No sooner do I get enthusiastic about becoming a ham radio. I learn that the very same people who I want to join have ruined and wrecked an inovative piece of software by pissing off the creator to such an extent that he drops the whole project.

From Hamsphere;;;;;;;;;;;;;
I quote

THE SEASON HAS ARRIVED!

Need to get licence and permits. Watch this space !

Hello,

So this diary is becoming more than just fishing but what the heck.

I met up with Chris who runs the foundation licencing of Amateurs for my area on Monday at his works place.
He suggested that I join the Aberystwyth Amateur Radio Group so I paid up and will get my membership sometime soon.
The main reason for the meet-up was to discuss the process of becoming a licenced amateur radio operator. See what this hamsphere thing has done to me?! !?

Anyhow, my decision has been made and I want to go for it. He kindly handed me a book all about the foundation licence and I am now keen to progress.

There are three levels to this licence, Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced.  My aim is to progress to the Intermediate level as a matter of urgency. 

If you're interested and live in the Uk then take a look http://www.rsgb.org/getlicence/ .

The foundation licence is not recognised outside the UK for radio use, nor can you leapfrog to the advance level without following the path via the first two. The advantage of this system is that you can and will gain knowledge and experience along the way to your advanced licence.

I look forward to progressing and will keep the diary updated on this subject.
In the meantime I have ordered a radio to listen and learn until the day I get a licence arrives:

Any comments are welcome.

What the hell am I talking about?

Hamsphere, an amazing HF simulator. If you're into your radio, give it a try at www.hamsphere.com

If you hear me, give me a call, my callsign is AC1W   

So the diary keeping will begin. No excuses, it will happen! That's what I'm telling myself.

Shagnasty and me again on a mission armed with worming and fly fishing equipment.

How to get there? 
Head for the Nant Y Moch dam, get your map out and when you look for the right hand "road", it's just a track. You'll know what I mean if you go there armed with an OS map as Google Map isn't detailed enough: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&q=&msa=0&ll=52.477866,-3.783932&spn=0.048304,0.1157&z=13&om=1&msid=112234794432686821615.000001127c89b9ecc4f7b

Unless you have a 4x4 you'll need to walk it, It's a long walk too (I would imagine). So we shot up there in the Freelander to be greeted by a beautiful lake set at the bottom of a serious hill (Plumlimon). Crystal clear water, deepening into a black/blue coloured abyss. 

These photos are not too good, sorry! 
  
The above two were taken off the "dam" whilst the one below is from the opposite end facing the "dam".

As soon as we tackled up, it poured down, dropped in temperature and the wind picked up. Terrible conditions reminding us that we are in the real wilds here. 


So here's a beautiful wild brown trout caught on a Silver Minoe stripped along the surface. The trout were yellowish buttery colour in prime condition.

We're off again soon when we read the forecast better! Keep this lake a secret, it's good that it's so hard to access because when you get there, it's not the kind of place you turn around and leave after 10 minutes. Wild!

Hello.

Yes, don't faint!

Went to Fron Farm for a couple of sneaky hours.

Result?

1 Rainbow, just under 2Lbs. One brown, 10Lbs + (witnessed and netted by Mike, the owner)

Good start eh? Here's the fly I used:

Don't panic, I'm not sick or anything, off fishing next week  for sure

What a mild winter so far?! 
Anyhow, the diary has been up for a year now and seems useful for me to check back on what I got up to over the season. 
I'm guessing that in January I'll take a long hard look at my fishing stuff to ensure it's all up to date etc.

Meantime, here's a couple of photos I took on my new Canon 400D








Happy 2007