QRP transceiver from Sweden

 

This appeared in SPRAT 31 and I believe earlier in RadCom. I must have missed it.

10m 200mW WSPR (Friday)

My beacon was turned on before breakfast.

UPDATE 2002z: Spotted by 4 stations with the best DP0GVN (13685km) in Antarctica. QRT shortly.

Sunspots - Friday April 10th

 Solar flux is 98 and the SSN 79. A=7 and K=4.

Reverse Beacon Network - why no FT modes?

For many, this is a really useful resource often allowing operators to see where they are getting in the absence of a reply. 

It seems odd to me (as far as I can see) that the RBN does NOT monitor FT8, FT4 and FT2.

I know there are alternatives such as PSKreporter, but as very common modes these days and only requiring a few kilohertz of band to be monitored this surprises me. 

If there is a good reason, I would be interested to know why.

See https://www.reversebeacon.net/

10m 200mW WSPR (Thursday)

Today was an early start on 10m WSPR with my beacon turned on at about 0545z.

UPDATE 1242z: 2 stations spotting me with the best FR5DN (9752km) . 

70cm 10W FT8 UKAC yesterday

Last evening was the activity contest (UKAC) on 70cm FT8. 

A couple of people answered my CQs and were worked, but I was not on long. My 70cm gear is pathetic! I run 10W into a 144MHz big-wheel antenna. 

Despite this, I remain amazed how far away I get spotted on 70cm FT8. See the map showing where I was copied last evening in a few short minutes.

Joe Blogs

 This was the Joe Blogs video yesterday.

Sunspots - Thursday April 9th

 Solar flux is 108 and the SSN 103. A=7 and K=1.

Iran war

 In my mind the USA has made a "pigs dinner" of this war. Both sides claim victory.

The war has cost the USA, allegedly, over $11B so far, which is a colossal amount.

Fuel prices are higher (even in the USA) and inflation is likely to move up.  The Strait of Hormuz (which was open before the war) is supposed to be open again .......but Iran controls it and will probably charge a toll. 

Yes, we may have set back Iran making missiles and nuclear weapons a bit. Has the USA gained any friends? I doubt it; they may well have lost a few. Iran still has low cost drones and control over the Straight of Hormuz. US victory? Hmmm.

10m 5W FT8 (Wednesday)

 At about 1515z, I changed to 10m FT8 at 5W. 

UPDATE 1536z:  On TX my best spots are from Israel. On RX here my best is LU8XW(13474km) in Tierra del Fuego.