New firmware for the Yaesu FTX-1

 Yaesu has released some firmware updates to the FTX-1F. In my view it is FAR too expensive and under-featured.

Old windmill - NOT amateur radio

At one time there were 4 windmills in our village This is the base of one that has long gone. The only remaining one is about 15m from our kitchen!!

10m 500mW WSPR (Thursday)

My W5OLF beacon was turned on at about 1356z.  

UPDATE 2020z:  20 spots of me today Most look like Es.

6m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

My IC-705 at 5W was turned on at about 1355z.  6 stations have spotted my 5W FT8, but I have spotted 2 stations in Puerto Rico in the Caribbean. Some think this is multi-hop Es. I think it is more likely to be some sort of chordal hop Es.

UPDATE  1438z:   20 spots of my QRP. See map.

UPDATE 2205z: 149 stations spotted me today.

Early Yaesu 6m rig

 

The FT620 was an early 6m transceiver when Yaesu were market leaders.

Sunspots - Thursday May 29th

 Solar flux is 145 and the SSN 126. A=63 and K=5.

HF antenna

I think this steerable HF antenna is for a broadcast station.

I am sure the neighbours would complain it I had it!!

10m 500mW WSPR (Wednesday)

My QRP WSPR beacon was turned on at about 1030z.

UPDATE 1540z:  47 spots of me.

Rain at last - NOT amateur radio

 

After almost a month with no rain, this week has been dull with some rain as this photo from a friend on 365project.org shows.

6m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

My IC-705 at 5W was turned on at 1030z.

UPDATE 1550z:   493 spots of me so far, with plenty of Es. See map. When Es is good all Europe and North Africa is possible with 6m QRP.  On 6m Es I get far more spots than I did on 8m sadly. On 6m FT8 RX  the furthest is UN7AM (3816km) in Kazakhstan.