SpaceX Starship Booster Launch & Landing

Even more spectacular than their Falcon landings.  Eight minutes, WTWT.

It's pretty clear that the era of private space is here.

Too Good to Pass Up

I may or may not have something worthwhile to say later today.  Tomorrow.  Er, maybe later this week.

Honestly, the weather forecast is looking pretty good for a Thursday hike.

Cooling Down

Fall is definitely here, though it's not quite cool & crisp:

More importantly, here's the sea surface temperature map of the Gulf, before Helene:

And after Milton:

Note how the hot stripe starting in the Yucatan Strait has largely fallen apart, and the overall surface temperature is down.  Hopeful signs, even if it's still a long way to December.

I just want some cool weather to go hiking and camping.

ps: You can get the daily sea surface temp maps here: https://www.ospo.noaa.gov/products/ocean/ohc/

Reason #284 You Need a Good Cooler

Reason 284: You might have to ride out a hurricane in it.  Article & video at the BBC.

From the article:

“This man survived in a nightmare scenario for even the most experienced mariner," said Lt Cmdr Dana Grady, chief commander of the St Petersburg sector.

"To understand the severity of the hurricane conditions, we estimate he experienced approximately 75-90mph winds, 20-25ft seas, for an extended period of time to include overnight.

"He survived because of a life jacket, his emergency position indicating locator beacon, and a cooler."

Now that is a Florida Man moment.

Good, sturdy coolers – don't go into hurricane season without at least one.  You're far more likely to need it to salvage the contents of your refrigerator, but sometimes things just go sideways.  Really, really sideways.

A Timely Re-Post

From over at The SWLing Post, here's a re-post of When the fertilizer hits the fan radio kit

Also, at the above's co-blog QRPer, here's a status update of the head blogger, who lives in western North Carolina: Helene Aftermath Update: Solar Power

That is all for today.

Dark Chocolate, Now It's Good for You

Article over at Inc.  Several studies referenced, so this is not just some one-off.  It's short, RTWT.

I'll take any good news that I can get this week.  Along with a chunk of dark chocolate and a cup of strong black coffee.

An Interesting Contact

The Associazione Radioamatori Italiani (Italian Radio Amateurs Association) is celebrating 100 years on the air with a three month long special multi-station event.  Yesterday evening, one of their PSK-31 stations was booming into north FL on 20m like it was next door in Georgia, so that was an easy 5500 mile contact.  Sometimes the angels sing and these band openings happen, just like that.  RAI has an entire points scheme for various levels of awards (i.e., certificates suitable for framing), but I doubt that I'll spend the time hunting any more down.  No, one unexpected and very easy contact is enough.  If more present themselves though, that'll be all good and well too.

Keeps things lively, unpredictable.  That's part of what makes this hobby fun.

ps: got this in the email today:

Cool!