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.
22 Aug 2026
10m 200mW WSPR TX (Saturday)
My beacon has been on for some hours.
UPDATE 1410z: Spotted by 102 stations in Europe.
21 Aug 2026
West Bank (Israel and Palestine)
From the outside looking in, it seems Israel is being heavy-handed over the West Bank. Yes, historically there may have been some reference to this being part of the Holy Land, but those who are there now are simple farmers who just want to live in peace, I think.
Surely we all have to live together in peace.
Is Es changing?
In previous years towards the end of the Es season I seem to get more stations in the north of Europe for some reason.
I still see stations in the south of Europe, but there is a noticeable increase in more northerly stations. I guess this could even be some different form of propagation.
So far this year I have not noticed this. It is still August so things may yet change.
I wonder if others have noticed this? This is definitely not scientific, just a gut feel.
USA treasury debt
As I understand things, US treasury debt (sold as bonds) now exceeds $40trillion, which is a huge number. Combined with high interest rates, this creates an enormous and worsening problem in the USA. The US economy is very big, but servicing this debt is a real problem. The debt is still growing.
The US dollar has been the reserve currency of the world since WW2. What would happen if China decided to buy oil in the Chinese currency (Yuan) instead and the rest of the world followed!!
I am no economic expert, but I can see China becoming the dominant world power and the sun setting on the USA. In the Middle East, the USA is seen as not providing security and putting Arab countries more at risk.
10m 200mW WSPR TX (Friday)
My beacon was turned on at 0817z.
UPDATE 1902z: 78 stations in Europe spotting me.
qFT8 app
My attention to this was drawn by Steve G1KQH,
My PC has been playing up so I can only use my Chromebook.
The FT8/4 app worked immediately on RX when connected to my IC-705. On TX it uses VOX and there must be insufficient level to trigger TX with my current IC705 settings.
8m band in the UK
In the UK 8m is unavailable to the amateur radio service. Instead people have to apply for an I&T licence which costs £50 every year.
To my knowledge 5 EU countries plus South Africa have granted amateurs access to this band, usually with some restrictions. There may well be more. Many more have given experimental access outside of the amateur radio service
Judging by the ease that OFCOM have issued I&T licences, often with high power, all modes and wide frequency coverage and zero traceability (no callsigns needed), they do not seem to be the block. It looks like the RSGB is dead against it!
This is very very sad when, especially in the years around solar maximum, so much research and experimentation would have been possible.
Earlier this week I wrote to the spectrum committee and the general manager asking them to try and get behind the push.
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