DX Explorer video about the UV-7B from Beofeng

 This video was on the DX Explorer YouTube page.

10m 200mW WSPR (Wednesday)

My beacon was turned on at 1000z.

UPDATE 1010z:  Yesterday was good with a couple of spots of me in Antarctica as well as lots of other spots of my 200mW.

Sunspots - Thursday February 19th

 Solar flux is 119 and the SSN 43.  A=10 and K=1.

10m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

 My gear was turned on at breakfast. With a 12V supply it produces 3.4W so with my diodes in the supply line I think (at most ) my output is 2.5W FT8 on 10m. Today I am mostly on RX.

UPDATE 0950z:   Spotted by 36 stations on TX  and I have spotted 390 stations here on RX with the best ZL1HD (18360km). There seems to be far more activity on FT8 than WSPR on 10m.

Frightening AI

Just now I watched a 15 second video clip. It shows a fight between Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. Nothing special, except this was entirely created using AI from a 2 second prompt.

I am sure there will be many good things about AI. At the same time AI could be used in the media to, for example, re-create dead people. It could revolutionise movies.... and create a dearth in jobs.

See https://x.com/RuairiRobinson/status/2021394940757209134

USA back on 8m (and 4m too)

A person in the USA has obtained an experimental licence for 8m and 4m. 

This is not amateur radio so QSOs certainly with radio amateurs in the USA and, probably overseas too, are not permitted. Probably FT8 and WSPR reports are fine.  

Remember this is not amateur radio.

I hope the FCC sees fit to issue more.

Sunspots - Wednesday February 18th

 Solar flux is 122 and the SSN 63. A=11 and K=3.

Spy transceiver

 

DX Explorer has some truly amazing projects. This tiny transceiver fits in a matchbox.

What gives YOU fun in amateur radio?

 One of the great aspects of our hobby is that it may be enjoyed in so many ways. Some just like a chat, some chase DX, some like ATV, etc..

I think interests change as you get older, so now is perhaps time to reflect.

My interest has always been in the experimental side. I have enjoyed experimenting  sub-10kHz, but I have also enjoyed testing over the horizon at 481THz. I like QRP.

These days I am less mobile, so try to experiment at home, with FT8 and WSPR modes being my favourites as my voice is poor. In the past I would have dashed in my car to carry out some experiment!

Probably I get as much pleasure from listening as I do transmitting these days. Working DXCC with QRP SSB on 10m 40 years ago has something to do with this! Being retired there is always the next day.

In this hobby there is always something new to try tomorrow!

Red Kite (bird)

Not many years ago the idea of seeing a red kite out of the kitchen window would have sounded stupid. They were re-introduced some years ago and they seem to be widespread now.  

Often they are seen beside roads where they feed on roadkill. A long train ride also results in quite a few sightings.  

They can easily be recognised by their forked tail. As far as I am aware they are the only large bird in the UK with a forked tail.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_kite .