Free speech? - NOT amateur radio

It would seem the administration of President Trump has deported a Palestinian man called Mahmoud Kahlil because of his pro-Palestine activity. Now, I do not know the full facts, but this seems to fly in the face of a country where free speech is meant to be important.

World order - NOT amateur radio

It would appear a new world order is emerging.  For over a century the USA was seen as the dominant world power. We are now seeing this change as China comes to the fore.

At one time the USA was seen as a beacon of democracy and one that could be aspired to. 

Recently, I cannot see many in the world wishing to follow the USA.

No political system is perfect.

Refused pardon - NOT amateur radio

It amazes me that the USA president has pardoned so many people who stormed Capitol Hill 4 years ago.  I see one woman has refused the pardon admitting that wrong was done that day.  

I have no right to interfere with politics in the USA. However, I observe how the rest of the world looks on. The USA does not look like a role model for democracy.

In these troubled times everyone in power must project honesty, kindness and a concern for the greater good.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvged988377o .

US presidential elections - NOT amateur radio

The people of the USA have elected their president for the next 4 years in an election. 

The outgoing president has, allegedly, issued preemptive pardons to prevent the incoming president "going after" those who opposed him in the past. 

I truly hope the incoming president is above such things and continues to uphold all that is best about democracy and sees peace around the world as an honourable aim.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8r5g5dezk4o .

The USA and UK - NOT amateur radio

Every, and I really do mean every, person I have ever dealt with in the USA has been kind and generous. Whenever I have been there they strike me as a kind and generous people.

What puzzles me is the image they create outside of the USA is of a brash people (I remember being pleasantly surprised how good the driving was when I first went there!) only interested in themselves and making money. Perhaps this is why so many voted for Mr Trump? Perhaps he, along with Elon Musk, represent what many aspire to? 

In many ways I like the American people, but I wish Mr Musk would keep out of UK politics. He may be the richest man in the world, but seems uninformed about some things.

In my view, if we have a choice, we would be better turning more towards Europe than the USA.

USA Elections - NOT amateur radio

The people of the USA have voted and chosen Mr Trump again. I wish them well although I am quite surprised.

USA 🇺🇸 and guns - NOT amateur radio

 This poem is about how the world sees certain countries. It is sad but true.

Joe Biden drops out of US presidential election - NOT amateur radio

As I mentioned some days ago,  I do not understand the USA. Apparently Joe Biden has dropped out of the race against Donald Trump. He had been asked to stand down by several in his party. On balance, I think he has done the right thing.

He has put his support behind his vice-president Kamala Harris.

USA politics - NOT amateur radio

In no way can (or should) I express views on how the people of the USA should vote for their president in November. They will rightly vote for the person they choose. But I am puzzled. Let me explain.

1. Firstly, I am surprised that their choice is really between two very old men. In a country as vast as the USA, surely they could have found candidates that were younger and sharper.  At 75 (as I am now) there is no way I'd want such high office.
2. Secondly, about half of the USA supports Mr Trump. Whatever your views I have yet to find anyone outside the USA who likes him. I really do mean anyone. Not one person has said a positive word. I have spoken with lots of people from the USA in the last few years.
3. Thirdly, I am puzzled that so many people want to be led by a billionaire who seems to want to be all powerful.

No, the USA puzzles me.

USA puzzle - NOT amateur radio

The USA puzzles me. 

This November they go to the polls, but the contest for president is likely to be between two very old men. One is facing a host of charges and the other will be 81!! 

What puzzles me is why the presidency is likely to be a contest between these 2 when surely there are younger people who could do the job better? 

Also I cannot understand why Mr Trump is so popular when everyone (really everyone) I have spoken to outside of the USA hates him!

It bothers me that the biggest economy in the West, and the nuclear trigger, will be in the hands of a potentially doddery old man.

Does this say a lot about the USA?

USA puzzle - NOT amateur radio

The USA puzzles me. It looks likely that the biggest democratic country will be led for 4 more years by two very old men (both are years older than me!). 

What puzzles me is why can't the USA find a younger set of candidates? Surely, in the USA there are some charismatic younger potential leaders. 

This must say a lot about the people of the USA. Individually, every American I have met has been kind, warm and generous.

The USA in decline? No - NOT amateur radio

This appeared in The Knowledge today. This comes as a daily email using various sources for this news compendium. As far as I can tell, it is pretty neutral.

" Most Americans think their country is in decline,” says Fareed Zakaria in Foreign Policy. The share who are “satisfied” with the way the country is going has not risen above 50% in 20 years; today it stands at a miserable 20%. Donald Trump won in 2016 by capturing this mood and preaching “doom and gloom”. Now he’s at it again – three months before entering the 2024 presidential race, he released a video titled “A Nation in Decline”. The Biden administration isn’t much better, blaming decades of globalisation for “hollowing out” American industry and exporting manufacturing jobs. The suggestion is that poor old Americans need protecting with epically expensive subsidies and stiff tariffs.

Yet for all the talk of “dysfunction and decay”, the reality is that American supremacy has never been greater. In 1990, US per capita income was 17% higher than Japan’s and 24% higher than Western Europe’s. Today, it’s 54% and 32% higher respectively. The US economy was roughly the same size as the Eurozone’s in 2008; today, it is nearly twice the size. Nine of the 10 most valuable firms in the world are American, up from only four in 1989, and the US is the world’s largest producer of oil and gas. As for the industries of the future, American AI startups have attracted six times more venture funding than their Chinese equivalents. Why don’t we hear more about any of that? If Washington keeps turning inward, tyrants will be emboldened and the rest of the world will suffer. The only danger to American dominance is the myth that it’s on the wane."

Said on FaceBook in 2012 - NOT amateur radio

This was said by me on FaceBook in 2012. Nothing changes!

Donald Trump - NOT amateur radio

 It is impossible to know if the ex president of the USA is guilty of the crimes of which he is charged. What I do know is unless he is found guilty, his chances of re-election in late 2024 increase. 

At the moment, the USA seems very polarised. I really cannot understand why the USA cannot find younger candidates. If either Biden or Trump stand and get in they would be very old men!

HF conditions

It is rare for me to go lower than 28 MHz on HF. Certainly conditions on 10m seem good with loads of spots of my QRP 10m FT8 from the USA. I had to QSY, but when I left the band it was still good.  

I was hoping this was my first chance of F2 to/from the USA on 8m, but not this time. Whenever 10m F2 looks promising E-W, I shall try 8m FT8. Hopefully there will be other chances. 

Having worked the USA with QRP SSB handheld from the bedroom, I am in with a chance on 8m FT8.

8m USA permits

Already 7 stations in the USA have received experimental permits to operate at 8m. Come the next main Es season we could see even more approved and on the air. 

I do hope they all operate FT8 and within a single RX window for them all. This will make monitoring so much easier. 

In the last Es season the first USA station approved was copied in the UK. With 7 operational, things (and chances) can only get better. All that would be needed is a wire dipole and WSJT-X tuned so all the USA stations come in on FT8. Just leave the RX on and see what pops up. Of course, FT8 with a shared allocation would be good for all beacons, not just at 8m. This way, all beacons within the particular FT8 "window" could be monitored 24/7.

It is just possible that the F2 MUF limit could peak briefly such that distant stations on 8m could be copied. All this is new and exciting. We just do not know.

All the USA stations have been given permits in the ISM band. In the future, this could be a most interesting amateur allocation. Never mind transatlantic: they are going to have great fun in the next main Es season. There is a small Es peak around New Year. I wonder if there will be some Es within the USA at the turn of the year?

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/ .  On John's blog there are more details about these USA stations.

UPDATE 0650z:  I gather the first experimental licence has been issued in Canada to a VE7. 

8m USA beacon spotted on WSPR in Europe

Yesterday, I gather the WL2XUP 8m beacon was spotted in England. WSPR works with signals much weaker than FT8. No doubt EI7GL's blog will have more details shortly.

The USA - NOT amateur radio

Ex-president Trump has been cleared of impeachment. This is not too surprising as the senate would have needed a 2/3rds majority.

What I sincerely hope is that the USA can move on peacefully. Judging by the votes, he clearly has a large following in the USA, although I very much doubt most of those would have wanted the violence that erupted.

As a beacon of democracy, the violence that erupted some weeks ago was ugly and self-destructive. Now is a time to heal.

No Comment - NOT amateur radio

This photo arrived earlier. No comment.  I have no idea where it came from.

In the USA many voted for him. Outside the USA I have yet to speak with anyone (not one) who has a good word for him. In 4 whole years I have spoken with, or met, many people. The number must be in the hundreds now. 

Odd, he must have done something right domestically, yet abroad he is the butt of jokes.

USA future - NOT amateur radio

Tomorrow the new USA president is sworn in. I hope that President Trump is magnanimous and his followers respect democracy.