Although I have yet to get it, I have just bought a much modified HW-8 ready built. Whether I use it depends on my ability to send CW!!
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/commercial-rigs/heathkit-hw8
31 May 2026
Heathkit HW-8
iPhone amateur radio apps
Many people have iPhones. I had no idea (until seeing it in Amateur Radio Weekly yesterday) how many apps there are for Apple and Android. Many of these are free and very useful.
Check the iPhone app store.
The Knowledge
I am sure many can afford it.
6m 3W FT8 (Sunday)
My gear was turned on at about 0905z.
UPDATE 1238z: Spotted by 158 Europeans and I have spotted 177 here, presumably Es. Currently RX only.
10m 200mW WSPR (Sunday)
My beacon is on.
UPDATE 0837z: So far 33 European stations have spotted me. Es?
Hotel breakfast
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30 May 2026
Ferrite rods as TX antennas
Most people are familiar with ferrite rod antennas as RX antennas. I think this works as the effective size of the rod is "magnified" as the effective permeability is much larger than that of air. This can be used in electric field antennas as well.
As long as the material does not saturate, i.e at very low power, they may be used in TX antennas as well, e.g. in WSPR beacons. Some years ago I carried out some experiments to prove they worked. They would be far down on a "proper" antenna, but they do work. As I recall my antennas were effectively loaded E field antennas rather than H field loops.
As I often say do not be afraid to experiment! This is one area of experimentation that has really been neglected.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/antennas/ferrite-rod-tx-antennas .
Russia-Ukraine nuclear plant risks
The largest nuclear power plant in Europe (I think) is in a war zone.
Meshtastic node
Quite a few people are experimenting by sending data over LoRa Meshtastic which is around 898MHz in Europe and does not need amateur radio or the internet: it is licence free. I see MLS is selling a solar powered node at about £64.
In rural areas the problem is often coverage gaps. Such a node might help.
I have not experimented, but am tempted.
10m 200mW WSPR (Saturday)
After a few days away with my son and family in Kent I am now back home and on 10m QRP WSPR.
UPDATE 1921z: Spotted by 17 Europeans, presumably by Es.
29 May 2026
Tattoos
Maybe I am just a grumpy old man!! The fashion with young people now seems to be to get a tattoo.
To me, they seem horrible. Some even have tattoos on their face. I can imagine these in 50 years time being all wrinkled!
28 May 2026
Iran war
The basic problem appears to be that there is no trust between opposing parties.
In my view nothing much will happen until this happens.
In the meantime the world suffers. ☹️.
EchoLink?
This really conflicts me.
For those unable to enjoy amateur radio in the conventional way (maybe in a care home, hospital or hotel room) it allows connections into many repeaters around the world. At the same time I find it unsatisfying as it lacks experimentation, which I find the best part of the hobby.
There are other amateur radio substitutes that use the internet to entirely replace radio! I find these even less enjoyable.
I would be interested to hear the views of others.
27 May 2026
Iran war
Most days, I watch the Joe Blogs videos on Iran. At the time of writing peace looks as elusive as ever and the world suffers.
OXO classic 1W HF CW transmitter
For serious use, a low pass filter for the band chosen should be added. I think it works on any HF band.
See https://rsgb.org/main/technical/qrp-low-power-operating/ from where this circuit was seen and taken.
If the RSGB has a problem with me using it, I shall remove it immediately.
There is a clearer circuit at this link.
Wild flowers near "our" windmill
As mentioned many times, we live next to a windmill. The photo shows the wild flowers between our hedge on the left and the windmill on the right.
26 May 2026
Desperate men?
It would appear both President Trump and President Putin are likely to get even more desperate and reckless. The next 12 months could be very consequential for the world.
SNP Scandal
The Chief Executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP) who was at one time married to the Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, has pleaded guilty to embezzling £400k of party funds.
If it was my partner "splashing the cash" I am certain I would know. £400k is a huge amount.
Why did he do it?
6m 2W FT8 (Tuesday)
My gear was turned on just before breakfast.
UPDATE 0840z: So far just spotted in England by several stations.
UPDATE 1328z: My station has been spotted by 249 stations despite running just 2W. 191 stations spotted here. Es produces some very strong signals! At first the novelty is having all of Europe on VHF. Then people start looking further afield.
UPDATE 1908z: Now QRT. 359 stations spotted my 2W FT8 and 343 stations spotted here.
10m 200mW WSPR (Tuesday)
My beacon was turned on before breakfast.
UPDATE 0837z: Spotted in Finland and Sweden.
UPDATE 1310z 58 stations have spotted me. When Es is good it gets all over Europe. Indeed some reports suggest low mW would have been enough.
UPDATE 1913z: Now QRT. 62 stations spotted me today. Mostly Es.
Puzzled
My IC-705 still produces no audio on USB-D TX but does on USB! For now I am using USB for FT8 rather than USB-D which seems to work fine. I assume the RX filtering is different?
25 May 2026
EV battery technology
It would appear that lithium-ion batteries look optimal for range and weight. The disadvantage is that lithium is a rare earth material with limited supplies.
It looks like sodium-ion batteries might be answer. Sodium is widely available. CATL, the worlds's largest battery manufacturer, has a huge order for sodium-ion batteries.
Storing renewable energy
Often you hear that renewable energy is OK, but what happens when there is no sun for solar panels or no wind for wind farms?
These are fair comments. Of course, this energy could be stored in chemical batteries, but people are looking for other solutions. One of these might be using old mines for gravitational energy storage. Around the world there are millions of abandoned mines.
As technology improves, I am sure solutions will be found.
Testing the boundaries
When I was younger and fitter, I enjoyed experimenting "at the boundaries". These days I cannot do that much.
In the past I have enjoyed amateur radio below 10kHz, over the horizon with 481THz red light, experimenting with earth-electrode antennas, earth-mode VLF TXing with 5W, 8m, extreme QRP, etc.. Most of my fun has been pushing the boundaries.
Sadly, few in our hobby are interested these days, which is sad. At the moment I try to do things I can experiment with at home. I just wish I was younger and fitter!
Chickens
He’s an old softy at heart!
The photo shows him holding one.
BBC longwave going QRT
Because of falling numbers and costs to keep it going I understand that the BBC is turning off its longwave broadcast transmitters towards the end of June. Sad, but understandable. I am not sure what is happening to the utilities that depended on the 198kHz signal
I wonder what will happen to LW spectrum? Maybe they will introduce a service like in the USA where anyone (part 15?) can operate a station as long as they run less than 1W to short antennas? Probably not in the UK!
8m FT8 RX (Monday)
Today I shall probably stick with 8m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 0500z: Just G8VER spotted so far.
UPDATE 0830z: 2 stations have been spotted with the best S57TW (1237km).
UPDATE 0957z: 3 stations in 3 countries spotted.
UPDATE 2040z: 11 stations spotted in 4 countries today on 8m FT8. The impression I am getting is that my endfed antenna is better than the dipole I was using when I had a TX permit (now taken down). I think that’s it but I shall continue until bedtime. Now QRT.
Toad in the compost
Yesterday I did some gardening in bite sized chunks. Much to my amazement I found a toad (I think, not a frog) in my compost.
Afterwards I was telling this to one of my granddaughters who was around opening her birthday presents.
24 May 2026
8m FT8 RX (Sunday)
As Es seemed good on 10m and 6m, I thought I'd try 8m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1442z: So far, EA3GCV (1231km) spotted using the well off tune V2000 vertical.
UPDATE 1513z: 3 stations in Spain and 1 in Sardinia spotted.
UPDATE 2130z: 18 stations spotted in 4 countries.
PC fixed
My shack PC was not TXing. Following several suggestions (thank you) I reset the TX USB audio to default and that seems to have fixed it. As far as I could see the output and sound mixer settings were correct beforehand! Anyway, it is now working again.
I went briefly on 6m TX and was widely copied in Europe and the Canary Isles with 5W.
QRP operation
We are all different, so how we enjoy the hobby varies greatly. This is healthy. It would be a sad world if we all liked the same things!
I quite enjoy QRP (low power) and like finding out how far really low power goes.
As an example, today one station was giving my 200mW WSPR beacon a report of -3dB S/N suggesting the even microwatts might have been enough.
I have been a member of the GQRP club for very many years. Their quarterly SPRAT magazine (A5 colour) is usually packed with ideas for simple circuits. As I have said many times, if all other radio magazines had to go, SPRAT would be the one I would keep.
Back issues of SPRAT are available on a flash drive.
The RSGB has a page about QRP. See https://rsgb.org/main/technical/qrp-low-power-operating/
Exhaustion
It must be a combination for several things, but most times doing anything I get exhausted. In the UK we are experiencing a heatwave (>30 deg C), I am getting old and I experienced a stroke some years ago. It is probably a combination of all three!
What seem to be best for me is short, sharp periods of activity followed by rest.
Things that were done quickly often wait until tomorrow. My PC does not TX FT8 for example. I could have looked yesterday or today. Instead, it has to wait until I gather energy. Maybe tomorrow?
Iran
To me, it seems that the USA and Israel have come out far worse from their war with Iran than had they not started it. Few dispute that the regime there is bad, but I fail to see how this can be classed as a win for the USA/Israel. By most measures the outcome is worse than the 2015 agreement that President Trump did not agree with!
Dandelions
The lawns are regularly cut ... but the dandelions seem to grow the next day!
One of the pleasures of life. Lovely and free.
10m 200mW WSPR (Sunday)
My beacon has been on all morning.
UPDATE 1321z: 74 European spots of me, presumably by Es plus EA8BFK (2880km).
23 May 2026
Strait of Hormuz - what next?
It seems certain that the world has suffered a shock by the closure of these straits controlling access to the Gulf though which 20% of the world's oil flowed, to say nothing of jet fuel, natural gas, diesel and fertilisers.
Oil products are limited. Even if we use them sensibly, they will be exhausted eventually.
To some extent the world will adapt, but I think it will take years and years, if ever, for the USA to come back as the beacon of liberty and democracy it once was. In my view, they have made a huge mistake on the world stage. They have made no new friends and, sadly, alienated many, who will not forget.
Solid state batteries
Recently a battery manufacturer in Taiwan (ProLogium) opened its doors. They seem to have made breakthroughs in solid state batteries.
I am unsure about how this ties in with getting rid of rare earth materials like lithium. Must watch the video again! The ultimate would be a solid-state battery without using rare earth materials.
10m 200mW WSPR (Saturday)
My beacon was turned on at about 0815z . When I checked WSPRnet appeared not to be working? Which begs a question - is there a real alternative? In the past I have found PSKreporter poor for WSPR.
UPDATE 1529z: Spotted by 38 stations.
UPDATE 2106z: 69 stations have spotted me.
22 May 2026
Cuba
The USA 🇺🇸 is putting pressure on Cuba.
They made a mess in Iraq and Afghanistan and appear to be in a mess over Iran now.
They don’t exactly have a good record!
University days
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1967-70 I was an electronics student at Liverpool University. The photo from 1970 shows our year.
As I recall we had 109 students in our year with just one woman and I don't think she is even in the photo!
To think I had hair then 😄. I am on the left a few rows back. Perhaps you can spot me? Happy days.
By the way, I chose Liverpool as it had the best amateur radio society (G3OUL) at the time! I don't think it is there now?
When I was there Liverpool University had about 7000 students. It now has about 22000 .
10m 200mW WSPR (Friday)
My beacon was on before breakfast.
UPDATE 1846z: 80 stations spotted me. Best Es day so far this season. Now QRT.
QRPguys digital transceiver
Although I have no experience of these kits, apparently QRPGuys now make a true SSB version of their digital transceiver.
Immigration
There seems to be a scapegoating of migrants in the UK at present.
Like many countries the level of net immigration is actually falling despite what you might be led to believe.
Also, without immigration our population would be falling and many jobs would be unfilled .
We need some migration into the UK to sustain our society.
Earth-electrode antennas
Many years ago I tried to compare my vertical Marconi vertical with my earth-electrode antenna in the groundi on 472kHz.I think these tests were mainly in 2012 and 2013.
My conclusion is that on the LF bands it is a very few S points down. If you have problems erecting a big antenna and extensive ground do not ignore this antenna as it is surprisingly good.
“These are my conclusions:
- The earth-electrode antenna at 472kHz (2 earth rods in the soil 15-20m apart fed from the TX output) behaves like an H-field loop transmitting antenna.
- It has directivity, with strongest signals in the line of the loop and weakest signals at right angles to it.
- It works as an effective RX antenna too.
- In my environment the loop looks like about 50-60 ohms resistive, so a good match to my transverter directly without matching.
- The structure works because much of the return current flows deep within the soil and rock beneath the earth-electrode antenna. In my case Rik OR7T calculated that the loop area in the ground is effectively 290m sq with a radiation resistance of 0.017 ohm and a loss resistance of 66 ohms.This is a BIG loop!
- Performance compared with my 9m high top loaded Marconi antenna averages only around 8dB down, not a bad figure at all, even with the connecting wire on the ground and not elevated at all.
- Where no other antenna option is available, the earth-electrode antenna is well worth trying both on 472kHz and on 136kHz both for RX and TX. Although it works well here, your geology may be different and results not the same.
21 May 2026
No friends like old friends
We first met in 1968 at university.
Here we are now all in our late 70s enjoying a meal together in Letchworth earlier today.
Trump and Iran
Most days I take a look at the Trump Report. Recently President Trump visited China. I was left underwhelmed.
Although the USA claims victory in Iran, why are so many ships unwilling to transit the Strait of Hormuz?
10m 200mW WSPR (Thursday)
My beacon has been on for hours.
UPDATE 1915z: Spotted by just 2 stations all day. If there was any Es at all, it was marginal.
Sutton Hoo
It is located near Woodbridge in Suffolk, UK.
It was excavated in 1939.
QRP fun
To the uninitiated running QRP is like a masochistic activity!
Actually, it is surprising how little difference running low power makes. 100W down to 5W is only a couple of S points which most times would not be noticed.
With modes like FT8 and WSPR the world can be spanned with amazingly low power levels.
20 May 2026
Russian sanctions
Apparently the UK government is to loosen sanctions on refined Russian oil coming from third countries like India destined for diesel and jet fuel. They are obviously concerned about supplies later in the year. Thinking about the war in Ukraine, this seems like a kick in the teeth to Ukraine with Russia benefiting.
It is my view that we will see certain fuels and food rationed by this time next year.
I cannot see a quick end to the war between the USA with Israel and Iran.
Trump in a pickle
It would appear that President Trump is in a right pickle: he got into a war with Iran and does not know how to get out of it, allegedly, without losing face. I think he is looking for a way out in which the USA is seen as the winner.
10m 200mW WSPR (Wednesday)
My beacon was turned on at about 0820z.
UPDATE 2215z: Spotted by 22 stations. You can tell we’re well in the Es season.
Always changing
For several mornings we’ve been woken early by a tuneful blackbird singing the first lines of “Lavender Blue”. I have not heard it for several mornings.
It may have moved, started to sing something else, stopped singing or been killed by a cat or something else.
One thing is certain: nothing is forever. We enjoyed it for a few short days.
19 May 2026
Windswept lupins
These lupins were in London yesterday. Normally, the collective name is a "choir of lupins". I don't think these were told!
IC-705 versus FTX1
In my view there is no contest at all. The IC-705 beats the Yaesu rig hands down.
Following recent price drops the IC-705 is even better! The ICOM rig has far more features in the product already that you have to buy as extras in the Yaesu rigs.
Iran and the Strait of Hormuz
It looks like Iran has woken up to the power it has by controlling the Strait of Hormuz. This could have enormous impacts on the world economy.
Victorian train - London to Edinburgh
This is an AI video showing a train journey from London to Edinburgh in Victorian times. There are some clear errors but, overall, it is very good.
I am very impressed with these historical AI videos as they give a good insight to what it must have been like.
Apparently you have to watch the video on YouTube.
10m 200mW WSPR (Tuesday)
My beacon has been on all morning.
UPDATE 0930z: 4 stations spotting me so far, all by Es I think.
UPDATE 2124z: Spotted by 12 European stations. Now QRT. We have a friend staying until Saturday so my PC issue will have to wait 🥴.
Free project scrapbook PDF
To this end I created a PDF project scrapbook that is a free download. It contains the projects that have fascinated me over the years. It needs updating!
My aim has never been to make money. All I want is to share the enjoyment I have had. Feel free to take a look and print out anything you want. My message has always been to have fun!
18 May 2026
"Boomers" lucky?
"Baby boomers" is a term (certainly here in the UK) to describe the children growing up after WW2 into the 1960s. Later generations have been termed Gen Z, Millennials, etc..
We were lucky enough in many cases to have final salary pensions, come out of university without debts and the ability to afford houses. Jobs were often for life.
Certainly here in the UK things are harder. Few people have guaranteed pensions and few can afford houses without rich parents. Most leave university with huge debts. Jobs are hard to find.
At the same time, what is accepted by one generation is different. When I was young we had no phone, no car, no microwave, no mobile phones, no takeaways, no fridge and one TV channel (by the way no TV at all until I was aged 8!).
Yes, overall I think we were lucky, although the threat of nuclear war was always there.
I think life was simpler and we were happier than the young of today. I think we owe the next generations all the help we can give them.
Hallicrafters
This was a very popular company back when I was young.
This (very American!) video looks into the history of the Company. Back in the early 1960s I nearly got a Hallicrafters RX from G4PJ.
"Just Have A Think" on climate change
In recent times there have been a raft of scientific papers about climate change. Many point to a world that is warming faster than we once thought.
I get very annoyed with those who deny climate change as "fake news" when the evidence is self-evident. We risk leaving our children and grandchildren a damaged world.
The "Just have a think" video is about this this week.
Is Russia in trouble?
The Russians have published figures which downgrade the growth in the Russian economy. Structural weakness?
YouTube AI
It is sad that what you view these days may not be true.
Using AI videos supposedly by a famous person may not be by this person at all! This is why I never trust a channel I don't know to be genuine as there are a lot of fakes around.
People can make lots of money by visits to their sites, even if the contents are a load of rubbish.
10m 200mW WSPR (Monday)
My beacon was turned on just before breakfast.
UPDATE 1335z: Spotted widely by Es. So far, spotted by 17 stations.
17 May 2026
10m 200mW WSPR (Sunday)
My beacon was turned on at about 0905z.
UPDATE 1730z: 3 European stations spotting me.
We haven't seen anything yet
We can all agree (I think), that the world is now more dangerous than at any point in the lives of most people born after WW2. It is my view, sadly, that things are going to get far worse.
Most trade is now dependent on long supply chains. If any link in the chain is disrupted or broken the trade collapses.
Likewise energy. Many things depend on energy. As well as food, think about transport, the internet, water, sewers, money, etc.. If one link collapses the whole of society could collapse.
I sincerely hope we don't reach this stage, but we are far more interconnected than we think.
Let's hope we wake up. The model that has served us for many years is creaking.
Meshtatic, Meshcore and LoRa
Most just want to talk or tick off more DXCC entities using modes like FT8. Most have no idea how their expensive black box works! Sadly, very few now embody the true spirit of amateur radio.
The problem at the moment seems to be there are few nodes in rural areas. As this system relies on meshes, not the internet, the more users the better.
USB issues on PC
Yesterday, I tried a different transceiver with my Windows 10 PC. That didn't work either!
I have come to the conclusion that my USB connector is not working, or working correctly. This needs further investigation. At the moment it means I cannot use FT8, just WSPR with my 200mW beacon.
16 May 2026
10m 200mW WSPR (Saturday)
My beacon was turned on at about 1445z.
UPDATE 2131z: No spots of me today. Now QRT.
Crisis in Cuba?
It would seem that Cuba is now in deep crisis. It was dependent on fuel from Russia and then Venezuela , both of which have essentially gone.
It goes to show how heavily dependent we are on energy. It could happen in the UK and the EU.
Quantum computing
Whoever gets there first will have an enormous advantage, being able to run calculations so much faster than conventional computers and do analysis fast on a truly huge scale.
Perhaps Microsoft is first? I did not realise this was a year ago!!
8m FT8 RX (Saturday)
For fun, I might go on 8m FT8 RX later in the hope of spotting some EAs by Es. If things are dire I may try 6m later.
UPDATE 1225z: Monitoring 8m FT8 RX. Nobody spotted. I may try 6m FT8 later. For now, I shall continue on 8m FT8.
10m FT8 (Saturday)
Today I hope to get to the bottom of why there is no TX audio on FT8 using the IC-705.
Xi and Trump
To me it is clear China is in the ascendancy. For once President Trump, arguably, met his match.
15 May 2026
UK politics
The ruling Labour party has a huge majority. It gained power about two years ago, but it has disappointed many people.
Many were expecting them to come in and enact radical powers which would help ordinary people. Instead they have dithered and enacted some policies at odds with Labour traditionally. The winners have been the Reform party which has a right wing agenda. As with Brexit 10 years, people have flocked to Reform, thinking they will return the UK to as it was in the middle of the last century. They think they are listening.
Many have pinned their hopes on Andy Burnham coming back into government and becoming the new Prime Minister. He is the mayor of Manchester and is well liked.
His policies are left wing and if he was elected the bond market and UK pound might suffer.
Iran and bonds
In my view President Trump was foolhardy to go to war with Iran. The ramifications on the world are huge and dangerous. I really hope he can extricate the USA soon.
10m 3W FT8 - NOT!!
Until I can fix my PC I am unlikely to be on 10m FT8. Hopefully it is something stupid that I can fix.
I have reinstalled WSJT-X so I know it is not that. Next thing to try is to make sure the TX audio is getting to the USB port. It will be fixed soon, but at the moment I am too tired.
10m 200mW WSPR (Friday)
My beacon is on.
UPDATE 1613z: 13 stations have spotted me today, by Es I think. 20 spots of me in the last day.
UPDATE 2002z: 14 stations spotting me with furthest EA8BFK (2880km). QRT now. See table for those spotting me today.
Is Russia in trouble?
The Joe Blogs video today looks inside the Russian economy. It postulates that the Russian wartime economy model is running into trouble.
14 May 2026
10m 200mW WSPR (Thursday)
My beacon has been on this afternoon.
UPDATE Friday 0633z: Spotted by 11 stations in Europe probably by Es.
Rain (or lack of)
East Anglia is usually quite a dry area of the country, but yesterday we had only the first rain ☔️ this month after a very dry April. I hope we get some more ….at night!
FT8 issue?
Earlier I planned to go on 10m FT8. My Windows 10 PC had other ideas.
Last night it did a Windows update and refuses to TX! I need more disk space to upgrade to Windows 11 or recover to an earlier date. I shall try reloading WSJT-X first and see if that cures it 😢
UPDATE 0930z: Reinstalled WSJT-X. Still no TX .
13 May 2026
70cm FT8 activity contest
 |
| Stations spotting me on 70cm FT8 this evening |
It never fails to amaze me how well 10W FT8 and a 144MHz big-wheel omni does on 70cm . Tonight was the 70cm FT8 activity contest. Every contest I seem to be copied in continental Europe and was spotted at considerable range within the UK. See map.
I was only on about 10 minutes.
EV batteries
CATL is the biggest battery manufacturer in the world and has announced some remarkable advances. In my view we are on the cusp of a transport revolution leaving fossil fuel vehicles left in the Stone Age.
Wake up USA, or you will be left far, far behind.
10m 3W FT8 (Tuesday)
So far, the thunder has missed us, so I have gone on 10m FT8.
UPDATE 1518z: Spotted by 65 stations.
Thunder?
Our weather forecast is a mix of sunshine and showers. We may get some thunder so I think that radio will "take a miss" today.
See https://www.lightningmaps.org/#m=ses;t=3;s=0;o=0;b=;ts=0;y=50.6166;x=0.7725;z=7;d=2;dl=2;dc=0;
My son and jazz
My son is a professional jazz pianist playing all the major London venues (Ronny Scott's, 606 club etc.) and across the country and abroad.
70cm activity contest yesterday
Last night was the May leg of the UKAC activity contest.With my poor voice, 10W and 144MHz big-wheel omni antenna it’s hard work, so I don’t stay on long. Just 2 stations worked.
12 May 2026
10m 200mW WSPR (Tuesday)
The 200mW beacon was turned on at about 1900z.
UPDATE 1948z: Many spots of me by EA8BFK (2880km). At the peak I had about 28dB in hand!
Fiddling as Rome burns?
In the UK there is a debate about whether the Prime Minister should be replaced. To me this seems like "fiddling as Rome burns".
Within 12 months we could have rationing of some foodstuffs and fuel, and live in a world that is radically different.
With Ukraine, Iran, Gaza, Taiwan, Sudan etc, not forgetting climate change and a widening gap between rich and poor, the world has a great deal to think about and act upon.
Government Bonds
Government debt is financed by investors putting money in government bonds. These are usually considered a safe haven with a certain yield over a given period.
The trouble is currently interest rates are much higher than a few years ago, so governments have to pay a large amount of their budget on servicing this debt as is the case in the USA and UK.
The danger is foreign investors think twice about buying this debt in the future.
At the moment the US $ is the world's reserve currency. For how much longer?
8m FT8 RX (Tuesday)
Once again, I am monitoring 8m FT8.
UPDATE 1206z: No spots. This will probably be my last day concentrating on 8m FT8. I am disappointed in 8m activity.
UPDATE 1822z: Just EA3ERE (1153km) spotted. QRT soon.
11 May 2026
8m FT8 RX (Monday)
Although I no longer hold a UK TX permit for 8m, I still monitor 8m FT8 from time to time.
I am monitoring today.
UPDATE 1308z: Just G8VER (64km) spotted.
Friedrichshafen
In late June is the big German exhibition, which I think is the biggest amateur radio gathering outside of the USA. I have never been.
UK politics
In the last week we have had several English council elections as well as elections to the devolved parliaments in Wales and Scotland.
One thing is clear: people want a change.
We are seeing the end of the 2 ruling parties (Labour and Conservatives) that have governed the UK for about 100 years. The parties coming to the fore are Reform and the Greens.
Often, local elections are protest votes against the ruling party.
Reform is on the right politically whereas the Greens are on the left.
Reform has a charismatic leader. Sadly, the current Prime Minister, is a principled man, but not very charismatic. I suspect Reform would be badly affected if anything happened to Nigel Farage.
Kaliningrad
This is an isolated part of Russia bordering the Baltic. Lithuania is stopping transit across its territory because of EU sanctions. Russia is unhappy but knows Lithuania is in NATO.
Joe Blogs
This is an analysis of the world economy yesterday. Worrying. I think President Trump has made a huge mistake and the world will not forget.
70cm FM FM321
This must have been in the 1980s and some excellent simplex QSOs on 70cm FM were made. Often 70cm opened up when 2m did not.
It was one of the first (if not the very first) synthesised rigs.
K9YA Telegraph has a USA advert on its FaceBook page.
10 May 2026
10m 200mW WSPR (Sunday)
At about 1540z I switched to 10m WSPR.
UPDATE 1728z: One spot from a station in Kenya I presume by F2. One European spot by Es (I think). EA8BFK (2880km) could be F2 or Es.
UPDATE 1954z: 16 stations have spotted me.
Granddaughter
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All the grandchildren are growing up (too) fast!
Es in full swing
This morning, I am on 10m 3W FT8. It is clear, with lots of spots on TX and RX, that the Es season is well underway.
UPDATE 1640z: 184 stations spotted here on RX and I have been spotted by 112 stations.
Wetherspoons
In the UK, this is a popular pub chain selling food. It is low cost and often gets a bad press. I stayed at a Wetherspoons in central Salisbury and was impressed by the accommodation, food and location.
I see from this video that the presenter was also impressed with this Wetherspoons in London.
Just because it is low cost do not write it off.
See https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/
Another new transceiver
This VHF/UHF transceiver is being sold by Moonraker in the UK. I see that some other dealers are selling it too. Are they linked up?
This news came to me via Steve G1KQH.
Declining sunspot numbers and solar flux
This is just a reminder that the downwards slope of the solar cycle is usually much gentler than the climb to the next maximum.
This means the higher HF bands remain good for quite a while after the maximum.
Just a reminder, I have worked South America right at the solar minimum on QRP (10W) 10m SSB with simple wire antennas. Never give up!
The MUF is often higher on N-S paths. Occasionally you get Es linking with F2 nearer the equator.
Hamvention next weekend
A reminder that next weekend sees the Hamvention in Ohio, USA. This is, I think, the biggest amateur radio gathering on the planet.
It is often the place where new radios are seen for the first time. Often these are very early prototypes to test the market.
I have never been and probably never will now.
9 May 2026
Very old videos
Some of these have been colourised in part. I hope they are genuine. They look as if they are real.
No mow May
Some cut their lawns around the edge, but leave the middle to grow. This way lawns look still tended.
The photo shows the green in our close this morning. I hope it is not cut.
10m 200mW WSPR (Saturday)
My beacon was turned on at 0528z.
UPDATE 0959z: 5 stations have spotted me this morning. See map by VK7JJ of WSPR Rocks.
AI
Yesterday I asked Google AI (Gemini?) about G3XBM. To my surprise it was accurate. Previous attempts have often included mistakes. I guess in the last few years AI must have improved.
Where will AI be in another 10 years?
8 May 2026
UK politics
At the moment in the UK we are in the middle of council elections in some parts of England and elections for the devolved governments in Wales and Scotland. The latter two have only just started counting.
Results in England so far suggest people are turning away for the two parties that have traditionally been in power for about 100 years.
Instead people are turning to Reform, the Greens and Liberal Democrats. Reform is generally considered more right wing than the Conservatives, whereas the Liberal Democrats and Greens are more left leaning.
Often these elections are seen as a protest vote, but we do seem to be seeing a swing in how people vote.
10m 200mW WSPR TX (Friday)
UPDATE 2020z: 13 stations spotted me, presumably Es. See table. Now QRT.
Iran
There is little doubt that this war has not gone as President Trump expected.
I am sure now that he wished he had not started it and his popularity at home and across the world has dropped.
The USA was once considered a beacon of democracy, but not anymore. The damage done to the reputation of the USA could last generations.
The joys of homebrewing
This video is several years old. The message is clear: don't be afraid to "roll your own". It may not work first time and you may have to find out why. There are a whole variety of things you can try.
Speaking from personal experience, start with something simple. This is more likely to work first time. If not, it will be easier to find out why.
Overall, have fun!! It is much more satisfying than "flashing the cash".
King's College Chapel, Cambridge, UK
Living near Cambridge we can see all this for nothing, every day if we want.
It is all too easy to take this for granted, but we do not.
Often when we go away we comment on how good the place is.
Then we joke that we must go to a nice place called Cambridge sometime!! I suppose we could even be back for lunch!
10m 200mW WSPR yesterday
You can tell we are now in the Es season with 25 (mostly European) stations spotting me yesterday.
I like 10m WSPR as I just switch it on and observe elsewhere in the house by looking at WSPRnet.
In the last 12 hours 21 stations have spotted my 200mW! See chart.
First swifts seen
They are back from Africa, but stop just long enough to breed, i.e. just a few months. By mid July most have gone south again until next spring.
Often they are heard before they are seen. They scream around the sky in feeding parties.
7 May 2026
10m 3W FT8 (Thursday)
Very briefly, I went on 10m 3W FT8 just after breakfast, although I have been on 10m WSPR most of the day including now. It is evident that we are now in the Es season.
Trump and Times Radio
It appears President Trump thinks a peace deal in Iran is very close.
I seem to remember he said he could stop the Ukraine war (sorry special military operation) in 24 hours. Four years later we are still waiting....
Politics is complicated and advisors advise for a reason.
What is the best entry level HF transceiver?
People often question what HF transceiver is the best to buy at entry level. Now the IC7300 is available as a Mk2, the Mk1, which has sold over 100k units worldwide, is available readily on the second hand market.
10m 200mW WSPR (Thursday)
Most of the day I have been on 10m WSPR TX.
UPDATE 1725z: 16 stations have spotted me, mostly European by Es. Furthest is 4X1DA (3592km). See map.
6 May 2026
10m 200mW WSPR (Wednesday)
At about 1905z, I went on 10m WSPR. It is probably too late.
UPDATE 2004z: No spots.
Iran
It seems to me that this asymmetric war is going nowhere. The best outcome would be de-escalation and a face-saving deal in which both sides feel they have won. The USA clearly has the military might. Iran has the drones.
10m 3W FT8 (Wednesday)
UPDATE 1928z: Spotted 144 stations here. See map. Now QRT.
5 May 2026
2m activity contest
Running 10W to a big-wheel omni antenna I worked a couple of stations at decent distances. Because of my poor voice I only stayed on for under 30 minutes, as usual, this evening .
WSPR and FT8
In the Northern Hemisphere we are now, once again, in the Es season.
My main activity is 10m QRP WSPR and 6m QRP FT8.
Although I do not claim anything scientific, my impression is that FT8 is now more popular than WSPR. Although WSPR works with far weaker signals, this is less important with Es where signals can be very strong and fleeting.
I have not tried FT4 or FT2. Also WSPR needs about 120 seconds TX, whereas FT8 needs just 15 seconds.
Plan ahea.....d?
The war in Iran seems to be, allegedly, without a plan of how it might end.
It is clear that fuel prices across the world have dramatically increased and it is very likely inflation will go up.
In my view, we have seen nothing yet with jet fuel and diesel running short.
Far worse impacts are possible.
Always listen to experts!
10m 200mW WSPR (Tuesday)
My beacon was turned on at about 1015z.
UPDATE 1405z: Just OH6BG (1718km) spotting me.
6m 5W FT8 (Tuesday)
UPDATE 1407z: 17 spots of me, many by Es. See map. 21 stations spotted here.
Is 8m "going off the boil"?
As many know, I held a UK TX permit for the band getting all over the world with just a few watts and a low wire dipole. I was considering getting a new permit, despite the £50 price tag for the pleasure. In the end I decided not to bother, but to concentrate on 10m and 6m instead.
As the sunspot numbers decline, I reasoned that radio science, and me, would learn nothing new.
Also, I was extremely disappointed by the very negative attitude of many PTTs, when even temporary access to the band around sunspot maximum could have taught us so much. It is, arguably, too late now.
Faroe Islands
One of my friends on 365project lives in the Faroe Islands. This far north it must be cold and dark in winter and the days short. This is one of his photos.
Oscar 100
Periodically I give an update on the narrow-band transponder of this geosynchronous satellite. Sadly, activity on a Monday in a European evening, was still very low.
4 May 2026
What a mess
News from the Middle East is confusing if nothing else.
The USA claims 2 merchant ships have passed the Strait of Hormuz whereas Iran flatly denies this! In the fog of war we cannot know who is true at the time of writing.
This much is certain. The impact on the world economy is immense. Even if the war stopped tomorrow, it could take a long time (years?) to recover. The USA does not want Iran to ever have a nuclear weapon. Arguably, the USA is a declining world power and China is growing.
Are we at a tipping point in electric cars?
It seems to me we are nearing a "tipping point" in electric cars. The recent war in the Middle East may have concentrated minds, but battery technologies have moved ahead at a breathtaking pace. If we are not there now we very soon will be.
These days I do not do many miles in the car. Even I have considered an EV for the first time. The days when range was a real issue, as was charging time, are behind us and EV cars no longer need rare earth materials like lithium.
ICOM portables
In the late 20th century, ICOM produced a range of VHF and UHF portables, that worked on SSB and CW. Their style was very military.
I owned the IC202 which covered 200kHz on 2m using a very clever VXO. Using a home-designed transverter it worked the world with 1W SSB on 10m with simple wire dipoles or a CB vertical.
On 2m it worked some amazing DX handheld using just the whip on the rig.
6m 5W FT8 (Monday)
My gear has been on since just before breakfast.
UPDATE 0830z: Mostly English stations spotting me with just one in Austria. Currently RX only.
10m 200mW WSPR (Monday)
My beacon was turned on before breakfast.
UPDATE 0816z: No spots.
UPDATE 1422z: Spotted 4 times by IW0RQJ (1379km). I assume this was Es. Also spotted by EA8BFK (2880km) and this could be F2.
UPDATE 1507z: Now being spotted in Israel. See table.
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