turned on at 0932z.
UPDATE 2130z: 37 stations from all over western Europe. I am sure FT8 is catching very brief patches of Es. Now QRT.
20 Sept 2025
Optical communications
This photo shows the gear used in these tests.
Micro80 QRP transceiver
As I recall my first contact was with a station about 200 miles away and before it was cased and the Morse key was just tapping a wire onto the chassis!
I cannot recall the antenna.
Spitting Image
This was a BBC TV show (1980s?) that made fun with puppets of politicians, who sometimes take themselves far too seriously. It is now available on YouTube.
In my view, it is a good thing to lampoon politicians and is a sign of grown-up leaders and countries.
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