Aunt - Saturday September 5th

 Solar flux is 110 and the SSN 72. A=4 and K=2.

Surprise tomatoes

Several months ago my wife bought some flower plants at the church fete. 

Imagine my surprise when some tomato plants appeared in the same pot! They are starting to become real tomatoes!

6m 1W FT8 (Friday)

 

My gear has been on most of the day, but QRT soon.  In all, 12 stations have spotted me (see map).

Sunspots - Friday September 4th

 Solar flux is 108 and the SSN 37. A=3 and K=7.

Billionaires rule?

It seems to me that the world is ruled by billionaires. It seems true in the USA and Russia and probably true in other countries too.  The danger is they have the money to influence results.

To me, I think most wars in the past were caused by rich people but fought by ordinary folk . I am sure most ordinary folk want to live in peace.

Russia and Ukraine

 This "special military  operation" is now over 4 years old and should have been a few days. How it will all end is anyone's  guess.

Solar power

In recent years, solar panels have come a very long way. They are now far less expensive and more efficient. 

In China as much power is now generated by solar as coal. If energy storage is also made smaller,cheaper and better, solar will clearly replace coal. 

The USA? It is in great danger of being left behind.

2m FT8 activity contest

Stations spotted on 2m FT8
yesterday evening

My 2m antenna is just a big-wheel omni with perhaps a very slight gain in the horizontal plane. 

It never fails to astound me how far away stations can be spotted. 

I wonder if with FT8 we can tap into weak troposcatter signals?

End of the Es season

 We are now at the very end of the Es season. Openings can occur at any time, but are usually far less common. What often happens is people abandon the higher HF bands and 6m sadly.

10m 200mW WSPR (Thursday)

My beacon was turned on at about 0754z.

UPDATE 1512z:  9 stations spotting me.