—By , Steve
Hopkins, K5RS
Those of you who have HF rigs collecting piles of dust need to dust them
off, turn them on, and tune them up! The bands are really starting to open
up just like they did nine or ten years ago, and it’s kind of exciting. It’s
not just the DX that=s improving, it’s also the number of people getting back
on the air, and the quality of the QSOs. Better band conditions mean a chance
to have longer, more meaningful conversations. Instead of “Sorry old.... an,
I.....ly got par.. s of your tran.....sion due to… SB” it will be a chance
to get to know the person; his or her hobbies, families, lifestyles and occupations,
not to mention exchanging technical info like rigs, antennas, tuners and the
like. This is what I got into the hobby for, and I hope everyone shares at
least some satisfaction in meeting new and different people over the air.
If we just let our computers take care of it, then it becomes de-personalized
and mundane. I can hear it now....…“how’s your “sci?” My scsi’s ok but my
ram really itches.“ Well, how about I perform a diagnostic. No thanks. That
would mean having to connect modems Yeah, I agree. We can=t take a chance
on a virus B-O-R-I-N-G! I=m being sarcastic, of course, because we all know
computers are becoming an important, integral part of Amateur Radio. But,
remember how “annoyed” (insert your choice of word) you were talking to a
computerized self looping telephone menu system, when you really just wanted
to speak to a human being? Well then, if you really want to talk to a human
being, just turn on your Radio! We didn’t have a great deal of success with our QSL contest, so I went ahead
and made one based on our original design. Too bad, that dinner for two at
Rosa=s would really have been a treat. Since we didn=t utilize this prize,
though, I think it would be a great door prize for the Christmas dinner in
December. We did not get any scouts at the clubhouse for the annual Jamboree On The
Air. I think this was in part due to a big regional Camporee being held at
Lake Colorado City, which was in conflict. We had an invitation from one of
the scoutmasters to help out in Colorado City, but at this date, I only know
that some hams from Snyder came over to demonstrate. WE NEED E-MAIL ADDRESSES! E-mail is fast becoming a necessity, in personal
and business life. Due to members changing Internet Service Providers for
one reason or another, we are lacking in up-to-date addresses. If you have
a new address, or a change of e-mail address, please send to any of our officers
( listed in the www.w5qgg.org web site)
or to me Steve Hopkins k5rs@apex2000.net.