Crash coming?

Both the US debt and the UK debt is in our own currencies, so in the last resort we can always pay our debts. So the USA and the UK cannot go bust, but stock markets can (and will) crash. This can lead to recessions or even depressions. It could be extremely painful for everyone.

10m 200mW WSPR (Thursday)

As the thunderstorm risk is low this morning, shall turn my beacon on shortly. 

UPDATE 1032z: Beacon on. 9 stations spotting me.

Thunder threat?

 As there is an increasing risk of thunderstorms I may give operation a miss today.

Sunspots - Thursday August 20th

 Solar flux is 126 and the SSN 78. A=20 and K=2.

Lord Howe Island

 Since a child I have been fascinated by small remote islands. 

In my advanced years it is highly unlikely I will ever get to these. However, thanks to YouTube videos I am able to dream.

10m 200mW WSPR TX (Wednesday)

 My beacon was turned on earlier this  morning.

 UPDATE 1243z: 16 stations have spotted me.

Sunspots - Wednesday August 19th

 Solar flux is 125 and the SSN 71. A=25 and K=2.

Times are changing

In the last few years we have had some innovations that allow simple stations to work the world like FT8.

At the same time fewer young people (generally) are coming into the hobby, putting the hobby under threat. Also (certainly in the UK and USA) PTTs to want less bureaucracy especially if it generates no income.

Many national amateur radio societies are working hard to buck the trend.

In the end, I cannot see amateur radio surviving as it has in the past. What the future holds I do not know. 

I really hope that people continue to experiment and innovate, which is how our great hobby started.

10m 200mW WSPR (Tuesday)

My beacon was turned on just after breakfast 

UPDATE 1312z:   42 stations have spotted me.

I do not get it

 The president of the USA gave another press briefing in the White House. I was not very impressed, although I accept others may not agree.