Many years ago I used to have many QSOs with stations across the world including the USA and the USSR.
As far as I am concerned we are all human beings with equal value whatever our beliefs, colour or politics. I enjoy exchanging greetings with an old work colleague who happens to live in Moscow and is a radio amateur.
One of the great things about our hobby is that it is such a great leveller.
As someone said, "Christmas starts here".
It was great and happy.
Just now, I watched an AI video of London in the 1600s. It was amazing and so very realistic. It was almost like really being there centuries ago.
In my view, this is an example of AI at it best. The "seed" was old engravings of various London scenes. Truly amazing.
UPDATE 2022z: So far spotted by 95 stations, most "across the pond". See map. QRT soon.
UPDATE 2045z: QRT.
This is my personal experience, so I cannot comment on others.
Drifting to sleep and not being aware we have done so seems odd. There is far more to consciousness than we are aware of I think.
For some people these could be very useful.
They use the cellular network as the bearer rather than the ionosphere, so the range is effectively the whole planet. If you just want to talk, they might be ideal as no amateur licence is needed.
They are like 2m or 70cm handhelds.
My 5W to the V2000 was turned on at about 2030z.
UPDATE 2142z: 4 stations have spotted me including 2 in Germany. Now QRT.
My gear was turned on at about 1000z.
UPDATE 1102z: So far, spotted 23 stations.
UPDATE 1533z: Still 23, so something must be wrong.
UPDATE 1715z: Now, 75 stations spotted. I think the TX audio must be muted as the TX still does not work. I wonder if it is RF getting into the PC? I may try with lower power. e.g. 1W instead of 5W. Going on 5W 6m FT8 TX seemed fine suggesting RF is disturbing something. Now QRT on 10m FT8 RX.
Summits On The Air (SOTA) activity is becoming increasingly popular as well as Parks On The Air (POTA). People climb mountains and hills to "activate" certain summits. Especially for SOTA, weight can be an important factor if the gear has to be lugged up steep hills or mountains.
LNR Precision make some gear aimed at these users. They are compact and lightweight.
See https://www.lnrprecision.com/mountain-toppers/
The photo shows the postbox near our co-op shop looking very festive.
Today is the shortest day .
Even though the mornings get a bit darker later for a few weeks, the evenings are already starting to get darker slightly later. By the end of January it is really noticeable.
It’s odd how we adapt, but I do prefer nights getting darker later.
My gear was turned on at about 1140z.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/antennas/137khz-efp-rx-antenna .
We can trace our family history continuously continuously back to the mid 1500s in these parts .
