Reserve currencies?

Since the end of WW2, the US dollar has been the reserve currency of world trade, but recent events have brought that into question. In the short-term this may continue, but what about the future?

Way back during WW2 Keynes suggested a neutral "currency" called the Bancor that clearing banks only could use in world trade. 

BRICS countries have suggested something else in place of the US dollar. 

I do not know the future, but it seems clear the USA under President Trump is moving away from world trade, so the US dollar no longer makes sense as the world's reserve currency. Also, if the US dollar loses value what then?

Maybe it is time to reconsider the Bancor?

See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqv-HcHTZAg&t=461s

10m 200mW WSPR (Sunday)

My beacon was turned on at 0754z.

UPDATE 1200z: So far, 4 stations have spotted me with the best HZ1SF (4939km).

UPDATE 1510z: Spotted by 16 stations, with many in the USA. See table.

Are we eating less meat?

There is no doubt that meat prices are now very high. People are looking for lower cost alternatives that taste really good.

Probably we are being gently brainwashed through adverts to change our habits. It would not surprise me at all if meat consumption was down 50% in 20 years.

I enjoy my meat but, to be honest, many plant based alternatives are just as good.  Yesterday I had a plant based minced pie and it was just as tasty.  Although definitely not a vegetarian, I could be.

Also, in the last 10 years non-alcoholic beers have been transformed, Many now taste as good as beers with alcohol and there is far more choice. 

Operating away from home

Many people need to operate away from home using compromise antennas. Handheld VHF and UHF transceivers often use a compromise antenna and lose many dBs. One possibility is this antenna that behaves like a 2m or 70cm dipole. It could be used in hotel rooms on 2m or 70cm FM with a handheld. It is likely to be somewhat better than the antenna on the transceiver.

See https://vu3dxr.in/hotel-antenna-for-2-meter-and-70-centimeter-amateur-bands/

I am sure if you are an experimenter you could make a fold-up version with old co-ax. 

Sunspots - Sunday January 18th

 Solar flux is 159 and the SSN 124. A=27 and K=3. 

6m 5W FT8 (Saturday)

 My gear was turned on about 5 minutes ago.

UPDATE 1509z:  So far, spotted by just 5 English stations.  Best DX is 171km away. This could be aircraft reflection , scatter, or normal flat-band tropo. Of course for a two-way QSO the path has to be open for long enough for the basics to be exchanged i.e. several minutes.

Ukraine

I watch quite a few videos about the Ukraine and Russia. Most say that inside Russia things are getting very hard, and now even harder with falling oil prices. 

It would appear (outwardly at least) that Putin wants a new Russian Empire. He sees the destruction of Ukraine as a separate nation as something worth fighting for.  The fall of Russia internally seems to be very slow in happening.

If the USA is pulled out of supporting Ukraine, I think the wrong message will be sent to the world that bullying succeeds.

70cm activity contest

Once a month I go on the 70cm activity contest (UKAC) organised by the RSGB. 

Because of my poor voice I usually stay on for only the first 30 minutes.

I only use 10W pep and a 144MHz big-wheel omni. Despite these limitations I still manage to work over 100km away most times. No doubt the antenna at the other end helps!

UK "feel good" factor

It is usual to say the UK is "going to the dogs" and getting worse, but a recent article on the BBC sheds a different view. Whilst many older people have decreased confidence, confidence is increasing in younger people.

As the year progresses, inflation and interest rates are likely to fall.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c150leql9pgo .

Shetland Islands

As mentioned before, one of my friends on 365project lives in the Shetland Is..  

It is generally, bleak, treeless and windy. 

In the last few weeks they have had snowstorms. 

Being that far north, days are short in winter.