Band conditions yesterday were as bad as I’ve seen them in a long while. It took me all of five minutes spinning the VFO to realize that and checking the solar numbers confirmed it. So yesterday wasn’t a radio day. This morning, I’m in the shack and conditions aren’t greatly improved. The good news is that it’s another sunny day in the Heartland and we’re headed up to 66F this afternoon. The bad news is my wife’s work alarm woke me at 7am. I’m usually up long before then, but apparently I haven’t yet adjusted to the time change.

Looking around the blogosphere I see that Brian, KB9BVN successfully activated a new park this weekend. Michael, VE9KK got a new toy for a special birthday. And Bas, PE4BAS continues experimenting with his multi-band Halo antenna.

Oh, and Larry, W2LJ’s absence from the keyboard has extended to a third week – with good reason. Get well soon OM!

Doc Searls continues to enjoy life in Bloomington, Indiana. It’s the perfect small town with a major University blended into it. What’s not to like?

I had planned another major ham radio investment this year, an Elecraft KPA-1500 amplifier. I might still do that though I’m now reticent to spend that much cash in the face of a pending major economic downturn. I’ll put off that decision until the 2nd half of the year to see if any clarity emerges from the current chaos.