Coastal train - NOT amateur radio

Last week I went by train to see my brother in Devon. For several miles, the track hugs the coast near Dawlish and Teignmouth and the views are spectacular. 

In the next 100 years this will probably be washed away. The line to Plymouth and Cornwall will probably have to go inland, north of Dartmoor at great expense.  Stations like Dawlish, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot and Totnes could well suffer.

Thunder and lightning?

At 1111z today

As storms are forecast for later, I have decided not to go on the radio today. I shall keep an eye on the lightning maps (see photo).

At the moment, they are tracking further south and east.

Rabbit hole? - NOT amateur radio

 

On our walk on Friday we saw this hole. It is too small for a badger so I assume it’s a rabbit hole. 

I could see it extended at least 25cm underground although I could not see further.

Hamsphere

Virtual amateur radio has never really attracted me. 

If people cannot erect outside antennas or just want to keep in contact with others, this may be the answer. Also, at the bottom of the solar cycle it may appeal to me more.

Hamsphere uses the internet as the communications medium rather than the ionosphere. To my mind it is not sufficient. I prefer experimenting.

See https://hs50.hamsphere.com/ .

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.