Russia

 Allegedly, President Trump has signed an executive order than delays some additional sanctions on Russia that the US congress has approved. My reading, my view, (others may differ) is that President Trump is losing patience with Ukraine's President Zelensky. 

According to this video, Russian regions are short of cash. 

At some point Ukraine has to decide to carry on fighting or give in to those nations more powerful than Ukraine. With winter approaching, this is a hard decision.  I am sure both sides have faults (Ukraine and Russia). 

I wish both sides could end the senseless war and come out of it feeling they have won.

10m 1W FT8 (Saturday)

 My gear was turned on at about 0940z.

UPDATE 1134z:  74 stations spotting me so far, many probably via F2 propagation.

160m FT8 overnight

 As usual, I went on 160m FT8 RX overnight.

UPDATE 0737z: Spotted 199 stations.

Sunspots - Saturday October 17th

 Solar flux is 131 and the SSN 81. A=12 and K=1.

160m FT8 RX (Friday)

 My gear is on 160m FT8 RX this evening and overnight with the IC-705 and the earth electrode "antenna" in the ground.

UPDATE 2008z: 132 stations spotted.

6m 1W FT8 (Friday)

 My gear was turned on at about 0550z.

UPDATE 0620z:  Just 2 English spots so far.

UPDATE 1607z:   Spotted mainly in England (see map) but some continental stations have spotted me too.

UPDATE 1721z: Spotted by 14 stations,

160m FT8 RX overnight

 Overnight, 192 stations were spotted using the earth electrode “antenna” in the ground. All were in Europe.

Sunspots - Friday October 16th

 Solar flux is 126 and the SSN 104. A=9 and K=3.

Midterm elections

In a few weeks time the USA is expected to vote in the midterm elections. Assuming these go ahead, they could affect the mix in congress and even the senate. 

Assuming President Trump does nothing to interfere, the Democrats could hold the balance of power, which could severely "clips the wings" of President Trump.

160m FT8 RX (Thursday)

 My gear (IC-705 and the earth electrode "antenna" in the ground) was turned on earlier this evening.

UPDATE 2140z:   So far, spotted by 136 stations with the best DX RD8X (3144km).