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.

Saturday plans

My main goal today is to increase my understanding of the RSP1B SDR receiver. I need to get familiar with the controls of SDRconnect.

New world order?

In my view we are on the cusp of a revolution in the world. 

Since WW2 the USA has been the dominant world power.  Now it looks like the BRICS nations are in the ascendancy and the USA is failing. The days of US hegemony are drawing to a close.  

It would not surprise me if the US dollar ceases to be the world's reserve currency. At one time Britain ruled the world. That went long ago. Nothing lasts for ever.

Sunspots - Saturday 19th

 Solar flux is 96 and the SSN 0. A=5 and K=2. This is the first time the SSN has been 0 for many years I think.

10m 200mW WSPR

My beacon was turned on at about 0850z.

UPDATE 1600z: Just spots from the Canary Islands, presumably F2.

6m 1W FT8 (Friday)

 My gear was turned on at about 0850z.

UPDATE 0945z:  Just G3XDV (45km) and M1ABK (70km) spotting me. With Es largely now gone, it reminds me that 6m FT8 could be quite an effective mode for inter-G communications. My 6m ERP is probably less than 1W. With higher power and a beam much better results should be possible. Many years ago the RSGB ran evening 10m activity contests to encourage 10m activity in the quiet solar years. It is far easier to get higher ERPs with a beam on 6m.  On 10m with just 10W SSB and a dipole I could regularly work stations well over 100km away. With, say, 50W on 6m FT8 to a Moxon beam this should be easy.

UPDATE 1604z:  5 stations have spotted me (mainly England) including 1 in Eire.

President Trump

You have to make up your own mind about President Trump. 

I have searched for videos about him. As someone pointed out to me, you have to beware of YouTube algorithms that show you negative videos. 

Mind you, despite trying very hard I have found very few positive ones.

Game changer?

The form factor and price of the recently announced Xiegu  G7250 transceiver could be a game changer. Its price is likely to be under £1000 in the UK. 

As always, there are concerns about bugs with the initial releases from China. There were some I understand on the G90. Over time, the Chinese will get there and undercut the Japanese.

Objectives today

As mentioned yesterday, I have had a very little used RSP1B  SDR receiver for some time. 

Today, I want to install free SDRconnect software and start using the receiver seriously.

See https://sdrplay.com/

UPDATE 0905z: SDRconnect installed.

UPDATE 1731z: Steep learning curve! I am trying to get to know how to use it.

Fossils

We go into the Grand Arcade in Cambridge most weeks. We have probably been doing this for about 15 years. Like many, we never looked down. When we did, it was a surprise to see so many fossils! Most floor tiles have fossils in them.

HamSphere - free year

Don’t ask me why, but I have been granted a free one year pass to HamSphere. I guess this will encourage me to try it in the next year. It is 20 years old next year. 20 years is quite a time. 

As you know, I prefer experimenting but I think it’s fine for chatting.

All this brings into question exactly what is amateur radio? For some it is DXCC, others chatting, others ATV, others satellites etc. All we can say is it is very different things to different people

Sunspots - Friday September 18th

 Solar flux is 97 and the SSN 11. A=9 and K=1.

SDRconnect

I have had an RSP SDR receiver for a long time . Apart from a brief test, it has hardly been used. Over the next few months I want to experiment with it with SDRconnect software that I have to download and install.

10m 200mW WSPR (Thursday)

 My beacon was turned on at about 0926z.

UPDATE  1310z: No spots.

Global crash coming?

The UK Times newspaper, is pretty good and fairly neutral politically.  As I always recommend, it is best to get news from several trusted sources so you see all points of view. 

Also AI is so common now that you cannot even be sure if the person saying the words is real! Often AI creations have people saying things they never would!

The Joe Blogs videos are (I think) real and thought provoking.

6m 1W FT8 (Thursday)

 Very shortly, I shall be on 6m 1W FT8.

UPDATE 1312z:   Just 2 English stations spotting me.

Sunspots - Thursday September 17th

 Solar flux is 97 and the SSN 23. A=12 and K=1..

10m 200mW WSPR (Wednesday)

My beacon was turned on at about 0900z.

UPDATE 1517z:  Spots from the Canary Islands and Italy.

Sunspots - Wednesday September 16th

 Solar flux is 107 and the SSN 23. A=8 and K=3.

Politics and billionaires

Some in the world can influence by donating millions to political parties. Although some would claim not to seek influence or power, there is a danger that you look more towards those who helped you get into power than those that elected you.

Personally, I would be happy to see no party get any donations.

Christ’s College. Cambridge

 

In all, there are 29 colleges in Cambridge and of these 16 were founded in the 1300s, 1400s and 1500s.

The photo shows Christ's College. I believe this is where Charles Darwin studied.

AI hoax?

 Someone with a supposedly very high IQ who leads (?) the free world has said the recent worries about AI are a hoax. Hmmmm.

IC7100 v IC7110?

Some people with deep pockets rush out and buy a new radio, just because it is new and shiny. This video compares the old and new ICOM radios.

10m 200mW WSPR (Tuesday)

 My beacon was turned on at about 0645z.

UPDATE 1650z:  5 stations have spotted me with the best V51RS (8481km)

6m 1W FT8 (Tuesday)

 

My gear was turned on before breakfast.

UPDATE 1657z:  10 stations spotting me.  See map.

Sunspots - Tuesday September 15th

 Solar flux is 104 and the SSN 51. A=11 and K=3.

AI stocks

Perhaps with all the headlines about AI in the news recently, AI companies have fallen in value today, both in Asia and Europe. People are concerned that AI is becoming a real threat to human life.

Lots of people and pension funds have invested in AI, afraid of being left behind. The worry is that not all companies will be successful.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cm70d91rg7l4t

Magnetic loop antennas

In the past I have used magnetic loop antennas with QRP. Although the RF voltage can be very high in magnetic loops, requiring special high voltage capacitors, this is not an issue with QRP.  I have used ordinary variable capacitors or a length of coax if the loop is fixed in frequency.

Loops can be effective antennas when you are restricted for space.

The video is an example of a homemade magnetic loop although there are lots of examples on YouTube.

10m 200mW WSPR (Monday)

My beacon is on around breakfast.

UPDATE 1426z: 12 stations spotting me. Es? See map. I just leave my beacon on when I am around.

President Trump - seen as a joke?

It would seem remarks made by the current US president are no longer treated as seriously as they once were. 

His recent remarks on a reunited Ireland may be correct but were not helpful. The only people who can decide that are the people who live there. 

This is a difficult one with lots of history. It’s very unlikely in my lifetime, but might happen in my grandchildren’s lives.

6m 1W FT8 (Monday)

My 6m gear is on. 

UPDATE 1415z: 14 stations spotting me so far including several in Spain and Portugal. See map.

Sunspots- Monday September 14th

 Solar flux is 114 and the SSN 77. A=6 and K=1.

10m 200mW WSPR (Sunday)

My beacon was turned on before breakfast.

UPDATE 1241z: Spotted by 4X1DA (3592km) and EA8BFK (2880km). F2?

6m 1W FT8 (Sunday)

 My gear was turned on before breakfast.

UPDATE 1241z: 7 stations spotting me, all British Is..

Sunspots — Sunday September 13th

 Solar flux is 109 and the SSN 87. A=7 and K=1.

The power of the billionaires?

Today a party (Reform) that is considered on the right of UK politics has received 2 donations totalling £72M from crypto currency billionaires. I believe similar donations have been made elsewhere in other countries.

One could argue that such donations are aimed at helping that party be successful. This begs the question who is more important - the people being governed or the donors?

Personally I fear for democracy.

6m 1W FT8 (Saturday)

My gear has been on most of the day.

UPDATE 1526z:  9 stations (all British Is) have spotted me.  The Es seaon is well and truly over!

Electric Battery Range

Most EV and battery manufacturers are trying hard to increase range and reduce costs.  We hear today of yet another breakthrough. In my view we are on the cusp of a revolution.

10m 200mW WSPR (Saturday)

 Very shortly, I expect to turn on my beacon.

UPDATE 1435z: Spotted just by EA8BFK (2880km) in the Canary Is. F2 I think.

Sunspots - Saturday September 12th

 Solar flux is 110 and the SSN 88. A=8 and K=2.

Autumn

Earlier, we went for a walk in the nearby village of Reach. 

After a long, very hot and dry summer, it has now rained and feels autumnal.

Global bond markets

 Global bond markets are in trouble. Interest rates are high and indebtedness high. This could be a turning point for the world.

10m 200mW WSPR (Friday)

My beacon has been on all day.

UPDATE 1549z: Spotted by 9 stations.

6m 1W FT8 (Friday)

 My gear has been on all day.

UPDATE 1545z: 11 stations have spotted me.

Kanga WSPR beacon

The most recent edition of Practical Wireless has a piece about the Kanga WSPR beacon kit. 

It does not need a PC after its initial configuration. It also has a very stable TCXO which holds time accuracy for weeks. 

It can TX WSPR on 2 different bands if you want. The RF output is 200mW. 

As most parts are pre-populated, it looks a suitable, low cost kit for beginners. The kit is £44.99. It may also be used as a QRSS or CW beacon.

See https://www.kanga-products.co.uk/ourshop/prod_8347010-WSPRQRSS-Whisper-Mite-Beacon-Kit-Dual-Band.html

Sunspots - Friday September 11th

 Solar flux is 115 and the SSN 90. A=9 and K=1.

Blackpool Sands, Devon

This is near where I lived as a child. Blackpool Sands is in the South Hams in Devon, UK and nowhere near the town of Blackpool which is in N.W. England. 

It is a very beautiful spot, not far from Dartmouth.

Lounge view at sunset

 

This was the view last night.

10m 200mW WSPR (Thursday)

My beacon has been on since breakfast.

UPDATE 1003z:  2 stations spotting me - F2?

Chrome issue?

 For some reason (starting yesterday) I have been unable to upload locally stored photos to my blog using Chrome. I have failed on my usual Chromebook and on a different Windows 11 PC. I have not yet tried with other browsers like Firefox.

It may be a temporary glitch at the far side that may resolve itself?

If other users have seen something similar, I would be interested.

UPDATE 0948z:  Tried Firefox.  Same issue - no upload of local photos since yesterday.

UPDATE 1026z: Uploads fine from Google Photos.

UPDATE 1047z:  It seems to be a common (recent) glitch at their end. Going to HTML view rather than compose view seems to work fine uploading pictures for now.

Oil price shock

Everyone can see that the disruption to oil exports from the Middle East is causing shocks to the world economy. Fuel prices have risen and there is a likelihood that interest rates, food prices and inflation will rise.

The answer has to be a lasting peace in the Middle East and in Ukraine.  No nation is perfect and, sadly, peace in these conflicts looks elusive.

6m 1W FT8 (Thursday)

My gear was turned on before breakfast.

UPDATE 1045z:  11 stations have spotted me in 5 countries including GI, GM and OZ. See map.

UPDATE 1244z:  14 stations have spotted me today. I wonder if the EI, who recently spotted me, was by aircraft reflection? That may account for some other DX spots.

70cm FT8 activity contest

It never fails to amaze me how far I can copy stations on 70cm FT8 RX. Last night was the UKAC FT8 activity contest and 30 stations in 7 countries were spotted despite me having just a 2m big-wheel omni antenna! See map. 

Sunspots - Thursday September 10th

 Solar flux is 109 and the SSN 107. A=12 and K=2.

70cm activity contest (September)

Every month I try to go on the 70cm activity contest with 10W SSB to my 2m big-wheel omni. 

It is hard work with my voice, power and antenna, so I do not stop on for long. 

I am always surprised how well I get on. Last evening I managed 5 QSOs whereas last week in the 2m contest I only managed 2 QSOs! Some must have very good ears!

The map shows the QSOs managed.

6m 1W FT8 (Wednesday)

My gear was turned on at about 1300z.

UPDATE 1307z: Just one spot by GW4VXE (365km). As the spot was quite strong I wonder if this was aircraft scatter?

UPDATE 1746z: Spotted by 9 stations (G, GW and EI). No continentals. I suppose as we move higher in frequency local noise will improve and scatter becomes more effective.

USA debt

 People are getting increasingly concerned about the debt in the USA. This stands at over $40 trillion. Rates are rising in many countries and the US $ is no longer being seen as the safe haven it once was.

10m 200mW WSPR (Wednesday)

Shortly I expect to go on 10m WSPR TX.

UPDATE 1746z:  Just 1 English station spotting me. Altogether a poor day. QRT soon.

Sunspots - Wednesday September 9th

 Solar flux is 110 and the SSN 102. A=29 and K=2..

10m 200mW WSPR (Tuesday)

 Just after tea I QSYed to 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 1655z:  3 spots by a station in Spain.

Cheating in amateur radio

For many years there has been something called "the ham spirit". 

Basically radio amateurs of whatever race or creed helped each other. Politics did not matter. Whether you were rich or poor did not matter. Whether you were white, black, yellow or green did not matter. Whether you were a capitalist or communist did not matter. Whether you were sighted, blind, bedridden did not matter. Behind the mike we were all the same.

Sadly, this is changing. There is evidence of cheating in recent contests.

West Bank Israeli settlements

When I was taking A level exams in 1967 (and still had hair!) Israel occupied the West Bank. 

Increasingly, Israel is creating settlements in the West Bank, which are illegal according to international law. 

Israel and the USA have warned the UK there could be counter measures if the UK announces sanctions against West Bank settlers.

My worry is there could be more anti-Jewish sentiment in the UK.

It is so sad that we cannot just live in peace and respect each other's differences. We may believe different things - so what?

Toadflax

This is a wild flower that has been growing in our front lawn. Although the weather has now changed with far more rain , the grass everywhere has been brown and brittle although the weeds have done well!

Declining interest?

One of the locals on our weekly 2m FM net G8AKL is now a SK. He was always a booming signal and he will be missed. 

As many active radio amateurs get older, it is likely activity will fall. Also, as noticed by another friend at the Telford Rally at the weekend, there seemed to be less money being traded.

Unless others come into the hobby and stay, I am afraid for the future of our hobby.

It will be interesting to see the situation at the next solar peak. There are more modes to explore, but probably far fewer active people.

10m 1W FT8 (Tuesday)

My gear was turned on at about 0645z.

UPDATE 1056z:  Just 1 local spotting me.  I was surprised. The SSN is quite good as is the solar flux.  Maybe there is even less activity now the Es season is over?

UPDATE 1529z:  Increased my power to 3W. I was worried that my 1W signal was being buried in local noise? This noise is increasing on the HF bands and lower VHF bands, getting worse as you go lower. I do not have a problem on 6m FT8. 3 stations spotting me, probably tropo.

UPDATE 1642z: Spotted by 8 stations (see map). Now QSYed to 10m 200mW WSPR.

Sunspots - Tuesday September 8th

 Solar flux is 110 and the SSN 103. A=19 and K=4.

2m 1W FT8 (Monday)

As there was no Es evident on 6m, I switched to 2m FT8 at 1W, getting a QSO with a Belgian station on my first call! 

If this was SSB I would be very pleased, but it is far easier on FT8. My antenna is just an omni big-wheel, so nothing special.

Corruption video

 This was a speech given the US senate about 2 months ago. I have no way of checking the accuracy.

6m 1W FT8 (Monday)

My gear was turned on at about 0610z.

UPDATE 0728z: 7 English stations spotting me.

10m 200mW WSPR (Monday)

My beacon was turned on at about 0610z.

UPDATE 0730z: Just 1 ON spotting me. Probably ordinary tropo?

How many planets are there in the universe?

 This is an estimate based on what we can currently observe, but the number is huge, something like 10 to the power of 25 or even power of 35. 

This is so enormous that it is hard to comprehend. Many will not have life at all, let alone intelligent life.

Really, we know so little.

Solar cycle

The solar cycle peaked in late 2024. We are now on the downward slope, where HF conditions slowly decline. We have several years to go to the next solar minimum. 

In my experience it is a lack of activity that is the killer and often not propagation. This is not always the case, but often the 27MHz CB band is buzzing when 28MHz seems dead.

One way of checking would be to stick with modes like WSPR or FT8. It might be quieter than in the better years, but I expect we would find bands like 10m open (especially on N-S paths) far more often than we might think.

See https://www.solen.info/solar/ .

Humming bird hawk moth

There were once rare in the UK when they migrated from southern Europe. 

They appear to be more common in the UK, possibly as a result of climate change. 

The wings beat very fast (about 75 beats a second!), so they can hover like a humming bird.  At one time people thought they were birds!

There was one in the garden yesterday.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hummingbird_hawk-moth .

Sunspots - Monday September 7th

 Solar flux is 110 and the SSN 83. A=5 and K=1.

Gerald G8AKL silent key

Gerald G8AKL was a regular on our local net on 2m FM on Wednesdays. He was always a great signal from his home across the Fens. 

He was a generous and kind man who without fail invited people to join him on his skeds to Australia or to borrow a linear. I never met him in person, but we talked often on the radio. RIP.

10m 200mW WSPR (Sunday)

My beacon was turned on at about 0808z.

UPDATE 2010z:  Spotted by just one Russian SWL. A bad day.

Peace in Ukraine? - I think not

President Trump has just sent his special envoys to Russia and Ukraine. 

I do not think the prospects for peace have been advanced at all. 

In Putin's eyes they were like putty.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6248nvqy8po .

6m 1W FT8 (Sunday)

My gear was turned on at about 0808z.

UPDATE 2008z: Just 15 stations spotting me from Wales and England plus 1 in Germany.

Ely Cathedral yesterday

This dates back about 1000 years to a time when the population was tiny and they had no sophisticated tools and machines. 

And yet they produced masterpieces like this! 

Every time I see this I am amazed.

10m 200mW WSPR yesterday

The main Es season is over. 

Long distance F2 propagation is coming to the fore with several spots of my QRP from Brazil.  The question is will we get many E-W spots from the USA and Canada later?

Sunspots - Sunday September 6th

 Solar flux is 111 and the SSN 70. A=6 and K-=1.

AI dangers

In the last few years AI has improved a lot. 

Recently my wife has been amazed by the AI summary in Google. Yes, this is generally very impressive. There are many ways in which AI  can benefit us.

What worries me is that just as easily a bad actor could use AI for evil. Imagine saying "create an undetectable virus that is fatal only to xxx people", for example. We would be defenceless and never know it is AI. I am sure such creations are being developed as we speak.

Ely Cathedral - quilt exhibition

 

At the moment there is a quilt exhibition in Ely Cathedral UK. It is quite stunning.

Russia devalues Ruble

 Russia is devaluing its currency.

6m 1W FT8 (Saturday)

 My gear has been on most of the day. Spotted by 6 stations with the best OH2FQV (1713km).

10m 200mW WSPR (Saturday)

 My beacon has been on most of the day. Just 1 station in the Canary Is. spotting me.

Ely - Bishop's Palace, UK

Over the centuries, this has been many things. Today it is part of the King's School. 

In WW2 it was home to the Red Cross. 

My dad was a Pathfinder (the elites) flying over Germany at night.  He had his appendix out here in case he was shot down over enemy territory

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishop%27s_Palace,_Ely

Sunspots - Saturday September 5th

 Solar flux is 110 and the SSN 72. A=4 and K=2.

Surprise tomatoes

Several months ago my wife bought some flower plants at the church fete. 

Imagine my surprise when some tomato plants appeared in the same pot! They are starting to become real tomatoes!

6m 1W FT8 (Friday)

 

My gear has been on most of the day, but QRT soon.  In all, 12 stations have spotted me (see map).

Sunspots - Friday September 4th

 Solar flux is 108 and the SSN 37. A=3 and K=7.

Billionaires rule?

It seems to me that the world is ruled by billionaires. It seems true in the USA and Russia and probably true in other countries too.  The danger is they have the money to influence results.

To me, I think most wars in the past were caused by rich people but fought by ordinary folk . I am sure most ordinary folk want to live in peace.

Russia and Ukraine

 This "special military  operation" is now over 4 years old and should have been a few days. How it will all end is anyone's  guess.

Solar power

In recent years, solar panels have come a very long way. They are now far less expensive and more efficient. 

In China as much power is now generated by solar as coal. If energy storage is also made smaller,cheaper and better, solar will clearly replace coal. 

The USA? It is in great danger of being left behind.

2m FT8 activity contest

Stations spotted on 2m FT8
yesterday evening

My 2m antenna is just a big-wheel omni with perhaps a very slight gain in the horizontal plane. 

It never fails to astound me how far away stations can be spotted. 

I wonder if with FT8 we can tap into weak troposcatter signals?

End of the Es season

 We are now at the very end of the Es season. Openings can occur at any time, but are usually far less common. What often happens is people abandon the higher HF bands and 6m sadly.

10m 200mW WSPR (Thursday)

My beacon was turned on at about 0754z.

UPDATE 1512z:  9 stations spotting me. 

6m 1W FT8 (Thursday)

 My gear was turned on at about 0754z.

UPDATE 1510z:  12 stations spotting me. No Es evident.

Sunspots - Thursday September 3rd

 Solar flux is 102 and the SSN 73. A=6 and K=2.

144MHz FT8 activity contest

The 2m FT8 activity contest is this evening. I am on RX only. 

UPDATE 1927z: It never fails to amaze me how far away stations can be copied on FT8. I have already copied stations along way away in many countries. See map.

6m 1W FT8 (Wednesday)

My gear was turned on at about 0620z. 

UPDATE 1409z:  8 stations spotting me. See map.

UPDATE 1551z:  10 stations spotting me.

10m 200mW WSPR TX (Wednesday)

My beacon was turned on at about 0620z. 

UPDATE 1404z: 7 stations spotting me. Best is 4Z4TJ (3639km).

Sunspots - Wednesday September 2nd

 Solar flux is 101 and the SSN 55. A=7 and K=0.

Flowers

My wife likes having flowers in the house. 

She bought these earlier.

6m 1W FT8 (Tuesday)

My gear was turned on at about 0950z.

UPDATE 0938z: Spotted by just 1 English station so far. Outside of the Es season, many abandon 6m.

UPDATE 1742z:  Spotted by 8 stations. I suspect some are aircraft reflections? Some may be Es. QRT soon.

10m 200mW WSPR (Tuesday)

My beacon was turned on at about 0850z.

UPDATE 1812z:  Spotted by 12 stations. QRT soon.

Autumn

According to the Met Office, September 1st is treated as the first day of autumn. 

I agree with this. To me autumn is September, October and November, with winter December, January and February. All seasons have their own beauty, although autumn has come early this year.

Sunspots - Tuesday September 1st

 Solar flux is 107 and the SSN 81. A=12 and K=1.

6m 1W FT8 (Monday)

My gear was turned on before breakfast.

UPDATE 1906z:  Spotted by 27 stations across Europe. QRT soon.

10m 200mW WSPR (Monday)

My beacon has been on since before breakfast.

UPDATE 1904z:  Spotted by 22 stations across Europe. QRT soon.

Sunspots - Monday August 31st

 Solar flux is 107 and the SSN 74. A=15 and K=3.

Amazing EV batteries - NOT in China

It looks like Hyundai has created an amazing battery at a plant in Georgia (USA I think). It charges fast and has a much longer life and does not need lithium. It does not significantly degrade at low temperatures. Oh, by the way, it is cheaper!

More on the ICOM IC-7110 transceiver

Waters and Stanton has a video introducing the ICOM IC-7110 transceiver. 

It looks like a replacement for the IC-7100. 

The European version includes 4m I understand.

6m 1W FT8 (Sunday)

 My gear should be on at about 0915z.

UPDATE 1335z:  Gear turned on at 0936z.  14 stations spotting me.

Snapseed experiments

Snapseed is an app for photo editing. 

This is one of the effects on what (I think) is a cedar rose, a sort of fir cone.

See https::/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snapseed

10m 200mW WSPR (Sunday)

At about 0900z, I expect to turn my beacon on. 

UPDATE  1815z:  Beacon turned on at 0636z. Spotted by 25 stations.

Sunspots - Sunday August 30th

 Solar flux is 111 and the SSN 73. A=17 and K=2.

ICOM IC-7110 revealed

It looks like ICOM have a competitor for the Yaesu FTX 1. It is a 100W radio with a separate head and covers HF, VHF and UHF. 

I have no idea about price and availability yet.  

It was announced at the Tokyo Ham Fair. 

In my view it could really compete with the Yaesu unit at the right price.  Even I am tempted. It looks like an IC-7100 successor, so expect 4m in the European version.

10m 200mW WSPR (Saturday)

My beacon was turned on just after breakfast.

UPDATE 1809z:  Spotted by 11 stations.

John Lewis Money advert

 My son has done the music for the latest John Lewis Money advert that has already clocked up 2.5M views on YouTube.  John Lewis is a major UK retailer.

Early morning walk

Before breakfast and before the forecast rain (!) we went for a walk around the nearby village of Swaffham Prior which has 2 medieval churches (in the same churchyard) and 2 windmills. Delightful.

6m 1W FT8 (Saturday)

My gear was turned on just after breakfast.

UPDATE 0842z:  Spotted by several English stations and one in Poland.

UPDATE 1950z:  Spotted by 31 stations.

Interconnectedness

In the West we are very dependent on imported food and imported energy. Energy powers nearly everything from water supplies, banking, sewers, traffic lights, the internet etc..  If we were suddenly denied these then society would be very different. We would adapt as we always do. 

I suspect there is an unwritten thing like MAD (mutually assured destruction) for nuclear weapons that if you were ever to hack us we will do the same to you. I hope so.

10m 200mW WSPR yesterday

Yesterday was a good day with 9 spots from Brazil as well as plenty in Europe.  Maybe the Brazilian spots were a combination of F2 and Es? In all, spotted by 37 stations yesterday.

Snapseed experiments

 

I have been experimenting with Snapseed (an app) frames. This photo is of a hummingbird hawk moth that  migrates from Southern Europe to the UK. They are now more common possibly due to climate change? The wings beat at about 75 beats a second so they can hover.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snapseed .

Sunspots - Saturday August 29th

 Solar flux is 116 and the SSN 92. A=15 and K=4.

6m 1W FT8 (Friday)

My gear has been on since before breakfast.

UPDATE 1309z:   179 stations have spotted me today (see map).

10m 200mW WSPR (Friday)

My beacon has been on since 0610z.

UPDATE  1311z: 41 stations have spotted me. Es I guess.

Sunspots - Friday August 28th

 Solar flux is 122 and the SSN 76. A=4 and K=1.

The USA in deep trouble?

 It would appear the USA is now seen as an unreliable partner around the world.

6m 1W FT8 (Thursday)

As my son has gone home and the storms are some way away, I am on 6m FT8.

UPDATE 1409z:  Spotted by 13 stations.

10m 200mW WSPR (Thursday)

As the thunderstorms seem to be some way away and my son has gone home, I have gone on 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 1410z: Spotted by 24 stations.

Garage clearance

 Earlier we cleared the garage and went to the dump. Other stuff will go to a charity shop. 

Day off radio ?

 As my son is here for the day and we have a trip to the dump later, I am having a day off radio. We also have thunderstorms forecast.

UPDATE 1134z: If the storm risk is low I may go on later .

Sunspots - Thursday August 27th

 Solar flux is 131 and the SSN 99. A=3 and K=1.

6m 1W FT8 (Wednesday)

My gear was turned on at about 0930z. 

UPDATE 1206z:  Just spotted by 7 UK stations.  No evidence of Es.

UPDATE 2100z : 13 stations spotted. Some Es I think.

10m 200mW WSPR (Wednesday)

As the lightning seems a long way away my beacon is on  .... for now!

UPDATE 2108z: Spotted by 4 stations including 1 in the USA. QRT with thunderstorms expected overnight 😢.

Why can't we all live in peace?

Right across the world people seem to be angry.  In the Middle East, the UK , the USA, nearly everywhere, people and nations seem to be angry.  

Maybe this is human nature, but I am sure most people everywhere want to live in peace with enough to eat and drink and a secure home. 

The main causes for conflict seem to be greed and insecurity.

Basically, people everywhere are the same.

DX Explorer

This is a YouTube channel I very much like. 

He is not afraid to say when he doesn't know something, but is always willing to try things. He is a real experimenter. See, for example, his latest video about his simple sferics receiver.

Not today?

With thunderstorms possible, I shall probably not go on 10m or 6m today. I had better keep an eye on the lightning map. At the moment it is over Belgium and we have no rain (yet!). 

Sunspots - Wednesday August 26th

 Solar flux is 132 and the SSN 83. A=4 and K=0.

6m 1W FT8 (Tuesday)

 My gear was turned on at about 0605z.

UPDATE 1047z: Just English stations and one Italian IZ8JAI (1959km) spotting me. This is how I expect the end of the Es season to go: some days may be good and some days hardly anything. Es can occur at any time with the peak in early summer.

10m 200mW WSPR (Tuesday)

My beacon was turned on at about 0605z.

UPDATE 1040z:  Just spots from EA8BFK (2880km) in the Canary Is.

Sunspots - Tuesday August 25th

 Solar flux is 143 and the SSN 84. A=6 and K=1.

Sunflowers

This year we had 2 lots of sunflowers grown from seed. 

One lot was directly in the soil and some in a trough. The lot in the soil (and full sun) have now died, but the ones in the trough are still good. 

Sunflowers are cheerful flowers.

Renewable energy

At one time renewable energy was expensive, but not any more. The cost of solar panels in particular has dropped dramatically.  The cost of wind turbines is also much less expensive.

What is lagging behind is distribution and storage. 

Home storage and mass storage batteries are becoming less expensive and their capacity increasing. I am sure with proper investment these could be dramatically improved. Give it a few years. Already 9% of the world's energy comes from solar panels. My guess is this will be over 50% in 10 years.

If storage and distribution also advance, I think we are on the foothills of a major revolution. Imagine energy that does not pollute! We are not there yet, but it is coming.

Oh of course climate change is fake news according to the US president!! Silly me 😄. Unless the USA wakes up, it is in danger of being left behind in a major way.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy

6m 1W FT8 (Monday)

My gear was turned on at about 0825z.

UPDATE 0840z: Spotted by 2 English stations. No Es.

UPDATE 1938z:  106 stations have spotted me today. See map. Plenty of Es! 1W FT8 to a V2000 vertical!

10m 200mW WSPR (Monday)

My beacon was turned on at about 0825z.

UPDATE 0836z: Already 7 stations spotting me. These look like Es.

UPDATE 1939z: 52 stations have spotted me with the best V51RS (8481km) plus a couple in the USA. See map by VK7JJ of WSPR Rocks. 

It never fails to amaze me how well just 200mW 10m WSPR does.

Sunspots - Monday August 24th

 Solar flux is 128 and the SSN 73. A=6 and K=2.

Nuclear fusion - nearer than we thought?

For years and years people have been working on nuclear fusion, which promises almost limitless energy without pollution.  

A few years ago, a breakthrough was made with more energy out than put in. It has still not been commercialised. I shall believe it when I see it!

Back on 6m FT8 (Sunday)

This weekend I got my reconditioned i5 Windows 11pro PC from the Gadget Centre in Plymouth for a bargain price of £174.99.  It looks absolutely mint (just like new) and comes with a 1 year guarantee.

This morning  I got WSJT-X working on 6m TX and RX using it.  This will be its main use.

UPDATE 2006z: Now on 1W 6m FT8 TX. 47 stations spotted me from all over Europe today. QRT.

10m 200mW WSPR (Sunday)

My TX beacon was turned on at about 0700z.

UPDATE 1021z:  8 stations spotting me. 

UPDATE 2015z:  65 stations spotted me today (see map). QRT.

Sunspots - Sunday August 23rd

 Solar flux is 124 and the SSN 87. A=4 and K=0.

Is the Mecca pact a threat to Trump?

 In the Middle East the USA is (sadly) seen as a spent force. Instead, countries are looking for local allies. They also see China a a reliable ally.

10m 200mW WSPR TX (Saturday)

My beacon has been on for some hours.

UPDATE 1410z:  Spotted by 102 stations in Europe.

Sunspots - Saturday August 22nd

 Solar  flux is 126 and the SSN 59. A=8 and K=1

West Bank (Israel and Palestine)

From the outside looking in, it seems Israel is being heavy-handed over the West Bank. Yes, historically there may have been some reference to this being part of the Holy Land, but those who are there now are simple farmers who just want to live in peace, I think.

Surely we all have to live together in peace.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn7n0l4p0kzo .

Is Es changing?

In previous years towards the end of the Es season I seem to get more stations in the north of Europe for some reason. 

I still see stations in the south of Europe, but there is a noticeable increase in more northerly stations. I guess this could even be some different form of propagation.

So far this year I have not noticed this. It is still August so things may yet change.

I wonder if others have noticed this?  This is definitely not scientific, just a gut feel.

USA treasury debt

As I understand things, US treasury debt (sold as bonds) now exceeds $40trillion, which is a huge number. Combined with high interest rates, this creates an enormous and worsening problem in the USA. The US economy is very big, but servicing this debt is a real problem. The debt is still growing.

The US dollar has been the reserve currency of the world since WW2. What would happen if China decided to buy oil in the Chinese currency (Yuan) instead and the rest of the world followed!! 

I am no economic expert, but I can see China becoming the dominant world power and the sun setting on the USA. In the Middle East, the USA is seen as not providing security and putting Arab countries more at risk.

UPDATE 1048z:  The UK has to watch its debt too. We are spending more than we can afford. See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly8kzkyvwgo

10m 200mW WSPR TX (Friday)

 My beacon was turned on at 0817z.

UPDATE 1902z: 78 stations in Europe spotting me.

qFT8 app

My attention to this was drawn by Steve G1KQH,  

My PC has been playing up so I can only use my Chromebook. 

The FT8/4 app worked immediately on RX when connected to my IC-705. On TX it uses VOX and there must be insufficient level to trigger TX with my current IC705 settings.

8m band in the UK

In the UK 8m is unavailable to the amateur radio service. Instead people have to apply for an I&T  licence which costs £50 every year. 

To my knowledge 5 EU countries plus South Africa have granted amateurs access to this band, usually with some restrictions. There may well be more. Many more have given experimental access outside of the amateur radio service

Judging by the ease that OFCOM have issued I&T licences, often with high power, all modes and wide frequency coverage and zero traceability (no callsigns needed), they do not seem to be the block. It looks like the RSGB is dead against it!

This is very very sad when, especially in the years around solar maximum, so much research and experimentation would have been possible.

Earlier this week I wrote to the spectrum committee and the general manager asking them to try and get behind the push.

Sunspots - Friday August 21st

 Solar flux is 125 and the SSN 72.  A=11 and K=3.

Crash coming?

Both the US debt and the UK debt is in our own currencies, so in the last resort we can always pay our debts. So the USA and the UK cannot go bust, but stock markets can (and will) crash. This can lead to recessions or even depressions. It could be extremely painful for everyone.

10m 200mW WSPR (Thursday)

As the thunderstorm risk is low this morning, shall turn my beacon on shortly. 

UPDATE 1705z: 17 stations spotting me.

Thunder threat?

 As there is an increasing risk of thunderstorms I may give operation a miss today.

Sunspots - Thursday August 20th

 Solar flux is 126 and the SSN 78. A=20 and K=2.

Lord Howe Island

 Since a child I have been fascinated by small remote islands. 

In my advanced years it is highly unlikely I will ever get to these. However, thanks to YouTube videos I am able to dream.

10m 200mW WSPR TX (Wednesday)

 My beacon was turned on earlier this  morning.

 UPDATE 1243z: 16 stations have spotted me.

Sunspots - Wednesday August 19th

 Solar flux is 125 and the SSN 71. A=25 and K=2.

Times are changing

In the last few years we have had some innovations that allow simple stations to work the world like FT8.

At the same time fewer young people (generally) are coming into the hobby, putting the hobby under threat. Also (certainly in the UK and USA) PTTs to want less bureaucracy especially if it generates no income.

Many national amateur radio societies are working hard to buck the trend.

In the end, I cannot see amateur radio surviving as it has in the past. What the future holds I do not know. 

I really hope that people continue to experiment and innovate, which is how our great hobby started.

10m 200mW WSPR (Tuesday)

My beacon was turned on just after breakfast 

UPDATE 1312z:   42 stations have spotted me.

I do not get it

 The president of the USA gave another press briefing in the White House. I was not very impressed, although I accept others may not agree.

Sunspots - Tuesday August 18th

 Solar flux is 124 and the SSN 76. A=11 and K=4.

Amazon - like marmite

Amazon home delivery gets a bad press. I have used it trouble-free for 26 years.

Some refuse to use it at all saying it will be the end of conventional shops. Yes, that is true, but people have already changed shopping patterns. Home shopping is now far more common in the last few years.

In my view, there are two sorts of high street shops (1) those that do not adapt and fail, and (2) those that adapt to internet shopping (browsing hubs?) and succeed.

Let me give you an example: at about 2230 last night I ordered 3 charging leads for my iPhone. By about 1500z the very next day they were on my doorstep delivered by Amazon. 

The alternative would have been to take a bus ride into Cambridge and go to the Apple store. Assuming they had stock, I would expect to pay far more for just a single lead!

No, times are changing. We have to adapt.

UPDATE 1506z: A single charging lead from the Apple store in Cambridge would have been more than 3 times the price of 3 leads online.

In app ads

This morning I noticed that advertisements were appearing in the main body of the blog. I find this intrusive and will try to stop them.

UPDATE 1111z: I think I have removed them.

Red legged partridges

At one time these handsome introduced birds were a common site in our garden. We have not seen them for several years. Apparently they were bred locally and released for shooting, but  they have stopped doing so.