The impression I am getting is the IC705 is a few dB more sensitive than my Zachtek WSPR RX. At the moment I am monitoring 630m WSPR RX using my IC-705.
Just now I tried my Zachtek WSPR RX out by trying to decode my own signals. Success. Overnight I may go on 630m WSPR RX using it.
UPDATE 1704z: For some reason, no decodes of mine appear on WSPRnet. Is this me or WSPRnet? I think it is me.
We appear to be in the midst of a solar storm. Last night the aurora was visible far further sound than normal. I would have expected good auroral conditions on 10m, 6m,4m and 2m.
Since I retired , I have really enjoyed learning just for fun. I have enjoyed a variety of subjects, some well away from things I would have gravitated to. No exams, no coursework, no homework - pure fun. Most have been in Cambridge and a few on Zoom. Being Cambridge we have a huge range of courses, often given by ex-university lecturers.
This term one of my courses was by Zoom about the ills of the brain. The lecturer is supposed to have given the course already last year. It was clear even last week at the first talk of a series of 10 that she knew nothing about Zoom and I have now given up! One week I might have forgiven.
Last week she stopped 50 minutes early as she ran out of slides. Today she had to call a neighbour in to show her how to share her screen! If it was me I would have made sure that I knew the technology and had additional slides "just in case".
President Trump puzzles lots of people.
I can understand that he wants to make the USA strong. I can understand he wants to make the USA secure. What I don't understand his insistence on owning Greenland and imposing tariffs on his allies who oppose him. Surely he can achieve all the security he seeks within NATO?
It looks like he is playing into the hands of the Russia and Chinese leadership by potentially breaking up NATO and probably just walking away from Ukraine.
In May he was (allegedly) in favour of returning the Chagos Is to Mauritius and leasing back the US airbase. Now he is rude about it.
He is an enigma to so many.
In the end (in the next 20 years?) much of the world will decide they cannot (as in the past) rely on the USA in future and progressively move trade away from the USA. I can see the US dollar not being the world's reserve currency.
My beacon was turned on about breakfast time. Just local spots probably due to solar storms.
There are few visitors at this time of year.
My beacon was turned on before breakfast.
UPDATE 0812z: Just spots by a local so far.
With Denmark much in the news lately, perhaps I should introduce him.
In amateur radio there are many things still to try.
For example 23cm beacon hunting, /P 23cm UKAC, using my SDR receiver properly, monitoring 630m WSPR, SSTV, etc,etc..
Time and again I say, "there's always tomorrow".
When I was working time really mattered. In retirement, things can wait. Hopefully, there will be tomorrow to do these things.
The trouble is the list keeps growing! 😀
My gear was turned on at 1435z.
UPDATE 1441z: Spotted by no stations? Odd. Perhaps a reset is called for.
UPDATE 1450z: PC reset. But spotted by G8SEI (133km) 11 minutes ago, so perhaps things were fine.
This radio was first introduced in 2020. Its price in the UK has recently been reduced. My personal opinion is that it represents much better value than the Yaseu FTX-1.
I have no idea what plans ICOM has for the future, but an IC-705A with a new form factor, an auto ATU built in, 4m, and USB-C socket would not surprise me aimed at the portable handheld market. They have the electronics, and could even use the same case.
Everywhere there are hints of new life. Snowdrops are coming out and I have even seen a few daffodils in flower. Spring is still a way off, but it is getting better.
Suddenly this frozen landmass has come into sharp focus with President Trump of the USA wanting to own it.
He claims he has to own it to defend it, despite Denmark and Greenland being in NATO. It is interesting that it has lots of rare earth materials as well.
Most countries of the world are opposed to the USA owning it unless the people of Greenland agree. They have the right to determine their future.
Since the end of WW2, the US dollar has been the reserve currency of world trade, but recent events have brought that into question. In the short-term this may continue, but what about the future?
Way back during WW2 Keynes suggested a neutral "currency" called the Bancor that clearing banks only could use in world trade.
BRICS countries have suggested something else in place of the US dollar.
I do not know the future, but it seems clear the USA under President Trump is moving away from world trade, so the US dollar no longer makes sense as the world's reserve currency. Also, if the US dollar loses value what then?
Maybe it is time to reconsider the Bancor?
My beacon was turned on at 0754z.
UPDATE 1200z: So far, 4 stations have spotted me with the best HZ1SF (4939km).
There is no doubt that meat prices are now very high. People are looking for lower cost alternatives that taste really good.
Probably we are being gently brainwashed through adverts to change our habits. It would not surprise me at all if meat consumption was down 50% in 20 years.
I enjoy my meat but, to be honest, many plant based alternatives are just as good. Yesterday I had a plant based minced pie and it was just as tasty. Although definitely not a vegetarian, I could be.
Also, in the last 10 years non-alcoholic beers have been transformed, Many now taste as good as beers with alcohol and there is far more choice.
See https://vu3dxr.in/hotel-antenna-for-2-meter-and-70-centimeter-amateur-bands/
I am sure if you are an experimenter you could make a fold-up version with old co-ax.
My gear was turned on about 5 minutes ago.
UPDATE 1509z: So far, spotted by just 5 English stations. Best DX is 171km away. This could be aircraft reflection , scatter, or normal flat-band tropo. Of course for a two-way QSO the path has to be open for long enough for the basics to be exchanged i.e. several minutes.
I watch quite a few videos about the Ukraine and Russia. Most say that inside Russia things are getting very hard, and now even harder with falling oil prices.
It would appear (outwardly at least) that Putin wants a new Russian Empire. He sees the destruction of Ukraine as a separate nation as something worth fighting for. The fall of Russia internally seems to be very slow in happening.
If the USA is pulled out of supporting Ukraine, I think the wrong message will be sent to the world that bullying succeeds.
Once a month I go on the 70cm activity contest (UKAC) organised by the RSGB.
Because of my poor voice I usually stay on for only the first 30 minutes.
I only use 10W pep and a 144MHz big-wheel omni. Despite these limitations I still manage to work over 100km away most times. No doubt the antenna at the other end helps!
It is usual to say the UK is "going to the dogs" and getting worse, but a recent article on the BBC sheds a different view. Whilst many older people have decreased confidence, confidence is increasing in younger people.
As the year progresses, inflation and interest rates are likely to fall.
It is generally, bleak, treeless and windy.
In the last few weeks they have had snowstorms.
Being that far north, days are short in winter.
My beacon was turned on at 1038z.
UPDATE 1044z: So far, spotted by EA8BFK (2880km).
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UPDATE 1046z: So far 5 English stations have spotted me.
At the moment there is a lot of doubt about the claims of a small company revealing a solid state battery at CES that could revolutionise transport.
This one of many videos that expresses doubts. I guess we will have to wait and see.
It is true that companies have invested billions and are amazed if a small company really has "cracked it". Time will tell if this really is a breakthrough or just hype.
This was obviously created with the help of AI.
My beacon has been on since breakfast.
UPDATE 1056z: Spotted by 3 stations with the best EA8BFK (2880km).
We are lucky to live right next door to Burwell windmill. It is fully restored. Here it is in full sail with the sails turning. The fantail ensures the main sails point into the wind.
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In this video, the poster thinks President Trump is using his strategy outlined in his book "The Art of the Deal" to get a better deal with Denmark. It would appear most things the US president does is think about foreign policy as deals.
So far, with 200mW WSPR, it has reached 5 continents,
All timing is by GPS, which is built-in. Once programmed the unit needs no PC, so can run unattended. Mine comes covering 40m-6m. I also bought the all band RX, but I have not used this yet.
My beacon was turned on after breakfast,
UPDATE 1321z: So far, just EA8BFK (2880km) and an SV spotting me.
Presldent Trump has made some bold claims about the US economy. These have been fact checked by the BBC.
See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cz6yg15lpw9t
Some would appear to be incorrect.
Is it only me, but I have come across not one person (absolutely no-one at all, really) outside of the USA that has a good word to say about the leaders of the USA currently. To many they appear brash and arrogant. This is sad as I have always found Americans kind and generous. Yet very many voted for Mr Trump. What he does in the USA i cannot comment on, but I can express my personal views as an outsider.
My gear was turned on after breakfast.
UPDATE 1540z: 15 stations spotting me with plenty in mainland Europe.
My beacon was turned on at breakfast time.
UPDATE 0950z: One SV has spotted me.
My 10m WSPR beacon was turned on at about 1510z.
UPDATE 1815z: So far, spotted by 43 stations. See table. See Map from WSPRrocks by Phil VK7JJ.
I am a great QRP fan. This video may inspire you. Without any amplification on RX I expect the RX is deaf, so best not call CQ, but answer other people's calls.
Events are moving very fast. This was written at 1012z on January 13th, so events may already have changed when you read this.
At the moment Donald Trump has threatened intervention, but not carried this out. It is clear that lots of Iranian people are deeply upset with, amongst other things, inflation that is making some foods totally too costly for many. If there was to be a revolution, there is no clear leader emerging. As I write we wait and see.
UPDATE 1631z: Trump promises protesters help is on the way. See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cj691w2e840t.
