Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog

Crash coming?

2026-08-20T10:32:24.168+01:00

Both the US debt and the UK debt is in our own currencies, so in the last resort we can always pay our debts. So the USA and the UK cannot go bust, but stock markets can (and will) crash. This can lead to recessions or even depressions. It could be extremely painful for everyone.

10m 200mW WSPR (Thursday)

2026-08-20T09:59:06.998+01:00

As the thunderstorm risk is low this morning, shall turn my beacon on shortly.

UPDATE 1032z: Beacon on. 9 stations spotting me.

Thunder threat?

2026-08-20T06:44:30.320+01:00

As there is an increasing risk of thunderstorms I may give operation a miss today.

Sunspots - Thursday August 20th

2026-08-20T06:09:39.287+01:00

Solar flux is 126 and the SSN 78. A=20 and K=2.

Lord Howe Island

2026-08-19T14:16:56.225+01:00

Since a child I have been fascinated by small remote islands.

In my advanced years it is highly unlikely I will ever get to these. However, thanks to YouTube videos I am able to dream.

10m 200mW WSPR TX (Wednesday)

2026-08-19T13:42:14.116+01:00

My beacon was turned on earlier this morning.

UPDATE 1243z: 16 stations have spotted me.

Sunspots - Wednesday August 19th

2026-08-19T05:54:03.583+01:00

Solar flux is 125 and the SSN 71. A=25 and K=2.

Times are changing

2026-08-18T09:23:01.577+01:00

In the last few years we have had some innovations that allow simple stations to work the world like FT8.

At the same time fewer young people (generally) are coming into the hobby, putting the hobby under threat. Also (certainly in the UK and USA) PTTs to want less bureaucracy especially if it generates no income.

Many national amateur radio societies are working hard to buck the trend.

In the end, I cannot see amateur radio surviving as it has in the past. What the future holds I do not know.

I really hope that people continue to experiment and innovate, which is how our great hobby started.

10m 200mW WSPR (Tuesday)

2026-08-18T09:12:16.851+01:00

My beacon was turned on just after breakfast

UPDATE 1312z: 42 stations have spotted me.

I do not get it

2026-08-18T09:06:20.267+01:00

The president of the USA gave another press briefing in the White House. I was not very impressed, although I accept others may not agree.

Sunspots - Tuesday August 18th

2026-08-18T06:11:25.138+01:00

Solar flux is 124 and the SSN 76. A=11 and K=4.

Amazon - like marmite

2026-08-17T15:45:45.001+01:00

Amazon home delivery gets a bad press. I have used it trouble-free for 26 years.

Some refuse to use it at all saying it will be the end of conventional shops. Yes, that is true, but people have already changed shopping patterns. Home shopping is now far more common in the last few years.

In my view, there are two sorts of high street shops (1) those that do not adapt and fail, and (2) those that adapt to internet shopping (browsing hubs?) and succeed.

Let me give you an example: at about 2230 last night I ordered 3 charging leads for my iPhone. By about 1500z the very next day they were on my doorstep delivered by Amazon.

The alternative would have been to take a bus ride into Cambridge and go to the Apple store. Assuming they had stock, I would expect to pay far more for just a single lead!

No, times are changing. We have to adapt.

UPDATE 1506z: A single charging lead from the Apple store in Cambridge would have been more than 3 times the price of 3 leads online.

In app ads

2026-08-17T11:16:53.239+01:00

This morning I noticed that advertisements were appearing in the main body of the blog. I find this intrusive and will try to stop them.

UPDATE 1111z: I think I have removed them.

Red legged partridges

2026-08-17T09:37:13.048+01:00

At one time these handsome introduced birds were a common site in our garden. We have not seen them for several years. Apparently they were bred locally and released for shooting, but they have stopped doing so.

LoRa repeaters

2026-08-17T09:11:04.500+01:00

At the moment there is a move towards off-grid reliable communication that does not need the internet or mobile phones.

As far as I can tell there are 2 systems coming to the fore Meshstastic and Meshcore.

Both (I think) are in their infancy and which system is better depends on where you live.

The systems are licence free, meaning anyone can use them. They’re based on either 868MHz or 915MHz if you are in the USA.

As it is meshed-based the more users the better. Often sparsely populated places have poor coverage.

As far as I know, this is just a messaging service as the data rate is low. In Romania YO6DXE has been experimenting with solar powered repeaters to extend range. He has made a video as part of his DX Explorer series.

Classic Car Show

2026-08-17T09:02:50.436+01:00

The museum across the road held its annual Classic Car Day yesterday.

It was a success with good weather, plenty of vehicles and people.

As it’s been very hot and dry, I was a bit concerned that a fire might be triggered, but it was fine.

10m 200mW WSPR (Monday)

2026-08-17T07:40:39.668+01:00

My beacon was turned on at about 0620z.

UPDATE 1912z: 23 stations spotting me QRT soon.

8m amateur radio allocation

2026-08-17T06:29:14.347+01:00

Some PTTs have allocated radio amateurs access to 8m. Almost all, probably all, operation is purely experimental. In the UK we have to pay £50 every year to do 8m experiments!

The RSGB seems positively anti, which I find really sad. They could very easily provide (via OFCOM) radio amateurs access to 40.680 - 40.685MHz, low power, narrow digital only, by NoV, strictly no interference.

Instead we have hit a brick wall with what appears an obstructive RSGB attitude, with no support whatsoever.

Ideally I would like to see a tiny 5kHz CEPT wide allocation, with a strict no-interference clause. This would allow real experimentation.

I am sure that OFCOM would be happy as they have allocated quite a few 8m I&T permits, some at far higher power and with far greater band coverage, all modes, with absolutely no means of tracing.

The RSGB appears to be the block, sadly. You would think we are asking for the impossible when they have already made available (via OFCOM) 2MHz of VHF spectrum for DTV and similar!

Come on RSGB!!! Provide some support please.

Nuclear fusion

2026-08-17T06:29:06.108+01:00

Research into nuclear fusion seems to have been going on for decades. Every time it seems to hit a problem. If all the problems can be overcome, it promises almost limitless energy without the problems associated with nuclear fission.

It seems that problems are gradually being solved. As computing power increases I think we will eventually get there but it may be after I am dead.

Sunspots - Monday August 17th

2026-08-17T06:28:53.096+01:00

Solar flux is 129 and the SSN 83. A=4 and K=1.

70cm activity contest

2026-08-16T10:41:47.018+01:00

My single 70cm SSB contact

To say I am under-equipped for 70cm SSB is a gross understatement! I use 10W to a 144MHz omni big-wheel antenna. I have a very poor voice as well, which does not help.

Usually I manage a few contacts and give up after about 30 minutes. This time I gave up after a single contact. I get the impression SSB activity is going down. I may be totally wrong. It is a shouting match that I find hard these days.

FT8 amazes me as I consistently spot stations at vast distances and have no trouble being received at distances I only dream about on SSB.

Strait of Hormuz

2026-08-16T10:11:57.407+01:00

President Trump has, allegedly, promised to make the Strait of Hormuz USA territory after he wins the war with Iran.

With President Trump it is hard to separate fact from bluster. In my view, Iran has "all the cards" to use a phrase he used last year.

Amateur radio abbreviations

2026-08-16T10:11:27.386+01:00

Ever wondered why we say CQ and 73 and a host of other codes in CW and voice modes? Peter's video may give some clues.

10m 200mW WSPR (Sunday)

2026-08-16T09:31:51.034+01:00

My beacon was turned on at about 0820z.

UPDATE 1941z: Spotted by 90 stations in Europe, presumably via Es. It never fails to amaze me how well just 200mW 10m WSPR performs. Now QRT.

Shield Bug

2026-08-16T09:18:13.717+01:00

Most certainly I am not a bug expert. I know this is a shield bug, but I have no idea what sort this is.

It was about 2cm long and seemed to like my shirt and shoes!

In the end it flew away.