Sunspots- Sunday July 6th

 Solar flux is 117 and the SSN 82. A=18 and K=4..

IDF - NOT amateur radio

“In a revealing written parliamentary answer dated 11 June 2025, the Ministry of Defence confirmed that British forces are currently training personnel from the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on UK soil. The response, delivered by Labour MP Luke Pollard, stated this is part of “routine Defence engagement with Israel”.”

Many of my best friends are Jewish but I didn’t know this was allegedly happening. 

Whilst the October 7th massacre was utterly wrong, so is destroying Gaza and very many innocent people and children. 

Everyone has the right to live in peace and nobody has the right to bully others. After all, we are all human beings.

In my view we should not sell any arms to Israel or train any IDF troops until there is a just peace.

1970s station

Looking back I came across this photo that must be well over 40 years ago. It shows my station in the 1970s. 

It also shows the EC10 receiver and my Liner-2 2m SSB transceiver. 

My son looks very young (under 2?). Judging by my son I would date this to the very late 1970s.

Pokeweed? - NOT amateur radio

Most definitely, I am not a plant expert! 

On our walk yesterday we saw this curious plant growing at the side of the path. 

It is supposed to be a Pokeweed, but, as I said, I am no expert. Certainly I have not seen one before. 

It looked a bit like a lupin.

10m 500mW WSPR (Saturday)

In the last hour 35 European stations have spotted my QRP beacon, probably by Es. 

UPDATE 1035z:  40 European stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 1431z: V51RS (8481km) has spotted me multiple times.

UPDATE 1808z: 45 stations have spotted me today. QRT soon.

6m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

 

My 5W FT8 was turned on mid-morning.

UPDATE 1812z: 215 stations have spotted me today. QRT soon.

Summer harvest - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday we went for a walk in the nearby village of Reach. The  corn fields are maturing well. 

Sunspots - Saturday July 5th

 Solar flux is 119 and the SSN 87. A=10 and K=3.

New radios at Friedrichshafen

The MLS video is about new radios on display at Friedrichshafen.  

It never fails to amaze me how much some people are prepared to spend on our hobby. 

Each to their own, but as I keep saying, spending a lot is not a requirement. At a fraction of the cost of these radios the whole planet may be contacted.

Roses at Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio

After (for us in the UK) a very hot and humid spell, we have had some rain. These roses were seen at Anglesey Abbey yesterday.