My plan was to go on 160m FT8 RX overnight but for some reason the audio is not getting from the RX to the PC even though nothing has been changed. In the morning I might try reinstalling the WSJT-X software.
23 Oct 2026
CQWW SSB contest - this weekend
This is the BIG contest of the year and a chance to work some rare countries or US states.
In the past I have worked the USA with just 2.5W with a handheld rig indoors on the bed with just a whip on the rig!
In recent years with my poor voice I have often forgotten about it!
160m FT8 RX overnight
UPDATE 0627z: 213 stations spotted mostly around Europe
US dollar and bonds
It seems to me that the USA is heading for trouble.
It has huge debts that are currently sold to places like China and Japan but the interest rates are now very high. In Japan you can get competitive rates within Japan so there’s no good reason to buy US debt. Also China is reducing its holdings of US debt.
The danger is this leads to a fall in the value of the dollar and people deciding to trade in a new reserve currency instead. This could take years but the signs are there.
Caveat Emptor.
22 Oct 2026
160m FT8 RX (Thursday)
Once again I am on 160m FT8 RX with my IC-705 and earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. I intend to leave it running overnight.
UPDATE 2209x: So far, 158 stations spotted.
Our Close
The trees on the green in our close are changing colour and losing leaves.
Mizuho rigs
These were Japanese rigs. I still have an MX-2 2m QRP SSB portable, but it has not been used in many years. I think the Mizoho rigs are no longer made.
One was the SB-2M, which was a 1W 2m SSB portable. I think these date from the 1980s?
Mizuho made some great transceivers.
Autumn late
Latest Meidas video
The Meidas Network is definitely anti President Trump. My advise is to seek out a range of views and make up your own mind.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
