At one time the Heathkit HW8 QRP CW transceiver was very popular. This video is about restoring one.
30 Apr 2026
Iran war
This has the potential to be the worst crisis since WW2.
It is clear this crisis is far from over and the Strait of Hormuz remains a pinch point. In my view this war was entered without a clear exit plan.
Oil prices and inflation are likely to remain high. In my view things could get far worse.
Sunny village
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This week we’ve generally enjoyed good weather. This was outside our Post Office yesterday.
ICOM X-026
ICOM announced that they will be showing their concept model transceiver at the Dayton Hamvention.
So far all that has appeared from ICOM is a ghostly video. In truth, I think it is some way off production and they are testing the interest. Some speculate that it is a "shack in the box" replacement for the IC706 range covering HF, VHF and UHF but with a head unit that is remotely connected wirelessly via bluetooth or wifi.
The truth is we just don't know. One thing is certain, this could really hit the Yaesu FTX1 range. In my view the FTX1 is a poor second and shows Yaesu is now a (poor) follower.
10m 200mW WSPR (Thursday)
My beacon was turned on at about 0545z.
UPDATE 1630z: 4 stations have spotted me with the best DP0GVN (13685km) in Antarctica.
Pembrokeshire, West Wales
She enjoys walking!
There are lots of wild flowers out.
Christ's Pieces, Cambridge, UK
It is a wonderful space for a picnic in good weather, such as we have had this week.
29 Apr 2026
Es (sporadic E) - not yet?
In the northern hemisphere Es usually brings good short skip on 10m, 6m and 4m. Occasionally it even reaches 2m, but this is rare.
At the moment it doesn't seem to have properly arrived. I guess it might appear sporadically, but the main months are May, June and July.
If we are lucky far further is possible by chordal or multi-hop E layer propagation or Es linking with F2 further south.
Amateur radio - as it was?
This video is very USA based. Sadly, its message is true almost everywhere. I think amateur radio, as we knew it, is dying. It might stagger on in my lifetime, but times are changing. The magic it once was is no longer magic.
10m 200mW WSPR (Wednesday)
My beacon was turned on at breakfast.
UPDATE 0932z: 4X1DA (3592km) in Israel spotting me.
UPDATE 1115z: Spotted by TA4/G8SCU (3011km) in Turkey and 4X1DA. Occasionally, the drift seen is very high. I wonder if this is the reflection patch moving?
Surprise visitor
It calmly sat on his hand and flew out the other window when opened.
Corvids are very intelligent.
Watchful eyes for swifts
I am ever hopeful I'll see one in East Anglia, UK in April. My son just has!
UPDATE 0915z: Whilst walking with my wife to the hairdressers I was observing the sky for about an hour. Sadly, no swifts seen.
28 Apr 2026
49MHz
In many countries the 49MHz band is allocated to low power devices such as baby alarms and toy walkie-talkies licence-free as long as they are 10mW or below.
Next door's lilac
Our ornamental cherry was in blossom for about 2 weeks. Now it has gone until next year.
10m 200mW WSPR (Tuesday)
My beacon has been on since before breakfast.
UPDATE 0900z: Just TA4/G8SCU (3010km) spotting me.
UPDATE 0953z: Spotted by 2 stations with the best 4X1DA (3592km).
27 Apr 2026
Weather in April
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April is an odd month in the UK. Some days can be hot and sunny, whereas other days can be cold and wet.
No wonder we like to talk about the weather in the UK! This was this day some years ago, whereas today it is very sunny.
10m 3W FT8 (Monday)
UPDATE 1133z: Spotted by 4 stations. Currently RX only with 34 stations spotted in 4 continents.
UPDATE 1557z: 67 stations spotted here on RX. See map.
VLF earth mode
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Many years ago I did quite a bit of experimenting below 10kHz. This was reception of G6ALB at 3km on 8.97kHz. I think he was running about 40W. This was 2011.
See https://sites.google.com/site/sub9khz/vlf-using-earth-mode.
Windmill next door
Several times I have mentioned that we live right next door to a fully restored windmill. It is usually open (along with the museum it is next to) from Easter to late October at weekends and bank holidays. It is well worth a visit.
Our hedge is at the front of the photo. That's how close we are!
26 Apr 2026
Tea in the garden
Yesterday was the first time we could have tea in the garden. It was warm and sunny. It should be similar today.
FAST or China's Sky Eye
This news came to me via Amateur Radio Weekly.
Some years ago the huge radio telescope at Arecibo in Puerto Rico failed terminally when some of its cables broke. It is not going to be repaired.
China has built a larger and more sensitive dish in a project called FAST. I had no idea about this. As far as I can tell, it puts China far ahead of the USA in space exploration. It is built in a remote region of China and has a radio-quiet area of 5km around the dish. It can detect very weak signals, far weaker than those that could be detected at Arecibo.
10m 3W FT8 (Sunday)
Today, I am on 10m 3W FT8.
UPDATE 0802z: 4 English spots of me and I have spotted 6 stations here today.
UPDATE 1040z: Back on TX again with my best spot by V51F (8209km) in Namibia. 29 stations spotted here on RX.
UPDATE 1329z: RX only again. 75 stations spotted here. See map.
UPDATE 2013z: RX only currently. 145 stations spotted here. QRT soon.
Are we heading for an economic crash?
It seems highly likely we could be heading for a market crash worldwide. Anything that depends on share values could be affected. Even the Bank of England is firing warning shots.
25 Apr 2026
New ICOM mobile transceiver?
Hamvention is now only a few weeks away. It is often the place where new rigs are announced. ICOM has announced a new concept model called the X-026 which may be an HF/VHF/UHF mobile transceiver although details are sketchy. Often these annoucements pre-date release by some time.
10m 3W FT8 (Saturday)
My gear was turned on mid-morning.
UPDATE 1451z: 23 stations have spotted me with the best UA9MA (4600km). 44 stations have been spotted here. Currently RX only.
Four Quartets - T.S.Eliot
A friend of mine bought me this in 1968. I have never forgotten this and I still have it and treasure it. One of the recurring themes is time. This is an extract.
"Through the unknown, remembered gate
When the last of earth left to discover
Is that which was the beginning;
At the source of the longest river
The voice of the hidden waterfall
And the children in the apple-tree
Not known, because not looked for
But heard, half-heard, in the stillness
Between two waves of the sea.
Quick now, here, now, always—
A condition of complete simplicity
(Costing not less than everything)
And all shall be well and
All manner of thing shall be well
When the tongues of flame are in-folded
Into the crowned knot of fire
And the fire and the rose are one."
24 Apr 2026
Does President Trump have an off-ramp?
Certainly it is not clear to me who has won in Iran. President Trump claims victory. So does Iran.
10m 3W FT8 (Friday)
My gear was turned on at about 0755z.
UPDATE 1355z: 90 stations spotted here. 8 stations have spotted me. See map of stations spotting me.
Antony Gormley statue
In the bowels of the cathedral in the crypt, where it often floods, is a statue by Antony Gormley.
When I was there, there was some water, enough to see reflections. Sometimes the water is far higher.
23 Apr 2026
The Trump Report
One of the affects of the Iran war is higher fuel costs across the world with the price of oil shooting up. This also adversely impacts consumers in the USA and helps Putin fight his war in Ukraine.
Winchester Cathedral
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At one time it was the capital of England.
10m 3W FT8 (Thursday)
Since returning from a few days in Winchester, I turned on my 10m FT8 gear.
UPDATE 1935z: Spotted by 6 stations all in the UK. Now QRT.
22 Apr 2026
Lyrids meteor shower
This meteor shower peaks tonight. Hopefully there will be some VHF propagation by MS saw a result.
21 Apr 2026
20 Apr 2026
Big VHF/UHF signal
When I first came to Cambridge in the early 1970s G8BBB (later G4BEL) was a massive signal from about 10km away.
He had an excellent takeoff to the south and was very well known. He was the first station I ever copied on 23cm using my tiny indoor 4el yagi smaller than my hand!!
We miss you Roger.
QRP? Life's too short?
This "tongue in cheek" video pokes fun at people who don't believe QRP really works! Certainly with POTA operations a few watts seem plenty. Another later video does it will SSB.
19 Apr 2026
10m 2W FT8 (Sunday)
My gear was turned at about 1100z.
UPDATE 1118z: 2 English stations have spotted me and 3 stations spotted here on RX.
Running QRP
Some say life is too short for QRP.
There is no doubt that running high power to a beam will be copied more often than QRP. It will also break pile-ups more easily.
However, running QRP is often much better than you might think as this video shows.
The difference by ear between high power and QRP is often much smaller than you think. Try it! In another video he tries it with SSB.
18 Apr 2026
The nature of time
Our brains have limited size and to most people time is a mystery. Certainly my experience is that time passes faster as we get older. Some believe in some sort of life carrying on after we die. I remain agnostic.
It would be great to be able to experience again some of the good things in our lives. This brings to mind the famous poem called "A Shropshire Lad" by A.E. Housman.
Into my heart an air that kills
From yon far country blows;
What are those blue remembered hills,
What spires, what farms are those?
That is the land of lost content,
I see it shining plain,
The happy highways where I went
And cannot come again.
I think this was written overseas, knowing the beloved country of his birth would not be seen again, except in memory.
10m 2.5W FT8 (Saturday)
After a brire period on TX around breakfast (2 English stations spotted me), I am RX only.
UPDATE 0736z: Just I UK stations spotted in G0FWX (135km).
UPDATE 2000z: 23 stations spotted here today. Now QRT.
Frontline for Times Radio
There are rumours that Russia is looking for an off-ramp in the war against Ukraine. Time will tell. Will Crimea go back to Ukraine?
17 Apr 2026
Pirate?- I think so!
At totally the wrong time of day and an unbelievable strength, I was supposed to have spotted a station in North Korea on 10m FT8 RX.
I think we can assume this was a pirate, probably in Europe.
Little things please little minds.
Punting on the Cam
When people come to Cambridge, UK they often like to go on the River Cam in a punt. Even better is to be gently punted by a guide whilst you sip a glass of Pimm's. There are even punts selling Pimm's!
QMX from QRP Labs
This is a tiny transceiver that now includes SSB. Many are using it for SOTA and POTA activations.
Where are they?
For a long time now, they have not been seen.
Apparently these introduced birds were bred and released a few miles away, but this has now stopped.
Trump Report
Some think President Trump was insane to go to war with Iran. Many were upset by some of his "falling out" with the Pope. Many in the MAGA movement want him not to get involved in foreign wars and concentrate instead on the USA.
Solid state batteries?
A lot of excitement (and incredulity!) was created at CES26 when a small start-up company announced it had created a sold-state battery with amazing claims.
Many just don't believe it, when huge companies with massive manpower and investment have failed. They also claim the battery does not use lithium!
Since then, they have been using an independent lab to carry out a series of "drip feed" tests. The only real test will be a tear-down of an actual production battery. If solid state batteries with enormous ranges come to market soon, this could be truly trasformational.
If true, many would be interested in the IP. Tests so far suggest it is indeed a solid state battery. I think "the jury is still out" although we should soon know.
10m 2W/3W FT8 (Friday)
UPDATE 0810z: Just spotted by just one local. Nobody spotted here on RX.
UPDATE 1101z: Increased the power slightly to 3W and back on TX. I have been RX only most of the morning, but still no stations on RX. 2 stations have spotted me with one in Denmark.
UPDATE 1825z: Spotted by 11 stations (see map) and 28 stations spotted here. QRT soon.
15m 5W FT8 yesterday
Yesterday I spotted 198 stations on 15m FT8.
At the moment we seem to be between pretty good winter F2 conditions and the Es season.
It looks like people have started to move lower in frequency to chase DX.
16 Apr 2026
15m 5W FT8 (Thursday)
After a very brief TX period (no spots - RF feedback from the end-fed?), I am RX only on 15m FT8.
Although things are better on 15m, I am still convinced that conditions are not great. So far, just 14 stations spotted . See map.
UPDATE 1750z: 147 stations spotted here.
RSGB Monday talks
On Monday nights at 8pm, the RSGB gives a series of talks with people expert in their field.
I have seen some, but manage to miss quite a few.
Some are talks at past RSGB conventions. Many (all?) have to be watched on YouTube.
Iran war - Trump Report
This was posted about 17 hours ago, which would have been Wednesday afternoon in the UK.
10m 200mW WSPR TX (Thursday)
My TX beacon was turned on at about 0755z.
UPDATE 1510z: No spots all day, so QSYed to 15m 5W FT8.
Proctors
Proctors are like college policemen. They wear bowler hats.
Heathkit Twoer 2m AM transceiver
Back in the 1960s I really wanted a Heathkit Twoer transceiver. In those days most people on 2m used AM and the band was quiet. It used a sensitive super-regen RX, but these were broad. In their day they were fine. Looking back I am amazed how bad they were!
Versions were made for 10m 11m CB and 6m too.
To this day I still like the style. They were known as the "Benton Harbour Lunchboxes" as they resembled a lunchbox.
In their day they were "state of the art".
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/vhfuhf-commercial-rigs/hw30
15 Apr 2026
Es yet?
Today there were a couple of southern European stations spotted on 10m FT8.
It is about now that Es (sporadic E) starts to happen in the northern hemisphere. I guess they could have been all sorts of modes.
In the next few months we can expect lots of stations via Es short skip in the northern hemisphere. At times far further is possible via E layer, either by multi-hop or chordal hop.
Chinese receiver
This RX is called the K3. This is not to be confused with the Elecraft K3. Certainly I was confused!
It is available from AliExpress at about £60. There seem to be a lot of these low cost Chinese receivers about.
When the diesel runs out?
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Perhaps they will be useful when we are returned to the Stone Age!
10m 5W FT8 (Wednesday)
UPDATE 1340z: 4 stations spotted here. I still get the impression that conditions are not good.
UPDATE 1502z: 6 stations spotted here on RX including South Africa and Reunion.
UPDATE 2125z: 21 stations spotted here today. Now QRT. See map of stations received here.
Archetypal Cambridge
Just out of the photo is the Wren library. In the back is St John's college.
The tower is St.John's college chapel.
This photo has it all.
14 Apr 2026
What's next for ICOM?
After the release of the IC7300MkII people are wondering what is next for ICOM. The IC-705 is due for an upgrade.
One "easy win" would be a repackage of the IC-705 as a handheld. This could just require new mechanics, but a nice upgrade would be to add 4m and delete the lower HF bands and add an internal auto ATU.
Oscar 100 and DATV
Activity is surprisingly low on the narrowband transponder of this geosynchronous satellite. There is (at least) one DATV net via the satellite, transforming amateur TV.
There are some very clever people around!
President Trump and the pope.
Whatever your political views, the lambasting of the pope by President Trump was ill judged at best in my view. As the leader of the western world I would have expected better.
The AI cartoon on Truth Social (was it Jesus or the Red Cross?) was in very bad taste in my view. I am not quite sure what message this was intended to portray?
10m 200mW WSPR (Tuesday)
At about 0805z I went across to 10m WSPR TX with my beacon.
UPDATE 1600z: No spots all day.
10m 5W FT8 (Tuesday)
My gear was turned on just before 0600z.
UPDATE 0746z: 1 English station spotted here and I have been spotted by 6 stations. Now RX only. I definitely think there are fewer people now on 10m FT8.
13 Apr 2026
New reserve currency?
For years the US dollar has been the reserve currency of the world. Oil prices are currently in US dollars.
The current US government seems to want a more isolationist stance on the world stage.
In my view we need a new reserve currency in the world and oil priced in something other than the US dollar. I have no idea what this should be. Any change might take years.
Sadly. the current US government seems hell bent on ruining the USA. In the next 50 years I can see China becoming a major power and the USA becoming far less important.
LoRa
Interest in licence-fee and internet free 868MHz mesh communications seems to be growing.
People are looking for a means of communication that does not need the internet as a backbone. Some are motivated by cyber-attacks on the internet. Others want it to communicate locally. Some just want to experiment.
In my view this is still immature much like the internet in the early 1990s.
As more and more people get active, things get better.
Iran crisis
Apparently the USA has the "wrong" sort of oil that it is not geared up to refine. So it exports oil and imports oil it can refine!
With the failure of talks in Pakistan tensions are high again with President Trump threatening to blockade Iranian ports. Oil prices are rising again.
Times Radio is being very harsh!
View from the shack
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It lasts a few weeks then it is gone until next spring.
10m 1W FT8 (Monday)
UPDATE 1722z: 3 English spots of me. 25 stations spotted here with the best LU1VDF (12460km) in Argentina. See map of stations received here.
12 Apr 2026
What's the effect on the world of the failed Iran peace talks?
It is disappointing that the peace talks in Pakistan have failed. What is likely to happen now?
Clearly, the immediate future looks more uncertain and markets will be "on edge". This Joe Blogs video may help.
Xiegu G106 HF transceiver
It looks like the Chinese (?) manufacturers are coming up fast.
This tiny 5W HF transceiver is available new from Martin Lynch in the UK for less than £189.95!
You pay extra for a digital adaptor and it does not cover 6m.
See G106.
Amazon - like Marmite in the UK!
We have been using Amazon for over 25 years. In all that time we have never experienced an issue.
I remember one occasion when my wife tried to buy some nail scissors from our local chemist. They had none in stock so my wife went on Amazon and they were delivered the next day. They were probably cheaper than they would have been.
People argue that this will result in more shops closing and they are correct. However, this is how we now shop: those that adapt will survive. Those that do not will fail. In the next 10 years I suspect many retailers may go.
I miss our local bank. However, almost 100% of my banking is online and I would probably not have needed to go in our bank if it was still there. I miss the human touch mind you.
Some people (like Marmite) hate Amazon. I have to say it suits us: no traipsing into Cambridge to find no stock. Delivered to the door. No quibble about returns. Free delivery with Prime. Prime on TV.
In my view retail shops have to adapt. They have to offer something you cannot get online. Maybe people browse goods in a shop and then buy online? Maybe the shop becomes a cafe and meeting hub?
Times and shopping are changing.
HF conditions - poorer?
At first I was wondering why I was reporting no spots on 10m FT8 RX to PSKreporter. I wondered if changing up from 15m to 10m was causing a software issue, so I restarted the PC. I tried 12m and 15m again and concluded it was just poor conditions.
At the moment I am on 15m FT8 with 1W TX.
UPDATE 1014z: 21 stations spotted on RX on 15m FT8 and I have been spotted by 4 stations when running 15m 1W FT8.
IC7300 MkII
The IC7300 has been a very popular HF transceiver and I believe ICOM have sold over 100k units across the world.
They have recently started selling the MkII version with some improvements. I guess it makes a sensible choice if one is in the market for a new 100W transceiver. The European version includes 4m. Remember, the internal ATU will match 10:1 at half power.
Iran peace talks fail
The peace talks in Pakistan have failed. Are we surprised?
I think this leaves President Trump with a problem: neither side (I think) has a real appetite to carry on fighting, yet Iran has arguably come out on top in this asymmetric conflict with a stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz.
President Trump has to decide to escalate further or negotiate. He does not like to be beaten, especially when he has already announced victory!
In my view President Trump seriously misjudged the situation. Many regard Iran as an evil state, but was this approach right? The world now suffers.
It will be interesting to see what the next steps are.
10m 1W FT8 (Sunday)
My gear was turned on at about 0700z and so far just local spots of me.
UPDATE 0825z: Just 1 local spot of me still.
UPDATE 1820z: At about 1230z I returned to 10m 1W FT8. So far today, spotted by 21 stations. See map.
15m 1W FT8 (Sunday)
Just 2 Russian stations spotted so far this morning although it is early.
UPDATE 1251z: Spotted by 30 stations with the best JE6WOJ (9302km). See map.
11 Apr 2026
15m 1W FT8 and WSJT-X 3.0.0
Amateur Radio Weekly reported that WSJT-X is now on general release 3.0.0 so I have upgraded.
HF conditions must be poor today. Having failed on 10m 200mW WSPR, I am now on 15m 1W FT8. I am being spotted in Europe, but even on 15m FT8 RX things don't seem exactly wonderful.
Electric Bikes
Also, with the advent of electric cars with far greater range, home charging, and lower costs, I expect we will soon be at a "tipping point". In my view we are almost there and I would certainly expect this soon.
I did a quick search on Amazon for electric bikes out of curiosity. Amazingly, there was a very wide choice ranging from about £290 to £1400. These days I am far too wobbly to get on a bike, but if I was younger I might have been tempted.
In my view, as an "oldie" I think they should be subject to motor cycle rules and crash helmets and insurance made compulsory as they can be very fast and very quiet and should not be allowed on pavements (sidewalks).
Wicken Fen, UK
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Yesterday, we went for a walk at Wicken Fen and saw our first returning swallows here for the summer before flying back to southern Africa.
10 Apr 2026
Iran - a very old and beautiful place
Last night I watched a YouTube video about Iran, I had absolutely no idea what a beautiful country this is. It would appear some idiots want to bomb it back to the Stone Age.
We always see a biased version of facts. I am sure, like many countries, Iran has many faults. However, I always find it sad when idiots want to bomb history they don't like out of existence.
I felt this about King Henry VIII, Palmyra in Syria and the Buddhist statues in Afghanistan. There are some very stupid people.
QRP transceiver from Sweden
This appeared in SPRAT 31 and I believe earlier in RadCom. I must have missed it.
10m 200mW WSPR (Friday)
My beacon was turned on before breakfast.
UPDATE 2002z: Spotted by 4 stations with the best DP0GVN (13685km) in Antarctica. QRT shortly.
9 Apr 2026
Reverse Beacon Network - why no FT modes?
For many, this is a really useful resource often allowing operators to see where they are getting in the absence of a reply.
It seems odd to me (as far as I can see) that the RBN does NOT monitor FT8, FT4 and FT2.
I know there are alternatives such as PSKreporter, but as very common modes these days and only requiring a few kilohertz of band to be monitored this surprises me.
If there is a good reason, I would be interested to know why.
10m 200mW WSPR (Thursday)
Today was an early start on 10m WSPR with my beacon turned on at about 0545z.
UPDATE 1242z: 2 stations spotting me with the best FR5DN (9752km) .
70cm 10W FT8 UKAC yesterday
Last evening was the activity contest (UKAC) on 70cm FT8.
A couple of people answered my CQs and were worked, but I was not on long. My 70cm gear is pathetic! I run 10W into a 144MHz big-wheel antenna.
Despite this, I remain amazed how far away I get spotted on 70cm FT8. See the map showing where I was copied last evening in a few short minutes.
8 Apr 2026
Iran war
In my mind the USA has made a "pigs dinner" of this war. Both sides claim victory.
The war has cost the USA, allegedly, over $11B so far, which is a colossal amount.
Fuel prices are higher (even in the USA) and inflation is likely to move up. The Strait of Hormuz (which was open before the war) is supposed to be open again .......but Iran controls it and will probably charge a toll.
Yes, we may have set back Iran making missiles and nuclear weapons a bit. Has the USA gained any friends? I doubt it; they may well have lost a few. Iran still has low cost drones and control over the Straight of Hormuz. US victory? Hmmm.
10m 5W FT8 (Wednesday)
At about 1515z, I changed to 10m FT8 at 5W.
UPDATE 1536z: On TX my best spots are from Israel. On RX here my best is LU8XW(13474km) in Tierra del Fuego.
Coffee in the garden
10m 200mW WSPR (Wednesday)
At the moment, I am on 10m QRP WSPR TX.
Tulips
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First of all we see the snowdrops, then the daffodils, then the tulips.
Also, the deciduous trees have a fresh green, which looks tired by the late summer.
2m activity contest
Last night was the 2m UKAC (activity) contest. As usual, I was running 10W to my big-wheel omni antenna and I could only stay on for about 30 minutes because of my poor voice.
In all, 5 stations were worked with some at quite decent range. See map.
Enjoying the sunshine
Yesterday in Cambridge, it was sunny and warm. For the first time this year, I abandoned the jumper!
At this time of the year people do not know what to wear. Some have heavy winter clothes, whereas others are wearing shorts and short sleeves.
7 Apr 2026
Trinity College, Cambridge, UK
This photo was taken in a previous year. It shows the flowers outside Trinity College.
10m 200mW WSPR (Tuesday)
Very shortly I shall be on 10m WSPR QRP TX.
Lighter evenings
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This was about 7.30pm last evening from our house. We have about 3 months of evenings getting lighter.
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