160m FT8 RX (Saturday)

Once again, I am on 160m FT8 RX this evening and overnight.

UPDATE 1947z:  118 stations spotted so far.

AI and intelligent life in the universe

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?

10m 200mW WSPR TX (Saturday)

 My beacon was turned on shortly after breakfast.

UPDATE 1430z:  5 stations spotting me and the best is Brazil.

160m FT8 RX overnight

Once again I was monitoring 160m FT8 RX with my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

In all, 189 stations were spotted,mostly in Europe. See map.

2m activity contest

Earlier this week was the 2m activity contest (UKAC) organised by the RSGB.  As usual, I went on briefly with my 10W and big-wheel omni antenna. I only stop on briefly because of my poor voice and low power. It is hard for me. 

The map shows the stations contacted.

Russia- USA diesel deal

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.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5lye9z4xw4yo

6m 1W FT8 (Saturday)

My gear was turned on after breakfast.

UPDATE 1600z:   Just 5 English stations have spotted me all day. See map.

.

Sunspots - Saturday October 10th

Solar flux is 121 and the SSN 93. A=11 and K=2.

160m FT8 RX overnight

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.

Meshcore or Meshtastic?

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.

Pebble HF

This is a 20m 5W transceiver that promises a very low cost introduction to amateur radio. I am unsure if it is available yet. The intended price was under $50, which is remarkable. It will be very popular with POTA and SOTA operators.

See https://pebblehf.com/

Ukraine

 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.

630m WSPR RX last evening and overnight

 

Another incredible session on 630m WSPR receive with 11 stations spotted with the best again CU8/NU6F (2799km) in the Azores. Since starting, not that long ago, 17 unique stations have been spotted. 

Once again I am using my "loop in the ground" that nobody realises is there!

Sunspots - Friday October 9th

Solar  flux is 119 and the SSN 69. A=6 and K=3.

10m 200mW WSPR (Monday)

 My beacon was turned on at about 0630z.

Sunspots - Thursday October 8th

 Solar flux is 114 and the SSN 78. A=6 and K=1.

433MHz modules

For a long time, I have been of the view that readily available 433MHz ISM modules which are licence free at 10mW could be used at the heart of amateur transceivers.

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.

Green tomato chutney

In late September I decided to pick my remaining tomatoes, most of which were still green. Green tomato chutney was called for.  

I made some this week and it turned out well tasting very good.

Morning coffee

Have you noticed how many UK garden centres now have cafes? It would not surprise me to know that they make as much money in the cafes as they make on plants!  

This morning, after getting some compost and bulbs, we called into their cafe for brunch and coffee.

Is Russia testing NATO resolve?

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.

6m 1W FT8 (Wedesday)

 My gear was turned on at about 1030z.

UPDATE 1047z:  Just one English station spotting me.

10m 200mW WSPR TX (Wednesday)

 My beacon was turned on at about 1030z.

UPDATE 1044z: No spots.

630m WSPR (Wednesday)

Overnight I left my 630m WSPR RX on. 12 stations were spotted with the best CU8/NU6F (2799km). Again, just using the earth electrode antenna in the ground that nobody can even see!!

Sunspots - Wednesday October 7th

 Solar flux is 113 and the SSN 77. A=11 and K=1.

630m WSPR RX (Monday)

 As usual, I am on 630m WSPR RX this evening and overnight.

UPDATE 2005z:  7 stations spotted so far.

Getting ready?

 

This was one house in our village yesterday. 

I think they take Halloween seriously!

10m 1W FT8 (Tuesday)

Spots of me at 1428z

This morning, I am on 10m FT8 with 1W.

UPDATE 1717z:  29 stations spotting me so far.  28 stations spotted here on RX. My best spot on 1W  FT8 TX is 9J2FI (7996km).

481THz tests

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.

Autumn

At the moment we’ve very mild weather for October. Tomorrow it should be colder and wetter. At the moment the trees in our garden are mostly in leaf although things could be very different in a a few weeks. 

When the photo of the sunrise was taken this morning, it was clear. Then it fell misty. 

The tree in the back garden (still green and in leaf) was taken yesterday.

160m FT8 RX overnight

Although most stations were spotted last night, I had my RX and earth electrode antenna in the ground on all night. In all 172 stations spotted. See map.

Sunspots - Tuesday October 6th

 Solar flux is 100 and the SSN 58. A=24 and K=3.

RAF Fairford

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.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmy56yvv1kxxo .

160m FT8 RX (Monday)

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.

80m and 20m FT8 RX

 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.

How far we have come

In the early 1990s (I think) my Psion 3a seemed the height of perfection. 

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.

Trump speech

 Recently President Trump made a speech in Ohio.

Museum cafe

About once a month we volunteer in the museum cafe across the road. 

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!

See https://burwellmuseum.org.uk/

Fungus

 

We saw this recently in the local area. I am not sure what it is called.  

A Google search is called for!

Monday plans

 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.

630m WSPR receive

 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.

Permanence

 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.

Sunspots - Monday October 5th

 Solar flux is 92 and the SSN 55. A=36 and K=4.

10m 200mW WSPR (Sunday)

My beacon was turned on at about 0645z.

UPDATE  1548z:  6 stations spotting me with the best 5Z4GO (7269km). See table.

UPDATE 2034z: I see I was spotted by V51RS in Namibia which is the best DX.

St Ives near Cambridge

Last week we went here on the guided bus from Cambridge. It is a great ride. 

St Ives is on the River Great Ouse.  The chapel on the bridge in the photo dates from the 1400s.

We had something to eat then sat by the river in the sun.

6m 1W FT8 (Sunday)

 My gear was turned on at about 0745z.

UPDATE 0817z:  Spotted by 5 stations with the best GI.

630m WSPR last evening and overnight

My 630m WSPR RX and earth electrode antenna in the ground was on. 

In all, 10 stations were spotted with the best in Poland and Norway. See map by Phil VK7JJ of WSPR Rocks.

Sunspots - Sunday October 4th

 Solar flux is 93 and the SSN 53. A=7 and K=3.

Electric truck batteries

We are approaching a tipping point with EVs. With the price of diesel and supply security, this may make this happen sooner.

10m 200mW WSPR (Saturday)

My TX beacon has been on since about 0945z.

UPDATE 1022z: So far, spotted by I0UVN (1542km) 5 times.

UPDATE 1824z:  15 stations have spotted me with the best PY2NMB (9542km) in Brazil. See table. One of the spots was from Svalbard way up in the Arctic. Brrr!

6m 1W FT8 (Saturday)

 My gear was turned on at about 0945z.

UPDATE 1019z:  5 English stations spotted.

Encarta

 

In the late 1980s we were amazed that an encyclopaedia could be contained on a single CD ROM. 

These days we just go on Google or similar.

It was amazing at the time.

630m WSPR RX last evening and overnight

Yet again I was on 630m WSPR RX.  In all, 8 stations were spotted with the best a station in Sweden spotted 44 times.

Sunspots - Saturday October 3rd

 Solar flux is 92 and the SSN 37. A=3 and K=2.

Black headed gull

This is a small, noisy gull that can be seen right across the UK both inland and on the coast. In the breeding seasion it has, what appears, a black head. It is actually brown.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/black-headed-gull .

630m WSPR RX (Friday)

 Rather earlier than usual (mid afternoon) I QSYed to 630m WSPR RX.

UPDATE 1508z:  Just G0MRF (139km). spotted.

EI7GL's blog?

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.

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/

630m WSPR RX overnight

My gear was running last evening and overnight.

UPDATE 1047z:  In all, 8 European stations spotted with the best 5Q9T (860km in Denmark). See map frpm WSPR Rocks.

I have a very low noise level on 630m using the loop in the ground, which works remarkably well at LF and MF. The second photo shows the PC screen. As you can see it is very quiet usually.

Russian tax

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.

10m 1W FT8 (Friday)

For a change I am on 10m 1W FT8 rather than WSPR. 

UPDATE  1053z: Spotted by 13 stations. F2? See map.

Sunspots - Friday October 2nd

 Solar flux is 92 and the SSN 38. A=4 and K=1.

6m 1W FT8 (Thursday)

 My gear has been on since breakfast.

UPDATE 2102z: Just 5 English stations spotted me - very disappointing.

10m 200mW WSPR ( Thursday)

 My beacon was on most of the day from breakfast.

UPDATE 2100z: Today, 3 stations spotted me with the best Israel.

Blackberry bush

For months, this bush near us, has provided us with delicious blackberries for breakfast. It is now the end of the season so I have probably picked my last this year.

630m WSPR RX last evening and overnight

 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.

Declining sunspots

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.

See https://www.solen.info/solar/

Sunspots - Thursday October 1st

 Solar flux is 93 and the SSN 29. A=3 and K=0.

630m WSPR RX (Wednesday)

 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?

Ham Radio Shack video about the G7250

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.

10m 1W FT8 (Wednesday)

 At about 1310z I changed to 10m 1W FT8.

UPDATE 1317z:  So far, 4 stations have spotted my 1W including 2 in the Caribbean.

Tear-down of the Chinese G7250 transceiver

 This is the first video I have seen tearing down the G7250. It looks well made. This was a prototype from Radio Oddity.

10m 200mW WSPR (Wednesday)

My beacon was turned on at about 0650z.

UPDATE  1712z:  4 stations spotted me.

6m 1W FT8 (Wednesday)

 My gear was turned on at about 0650z.

UPDATE  1047z:  So far, just 5 English stations spotting me.

Human life

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.

630m WSPR last night

 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.

Sunspots - Wednesday September 30th

 Solar flux is 92 and the SSN 28. A=4 and K=1.

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness

As John Keats (the famous poet) once said, this is the season of ripe fruits in the UK. 

Conkers are plentiful. See photo.

6m 1W FT8 (Tuesday)

My gear was turned on just before breakfast.

UPDATE 1501z:  6 English stations have spotted me.

10m 200mW WSPR (Tuesday)

 My beacon was turned on before breakfast.

UPDATE 1236z:  3 stations spotting me.

15 years ago

15 years ago yesterday G6ALB built a valve TX (400mW) with the same type of valves used in Sputnik in 1957. 

A solid QSO was had with a station in the USA was obtained within 10 minutes!

Sunspots - Tuesday September 29th

Solar flux is 95 and the SSN 46. A=4 and K=0.

mBridge

 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 .

10m 200mW WSPR TX

 My beacon was turned on at about 0830z.

UPDATE 1452z: Spotted by 3 stations with the best 4X1DA (3592km).

6m 1W FT8 (Monday)

 

My gear was turned on at about 0830z.

UPDATE 1739z:  8 UK stations spotting me. Are some aircraft scatter?

630m WSPR RX overnight

 Although most stations were spotted before midnight, I left my receiver on overnight. As with the evening before, best DX was LA3EQ (769km). 6 stations were spotted. With my loop in the ground I have no problems with local noise.

Monday plans

Later I intend to go on 10m 200mW WSPR and 6m 1W FT8.

Sunspots - Monday September 28th

 Solar flux is 97 and the SSN 67. A=8 and K=0.

630m WSPR RX (Sunday)

Once again I am monitoring 630m WSPRnet appears not to be working so I am monitoring WSPR Rocks instead. I shall leave the RX on overnight although most spots are before midnight. G0MRF is again a  good signal and DC0DX is coming through as is G6AVK.

Does anyone like President Trump?

 This is far from a scientifically significant observation. 

For months I have been looking for videos in support of the US President Trump. Despite trying really hard almost all videos seem critical of him.  

I know that YouTube uses algorithms to show you more videos of the type you enjoy .  However, the vast majority seem to be critical. 

In my view (only my view) President Xi of China is right that China is in the ascendancy and the USA appears to be a declining force on the world stage. I get the feeling that many in the world are treating the USA almost as a joke.

Personally I find this sad. All the people from the USA I have ever had to deal with have been kind and generous.

Is Russia going dark?

 A very interesting metric of economic activity in Russia is to look at the nighttime lighting in Russia.

Another video from the UK National Hamfest

 This is another video walk around of the National Hamfest 2026.

10m 1W FT8 (Sunday)

At about 1345z I switched  to 10m FT8.

UPDATE 1929z:  10 spots of me with the best Israel. More spotted on RX including S.America and S.Africa

10m 200mW WSPR (Sunday)

My beacon was turned on at about 0925z

UPDATE  0938z:  No spots, although in the absence of Es this is not unusual.

6m 1W FT8 (Sunday)

My gear was turned on at about 0925z.

UPDATE 1115z: So far, spotted by 4 English stations.

630m WSPR overnight

Although most stations were spotted before midnight, I left my receiver on overnight. 

5 stations were spotted including LA3EQ who was spotted 80 times! See map.

Sunspots - Sunday September 27th

 Solar flux is 101 and the SSN 88. A=12 and K=3.

630m WSPR RX (Saturday)

For the first time in ages I am on 630m WSPR RX using my loop antenna in the ground. 

UPDATE 1952z: G0MRF (139km) and G4CLO (100km) spotted strongly. The noise level is very quiet. Signals are very strong.

UPDATE 2042z: 4 stations spotted with the best LA3EQ (769km).

"Our" tree

For about 14 years we have been to see the same tree at nearby Anglesey Abbey every autumn as the leaves change colour. 

We were going to go next weekend, but decided to go today instead. 

Next weekend might have been too late as already several leaves were falling.

Newark Hamfest, UK

 This is one of the biggest ham gatherings in the UK. 

MLS has made a video showing who is there.

6m 1W FT8 (Saturday)

 My gear has been on since breakfast.

UPDATE 1517z: Mostly English spots but 1 station spotting me in EI and the best a station spotting me in Portugal.

10m 200mW WSPR TX (Saturday)

 My beacon was turned on at breakfast.

UPDATE 1450z:  Spotted by 4 stations with the best Israel.

Vicar’s Close, Chichester, UK

 

We spent a few days here earlier this week. 

It is a delightful place heavily influenced by the Romans.

Sunspots - Saturday September 26th

 Solar flux is 105 and the SSN 110. A=20 and K=4.

The end of MW/LW radios?

More and more people are being encouraged onto broadcasting via DAB or internet radio.  

In time the MW and LW broadcast bands will be emptied. I expect in the end there will be a single IC that does everything needed to receive DAB from station selection, program ID and audio amplification requiring only a case, display and antenna.

It would not surprise me if in the future smart TVs would allow you to create an evening of viewing. For example the latest news, followed by a film, followed by a serial. Maybe a quick look at the weather followed by another film, all obtained from subscription services like Netflix, ITVx, BBC iPlayer.

This could be the end of linear TV.

10m 200mW WSPR TX (Friday)

Although my beacon has been on for hours, I am unable to see WSPRnet spots and am wondering if there is a site problem?

I am seeing spots on WSJT-X and WSPR Rocks. 

See WSPR Rocks map of stations seeing me.

UPDATE 1643z:  WSPRnet seems to be working normally.

Xiegu G7250

This product from China is about to be released. I think we can expect to see it very soon, probably in October? 

This video is a cautionary warning. The Yaesu FT710 and ICOM 7300Mk1 are about the same price and from established brands. 

It warns people to think what they are after carefully.  In my view the Chinese will get there and overtake the Japanese.

6m 1W FT8 (Friday)

My gear has been on since breakfast.

UPDATE 1312z:   12 stations have spotted me including a couple in Scandinavia.  See map.

Chichester - Challace

This challace in Chichester cathedral dates from the 1400s. 

It is in the treasury there.

Chichester cathedral sundial

 

This sundial dates from the 1700s and looks splendid on the south side. 

It was restored in 2000.

Sunspots - Friday September 25th

 Solar flux is 112 and the SSN 124. A=16 and K=3.

6m 1W FT8 (Thursday)

 

Just 5 English stations spotted this afternoon.

10m 200mW WSPR (Thursday)

This afternoon, I came back from a short break in Chichester. I went on 10m WSPR  at about 1400z.  Plenty of spots from the Canary Is..

Sunspots - Thursday September 24th

 Solar flux is 121 and the SSN 142. A=4 and K=3.

Coastrider bus

Today, we went by Coastrider bus from Chichester to Portsmouth and back. We didn’t stop long because we really came for the bus ride . The buses are every 20 minutes. Being old, it was free with bus passes.

Sunspots - Tuesday September 22nd

 Solar flux is 118 and the SSN 126. A=3 and K=0.

Chichester Cathedral

Chichester  Cathedral is magnificent. It’s free entry with a recommended donation with some lovely gardens.

Sunspots - Monday September 21st

 Solar flux is 104 and the SSN 85. A=3 and K=0.

IC705 Mk 2?

People are beginning to speculate about an IC-705 Mk2 from ICOM. This is purely speculation, and I have seen no evidence of this "on the stocks". It reminds me of the speculation about a replacement to the Yaesu FT817.

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness

As John Keats said, this is the time of year in the UK when fruit matures. Blackberries were early but there seems to be an abundance of apples. I am told by my neighbours the apples on the trees are not good.

Sunspots - Monday September 21st

 Solar flux is 101 and the SSN 54. A=6 and K=1.

10m 200mW WSPR (Sunday)

 My beacon was turned on at about 0945z.

UPDATE 1053z:  No spots of me yet.

6m 1W FT8 (Sunday)

 My gear was turned on about 20 minutes ago.

UPDATE 1052z:  So far, just 3 English stations have spotted me.

Russia and the West

In Ukraine , Russia seems to be trying to grind down civilians, who seem to be tiring of the war. At the same time Ukraine is trying to bring the war closer to ordinary people within Russia. 

At the same time Russia seems to be probing NATO to see how it would respond. 

I am pretty sure most ordinary people in Russia and Ukraine really just want a peaceful life. I do hope they can find a way of ending the needless carnage and destruction. It is all so silly.

Sunspots - Sunday September 20th

 Solar flux is 97 and the SSN 11. A=7 and K=3.

Adapting

Human beings seem to be able to adapt to new situations. 

We are currently threatened with another oil crisis and possible recession around the world. Despite this, I am sure we will adapt as we always have done.

6m 1W FT8 (Saturday)

My gear was turned on before breakfast.

UPDATE  1810z: 10 stations spotting me with the best EA6VQ (1419km) in the Balearic Is..

10m 200mW WSPR (Saturday)

My beacon was turned on at about 0640z.

UPDATE 1254z: 2 stations spotting me again from the Canary Is. and one in Turkey.

UPDATE 1753z: Spotted by 5 stations with the best PT2FHC (8860km) in Brazil.

Excitement

Earlier this week we had some excitement in central Cambridge, UK. 

There was a fire engine with a platform on an extendable ladder. They appeared to go over the roof of the Arts Theatre. 

There was no sign of smoke, so this may have been an exercise.