Ukraine

 My memory goes back to the Vietman War, when we were brainwashed to believe the Vietcong was evil and the USA perfect. I am sure Ukraine is far from perfect, but they are a sovereign nation that wants to forge its own path into the future. 

The USA has appeared as a poor friend of NATO and Ukraine, and if we can believe it, is more interested in deals that benefit the inner circle of those close to power in the USA rather than the common person in the USA or Ukraine. In the "fog of war" it is hard to know the truth. Probably there are good and bad points with the USA, Ukraine and Russia.

My hope is that this senseless war will soon end in a just peace and everyone can get on with their lives in peace. 

I have long advocated something a bit like Germany after WW2: East Ukraine, which is under Russian influence and the rest of Ukraine never becoming a member of NATO. Over time Putin and Trump will not be around and we might be living in a very different world.

Most people just want to live in peace, right across the world.

630m WSPR RX last evening and overnight

 

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

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

Sunspots- Friday October 9th

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

10m 200mW WSPR (Monday)

 My beacon was turned on at about 0630z.

Sunspots - Thursday October 8th

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

433MHz modules

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

I see you can buy 2 from Amazon UK for £11.99.  Probably you can buy these for less with a bit of hunting. 

Normally, these are digital transceivers, but I am sure those with any brains would be able convert them to other modes. 

If I was fit again I would have a go myself. Sadly I am not.

Green tomato chutney

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

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

Morning coffee

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

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

Is Russia testing NATO resolve?

With a number of drone probes, it looks like Russia is testing NATO's resolve, especially as President Trump seems friendly with Putin and sees many of the USA's traditional allies as enemies. 

In the past the USA was seen as reliable: not any more sadly.

6m 1W FT8 (Wedesday)

 My gear was turned on at about 1030z.

UPDATE 1047z:  Just one English station spotting me.

10m 200mW WSPR TX (Wednesday)

 My beacon was turned on at about 1030z.

UPDATE 1044z: No spots.

630m WSPR (Wednesday)

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

Sunspots - Wednesday October 7th

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

630m WSPR RX (Monday)

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

UPDATE 2005z:  7 stations spotted so far.

Getting ready?

 

This was one house in our village yesterday. 

I think they take Halloween seriously!

10m 1W FT8 (Tuesday)

Spots of me at 1428z

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

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

481THz tests

Before my 2013 stroke I really enjoyed experimenting "in the field".  I experimented from very very low frequencies right up to optical. These days I experiment from home. I can drive, but generally do not.

Autumn

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

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

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

160m FT8 RX overnight

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

Sunspots - Tuesday October 6th

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