Tariffs - NOT amateur radio

The USA has already imposed heavy tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China. It is threatening tariffs on the EU and UK. Whilst I can (I think) understand the reasons, my view is this is a blunt tool that can do much damage to the world economy.

Like it or not the world is very interconnected with supply chains that go the world over. Whilst I can see the incentives to keep things local, this will come at a cost. Suppliers nearer to home are likely to have higher labour costs, so things are likely to be more expensive.

The USA may be big enough to cope on its own. Much of the world cannot. 

We may be at the start of a new world order with the USA (for now) forging an isolationist policy, unlike the rest of the world. It will be interesting to see what happens.

Local church - NOT amateur radio

This was our local church some summers ago. It will (all too) soon be spring. This winter has felt very long for some reason with lots of dull and dreary weather.

See http://eachurches.blogspot.co.uk .

10m QRP WSPR (Monday)

 In a few moments I expect to turn on my 500mW WSPR TX beacon.

UPDATE 1050z:  My beacon was turned on at 0948z. So far, spotted by 13 stations.

WSPRrocks by Phil VK7JJ

UPDATE 1504z:  Spotted by 28 stations today.

Winchester Palace - NOT amateur radio

This is NOT in Winchester, which was once the capital of England. It dates from the 12th century and is actually near Southwark Cathedral in London. It was in use until about 1700.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_Palace .

Sunspots - Monday February 3rd

 Solar flux is 216 and the SSN 156. A=21 and K=0.

RF in the shack?

When I try to use the IC-705 on FT8 I get an error message saying that there is a problem with the sound card when I know the correct one is being selected. Probably there is RF in the shack. 

My antenna is an end-fed, and RF in the shack is often a problem with end-feds. I have never had the issue before. It probably depends exactly where the leads are placed.

Tomorrow I shall try adding ferrite beads to the antenna and PC leads to see if this cures the problem. 

One thing I should try is reducing the RF power as this should prove it. With far lower power it should avoid the issue of RF feedback.  If this proves it, I know what to do to fix it.

Would you pay over £13k for a transceiver?

One large UK dealer is selling a German made transceiver for over £13k.  Now, each to their own, but I do not see this as amateur radio. Personally I would get as much fun with a transceiver having 14 parts total!

Oh, don't forget the linear, beam, rotator and tower!

The future of amateur radio

There was a link on Amateur Radio Weekly yesterday saying that amateur radio in the USA was not dying, but it was changing. I cannot speak for the USA, but I can for the UK.

Many groups are seeing a change, not just amateur radio: churches in the main, have an aging (mostly female) demographic. When this demographic ages and dies there will be very few left in many churches.

Amateur radio is like this. It does, in the main, appeal to older men. Many are retired with more disposable income than those younger people with growing families, high rents or mortgages. I do not see many of them joining the hobby as we did. These days they are more interested in their screens and online games.  Worldwide communication is no longer magic and fascinated: it is just taken for granted.

Many PTTs are growing tired of administering amateur radio as it no longer generates revenues.

In the future I can see things changing for sure. My prediction is that amateur radio will merge with CB and become a free-for-all. As long as interference is not caused, these PTTs could not care. The main issue I can see would be traceability without some sort of callsign and registration.

See https://k4fmh.com/2025/01/22/the-u-s-ham-radio-market-is-it-dying/ .

More from the Clink Museum - NOT amateur radio

As mentioned yesterday, we visited the Clink Museum in London. It must have been horrendous to have been imprisoned there centuries ago. 

The conditions and torture must have been awful.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Sunday)

 My 10m QRP WSPR beacon has been on some of the time this morning.

UPDATE 1147z:  EA8BFK (2880km) has spotted me.