Do I have a story to tell about the do’s and don’ts about downsizing and Ham Radio? Would it be too much about mistakes made rather than what was done right? Could my story be told well enough that others could learn from my mistakes? Would anyone care to read it? Would anyone publish it?
I found it!
Once upon a time I could work the Pacific (from GA) with the aid of the greyline early in the morning on 30 meter CW. Realizing I am now using an attic (or loft if you prefer) antenna, I assumed propagation was just not the same.
I found the Pacific! FT8 has taken it away from me on 30 meter CW. Running 15 wattsa and an attic antenna on FT8 reaching out that far is not easy, but doable. However, with FT8 there is just no personality to the contact. FT8 will not be my home on 30 meters, but I may visit from time to time.
a. I Run 25 watts on CW. But I reduce power to 15 watts as FT8 is a full duty cycle mode. The K3 can handle the power, but to prevent possible RFI I dial it back.
I did an inspection of my antenna the other day. It looked very good physically. In fact, if there was wind or water damage I would have a far more pressing issue to deal with than the repair of my antenna. After all my antenna is in the attic! As I looked at the bent to fit doublet my thought was how does anyone in the world hear me?
A golfer once told me just as he was about to give up the crazy game, he would get that one great shot and he was drawn back in. Maybe ham radio with a poor antenna is like that. Just as I was about to hang up my key, I had a REAL QSO with a station near Tokyo. For 25 watts and a piece of wire on the rafters in the attic, that is a big deal.
I just wasted more money on the ARRL. Why did I rejoin the league? The hobby needs a voice and the ARRL is the only one in town so I put more of my hard-earned money in the shredder. Stupid!!!
I have to do something different. Operating any more has become for the most part working the same park for the tenth time or watching the Reverse Beacon. The price one pays for very poor judgement when downsizing!
I realize during weekends contesting rules the roost. However, I have noticed that during weekdays the activity has taken on an appearance that I wish I was not seeing. I can tune around a very quiet band thinking the propagation forecast is incorrect until sprint contest time. Suddenly wall to wall strong signals. When the contest time is up the band is dead again.
The shack move to Studio S is complete. What a great move! It should have been done a long time ago. The antenna is still the same (poor), but at least the operating position if first class.
The seldom used operating position formerly called Studio HO (home office) is now called Studio S (study). Also, it has become the main and only location for the station. It affords a much larger and more comfortable space than Studio LR. But as a trade off, a flight of stairs must be traversed to find the morse keys. The web site will be updated soon. I am sure the massive number of my followers awaits with bated breath for the update (all two of you).
The last time my ARRL renewal came up I decided to renew. This came after much thought. I have been a member for over 55 years and have supported the ARRL as I felt the hobby needed a voice in the power centers of the world. So, I sent in my funds for renewal. I have to admit that wanting the 275 entity sticker for my DXCC was the main driving force behind my last renewal. The fact is the ARRL does not need me anymore (if the ever did). Their future is young people, contesters and big donors (especially big donors) not us old school CW operators. Also, for a number of years QST magazine was a welcome benefit to membership. I cannot remember the last time I got anything substantial from the publication. In fact, I wrote this post on a flight from ATL to LGA and got all I could form the December 2022 issue before we reached altitude.
Note: I did not vote in the latest ARRL 2022 decision election because I had nothing in common with the candidates.