Recently Toyota announced a car with a solid state battery. The solid state battery has been delayed and delayed.
This (somewhat sceptical) video examines the claims. Yes, solid state batteries could unlock far less expensive EVs with great range.
21 Jul 2026
Yesterday on 6m FT8
Yesterday was another good 6m day.
My 500mW FT8 was spotted widely by 358 stations in the last day including KP4AA (6905km) in the Caribbean. So my 500mW 6m FT8 has now been spotted across the Atlantic twice in 2 days!
On RX, several stations in the USA were spotted on 6m FT8. The map shows the stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX yesterday.
20 Jul 2026
Is President Trump supported?
I have looked for videos and people supportive of President Trump, but I have totally failed. I have found not one video and not one person outside his inner circle that supports him - not a single one! I would have expected some that would support him, but I cannot find any!
If he really is this hated, why is he still there?
In the interest of fairness, please would those that do support him make a comment? It would be good to hear what "Joe Public" has to say.
6m 500mW FT8 (Monday)
My gear was turned on mid-morning.
UPDATE 1026z: Spotted by 69 stations with the best D4L (4517km) in Cape Verde Islands. Good Es again today with 500mW.
UPDATE 1533z: Spotted by 281 stations today. On 6m FT8 RX quite a few stations in the USA and Caribbean have been spotted.
This is far from scientific, but the impression I get with Es is that 6m QRP FT8 TX is more productive than 10m QRP WSPR. I know this is like comparing apples with pears, but it seems easier with 6m FT8 than 10m WSPR. On 10m I run 200mW whereas on 6m 500mW. I would guess ERPs are similar. WSPR can decode far weaker signals, but needs far longer. I guess Es conditions often are fleeting and less suited to WSPR.
10m 200mW WSPR (Monday)
My 200mW beacon was turned on early this morning.
UPDATE 1511z: So far spotted by 84 stations. Good Es mainly around Europe.
Yesterday with 500mW 6m FT8
Even with just 500mW FT8 from the rig, cheap CB coax and a V2000 omni antenna I was spotted deep in the USA on 6m.
There were lots of USA stations spotted on RX and 80 stations spotted overall after a mid-afternoon start.
500mW seems quite enough!
FIFA Football World Cup 2026
Although not a great football fan, I watched some of the matches. The best team, Spain, won.
Overall, I do not think this will go down in history as a great set of games: some venues were hot and humid, tickets were very expensive and the fans had lots of travel.
President Trump, allegedly, knew little about the game and overall FIFA appeared grovelling. I am not saying they were, but that was how it appeared to me.
I was glad President Trump did not make a speech at the end.
19 Jul 2026
6m 500mW FT8 (Sunday)
My gear was turned on at about 1415z.
UPDATE 1428z: Spotted by F6BNX (1099km) and EA8JF (2831km).
Next door’s plums
At one time it was weddings, then Christenings. Soon it will be funerals!
It seems many of my friends are now starting to show the signs of old age.
6m 500mW FT8 (Sunday) - not yet!
My shack PC is playing up again.
When I try to enter my PIN, it thinks I am offline. Apparently this is a common issue with Windows. Last time it just fixed itself, so I shall try again later with fingers crossed.
My intention was to try 500mW FT8 today on 6m.
Darker evenings
In the Northern Hemisphere, after the summer solstice, evenings start to get darker earlier. At first, this is slow, but by September it becomes obvious. This year, rather than long for the return of brighter evenings, I intend to just accept them and enjoy them.
Every season has something good.
At present we have summer to be enjoyed.
10m 200mW WSPR (Sunday)
UPDATE 1351z: 31 stations have spotted me.
Søren Kierkegaard
Kierkegaard was a famous Danish philosopher. One of his famous sayings (been on before) was:
"Life can only be understood backwards. But must be lived forwards".
Getting ready for the football last night
Despite England being out of the FIFA World Cup final they were clearly hoping plenty would turn out for the third place match which they won 6:4.
I hope that Spain win in the final and President Trump says nothing.
Windows 12?
The trouble with YouTube these days is that it is very hard to tell what is real and what is just AI clickbait. I am still on Windows 10! This appeared yesterday.
18 Jul 2026
The nature of time
This is a philosophical question.
We experience time as flowing from the past into the future obeying the laws of thermodynamics that things get more disordered following entropy.
All this could be an illusion in our finite brains.
At the quantum level current theories show some things independent of time and that time does not just flow forward.
I think we just have to admit we do not know.
The Iran war
In my view, President Trump has made matters in the Middle East and the world far worse.
With Israel, he started a war. I assume President Trump was expecting a more pro-Western government to emerge? This has not happened. Iran has emerged stronger.
Iran has long been known as having a nasty government, but the USA is, sadly, seen by many in the world as a bully. This is so sad as when I have been involved with people in the USA they have, without fail, been warm, kind and generous.
The world has been cushioned by the release of strategic reserves, but these cannot go on for ever.
The world is in great danger of a financial shock as a result of the war against Iran, that badly misfired.
6m 2W FT8 (Saturday)
My gear was turned on at about 0620z.
UPDATE 1924z: Spotted by 241 stations today. Tomorrow I shall probably try 500mW FT8. QRT soon.
10m 200mW WSPR (Saturday)
My beacon was turned on at 0620z.
UPDATE 1923z: 49 stations have spotted my little beacon. QRT soon.
6m 3W FT8 yesterday
You can tell we’re in the Es season as I was widely spotted across Europe on 6m FT8 yesterday.
In all, 237 stations spotted me.
Outside the Es season mostly it’s white noise.
Portable operation
Especially when the weather is good (as in most of the UK recently), many enjoy portable operations with SOTA and POTA becoming popular.
It is not uncommon to leave something at home, especially if lots are being packed.
MLS has produced a video recommending some of the products they sell.
17 Jul 2026
2m 5W FT8 (Friday)
For a change, I am on 2m FT8 with 5W to the big-wheel omni antenna.
UPDATE 1537z: So far, spotted by 10 English stations. Furthest is G7RAU (460km) in Cornwall.
Sinclair
In his time Sir Clive Sinclair was a real innovator.
In my early days at work, I was once asked for my advice from Sir Clive about antennas for his pocket TV. I think there was a possibility of my company developing ICs jointly with Sinclair.
Wisely, I think he chose a different antenna, but it was a highlight of my early years!
Meshtastic v Meshcore? - the jury is out
For those unfamiliar with these license free mesh systems, the jury is out.
It reminds me a bit like VHS v Betamax. It also reminds me of the early days of the internet, when things were far from mature. It would not surprise me if things quickly mature and one system soon dominates.
In cities where the coverage is good, these systems. that do not depend on the internet, probably work quite well. In rural areas or where coverage is poor, it is probably of limited use at the moment.
I have never used either ...... yet. At the moment I am waiting! I hope it's better than pocket calculators where I waited and waited.😊
Free food
We always have some with breakfast and my wife makes a lovely blackberry and apple crumble which is great with ice-cream.
The Trump Report
Every Thursday there is an hour long edition of the Trump Report with Professor Scott Lucas.
Still swifts (birds)
Most have flown south from here by August.
They were still around in the skies overhead when we had coffee outside just now.
I am pleasantly surprised by the numbers holding up. Numbers have fallen in the last 30 years and they are on the RSPB's red list of endangered species.
6m 3W FT8 (Friday)
My gear was turned on about 0900z.
UPDATE 1817z: So far spotted by 152 stations today. Mostly European Es.
Oscar 100 geosynchronous satellite
It’s a while since I peeked at activity on this satellite. Activity remains low.
Miniature Radio
This radio was less than £20 delivered from China. Remarkable. It really really is tiny.
Yes, that is an SMA antenna connector and USB-C charger socket.
10m 200mW WSPR (Friday)
My beacon was turned on at about 0520z.
UPDATE 1423z: Spotted by 10 stations by Es.
16 Jul 2026
10m 200mW WSPR ((Thursday)
My beacon was turned on at teatime.
UPDATE 2013z: 23 stations have spotted me.
6m 3W FT8 (Thursday)
My gear was turned on at teatime.
UPDATE 2010z: Spotted by 78 stations this evening.
EV prices are falling
Worldwide, the price of electric vehicles (EVs) is falling.
Batteries are far less expensive and getting better with more range and faster charging.
The USA is in danger of being left behind.
The war in the Middle East is also accelerating this change away from fossil fuels.
Reverse Beacon Network
When I find my CW key (!) I must try my HW8 (2W) on the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) if the bands are dead.
The RBN logs SDR reception and collects the data, so you can see where your CW signal gets.
Very useful when there is little activity.
See https://www.reversebeacon.net/
40s day again
As posted recently, last Sunday was the 40s day at our local museum. It is very popular. This is another view.
Growing fast
That’s life.
Infinity
Our brains don’t cope with infinity.
We struggle to think of an infinite universe or an infinite number of universes.
With infinity every choice we have ever made may actually exist even though we choose one path.
No, infinity is impossible to imagine.
Shortwave changing
Shortwave use is changing.
When I was young, there was a raft of shortwave broadcast stations in multiple languages. Many broadcasters have closed for good as most people now get their information by other means including the internet. Some broadcasters have closed to save costs.
Also many amateur bands are far quieter as a result of modes like FT8.
No, things are very different today.
People may think of shortwaves as a backup when the internet or satellites are not available. It would not surprise me if the military reserves multiple frequencies.
15 Jul 2026
Effective FT8 communications
FT8 is a popular mode, especially if you are chasing DX. This video gives some tips to optimise FT8. I think sometimes people use FT8 in preference to SSB or FM. This is good in the short-term, but most are very unlikely to find the hobby by chance.
Google SPAM filter
Gmail puts things in a SPAM folder that it thinks is junk. Maybe 1 time in 1000 it gets this wrong so I always do a quick check before deleting.
Most times it tells me (again) that all my photos are about to be deleted and someone has a wet "cat" and desires my company 😂 .
Overall, it does a good job.
What if Spain won the FIFA Football World Cup?
There is a real possibility that Spain could win the FIFA Football World Cup .....in the USA.
President Trump allegedly hates Spain. Hmm.... Interesting.
The Middle East war
It would seem allegedly that President Trump has made a mess in the Middle East. Iran still has a hard-line government, and the Strait of Hormuz is a choke point.
President Trump claims a victory and says Iran is desperate for a deal .... I have lost count how many times he has said this!
10m 200mW WSPR TX (Wednesday)
My beacon was turned on just before breakfast,
UPDATE 2048z: 43 stations have spotted me. I am being spotted in the USA with the best KQ2Y (5476km). This station is in Connecticut.
Protein - the new advertising fad
Have you noticed how we are being bombarded by adverts that push proteins? It would seem this is the new fad in advertising.
War crimes
It would appear many powerful leaders are ignoring future war crimes prosecutions.
Many of the most potent leaders in the world face possible war crimes and (I think) could face prosecution and imprisonment if they landed in certain countries.
No doubt this would lead to diplomatic incidents but could lead to careful travel planning.
70cm activity contest
Because of the football, I was on later than usual and then only a short while. 4 stations were worked.
Good fun in the football hydration break!!
14 Jul 2026
10m 200mW WSPR (Tuesday)
My beacon has been on since mid-morning.
UPDATE 2041z: 44 stations have spotted me today. Now QRT.
The quartz crystal man
During my work days there was a very modest man who knew just about everything about quartz crystals in the days before synthesizers.
Long after I retired, I found out lots about him I never knew in my work days. He was a brave man involved in the D-Day landings and was a POW.
He was awarded a medal by the French and died in his 90s. If only I had known years before.
This piece appeared in a newspaper some years ago although I have no idea which one!
Often you really know very little about people: you don't really know what their history was or the pain they are going though now.
Fresh eggs for breakfast
I know what we are having for breakfast!
13 Jul 2026
Heathkit QRP HW8 CW transceiver
You may recall I bought a much modified HW8 some weeks ago. If I could find my CW key I might use it on TX!
This video is years old. In its day the HW8 was a very good rig.
I bought one already made but later sold it back to the person I bought mine from. It worked plenty of DX despite 2W and low wire antennas.
Swifts (birds)
I judge numbers by the number I see in the sky. It has been rare to look up and not see swifts.
People expected numbers to be down as there are fewer nest sites.
They only stay in the UK for a few months. I hope to see them next May. They are still here at the moment, but one day we'll look up and realise they have gone.
Kindness
It seems we are all becoming more angry.
At one time it was quite normal for people to have different views (often widely apart), but to respect the different views and discuss them amicably.
In particular politics has be come angry. It was far better when we respected views that differed from our own and learned from them. There is no reason for people with different views to get angry.
This is not only true in politics. In society we seem to treat those who hold views that differ from our own with anger.
I am not sure if this is a result of social media, but it is sad. People can hold different views but still be friends.
10m 200mW WSPR (Monday)
My beacon was turned on at about 0815z.
UPDATE 1947z: Spotted by 32 stations, presumably Es. Now QRT.
12 Jul 2026
40s day at the village museum
Today was a very hot day for the 40s day at our local museum. As always, it was very popular.
Dry and hot!!
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It was still hot!
This photo was from the bus.
10m 200mW WSPR TX (Sunday)
My beacon has been on since mid-morning.
UPDATE 2056z: 28 stations have spotted me. These were probably Es. Now QRT.
Sodium ion rechargeable batteries?
Perhaps one of the upcoming rechargeable battery technologies will be based on sodium (i.e. salt).
It is my view that we are on the cusp of a revolution.
Although it has a lower energy density than the best lithium ion batteries, sodium is very plentiful and might make an ideal material for mass storage batteries.
Linears
Yesterday, one of the largest UK dealers talked about second hand linears.
Now, each to their own, but this is NOT my idea of amateur radio!
Even the second hand prices are about a hundred times the cost of my first transceiver that worked plenty of DX with simple, low antennas.
As I said "each to their own", but count me out please.
Breakfast sorted
They have matured early with the recent heat.
They are delicious with breakfast.
11 Jul 2026
10m 200mW WSPR (Saturday)
As mentioned before, I left my beacon running overnight.
UPDATE 1950z: So far today, spotted by 124 stations, most via Es. Best DX are spots in the Canary Is.. Now QRT.
Meal out
Most of us are now retired.
Salcombe, Devon, UK
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As a child I lived in Salcombe, Devon and had no idea then how lucky I was. It is a beautiful seaside town in South Devon. My brother still lives in the area, so I go back most years.
Nighttime Es
As an experiment I left my 200mW 10m WSPR beacon running through the night, suitably supervised. It would appear that Es was there through the night with regular spots from Central Europe when sensible people were asleep.
Safer EV batteries?
Fires in EV batteries are very rare.
Nonetheless China has made fires in batteries illegal by law, meaning EV batteries will be even safer. This increases costs slightly, but probably means the take-up of EVs could be greater.
Seasonal photobooks
Every season my wife makes a photobook as well as photobooks for special occasions.
GQRP SPRAT
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As I have said before, if I had to give up every other amateur radio magazine, SPRAT would be the one I'd keep.
Back issues are available on a CF stick that represents incredible value.
GQRP membership costs are very modest.
10 Jul 2026
Help please!!
My shack PC runs Windows 10 and has a log-in password. Even though it is connected it insists it is not and is asking me to log-in some other way. How do I do that?
10m 200mW WSPR (Friday)
My beacon has been on since breakfast.
UPDATE 1100z: So far spotted by 17 stations, mostly probably Es.
UPDATE 2129z: Spotted by 58 stations.
SDRplay SDR receivers
The UK company SDRplay make a range of SDR receivers including one which can be used over the internet remotely. I have the RSP1B, which I have hardly used yet.
MLS has a video about the networked version which also says a lot about the SDRconnect software.
Is President Trump's health declining?
President Trump is now in his eighties. It is normal for health to decline as we age. There are several signs that President Trump has passed his best.
9 Jul 2026
Crocosmia
We had this in our garden for many years. If it is still there, it is now crowded out by nearby bushes!
The Trump Report
Most days I watch the Trump Report on YouTube. The trouble with YouTube now is there are many AI created videos so you have to be careful about sources.
The art of the deal (not!)
It would seem that a certain leader is very good at annoying his so called allies. He seems to lack tact and manages to leave a sour taste.
This is sad, as I have found everyone in the USA I have had dealings with to be kind and generous. Certainly those visiting the USA for the football have found a warm welcome.
He was correct in asking European NATO allies to pay more. About Spain and Denmark (and Greenland) he is, in my opinion, totally and utterly wrong.
In my view, everything he seems to touch gets worse and not better.
All I ask is:
- Listen to your experts.
- Think carefully before acting.
- Think of possible outcomes before starting.
- Have a plan.
10m 200mW WSPR (Thursday)
My beacon was turned on at 0815z.
UPDATE 1711z: 46 stations (probably Es) spotting me.
6m 3W FT8 (Thursday)
My gear has been on since 0815z.
UPDATE 1425z: 11 stations spotting me so far. Most are English with, perhaps, one by Es. It would seem there is less Es today on 6m.
8 Jul 2026
Apple carplay
A visit to the App Store on my iPhone SE should have taken me straight to the Apple Carplay app so I thought. Wrong. Instead I was faced by a barrage of apps that supposedly allow me to connect my iPhone to the car.
What I am after is the Apple app. assuming there is one? I do not want to download the wrong app.
Surely a giant like Apple would be able to direct me to the correct app immediately on their own app store!
Apparently not.
Anyone know the correct app please?
A really simple way of increasing the range of EVs?
An Australian company may have the answer to dramatically increasing the range of electric vehicles.
6m 3W FT8 (Wednesday)
My gear was turned on at about 1133z.
UPDATE 1942z: 336 stations have spotted me today.
10m 200mW WSPR (Wednesday)
My beacon has been on since about 1133z.
UPDATE 1940z: Spotted by 70 European stations.
European Es
This site is a good place to go to get a "snapshot" of Es in Europe. I think there is also a page on Es in the USA and Canada.
See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/
8m FT8 RX (Wednesday)
Today, I am trying 8m FT8 RX. I might spot a few stations!
UPDATE 1130z: Nobody spotted. This afternoon, I may try 6m 3W again. It seems that interest in 8m is low now we are way after the sunspot maximum.
Yesterday on 6m FT8
Yesterday was brilliant on 6m.
 |
| Stations spotted yesterday on 6m FT8 RX |
On RX I copied stations in Alaska and the west coast of North America. It came as a surprise that Alaska is about 500km closer. I guess the Mercator map projection distorts the path. Conditions must have been good as the path to Alaska is over the pole. In all, 487 stations were spotted with several in North America.
 |
| Stations spotting my 3W 6m FT8 yesterday |
On TX with 3W FT8 to the V2000 vertical omni some 516 stations spotted me including the USA and Caribbean.
7 Jul 2026
Press bias
The news was released today that a long-term UK politician (Nigel Farage) has resigned as an MP. He has been questioned recently about payments to him. He claims these donations were for personal protection and did not need to be declared.
Allegedly, one of the UK newspapers published a photo (I think) of where his daughter (?) lived. I am not a supporter of his party, but I am totally opposed to this sort of gutter journalism. It is totally uncalled for.
6m 3W FT8 (Tuesday)
I have been on 6m FT8 since just before breakfast.
UPDATE 0845z: So far 103 stations have spotted me with the furthest TF2CT (1927km).
These days, with Es, I seem to get better success with 3W FT8 on 6m than 200mW WSPR on 10m.
UPDATE 1420z: 283 stations have spotted my 3W 6m FT8 to the V2000 omni antenna with the best being KP4AA (6906km).
UPDATE 1645z: 354 stations have spotted me.
10m 200mW WSPR TX (Tuesday)
My little beacon has been on since just before breakfast. Most were spotted by Es.
UPDATE 0847z: Spotted by 25 stations so far.
Trump and the FIFA Soccer World Cup
The spirit of soccer was dented yesterday by the intervention of President Trump. Despite this, the USA was eliminated by Belgium. Personally, I think the game was hurt by this intervention.
10m 200mW WSPR TX yesterday
Yesterday I was on 10m QRP WSPR. In all, 100 stations spotted me, most by Es.
6 Jul 2026
5 Jul 2026
10m 200mW WSPR (Sunday)
My beacon has been on since just after lunch.
UPDATE 1244z: 32 stations have spotted me most by Es.
How the garden grows
We moved into this bungalow in summer 2013. I just found a photo from back then and am amazed by how much the plants have grown.
The fences on two of the boundaries were replaced. You can hardly see them now!
4 Jul 2026
8m FT8 RX (Saturday)
At about 0930z, I QSYed to 8m FT8 RX. I think I just missed EA3ERE.
UPDATE 1125z: Just G4FKI spotted. I may go back to 6m FT8 later.
6m 3W FT8 (Saturday)
 |
| Stations spotting me at 1637z |
UPDATE 1637z: Back on 6m FT8. Spotted by 23 stations. Es I presume for many.
10m 200mW WSPR (Saturday)
My beacon was turned on after breakfast.
UPDATE 1452z: Went QRT, but now back. So far spotted by 4 unique stations, presumably by Es.
3 Jul 2026
Home today
Assuming the trains are running smoothly, I should be home later. I have enjoyed my time with my brother in my old haunts.
Back on 6m and 10m probably tomorrow.
2 Jul 2026
Hair still!
When I was still at university I still had hair and was a lot slimmer, HI. I hope the link works as it its a photo of me about 55 years ago!
Dartmouth, UK
As mentioned yesterday I went to see an old work colleague who retired here.It’s a lovely place.
1 Jul 2026
Old work colleague
Today I am going to Dartmouth to visit an old work colleague who moved here. He’s a licensed radio amateur and very bright.
UPDATE 1554z: Really good catching up with G4IUG.
Pannier Market
Yesterday we visited the Pannier Market in Tavistock, UK which sells just about everything!
It started in 1105 and has been going ever since since!!
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