Sunspots - Tuesday October 20th

 Solar flux is 121 and the SSN 66. A=2 and K=1.1

160m FT8 RX (Monday)

 My gear was turned on at about 1730z.

UPDATE 2110z:  148 stations have been spotted.

Does Putin have something on Trump?

This is a question many people ask. President Trump appears to be siding with Russia and this is a possible explanation. This video explores this.  

Like many, I would like a just peace as soon as possible. Personally, I would find it tragic if Ukraine had no choice but to give in.

10m 1W FT8 (Monday)

 My gear was turned on mid morning.

UPDATE 1217z:  So far, 108 stations have spotted my QRP and 96 stations spotted here.

UPDATE 1800z: 229 stations have spotted me (see map).

Pompeii 2017

Back in 2017 we visited Pompeii in Italy. You may remember it was covered in volcanic ash from Vesuvius in AD79. Effectively it became a time capsule.

Being just a few years after my 2013 stroke I was unsure if I could get around. I was fine. 

What struck me was how similar really life was 2000 years ago. There were shops, takeaways, streets, homes just like now. People were really the same.

160m FT8 RX overnight

Once again, I was monitoring 160m FT8 RX with the IC-705 and earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. 223 stations were spotted here (see map) with the best Asiatic Russia RA0AF (5588km). Nothing across the Atlantic.

Sunspots - Monday October 19th

 Solar flux is 137 and the SSN 82. A=6 and K=0.

160m FT8 RX (Sunday)

My gear was turned on at about 1600z.

UPDATE 1739z:  So far, 76 stations have been spotted. See map.

UPDATE 1921z:  101 stations spotted.

Extreme minimalist QRP

 This video shows the construction of a single valve QRP transceiver.

Still looking good

We live opposite the village museum. Despite being well into autumn, the flowers still look good.