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In those days they were A5 size. It would not bother me if radio magazines were that size again. It reduces costs of paper and postage.
Last evening and overnight I was on 630m WSPR using my coax to my 2m big-wheel antenna via an ATU and a mains earth.
Last evening and overnight I tried 630m WSPR RX using my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.
There were fewer stations received and the reports were weaker than the night before when I was using the coax up to my 2m big-wheel via an ATU.
It is hard to be categorical as conditions might have been different, the antennas better in some directions, etc..
My overall conclusion, with these caveats, is that the earth electrode was, at worse, about 1 S point inferior to the antenna used on the night before. I would expect this to be somewhat down on an antenna optimised for the band. So, maybe just 2 S points down. Considering the total lack of hassle, it is far from bad.
This evening and overnight I am on 630m WSPR RX with the Zachtek RX using instead my earth electrode "antenna" in the ground to see how this compares with the coax to my 2m big-wheel via an ATU
So far, I have not tried the Zachtek WSPR RX on 10m, so I am trying it now.
The impression I am getting on other bands is good. It is small and works on all the bands I have tried.
UPDATE 1550z: 3 stations spotted on 10m WSPR RX this afternoon with the best W3HH (7005km).
Even though there is a 400Hz wide audio filter I am still spotting lots of FT8 stations including the USA.
My beacon was turned on at about 1030z.
UPDATE 1050z: So far just lots of spots of me by EA8BFK (2880km).
Although more expensive, I preferred to buy from Zachtek in Sweden although I know there is a Chinese copy of the Zachtek TX and probably the RX now.
In my view, racism by anyone has absolutely no place in modern society. Those in public office must always ensure it is not possible.
A brief TX on 10m WSPR this morning resulted in 14 spots of me by EA8BFK (2880km).
I think it was sold back to the original owner. I wish I still had it!
The image is copyrighted. It will be removed if using it is an issue, but the best site I have seen is at https://wd8rif.com/hw8.htm by William McFadden (who has the copyright), which is filled with useful information.
My QDX-M was turned on very early morning before breakfast.
UPDATE 0950z: Spotted by 4 stations and I have spotted 3 stations in Eastern Europe.
UPDATE 1053z: Spotted by 16 stations.
On further looking it appears it is a network (internet) radio dressed up like a tiny "real" radio,
It would appear to be available from several sources at various prices.
There are lots of AI historical reconstruction videos about. Some make errors, but in the main these are very impressive. This is an example.
My beacon was turned on at 0940z.
UPDATE 1013z: So far, just spots by EA8BFK (2880km).
This is a long strip of land dividing the saltwater sea from a freshwater lake known as Slapton Ley. Apparently the road was only built 28 years before I was born.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slapton_Ley
It was where Americans practised for the D-day landings in WW2.
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It looks like the sea is winning. Long after I have gone, I expect this stretch will be breached and Slapton Ley will be saltwater.
We forget that things that seem forever to us are not.
The photo was taken from a moving bus.
In the distance are the boathouses that line the River Cam.
My beacon has been on most of the day.
UPDATE 1835z: Only spotted by 2 stations. Are conditions disturbed?
This is probably as a result of my 2013 stroke rather than old age, but my perception of speed is "different". When driving I think I am doing 65 miles per hour whereas I am actually only going at 45 miles an hour and there is a big queue behind me!
The other thing is reading subtitles: these seem to change faster than I can read them. It makes following foreign language films hard.
It is as if my perception of speed is damaged and my brain operates at a different speed.
At one time driving was a pleasure - no longer.
It is my view that anyone in public office has to be totally honest and serve for the good of the people and not for individual, selfish, good.
It is hard enough not being in the public eye, but those in public office have to be honest with themselves and with those they are in office to serve.
Way back in 1966, Pye Telecom, that I joined in 1970, put an advert in "the Bull" to attract new people. In those days a Radio Amateur licence counted for a lot, before the days of software!
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UPDATE 1928z: It's in New Caledonia. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesterfield_Islands .
My beacon was turned on just before breakfast.
The trouble with wars and conflicts is it impossible to tell who is telling the truth. Both sides in a conflict tend to invoke propaganda to show they are winning or have the upper hand.
Whatever a side says treat it with a degree of skepticism.
If you are in public life it must be hell.
Your every move is looked at, photographed and every little detail picked over.
Recently, with the release of the Epstein files, several people in public life have found themselves in the public eye. Some of the revelations are eye watering.
It is really a dump of my life in amateur radio and you might enjoy some of the projects. I have had lots of fun and wish you can enjoy it too.
It is time I updated it as some of my recent things are not included!
