Sunspots - Tuesday November 25

Solar  flux is 116 and the SSN 99. A=22 and K=4.

Times Radio on YouTube

Personally, I find the interviews on Times Radio very informative. I aiways advice seeking your news from many sources to avoid bias.

How small can you go?

 This is a video about making a really tiny Pixie transceiver and some portable antennas.

Not been on TX today

As today was a family birthday, I was not at home much of the day. Instead, I stayed on 8m FT8 RX all day.  I should be on TX on Tuesday.

8m FT8 RX (Monday)

My gear was turned on at 1030z.

UPDATE 1812z:  EA1YV (1321km) spotted.

Sunspots - Monday November 24th

 Solar flux is 120 and the SSN 79. A=13 and K=3.

Ukraine

This is being written before Ukraine, the EU and Britain have responded to President Trump's 28 point peace plan, that seems to be heavily weighed in Russia's favour. I hope a mature discussion ensues and it ends with a fair (to all) settlement.

Personal view : I do not trust President Trump

Many people in the USA voted for President Trump. As far as I am aware, this was fair and they elected the person they wanted. I am in no position to comment on matters in the USA.

However, I am perfectly at liberty to express my personal view of his role on the world stage. Others may think very differently.

On the world stage I personally think President Trump has performed badly. This is my personal view. In the Ukraine and Gaza it would appear that the views of the common people have not been well considered.

He seems to be in the thrall of President Putin, the Israeli government Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyaho and Mohammed bin Salman. I get the impression he sees world stage diplomacy as real estate deals, rather than the lives of real people.

Can the IC-705 be widebanded without uncasing?

 As many know I have held a TX permit for 8m in the UK.

In the past I have owned an FT-710 which can be put into "engineering mode" by pressing a combination of buttons without the need to uncase the rig and without invalidating the warranty. This allowed TX on 8m, although I never used the FT-710 outside the amateur bands. Instead I used my FT817ND that was widebanded by MLS. On the FT-710 it meant I could TX on 8m if I needed to, but never did.

I am wondering if there is a similar trick with the IC-705 (i.e. just button presses) which would give me TX on the IC-705 at 8m.

I am aware of the diode mod, but do not want to go inside the rig as I no longer trust my fine motor skills!

8m FT8 receive (Sunday)

My gear was turned on before breakfast.

UPDATE 1654z:  Just G8VER (66km) spotted again. This is the Verulam Club in St.Albans.

If I get no more spots today, I may return to another band tomorrow.

UPDATE 1908z:   No further stations spotting me. QRT.

ATU

 This manual ATU is available from AliExpress at low cost. This video shows it in action.

Sunspots - Sunday November 23rd

 Solar flux is 119 and the SSN 74.  A=6 and K=1.

8m FT8 receive (Saturday)

My 8m dipole was taken down some months ago. This afternoon, just for fun, I am on 8m FT8 receive with my end-fed long wire. I have no idea at all how this works on 8m. Let's see if I get any spots. Also, I have no idea how sensitive the IC-705 is at 8m.

UPDATE 1621z:  G8VER (66km) spotted. It works.

I remain extremely disappointed that so many PTTs seem to have a very negative attitude to 8m. A few PTTs have granted access to 8m, some for a limited time. As far as I know there have been NO reports of interference caused by those granted access. I object to having to pay to do valuable research especially when my own PTT (OFCOM) seems so negative.

UPDATE 1935z:  I shall probably try 8m FT8 RX again tomorrow.

Bullies?

It appears to me that Ukraine is "between a rock and a hard place". 

It looks like they are being offered a very poor deal over their heads by Russia and the USA. 

If they do not accept the USA is likely to stop intelligence sharing and just walk away.

The world seems to be run by selfish individuals who are more interested in their own enrichment rather than that of their citizens. 

Where are the leaders who put the interests of the common person ahead of rich billionaires?

10m 500mW WSPR (Saturday)

My beacon was turned on at about 1008z. 

UPDATE 1932z: 14 stations so far spotting me. See table and map.

6m 5W FT8 (Saturday)

 My gear was turned on at about 1010z.

UPDATE 1014z:  So far,  6 English stations have spotted me.

Saturday plans

Today will probably be a repeat of late yesterday with 500mW 10m WSPR and 5W 6m FT8, but I have not decided yet.

Sunspots - Saturday November 22nd

 Solar flux is 121 and the SSN 75. A=8 and K=1. 

10m 500mW WSPR (Friday)

 

My beacon was turned on mid-afternoon.

UPDATE 2200z:  Spotted by 6 stations. Now QRT.

6m 5W FT8 (Friday)

My gear was turned on mid-afternoon.

UPDATE 2150z: 19 stations have spotted me. QRT. See map.