Sunspots - Monday August 11th

 Solar flux is 153 and the SSN 155. A=22 and K=4.

/P 10m QRP

 This was me operating /P at 1W SSB on 10m in my mother’s garden in Devon. I recall hearing a 6m beacon in Northern Canada on a whip antenna.

Judging by the hair, it must’ve been years ago!!

The murky world

There was a lot of panic when the Chinese launched their AI model DeepSeek earlier this year. 

The West would like to eavesdrop on countries they think could be a threat. I am sure there is a lot that goes on that most have no knowledge of. Perhaps it's best we don't know. 

One thing we can be sure about: every major power is spying!

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gez754mn6o

Hope Cove

This is a sleepy seaside village in South Devon, UK.  

I can trace my family history continuously in this village back to the mid 1550s. 

The photo is of the village 120 years ago.

10m 500mW WSPR (Sunday)

My beacon was turned on before breakfast.

UPDATE 2024z: 21 stations have spotted me. The furthest is again V51RS (8481km). QRT now.

6m 5W FT8 (Sunday)

My gear was turned on just before breakfast.

UPDATE 2021z:  268 stations have spotted me. I assume this is Es still. Is the Es season longer this year? See map.  QRT.

Sunspots - Sunday August 10th

 Solar flux is 140 and the SSN 137. A=47 and K=3.

MLS and the Yaesu FTX-1

Unsurprisingly, MLS is singing the praises of the new Yaesu FTX-1. They clearly want to sell it, especially to the customers that put down a deposit. 

In my view it was seriously over priced in the UK and lacks many features as standard. I decided not to bother.

10m 500mW WSPR (Saturday)

My beacon has been on since about 1006z.

UPDATE 1435z: 20 stations spotting me by what seems like Es.

6m 5W FT8 (Saturday)

 My gear has been on since about 1005z.

UPDATE 1600z:  220 spots of me so far.