We’ve come to the end of another summer. I know it’s not officially over just yet, and I have no doubt that another wave of oppressive heat lurks just around the corner. But the kids are back in school and the public pools are all closing this weekend. And as it turns out, it’s a cool 54F this morning in the Heartland so at least it feels like autumn.

A few precious confirmations arrived overnight via LoTW. ATNO’s from N5J (Jarvis & Palmyra) as well as C21TS on Nauru. Sprinkle in a handful of other band slot fillers and the numbers continue to slowly climb. My motivation for collecting paper now is the good band conditions, but I know in three more years they will be headed toward dismal. And by the time of the next solar maximum I’ll be on the back side of 70, if I make it that long…

I mentioned the new amplifier from KM3KM yesterday after stumbling on that nugget while digging for other information. (Here’s the full manual for the Mercury Lite). My long-awaited Mercury IIIs amp arrived ten days ago and I haven’t powered it on yet, haven’t even pulled the protective skin off the display. I’ve scheduled a residential electrician to install 240vac in the shack next week and then I will bring it online.

FYI ⁍  The Yasme Foundation announced that the Board of Directors has selected Dave Sumner, K1ZZ, as its newest Director - an excellent selection in my opinion.

FYI ⁍  A final wrap-up on the just concluded DXpedition to Jarvis Island, N5J is available and well worth a read.

FYI ⁍  DXCC award processing and online application feature of LoTW continues to be offline following the ransomware attack from earlier this summer. There is no ETA for when this service will return.