Is an AM Sync Detector All That Necessary?

This is "AM" as in "amplitude modulation," not "AM" as in "medium wave broadcast band" (though amplitude modulation is used extensively there, and that's where it gets its name).

Back to the subject at hand, using a synchronous detector is really getting down into the weeds for an increasingly obsolete modulation method.  As a practical matter, on a good radio you'd want to use to use for shortwave or medium wave broadcast reception, I'll say yes.  More on this, including technical details and some discussion, at The SWLing Post.

Coffee: There is NOTHING It Can't Do

 Researchers are using coffee to diagnose Covid-19

That is all for today.

Selling Bikes is Hard

 But when you haven't ridden them in a while, it is time.  Still hurts though.  Here, have some theme music. 

FWIW, you can look them up on the Tallahassee area Craigslist, or just email me.  The items: 1989 GT Karakoram (not posted yet; pic only) | 2000 Trek STP-200 (not posted yet; pic only) | 2009 Specialized Roubaix (Craigslist post)

A Craigslist gotcha that I'd missed is "can't post similar items within 48 hours of each other."  No biggie, and it totally makes sense.  Will roll the other two posts out over the course of the next week.

It's weird selling a bike to someone other than a close friend.  Eh, time to move on.

Also worth reading: Machine Soul

But is the converse true?

 Italian Scientists Find Drinking Espresso Makes You Less Likely to Die: link to pop article, link to journal paper)

Yes, but does drinking espresso make Italian scientists less likely to die?  That's what I want to know.  Seems plausible, will continue testing this hypothesis.  Maybe I should add a dash of Irish whisky, just to be on the safe side.  Stay tuned for results.

Gap Point Trail

 Hiked the Gap Point Trail on St. George Island yesterday.  Mostly it was about getting out and getting some sunshine, exercise, and woods time.  Good to scope out a primitive campsite for future adventures.  Also there was a radio angle to this adventure, both to scout for a Winter Field Day site, and to check if a 5 watt HT can reach the SARNET-FL repeater (yes on the bayside, but coverage is patchy in the dunes -- no surprises there).  Anyway, sights were seen, exercise was had, pictures were snapped.  Success!

Planning: Winter Field Day 2021

 Watchword for this year's WFD: Flexibility.  Haven't settled on an operating location, haven't really given things much thought.  And of course and as always, the weather has veto power on outdoor activities.  But, having tested and used the QRP radio last week, I do need to get the backpacking gear out and start scouting likely spots.  The possibilities abound, time to start weeding through them.  Just as soon as the rain stops.

 In case you're wondering, here's a link to the WFD site.

2021... and.. still here

 No content as yet, but at least the sun rose again this morning.