My gear was turned on mid-morning.
UPDATE 1026z: Spotted by 69 stations with the best D4L (4517km) in Cape Verde Islands. Good Es again today with 500mW.
UPDATE 1411z: Spotted by 264 stations today. On 6m FT8 RX quite a few stations in the USA and Caribbean spotted.
My beacon was turned on early morning.
UPDATE 1021z: So far spotted by 33 stations. Good Es.
There were lots of USA stations spotted on RX and 80 stations spotted overall after a mid-afternoon start.
500mW seems quite enough!
Although not a great football fan, I watched some of the matches. The best team, Spain, won.
Overall, I do not think this will go down in history as a great set of games: some venues were hot and humid, tickets were very expensive and the fans had lots of travel.
President Trump, allegedly, knew little about the game and overall FIFA appeared grovelling. I am not saying they were, but that was how it appeared to me.
I was glad President Trump did not make a speech at the end.
My gear was turned on at about 1415z.
UPDATE 1428z: Spotted by F6BNX (1099km) and EA8JF (2831km).
At one time it was weddings, then Christenings. Soon it will be funerals!
It seems many of my friends are now starting to show the signs of old age.
My shack PC is playing up again.
When I try to enter my PIN, it thinks I am offline. Apparently this is a common issue with Windows. Last time it just fixed itself, so I shall try again later with fingers crossed.
My intention was to try 500mW FT8 today on 6m.
In the Northern Hemisphere, after the summer solstice, evenings start to get darker earlier. At first, this is slow, but by September it becomes obvious. This year, rather than long for the return of brighter evenings, I intend to just accept them and enjoy them.
Every season has something good.
At present we have summer to be enjoyed.
UPDATE 1351z: 31 stations have spotted me.
Kierkegaard was a famous Danish philosopher. One of his famous sayings (been on before) was:
Despite England being out of the FIFA World Cup final they were clearly hoping plenty would turn out for the third place match which they won 6:4.
I hope that Spain win in the final and President Trump says nothing.
The trouble with YouTube these days is that it is very hard to tell what is real and what is just AI clickbait. I am still on Windows 10! This appeared yesterday.
This is a philosophical question.
We experience time as flowing from the past into the future obeying the laws of thermodynamics that things get more disordered following entropy.
All this could be an illusion in our finite brains.
At the quantum level current theories show some things independent of time and that time does not just flow forward.
I think we just have to admit we do not know.
In my view, President Trump has made matters in the Middle East and the world far worse.
With Israel, he started a war. I assume President Trump was expecting a more pro-Western government to emerge? This has not happened. Iran has emerged stronger.
Iran has long been known as having a nasty government, but the USA is, sadly, seen by many in the world as a bully. This is so sad as when I have been involved with people in the USA they have, without fail, been warm, kind and generous.
The world has been cushioned by the release of strategic reserves, but these cannot go on for ever.
The world is in great danger of a financial shock as a result of the war against Iran, that badly misfired.
My gear was turned on at about 0620z.
UPDATE 1924z: Spotted by 241 stations today. Tomorrow I shall probably try 500mW FT8. QRT soon.
My beacon was turned on at 0620z.
UPDATE 1923z: 49 stations have spotted my little beacon. QRT soon.
You can tell we’re in the Es season as I was widely spotted across Europe on 6m FT8 yesterday.
In all, 237 stations spotted me.
Outside the Es season mostly it’s white noise.
Especially when the weather is good (as in most of the UK recently), many enjoy portable operations with SOTA and POTA becoming popular.
It is not uncommon to leave something at home, especially if lots are being packed.
MLS has produced a video recommending some of the products they sell.
For a change, I am on 2m FT8 with 5W to the big-wheel omni antenna.
UPDATE 1537z: So far, spotted by 10 English stations. Furthest is G7RAU (460km) in Cornwall.
In his time Sir Clive Sinclair was a real innovator.
In my early days at work, I was once asked for my advice from Sir Clive about antennas for his pocket TV. I think there was a possibility of my company developing ICs jointly with Sinclair.
Wisely, I think he chose a different antenna, but it was a highlight of my early years!
For those unfamiliar with these license free mesh systems, the jury is out.
It reminds me a bit like VHS v Betamax. It also reminds me of the early days of the internet, when things were far from mature. It would not surprise me if things quickly mature and one system soon dominates.
In cities where the coverage is good, these systems. that do not depend on the internet, probably work quite well. In rural areas or where coverage is poor, it is probably of limited use at the moment.
I have never used either ...... yet. At the moment I am waiting! I hope it's better than pocket calculators where I waited and waited.😊
We always have some with breakfast and my wife makes a lovely blackberry and apple crumble which is great with ice-cream.
Every Thursday there is an hour long edition of the Trump Report with Professor Scott Lucas.
They were still around in the skies overhead when we had coffee outside just now.
I am pleasantly surprised by the numbers holding up. Numbers have fallen in the last 30 years and they are on the RSPB's red list of endangered species.
My gear was turned on about 0900z.
UPDATE 1817z: So far spotted by 152 stations today. Mostly European Es.
It’s a while since I peeked at activity on this satellite. Activity remains low.
Yes, that is an SMA antenna connector and USB-C charger socket.
My beacon was turned on at about 0520z.
UPDATE 1423z: Spotted by 10 stations by Es.
My beacon was turned on at teatime.
UPDATE 2013z: 23 stations have spotted me.
My gear was turned on at teatime.
UPDATE 2010z: Spotted by 78 stations this evening.
Worldwide, the price of electric vehicles (EVs) is falling.
Batteries are far less expensive and getting better with more range and faster charging.
The USA is in danger of being left behind.
The war in the Middle East is also accelerating this change away from fossil fuels.
When I find my CW key (!) I must try my HW8 (2W) on the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) if the bands are dead.
The RBN logs SDR reception and collects the data, so you can see where your CW signal gets.
Very useful when there is little activity.
See https://www.reversebeacon.net/
Our brains don’t cope with infinity.
We struggle to think of an infinite universe or an infinite number of universes.
With infinity every choice we have ever made may actually exist even though we choose one path.
No, infinity is impossible to imagine.
Shortwave use is changing.
When I was young, there was a raft of shortwave broadcast stations in multiple languages. Many broadcasters have closed for good as most people now get their information by other means including the internet. Some broadcasters have closed to save costs.
Also many amateur bands are far quieter as a result of modes like FT8.
No, things are very different today.
People may think of shortwaves as a backup when the internet or satellites are not available. It would not surprise me if the military reserves multiple frequencies.
FT8 is a popular mode, especially if you are chasing DX. This video gives some tips to optimise FT8. I think sometimes people use FT8 in preference to SSB or FM. This is good in the short-term, but most are very unlikely to find the hobby by chance.
Gmail puts things in a SPAM folder that it thinks is junk. Maybe 1 time in 1000 it gets this wrong so I always do a quick check before deleting.
Most times it tells me (again) that all my photos are about to be deleted and someone has a wet "cat" and desires my company 😂 .
Overall, it does a good job.
There is a real possibility that Spain could win the FIFA Football World Cup .....in the USA.
President Trump allegedly hates Spain. Hmm.... Interesting.
It would seem allegedly that President Trump has made a mess in the Middle East. Iran still has a hard-line government, and the Strait of Hormuz is a choke point.
President Trump claims a victory and says Iran is desperate for a deal .... I have lost count how many times he has said this!
My beacon was turned on just before breakfast,
UPDATE 2048z: 43 stations have spotted me. I am being spotted in the USA with the best KQ2Y (5476km). This station is in Connecticut.
Have you noticed how we are being bombarded by adverts that push proteins? It would seem this is the new fad in advertising.
It would appear many powerful leaders are ignoring future war crimes prosecutions.
Many of the most potent leaders in the world face possible war crimes and (I think) could face prosecution and imprisonment if they landed in certain countries.
No doubt this would lead to diplomatic incidents but could lead to careful travel planning.
Because of the football, I was on later than usual and then only a short while. 4 stations were worked.
Good fun in the football hydration break!!
My beacon has been on since mid-morning.
UPDATE 2041z: 44 stations have spotted me today. Now QRT.
Long after I retired, I found out lots about him I never knew in my work days. He was a brave man involved in the D-Day landings and was a POW.
He was awarded a medal by the French and died in his 90s. If only I had known years before.
This piece appeared in a newspaper some years ago although I have no idea which one!
Often you really know very little about people: you don't really know what their history was or the pain they are going though now.
I know what we are having for breakfast!
You may recall I bought a much modified HW8 some weeks ago. If I could find my CW key I might use it on TX!
This video is years old. In its day the HW8 was a very good rig.
I bought one already made but later sold it back to the person I bought mine from. It worked plenty of DX despite 2W and low wire antennas.
I judge numbers by the number I see in the sky. It has been rare to look up and not see swifts.
People expected numbers to be down as there are fewer nest sites.
They only stay in the UK for a few months. I hope to see them next May. They are still here at the moment, but one day we'll look up and realise they have gone.
It seems we are all becoming more angry.
At one time it was quite normal for people to have different views (often widely apart), but to respect the different views and discuss them amicably.
In particular politics has be come angry. It was far better when we respected views that differed from our own and learned from them. There is no reason for people with different views to get angry.
This is not only true in politics. In society we seem to treat those who hold views that differ from our own with anger.
I am not sure if this is a result of social media, but it is sad. People can hold different views but still be friends.
My beacon was turned on at about 0815z.
UPDATE 1947z: Spotted by 32 stations, presumably Es. Now QRT.
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It was still hot!
This photo was from the bus.
My beacon has been on since mid-morning.
UPDATE 2056z: 28 stations have spotted me. These were probably Es. Now QRT.
Perhaps one of the upcoming rechargeable battery technologies will be based on sodium (i.e. salt).
It is my view that we are on the cusp of a revolution.
Although it has a lower energy density than the best lithium ion batteries, sodium is very plentiful and might make an ideal material for mass storage batteries.
Yesterday, one of the largest UK dealers talked about second hand linears.
Now, each to their own, but this is NOT my idea of amateur radio!
Even the second hand prices are about a hundred times the cost of my first transceiver that worked plenty of DX with simple, low antennas.
As I said "each to their own", but count me out please.
They have matured early with the recent heat.
They are delicious with breakfast.
As mentioned before, I left my beacon running overnight.
UPDATE 1950z: So far today, spotted by 124 stations, most via Es. Best DX are spots in the Canary Is.. Now QRT.
Most of us are now retired.
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As an experiment I left my 200mW 10m WSPR beacon running through the night, suitably supervised. It would appear that Es was there through the night with regular spots from Central Europe when sensible people were asleep.
Fires in EV batteries are very rare.
Nonetheless China has made fires in batteries illegal by law, meaning EV batteries will be even safer. This increases costs slightly, but probably means the take-up of EVs could be greater.
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As I have said before, if I had to give up every other amateur radio magazine, SPRAT would be the one I'd keep.
Back issues are available on a CF stick that represents incredible value.
GQRP membership costs are very modest.
My shack PC runs Windows 10 and has a log-in password. Even though it is connected it insists it is not and is asking me to log-in some other way. How do I do that?
My beacon has been on since breakfast.
The UK company SDRplay make a range of SDR receivers including one which can be used over the internet remotely. I have the RSP1B, which I have hardly used yet.
MLS has a video about the networked version which also says a lot about the SDRconnect software.
President Trump is now in his eighties. It is normal for health to decline as we age. There are several signs that President Trump has passed his best.
Most days I watch the Trump Report on YouTube. The trouble with YouTube now is there are many AI created videos so you have to be careful about sources.
It would seem that a certain leader is very good at annoying his so called allies. He seems to lack tact and manages to leave a sour taste.
This is sad, as I have found everyone in the USA I have had dealings with to be kind and generous. Certainly those visiting the USA for the football have found a warm welcome.
He was correct in asking European NATO allies to pay more. About Spain and Denmark (and Greenland) he is, in my opinion, totally and utterly wrong.
In my view, everything he seems to touch gets worse and not better.
All I ask is:
My beacon was turned on at 0815z.
UPDATE 1711z: 46 stations (probably Es) spotting me.
My gear has been on since 0815z.
UPDATE 1425z: 11 stations spotting me so far. Most are English with, perhaps, one by Es. It would seem there is less Es today on 6m.
A visit to the App Store on my iPhone SE should have taken me straight to the Apple Carplay app so I thought. Wrong. Instead I was faced by a barrage of apps that supposedly allow me to connect my iPhone to the car.
What I am after is the Apple app. assuming there is one? I do not want to download the wrong app.
Surely a giant like Apple would be able to direct me to the correct app immediately on their own app store!
Apparently not.
Anyone know the correct app please?
An Australian company may have the answer to dramatically increasing the range of electric vehicles.
My gear was turned on at about 1133z.
UPDATE 1942z: 336 stations have spotted me today.
My beacon has been on since about 1133z.
UPDATE 1940z: Spotted by 70 European stations.
See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/
Today, I am trying 8m FT8 RX. I might spot a few stations!
UPDATE 1130z: Nobody spotted. This afternoon, I may try 6m 3W again. It seems that interest in 8m is low now we are way after the sunspot maximum.
Yesterday was brilliant on 6m.
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| Stations spotted yesterday on 6m FT8 RX |
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| Stations spotting my 3W 6m FT8 yesterday |
The news was released today that a long-term UK politician (Nigel Farage) has resigned as an MP. He has been questioned recently about payments to him. He claims these donations were for personal protection and did not need to be declared.
Allegedly, one of the UK newspapers published a photo (I think) of where his daughter (?) lived. I am not a supporter of his party, but I am totally opposed to this sort of gutter journalism. It is totally uncalled for.
I have been on 6m FT8 since just before breakfast.
UPDATE 0845z: So far 103 stations have spotted me with the furthest TF2CT (1927km).
These days, with Es, I seem to get better success with 3W FT8 on 6m than 200mW WSPR on 10m.
My little beacon has been on since just before breakfast. Most were spotted by Es.
UPDATE 0847z: Spotted by 25 stations so far.
The spirit of soccer was dented yesterday by the intervention of President Trump. Despite this, the USA was eliminated by Belgium. Personally, I think the game was hurt by this intervention.
Yesterday I was on 10m QRP WSPR. In all, 100 stations spotted me, most by Es.
My beacon has been on since just after lunch.
UPDATE 1244z: 32 stations have spotted me most by Es.
The fences on two of the boundaries were replaced. You can hardly see them now!
At about 0930z, I QSYed to 8m FT8 RX. I think I just missed EA3ERE.
UPDATE 1125z: Just G4FKI spotted. I may go back to 6m FT8 later.
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| Stations spotting me at 1637z |
UPDATE 1637z: Back on 6m FT8. Spotted by 23 stations. Es I presume for many.
My beacon was turned on after breakfast.
UPDATE 1452z: Went QRT, but now back. So far spotted by 4 unique stations, presumably by Es.
Assuming the trains are running smoothly, I should be home later. I have enjoyed my time with my brother in my old haunts.
Back on 6m and 10m probably tomorrow.
When I was still at university I still had hair and was a lot slimmer, HI. I hope the link works as it its a photo of me about 55 years ago!
As mentioned yesterday I went to see an old work colleague who retired here.It’s a lovely place.
Today I am going to Dartmouth to visit an old work colleague who moved here. He’s a licensed radio amateur and very bright.
UPDATE 1554z: Really good catching up with G4IUG.
Yesterday we visited the Pannier Market in Tavistock, UK which sells just about everything!
It started in 1105 and has been going ever since since!!
This week I am visiting my brother in Devon, UK travelling by train. The run along the Devon coast is one of the best in England.
See https://photos.app.goo.gl/LMXRbMhX7we5qhHb7
Judging by yesterday, we really are at the peak of the Es season in the northern hemisphere. Over 100 different stations spotted me when I was using 200mW 10m WSPR.
It usually lasts into September but with reducing intensity and frequency. Then we get F2.
I am unsure if this presenter has been on a presentation course. Perhaps he should go on one! Despite his style (or lack of it, HI) he presents some useful information.
Quite often I go to BBC News to see what is happening around the world. It must be a very hard job deciding the priority of news. Whatever you choose somebody will object.
Personally, I found it odd that the Football World Cup seemed to be more important than the tragic earthquakes in Venezuela where so many people have died or are likely to die under tonnes of rubble.
I realise the Football World Cup is important to many, but is it really the most important thing in the world?
As we have company, I don't expect to go on the radio apart from my 10m WSPR beacon. It is also still hot over here in East Anglia, UK.
UPDATE 1700z: 102 stations spotting me around Europe. More wind and less humidity.
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It appeared as a FB memory, but I have no idea where it originally came from.
Very apt in the modern world where many put personal greed and power ahead of the common good.
Every day I see a report from Google Adsense that is supposed to be the number of visits to this blog daily. I am unsure how this calculated, but it seems to have no basis in reality.
Some days I am supposed to have huge numbers, whereas others I am supposed to have had very few. I am not sure why I look still.
With QRP a good antenna can often help. At the same time many rigs lack tuners.
Amateur Radio Weekly reminded me that a 6dB attenuator drops the power 4 times but always ensures that the load seen by any PA is always less than 1.67:1.
If you can accept this loss and the attenuator is suitably rated, this may be an acceptable solution e.g. for WSPR beacons.
It is probably better to let the YouTube video do the explaining.
My TX beacon was turned on at 0542z.
UPDATE 0550z: Already spotted by 16 European stations. Amazing this early.
UPDATE 1934z: Spotted by 79 stations today. Now QRT.
From tomorrow, the evenings start earlier. It will be sometime before we really notice (about mid September) and I can’t tell you how quickly this has happened!! It seems no time since last Christmas 🥴.
AI is the "big thing" at the moment with promises of big profits.
Perhaps people are beginning to realise AI comes with costs like energy, hardware, data centres etc..
The danger is that people invest in big companies and then wake up to the huge risks, much like in the .com crash earlier this century. The danger signs are there that a correction is coming.
Caveat emptor.
We are right at the peak of the Es season in the Northern Hemisphere. Currently I am on 10m QRP WSPR, where it seems easy to get spots right across Europe.
I suspect the P29 is a pirate sadly.
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| Stations spotting my 200mW 10m WSPR this afternoon |
UPDATE 1844z: 99 stations have spotted me.
There are lots of AI generated videos on YouTube, some of which are just clickbait and absolutely rubbish.
As a way of countering this I try to only watch videos from trusted sources. Even then, be sure this is genuine! Sadly, in this time, it is getting increasingly hard to separate fact from AI generated rubbish.
I urge everyone to view everything with a degree of uncertainty. I always advise getting news from multiple sources. What one outlet says may often be biased.
He died in 1216. He was immortalised in a children's poem by A.A.Milne.
Since getting home, I have been on 10m QRP WSPR .
UPDATE 2048z: Today, 112 stations have spotted me. All (I think) in Europe most by Es. Now QRT.
The UK has experienced the hottest June day since records began. Europe has seen similar record breaking temperatures.
Real climate change. I can think of someone who won’t agree. Wait until dust bowl conditions return in the USA.
UPDATE 1526z: Safely home. Journey was actually very trouble free.
Earlier this week we were with a friend who could remove unwanted objects from a photo very easily. I think was an inbuilt AI feature in her phone.
I downloaded what I thought was the same only to find it was a VERY expensive 7 day free trial, which was useless so I deleted the app immediately.
Does anybody know of a good Apple app that really does this and is not a free trial?
There is a lot of choice these days on the market. The Elecraft KX2/3 are probably the best, but are very expensive especially if adding some of the accessories. They are also not waterproof.
There are other transceivers available.
In the end it comes down to budget and how you are going to use it.
Later this week BBC Long Wave on 198kHz goes QRT for the last time.
We went by the Droitwich TX yesterday on the train. Sad, but inevitable I guess.
What will happen to the spectrum?
As I write this it is not clear what the UK Prime Minister will do, although it is likely that Andy Burnham who is further left wing than the present PM will take office.
We have seen far too many UK Prime Ministers in the last 10 years. I hope the new PM (if there is one!) makes a success.
Already President Trump has weighed in. I would have thought he would want to put his own house in order first.
My gear is on 8m (40.680) FT8 RX. I know activity is way down on 6m.
UPDATE 1711z: No spots. I suspect people are on 6m, 4m and 2m Es.
As I mentioned yesterday, there is a small, but dedicated group of experimenters. In my view, these experimeners will increasingly use licence-free bands such as LoRa at 868 or 915MHz.
In my view, Meshtastic and Meshcore are in their infancy. Given this, I expect we will see maturity in the next 10 years. In theory, these rely on mesh networks and don't depend on the internet. In big cities where coverage is good, this is fine. In rural areas, or areas with poor coverage, meshes may not reliably cover an area. Over time, these gaps are likely to be filled in.
I can imagine we will see "mature" data transceivers in the near future.
Is this where real experimenters will be found?
Increasingly people are watching what they want, when they want, using subscription services. At the same time many broadcasters are trying to save money.
To my mind, I can see an end to linear broadcasting.
Instead people will watch what they want, when they want, all using subscription services. For example we may watch the latest news followed by the weather, followed by a film.
In the end I can see the BBC iPlayer becoming a subscription service and the licence fee in the UK going.
Most people will watch TV using subscription services or listen to things on their smart speakers.
Of course, the danger is we become even more dependent on the internet. What happens if the internet goes off either because of periodic issues or, heaven forbid, hacking?
This is a subject that I have raised on this blog many times. It is a fact that in many countries that the average age of radio amateurs is now very high. Fewer young people are joining the ranks and even fewer stay. Radio no longer is the magic it was to old people.
In my view amateur radio splits into two camps. This may be a simplification.
Some now just prefer to operate, increasingly using digital modes like FT8 with CW and SSB sharply declining. Some of these want to rise to the challenge of DXCC.
A few enjoy the challenge of experimentation. This can take many forms.
Another trend is deregulation, with many PTTS not wanting the hassle of dealing with a service that does not generate money.
In the future I can see a day coming when many PTTs will "throw in the towel" and will no longer police amateur radio and the allocation of callsigns. This could go several ways: amateur radio could merge with CB and become licence free. Experimenters will continue using licence free frequencies or paying for the privilage. Other options may emerge.
What is certain is amateur radio will change.
The windmill right next door looked magical.
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| Stations spotting my 3W 6m FT8 today at 1312z |
UPDATE 1725z: Spotted by 177 stations.
My beacon was turned on at breakfast time.
UPDATE 1730z: Spotted by 26 stations.
A station in the USA has an experimental licence for 4m. This station has been received in the Caribbean, presumably by Es on FT8. I hope it is copied in Europe this summer.
So far, with my set-up, I have not managed to catch any Far East openings on 6m FT8 this summer. They occur as regularly as clockwork about now.
These amazing openings seem to be linked to the formation of noctilucent clouds in the mesosphere. Apparently, with global warming, these are becoming more common.
i guess compared with a beam at a decent height I could be down 10-15dB with my V2000 omni fed with CB coax. This means I could well miss some weak signals. I have spotted 6m Japanese signals in some years.
My gear was turned on at about 0840z.
UPDATE 1106z: So far, spotted by 40 stations.
After a very slow start 2 Spanish stations were spotted later. There is FAR more activity on 6m FT8.
It seems to me (I admit I may be wrong) that the US administration has emerged from the Iran war weaker than when it went into the war.
The USA as a whole has few friends left in the world and cannot be held up as a great model to follow. At one time the world admired the USA. Instead the USA is laughed at by many.
At one time I would have been gagging to visit the USA where I have had nothing but kindness. Not any more. It will take years to mend the hurt and damage of the last few years.
At about 1350z, I turned off my 10m 200mW WSPR TX beacon and 3W 6m FT8 and went on 8m FT8 and WSPR RX on 40.680 MHz. At best, activity on 8m is very low sadly.
UPDATE 1600z: Nobody spotted.
My gear was turned on at about 0600z.
UPDATE 1340z: 148 stations spotting so far.
My beacon was turned on at about 0600z .
Perhaps I may be forgiven for filing this under ‘c’ for crap?
We were expecting Riga to be a dull ex-communist city, whereas we found a beautiful and proud, ex Hanseatic League city with a seaside town similar to ones found in New England. We liked Riga.
There is little doubt that in the next 10 years we will experience a major step in computer design. This will come about in at least 2 ways:
1. Quantum ICs, which promise amazing processing power.
2. Increase in memory sizes.
There may be other things as well, which we have not even thought about.
Assuming these happen, PCs of today will look like dinasaurs. Today we think of 1TB hard drives as huge, much as we did with 1GB 30 years ago.
To my surprise I was given a refund and told I did not need to return it.
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Today I was moving the garden recycling bin and noticed this very frightened toad. It hopped away!!
China has announced a new very lightweight motor that is transformative.
Combined with electric batteries with far greater range per charge, we can expect EVs to rival cars running on petrol or diesel very soon.
Many will be able to charge at home for far less than a fossil fuelled car. I am not sure what happens if you live in a flat or need to string the charging cable across a pavement.
This is definitely NOT a very controlled test!
On 6m, my usual power is 3W FT8. On 10m I usually run 200mW of WSPR. WSPR takes almost 2 minutes to TX a message, whereas FT8 takes about 15 seconds. WSPR is able to use far weaker S/N ratios. WSPR can detect down to about -32dB S/N. FT8 can detect down to about -23dB S/N.
Even though I am using different powers, different bands and different antennas, the impression is FT8 is more often used and achieves better results than WSPR with Es. Maybe shorter TX times help when conditions are more up and down? I certainly get far more spots with my 3W 6m FT8 than my 10m 200mW WSPR.
I would be interested to know if anyone has done a proper, scientific comparison.
What is not in doubt is that both modes are superior to SSB and CW. Things may be different when the path is stable, such as with scatter, tropo or F2.
My gear was turned on at about 0815z.
UPDATE 1323z: Spotted by 52 stations, probably Es.
My beacon was turned on at about 0815z.
UPDATE 1337z: 5 stations spotting me, probably Es.
Judging by yesterday, the price of oil is falling based on the Strait of Hormuz reopening soon. Let’s hope it opens and stays open!!
Later I expect to be on 10m 200mW WSPR and 6m 3W FT8. I think I shall give 8m a miss, although plans may change!
Yesterday, I chanced upon a Facebook page of a radio shack. The guy had all manner of radios and linears. I would guess there was over $30000 worth of kit. Now, how people spend their money is entirely up to them.
For months that was the only rig I used.
It looks like Iran and the USA (for different reasons) are tired of fighting and the Strait of Hormuz will be open again. With or without tolls, oil, natural gas and fertilizer will move again. What Israel will do may put a "fly in the ointment".
Personally I am not impressed by the current administration in the USA. I cannot see anything positive as a result of the recent war. Others may disagree.
My beacon was turned on at about 0850z.
UPDATE 1104z: Spotted by 4 stations.
These videos are created using AI. Sometimes there are mistakes, but overall they give a good impression of life in a given period. They are very clever and will only get better.
Just watched this video about the "memorandum of understanding" NOT a peace deal between the USA and Iran. It would appear President Trump has just caved in.
It would not surprise me at all if it is scuppered by Israel before it is signed on Friday.
For several months I have watched YouTube videos about the Iran war.
In all that time, despite looking, I have been unable to find any that support President Trump and the USA! Not even one!
Almost all these videos suggest a grave mistake has been made. Certainly from the outside, I fail to see any positives, just negatives.
The moral seems to be to listen to your experts.
These days, worldwide communication is easy using the internet. The advantages are families and friends can keep in touch wherever they are. The disadvantages are people can be more easily spammed and people abused online.
Sadly image manipulation is far easier these days. Every time an image is shared it can be abused.
In the UK people under 16 are to be banned from social media. This happened in Australia but many young people have found ways to get around the ban.
Personally, I think some means must be found to prevent young people from being harmed by accessing social media, even if using VPNs and other services. I am unsure how you do this, but the answer probably has to include biometric data and strong age verification, Maybe all people under 16 worldwide have restricted access time to social media?
It seems to me that a simple ban is not enough. I have a young granddaughter who needs to keep in touch with family and friends. At the same time I do not want her to come to any harm.
I am sure the big tech companies and phone manufacturers could and should do much more.
Yet again (more in hope than expectation) I am again on 40.680MHz FT8 RX.
UPDATE 0905z: Just EA7Y (1831km) spotted (on the wrong antenna at my end!). I am sure it is mainly lack of activity rather than poor conditions that prevents more stations being spotted. Despite that, I seem addicted to 8m!
UPDATE 1816z: Just EA7Y and EI2IP (605km) have been spotted.
My 6m gear was left on RX overnight in the hope I might spot some Far East stations on 6m FT8 around breakfast.
UPDATE 0820z: Just lots of Europeans on Es. Now QRT.
My gear was turned on at about 0800z.
UPDATE 0915z: Plenty of European stations (Es I presume) spotting me. Now QRT.
My beacon was turned on about 0800z.
UPDATE 0992z: Plenty of spots by EA8BFK (2880km). Now QRT.
It seems odd that the longest day is next weekend, then it starts to get shorter again! You would think by now I would be used to this cycle, but spring seems to get shorter every year 😞.
One consolation is that the shortest day will be here soon enough! Every time of year is good.
Many years ago people came into amateur radio because it was seen as magic.
With amateur radio you could talk to people all over the world. Politics really didn't come in to it. One day you could be talking with somebody in the USA and the next to somebody in Moscow. Bands were busy.
These days people, in the main, really see amateur radio as a way of getting DXCC on FT8. There is far less chatting. Build your own gear? Experiment? Never.
These days you can speak with others across the world for free with the phone in your pocket without a licence.
I give amateur radio a limited future.
It looks like there may be a "memorandum of understanding" coming that may pause the war. Overall, nothing much has been achieved. I am sure that, had he had his time again, President Trump would not have gone to war.
It looks like the following have been achieved:
1. Strait of Hormuz open (it was before the war).
2. Higher fuel prices around the world.
3. No regime change in Iran.
4. Poorer approval ratings for President Trump.
5. Even worse outcomes for Republicans in the mid-term elections in November.
6. The USA even less trusted in the world.
Well done.
With the "special military operation" in Ukraine, the Russian economy is on a war footing. There are a number of indicators suggesting the Russian economy is suffering, despite what official statistics might say.
My father's line can be traced without break back to the mid 1500s in Hope Cove, Devon, UK.
In the next parish I have one record from 1427!
We have probably been hereabouts for thousands of years.
After the last few days, I think it is unlikely that 6m will open again today as it has for the last 2 days to North America.
Early in the mornings some have been lucky enough to catch those seasonal openings on 6m from Western Europe to the Far East. These openings seem to coincide with the formation of noctilucent clouds high in the atmosphere. I think I read somewhere that these are becoming more frequent with global warming, so maybe these openings will become more frequent?
In a few moments I expect to be on 6m 3W FT8
UPDATE 1936z: 191 stations have spotted my 3W FT8 and I have spotted 237 stations here. For the third day running, the USA has been spotted here on 6m FT8. This could be multiple hop Es, but I think some sort of chordal hop E is more probable personally. Signals were strong.
Very shortly (it is now 0845z) I expect to go on 10m QRP WSPR for most of the day.
UPDATE 1939z: 27 stations around Europe have spotted me today.
Years ago I was able to work on complex circuits and anything involving soldering was trivial.
All I had to do today was solder 2 off 6.35mm mono plugs to allow me to test my HW8 bought recently.
After about 15 minutes I was totally exhausted yesterday!
The good news is the HW8 appears to work on RX and TX.
