Restoring the Heathkit HW8 transceiver

 At one time the Heathkit HW8 QRP CW transceiver was very popular. This video is about restoring one.

Iran war

This has the potential to be the worst crisis since WW2. 

It is clear this crisis is far from over and the Strait of Hormuz remains a pinch point. In my view this war was entered without a clear exit plan.

Oil prices and inflation are likely to remain high. In my view things could get far worse.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx21m88rd14o .

Sunny village

 

This week we’ve generally enjoyed good weather. This was outside our Post Office yesterday.

ICOM X-026

ICOM announced that they will be showing their concept model transceiver at the Dayton Hamvention. 

So far all that has appeared from ICOM is a ghostly video. In truth, I think it is some way off production and they are testing the interest. Some speculate that it is a "shack in the box" replacement for the IC706 range covering HF, VHF and UHF but with a head unit that is remotely connected wirelessly via bluetooth or wifi. 

The truth is we just don't know. One thing is certain, this could really hit the Yaesu FTX1 range. In my view the FTX1 is a poor second and shows Yaesu is now a (poor) follower.

10m 200mW WSPR (Thursday)

 My beacon was turned on at about 0545z.

UPDATE 1630z:  4 stations have spotted me with the best DP0GVN (13685km) in Antarctica.

Pembrokeshire, West Wales

 

One of my friends on 365project is on holiday in West Wales. 

She enjoys walking!

There are lots of wild flowers out.

Christ's Pieces, Cambridge, UK

 

This is right next to the bus terminus. 

It is a wonderful space for a picnic in good weather, such as we have had this week.

Sunspots - Thursday April 30th

Solar flux is 143 and the SSN 142. A=4 and K=2.

Es (sporadic E) - not yet?

In the northern hemisphere Es usually brings good short skip on 10m, 6m and 4m. Occasionally it even reaches 2m, but this is rare.

At the moment it doesn't seem to have properly arrived. I guess it might appear sporadically, but the main months are May, June and July. 

If we are lucky far further is possible by chordal or multi-hop E layer propagation or Es linking with F2 further south.

Amateur radio - as it was?

This video is very USA based. Sadly, its message is true almost everywhere. I think amateur radio, as we knew it, is dying. It might stagger on in my lifetime, but times are changing. The magic it once was is no longer magic.