Yaesu FT7

My first ever Yaesu rig was the 10W FT7, which I bought second hand in 1979. By modern standards it was big, but it was a great rig, enabling me to work 10m SSB QRP DXCC in the 1980s. Being this old, WARC bands were not included and on 10m, it only covered 500 kHz. 

Later, they brought out a 50W version (the FT7B) that covered all of 10m in 4 switched bands. Synthesizers and memories were in the future, so it had an analogue VFO. The RX was very quiet. It was one of the best rigs I have ever owned.

Several Yaesu rigs have been owned and I like Yaesu products, but feel they lost their way in recent years. Let's really hope they survive.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/commercial-rigs/yaesu-ft7 .

Re-thatching - NOT amateur radio

Thatched cottages need new roofs from time-to-time. They keep houses warm, but new thatch cannot come cheaply. We saw this a few days ago.

10m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

 

Spots of my QRP 10m FT8 to 1035z today

At the moment, I am on 10m FT8. So far 42 stations spotted at 0855z and I have been spotted by 4 stations.

UPDATE 1035z: 166 stations spotted by me and I have been spotted by 22 stations.

UPDATE 1335z:  561 spots of others and 106 spots of me, plus a few QSOs, although I have not called others.

Sunspots - Thursday March 2nd 2023

 Solar flux is 162 and the SSN 105.  A=8 and K=1.

Those royals - NOT amateur radio

Allegedly, according to unconfirmed reports, Harry and Megan have been served an eviction notice on their 10 bedroomed cottage on the Windsor estate. This has been offered to Prince Andrew who lives in a 31 bedroomed house. How hard life must be!!! Just think of the heating costs and the dusting. 😉😉

Solar data updated

My favourite site for solar data has been updated. It still expects solar maximum November this year. If correct, this is very early.

See https://www.solen.info/solar/ .

First car memories - NOT amateur radio

On the way to Cambridge, this Morris 1000 was spotted. As our very first car in 1971 was a green Morris 1000 just like this, it triggered some happy memories.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Wednesday)

At the moment, I am on 10m WSPR TX with my 500mW beacon. Just 3 stations spotting me. Openings to the USA seem to have dropped off of late.

UPDATE 1535z:  Still just those 3 stations spotting me today on 10m WSPR.

Wicken - NOT amateur radio

This photo was taken some years ago at Wicken about 5 km away. 

Sunspots - Wednesday, March 1st 2023

Solar flux is 161 and the SSN 100.  A=28 and K=1.