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.
My gear (IC-705 and the earth electrode "antenna" in the ground) was turned on earlier this evening.
UPDATE 2118z: So far, spotted by 131 stations with the best DX RD8X (3144km).
In recent years they have lost a big contract maintaining military aircraft. It is closing the airport in the next few years.
They clearly think there is more money selling the land for houses. There was once a car dealership here (12 dealerships?), but now all bulldozed for houses.
UPDATE 1706z: 151 stations have spotted me today. See map.
From my reading, the US government is trying to make Ukraine give in to Russia. Personally I find this sad.
The Knowledge this morning said that allegedly President Zelensky feels betrayed by the USA; it halted attacks on Russian oil refineries just as the USA had wanted. Now these attacks are being restarted and the war goes on.
In my view, the world is changing: for now, those with power and wealth rule the world, sadly. I think the world is due for a big shock. Maybe then we will wake up. Assuming we are not wiped out, I can see the world changing markedly in the next 20 years.
Once again I was on 160m FT8 RX using my earth electrode “antenna“ in the ground. 132 stations were spotted with the best Asiatic Russia at 5588km.
UPDATE 0822z: 4 stations have spotted me with the best a station in Armenia.
UPDATE 1600z: 116 stations have spotted me. See map.
Last evening and overnight I went on FT8 RX again. 128 stations were spotted but nothing yet from across the Atlantic.
The war in the Middle East is spreading and my personal view is President Trump is like a rabbit in the headlights, not knowing what to do next.
If he escalates does he have the munitions? Putting more soldiers in harms way would be deeply unpopular at home.
He is looking for a way out without losing face.
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| Stations spotting me |
UPDATE 1534z: Spotted by 61 stations with most in the USA. I can only assume that, although WSPR is popular on some bands, most 10m users prefer FT8 to WSPR. It looks like 10m FT8 beckons tomorrow! See map of stations spotting me.
UPDATE 1548z: 70 stations have spotted me.
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| Stations spotted here on 10m FT8 RX |
My little beacon has been on since breakfast.
UPDATE 1302z: No spots yet. Usually I start getting spots around lunchtime.
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This college was where some of the scenes from the comedy film "Porterhouse Blue" were filmed.
UPDATE 1306z: Mostly English stations have spotted me with just one at any distance - EA1NL (1289km). See map of stations spotting me.
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My impression is that FT8 is more popular than WSPR at least on this band.
Only 12 different stations were spotted on WSPR whereas there were hundreds on FT8. WSPR is still used, but many now prefer FT8.
The map shows the stations spotted on 160m WSPR last night. DP0POL is actually /MM on a ship crossing the North Sea.
For a change, I am trying 160m WSPR RX rather than FT8 this evening and overnight.
UPDATE 1812z: Just 2 UK spots so far.
UPDATE 1143z: So far 7 stations have spotted me mainly in England with one spot from Germany.
For a while now China has been dominating the world battery market. India has announced a technology that might change that.
UPDATE 1036z: As usual, spots from the Canary Is. and also 4X1DA (3592km). See map from WSPR Rocks.
Last night was a disappointing time on 160m FT8 with 127 stations spotted. I may try again this evening. Most of the stations were European.
This evening and overnight I am again monitoring 160m FT8.
UPDATE 2106z: 47 stations spotted. Nothing outside Europe yet.
According to the BBC, Ukraine and Russia have agreed an "energy ceasefire". I really hope this is the start of the long road to peace. This is such a waste of lives and property.
See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6pvg4jyz1m0o
UPDATE 1615z: This is a Trump announcement. Russia has not (yet?) agreed to it. President Trump wishing?
What is happening in the USA is being watched by the world. It looks like the USA has walked into a mess.
As I have said many times before, every single person I have had dealings with from the USA has been kind and generous.
This is a channel I enjoy and I hope you do too. He never claims to be an expert, but is not afraid to have a go.
My gear was turned on after lunch.
UPDATE 1429z: Just 4 English stations spotting me. No DX.
UPDATE 1437z: 3 stations have spotted me with the best Brazil. See map from WSPR Rocks.
Thanks to Tim GW4AXE, my new challenge is to be amateur satellite operation. He tells me some software really helps. See https://oscarwatch.org .
I think my first step will be FT4 RX using the V2000 omni antenna. I need to download the software later.
Back in the early 1970s I remember the thrill of hearing east coast USA stations on 2m SSB RX via Oscar 6 and 7. My only satellite QSO was 2m to 10m (I think) but I cannot recall the satellite. It must have been near sunspot minimum when 10m was quiet. Probably some time in the 1980s?
UPDATE 0930z: Excuse my total ignorance but what are “TLEs” please? It sounds like I should know, but don’t!!
UPDATE 1335z: What should have been really easy wasn’t for me because of my brain fog. I was expecting to get a standard download but instead was presented with a load of GitHub files. I downloaded what I thought was the right one, then nothing. For now I have given up. My brain fog is the result of my 2013 stroke - it’s like walking through treacle all the time and my head is never clear.
Using my invisible earth electrode “antenna “ in the ground 265 stations were spotted . Nothing yet from across the Atlantic.
Once again, I am on 160m FT8 RX this evening and overnight.
UPDATE 2008z: 160 stations spotted so far.
We seem to be at a threshold where we are capable of making AI machines that are far more intelligent than humans.
If we can do it, imagine a civilisation that is just a tiny bit more advanced than us. Imagine a civilisation 1000 years more advanced or 1 million years more advanced. Look how we have developed technologically in just 100 years!
It is quite possible that what in the past we would have interpreted as biological might actually be something else altogether.
This brings into question what is life. Do AI creations have a sense of their being? Do they have thoughts? Do they feel pain and happiness?
Are all humans AI creations?
My beacon was turned on shortly after breakfast.
UPDATE 1430z: 5 stations spotting me and the best is Brazil.
In all, 189 stations were spotted,mostly in Europe. See map.
The map shows the stations contacted.
One could be forgiven for thinking that the current US government is not interested in what happens in Ukraine. As I understand things, most people in the USA want Ukraine to win and live in peace.
It seems to me what the current motives of the US administration are: get fuel prices down and try to get the best results in the mid-term elections. If I am wrong, I stand to be corrected.
Is the world now run by rich people only interested in themselves? I am saddened if this is the case.
High office in any country of the world should come with the interests of the citizens of a nation first and foremost. I see little evidence.
UPDATE 1600z: Just 5 English stations have spotted me all day. See map.
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At about 1620z, I turned on 160m FT8 RX using my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. This (I think) forms a loop in the ground and is remarkably effective at LF and MF.
UPDATE 2026z: So far, 105 stations spotted.
These are popular versions of protocols for licence free ISM communications at 868MHz in Europe or 915MHz in the USA.
Recently I found out that members of the Cambridge Radio Club (CDARC) are forming a Meshcore group.
This reminds me of the early days of the internet and, earlier, the battle between Betamax and VHS video recording. It still feels like it is immature and one system will win.
At the moment I am watching from the sidelines waiting for things to become more mature.
My memory goes back to the Vietman War, when we were brainwashed to believe the Vietcong was evil and the USA perfect. I am sure Ukraine is far from perfect, but they are a sovereign nation that wants to forge its own path into the future.
The USA has appeared as a poor friend of NATO and Ukraine, and if we can believe it, is more interested in deals that benefit the inner circle of those close to power in the USA rather than the common person in the USA or Ukraine. In the "fog of war" it is hard to know the truth. Probably there are good and bad points with the USA, Ukraine and Russia.
My hope is that this senseless war will soon end in a just peace and everyone can get on with their lives in peace.
I have long advocated something a bit like Germany after WW2: East Ukraine, which is under Russian influence and the rest of Ukraine never becoming a member of NATO. Over time Putin and Trump will not be around and we might be living in a very different world.
Most people just want to live in peace, right across the world.
I see you can buy 2 from Amazon UK for £11.99. Probably you can buy these for less with a bit of hunting.
Normally, these are digital transceivers, but I am sure those with any brains would be able convert them to other modes.
If I was fit again I would have a go myself. Sadly I am not.
I made some this week and it turned out well tasting very good.
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This morning, after getting some compost and bulbs, we called into their cafe for brunch and coffee.
With a number of drone probes, it looks like Russia is testing NATO's resolve, especially as President Trump seems friendly with Putin and sees many of the USA's traditional allies as enemies.
In the past the USA was seen as reliable: not any more sadly.
My gear was turned on at about 1030z.
UPDATE 1047z: Just one English station spotting me.
As usual, I am on 630m WSPR RX this evening and overnight.
UPDATE 2005z: 7 stations spotted so far.
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| Spots of me at 1428z |
UPDATE 1717z: 29 stations spotting me so far. 28 stations spotted here on RX. My best spot on 1W FT8 TX is 9J2FI (7996km).
Before my 2013 stroke I really enjoyed experimenting "in the field". I experimented from very very low frequencies right up to optical. These days I experiment from home. I can drive, but generally do not.
The tree in the back garden (still green and in leaf) was taken yesterday.
The USA has evacuated all its bombers from RAF Fairford. It looks like their intelligence has indicated a possible terrorist threat, presumably from Iran. They were using the UK base as a staging post to bomb Iran "for defensive purposes". Personally, I am glad that they have gone.
In a few moments I propose to try 160m FT8 in the evening and overnight with my earth electrode antenna in the ground.
In theory the loop should get better as the frequency decreases and the skin depth increases.
UPDATE 1613z: My RX was turned at about 1605z. No spots.
UPDATE 2130z: 90 stations spotted.
At the moment I am on 80m FT8 RX using the electrode antenna in the ground. I think 80m is probably the highest frequency where it will be any good as an antenna.
Maybe I should try 20m FT8 RX with the endfed antenna?
UPDATE 1545z: So far, 428 stations spotted on 20m FT8 RX. It's too easy on 20m FT8 RX.
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It had no internet and the additional drives that plugged in were I think 125k, which seemed huge back then.
At the time it felt a great leap forward. It had a monochrome display, but we knew no better.
These days it looks very backward. I think somewhere I still have mine.
The museum is amazing and must be one of the best local museums in the country.
We enjoy chatting to visitors who, without fail, are amazed by the extent and content.
When little, our grandchildren always wanted to go. One even thought the grass outside the windmill was part of our garden!
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At the moment I fancy trying something different. I am not sure what.
Maybe a different band for FT8?
I shall probably still go on 10m WSPR TX with my beacon.
As is usual now, I was on 630m WSPR RX last evening and overnight and spotted CU8 for the first time.
This is the furthest I have spotted on the band in many years at 2799km. The map shows where I spotted stations.
One of the lessons getting old teaches you is nothing lasts for ever.
Things that have always seemed the same change. Grandchildren grow up, people die , places change.
At one level things seem the same but always things are changing.
The passing of time is very odd. Nothing is for ever, except perhaps love.
My beacon was turned on at about 0645z.
My gear was turned on at about 0745z.
UPDATE 0817z: Spotted by 5 stations with the best GI.
We are approaching a tipping point with EVs. With the price of diesel and supply security, this may make this happen sooner.
My TX beacon has been on since about 0945z.
UPDATE 1022z: So far, spotted by I0UVN (1542km) 5 times.
Rather earlier than usual (mid afternoon) I QSYed to 630m WSPR RX.
UPDATE 1508z: Just G0MRF (139km). spotted.
This is one of the best blogs around for amateur radio related stuff.
But I noticed it has not been updated for several months. I hope John is OK.
UPDATE 1047z: In all, 8 European stations spotted with the best 5Q9T (860km in Denmark). See map frpm WSPR Rocks.
It would seem Russia is trying to bring Ukraine to its knees. At the same time the very high cost of the war is bringing a severe strain to the Russian economy starved of western chips and semiconductors. There is a new tax coming in that tries to help Russia make its own and be less dependent on the West. This will take time.
My gear has been on since breakfast.
UPDATE 2102z: Just 5 English stations spotted me - very disappointing.
My beacon was on most of the day from breakfast.
UPDATE 2100z: Today, 3 stations spotted me with the best Israel.
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Yet again, I decided to monitor 630m WSPR RX last evening and overnight.
UPDATE 0819z: In all, 10 stations in Western Europe were spotted. All were spotted before midnight.
It is now October 1st and we are clearly on the decline in the current sunspot cycle. HF conditions on the higher bands become more challenging, but are often better than expected.
It is worth checking the solar cycle on your favourite site and not giving up on the higher HF bands.
My RX was turned on at about 1720z.
UPDATE 1921z: 4 stations spotted. I think signals are weaker - is that because we had rain and the effective "loop in the ground" is smaller?
This looks like a very critical review of this new Chinese transceiver from Xiegu.
The thrust of the video is that Japanese quality is good, whereas this has often not been the case with Chinese products.
My advice is never buy early products as they often have bugs in the hardware and software that get corrected on later models.
At about 1310z I changed to 10m 1W FT8.
UPDATE 1317z: So far, 4 stations have spotted my 1W including 2 in the Caribbean.
This is the first video I have seen tearing down the G7250. It looks well made. This was a prototype from Radio Oddity.
My beacon was turned on at about 0650z.
My gear was turned on at about 0650z.
UPDATE 1047z: So far, just 5 English stations spotting me.
In my view every human life of whatever colour or creed has equal value. It matters not whether you are rich or poor or where you live.
Which is why I am puzzled by settler violence in the West Bank. Although I never believe in violence, I can understand why some people conflate Israel with the current government of Israel and have a hatred of the violence being committed.
I heard today that oil reserves off the Falkland Islands are being explored by private companies in Britain and Israel. Personally I think this is all about human greed and why the UK is so anxious to hang on to the Falkland Islands. The cynicism in me says we would not have been so bothered if there were no oil reserves. Yes the folks there have every right to self-determination but I am skeptical of the UK’s real motives.
Yet again I went on 630m WSPR last evening and overnight . In all, 8 stations were spotted with the best a German station near Berlin and a station in Norway. All the stations were received before midnight.
UPDATE 1501z: 6 English stations have spotted me.
My beacon was turned on before breakfast.
UPDATE 1236z: 3 stations spotting me.
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A solid QSO was had with a station in the USA was obtained within 10 minutes!
Especially with BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) members there has been a move to replace the US $ as the currency of international trades with a digital currency mBridge. There have been disagreements within BRICS members and Saudi Arabia has said it will not do trades in mBridge and stick with the $. Over time I can see this as real possibility.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MBridge .
My beacon was turned on at about 0830z.
UPDATE 1452z: Spotted by 3 stations with the best 4X1DA (3592km).
UPDATE 1739z: 8 UK stations spotting me. Are some aircraft scatter?
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...
