Sunspots - Saturday April 12th

 Solar flux is 170 and the SSN 120. A=18 and K=3.

Friends across the world

One of the aspects of amateur radio I really like is its ability to completely transcend politics. 

Way back in the days of the USSR many stations were worked. Likewise I worked many stations in the USA and Canada. These days there are more Chinese stations active.  To this day I still exchange emails with a radio amateur in Moscow.  I also exchange emails with someone in the USA.

Most of us are just interested in some aspect of the hobby and politics just doesn't matter. Some are capitalists, some are communists. It really does not impact us. 

All we can do is continue to break down barriers and remember we are all the same really.

Yaesu FTX-1F latest

The last I heard they were awaiting FCC approval before doing a worldwide launch.  With all the turbulence in the USA, I have no idea when this will be. 

What I do know is each additional month, and extra tariffs make it less likely to be successful in the USA, which would have been one of the major markets.

It would not surprise me if this was quietly dropped.

Shrew in loft - NOT amateur radio

One  of my Facebook memories was of finding this shrew in our loft. I  had never seen a shrew in our loft before and no idea how it got there. 

We have since moved.

10m 6W FT8 (Friday)

My IC-705 at 6W FT8 was turned on at about 0815z.

UPDATE 0832z:  3 spots of me.

Child slavery? - NOT amateur radio

This was my grandson cutting our grass yesterday ..... for money!!

Sunspots - Friday April 11th

Solar flux is 153 and the SSN 113. A=17 and K=3.

Rallies this weekend

The following should take place at the weekend, although I always recommend checking first.

• Saturday  April 12th - Yeovil Amateur Radio Club QRP Conventon, Sherborne. See yeovil-arc.com/QRPconvention.php
• Sunday April 13th - Holsworthy ARC Spring Radio Rally,  EX22 7FA. No contact details.
• Sunday April 13th - Northern Amateur Radio Societies Exhibition (Blackpool Rally), Blackpool, FY2 9AA. Contact dwilson@btinternet.com

Beer o’clock- NOT amateur radio

One of the joys of having our younger son staying with us this week has been having a beer 🍺 in the garden in the sun. It is duller this morning.

10m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

My IC-705 at 6W was turned on at about 0740z.

UPDATE 1132z:  79 spots of me that look like F2 propagation. Best spot is from Brazil. 

UPDATE 1321z:  126 spots of me with the furthermost Western Australia. 

UPDATE  1650z:  201 stations have spotted me today. See map. Now QRT.