30 May 2026

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.

Sunspots - Saturday May 30th

 Solar flux is 148 and the SSN 145. A=15 and K=3.

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!

The Trump Report

 This is always very informative. See

https://youtu.be/cX1Pfh8-eh4?si=GyIgLrIJS9GnuYQw

Sunspots - Friday May 29th

 Solar flux is 145 and the SSN 161. A=13 and K=2.

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. 


Sunspots. - Thursday May 28th

 Solar flux is 142 and the SSN 165. A=11 and K=2..

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

This circuit by GM3OXO is true classic QRP 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.