Sunflowers

This year we had 2 lots of sunflowers grown from seed. 

One lot was directly in the soil and some in a trough. The lot in the soil (and full sun) have now died, but the ones in the trough are still good. 

Sunflowers are cheerful flowers.

Renewable energy

At one time renewable energy was expensive, but not any more. The cost of solar panels in particular has dropped dramatically.  The cost of wind turbines is also much less expensive.

What is lagging behind is distribution and storage. 

Home storage and mass storage batteries are becoming less expensive and their capacity increasing. I am sure with proper investment these could be dramatically improved. Give it a few years. Already 9% of the world's energy comes from solar panels. My guess is this will be over 50% in 10 years.

If storage and distribution also advance, I think we are on the foothills of a major revolution. Imagine energy that does not pollute! We are not there yet, but it is coming.

Oh of course climate change is fake news according to the US president!! Silly me 😄. Unless the USA wakes up, it is in danger of being left behind in a major way.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy

6m 1W FT8 (Monday)

My gear was turned on at about 0825z.

UPDATE 0840z: Spotted by 2 English stations. No Es.

UPDATE 1938z:  106 stations have spotted me today. See map. Plenty of Es! 1W FT8 to a V2000 vertical!

10m 200mW WSPR (Monday)

My beacon was turned on at about 0825z.

UPDATE 0836z: Already 7 stations spotting me. These look like Es.

UPDATE 1939z: 52 stations have spotted me with the best V51RS (8481km) plus a couple in the USA. See map by VK7JJ of WSPR Rocks. 

It never fails to amaze me how well just 200mW 10m WSPR does.

Sunspots - Monday August 24th

 Solar flux is 128 and the SSN 73. A=6 and K=2.

Nuclear fusion - nearer than we thought?

For years and years people have been working on nuclear fusion, which promises almost limitless energy without pollution.  

A few years ago, a breakthrough was made with more energy out than put in. It has still not been commercialised. I shall believe it when I see it!

Back on 6m FT8 (Sunday)

This weekend I got my reconditioned i5 Windows 11pro PC from the Gadget Centre in Plymouth for a bargain price of £174.99.  It looks absolutely mint (just like new) and comes with a 1 year guarantee.

This morning  I got WSJT-X working on 6m TX and RX using it.  This will be its main use.

UPDATE 2006z: Now on 1W 6m FT8 TX. 47 stations spotted me from all over Europe today. QRT.

10m 200mW WSPR (Sunday)

My TX beacon was turned on at about 0700z.

UPDATE 1021z:  8 stations spotting me. 

UPDATE 2015z:  65 stations spotted me today (see map). QRT.

Sunspots - Sunday August 23rd

 Solar flux is 124 and the SSN 87. A=4 and K=0.

Is the Mecca pact a threat to Trump?

 In the Middle East the USA is (sadly) seen as a spent force. Instead, countries are looking for local allies. They also see China a a reliable ally.