A Bleak Outlook for Sunspots

Chris Trask N7ZWY posted a very interesting sunspot graph on G-QRP:

http://www.home.earthlink.net/~christrask/Solar%20Activity%201600-2100.pdf

The relationship to the orbits of the outer planets is especially intriguing.  

40 is the new 17 my friends.  And 160 is looking good. 

SolderSmoke Podcast #188: Blue Rig, 6U8 RX, Dial strings, Hamfest, VFO Builds, MAILBAG

SolderSmoke Podcast #188 is available.

http://soldersmoke.com/soldersmoke188.mp3

Audio "sparkle"

Bench Reports:
Pete: Blue Rig, Amplifier Project, LBS and Simpleceivers around the world
Si5351s in the new Elecraft KX2

Bill: 
Mighty Midget Mate 6U8 RX Refinement
Using a Millen 61455 IF can
Broad, but beautiful. But not as nice as PA3GSV's
Tweaking a VFO the old fashioned way
Reduction Drive Re-works.
A Confession:  Using Amplified Computer Speakers

Back to the lipsticked pig.  Pete convinces Bill to fix the S38-E
dial cord. 

Manassas Hamfest Report.

Field Day.

Mysteries:

Who is WV2YAU

Who sold Bill the hombrew SWR meter at Manassas?

MAILBAG

Hardcore Homebrew SWR Measurement

No store-bought, appliance, CB-ish Radio Shack SWR meters for the OM who built the SWR sensor on the right.  No! He rolled his own center conductor and pick-up loops.   Dennis Klipa and I have been exploring the theory behind SWR meters,  so when I saw this thing, I immediately went for it.  I picked it up at the Manassas Hamfest.  I kick myself for not asking the seller for the story behind this project. If anyone has any ideas on how/why/who built this thing, please let me know.  The seller was tailgating close to the stables at Manassas on June 19, 2016. 

Low Field Day Score Leads to Club Disbanding

Sad.  But failure has consequences my friends.

http://hamhijinks.com/finger-pointing-name-calling-as-club-fails-miserably-at-field-day/

Thanks to Jeff Murray K1NSS for alerting us to this sad situation.  

Useful Boards From Whole Foods

Maybe it has something to do with the fact that this chain of stores is sometimes referred to as "America's Temple of Pseudo-Science" but I just don't seem to find a lot of radio-useful stuff in Whole Foods.   However, at the check-out stand this week something caught my eye:  Grilling Planks!  Who knew?   Apparently you soak these boards ("Sustainably Produced in the Pacific Northwest - USA") in water, then you grill your food on them.  They are available in various wood types -- above you can see Cedar and Hickory.  I put the Altoids can in there for a size reference. These grilling planks seem well suited to serve as breadboard-style chassis, front panels  or even cabinets for homebrew rigs.