Howdy kidlets and/or others who may be reading this. You may or may not be aware that I work a non-standard schedule. First off, I work a 12 hour night shift and secondly, I work a schedule that varies from 3 days one week (pay period) to 4 days the next. This gives me every other weekend off and some time off during the week. Naturally, we try to get a lot of stuff done on off days. This was my week to have Monday and Tuesday (today) off.
Yesterday, Monday, we did some shopping for us and my mother-in-law. We even took her along to one of the stores to get her out of her apartment and to be active, though she wasn’t fond of the heat. I also did some of the yard work which I refer to as taming Satan’s Putting Green. Notice that I said some. I was almost out of gas for the mower and the weed-wacker was bone dry. While out shopping I did pick up some 2-cycle oil to add to a gas can so I was ready for a fill-up. The heat was pretty much debilitating. When all that was done I played on the radio for a bit though the bands were very iffy. I made some contacts on 40M and 30 M, mostly CW, and then called it quits. I know, I am a boring person. 🙂
Today was non-stop. First thing I had my oil changed and then picked up some gas for the mower and weed-wacker. I completed the domination of Satan’s Putting Green for a week or so and I also checked the condition of my antennae. Mostly I use dipoles here at home except for a dual band 2 meter and 75 cm vertical. I looked the dipoles over and made sure they were still in good condition and still well supported. I keep an eye on them as I have had limbs (tree limbs, not human) fall and break wires or support ropes. I would rather not transmit when my dipole is laying on the ground. In my experience it is good to check them over on a semi-regular basis. I am prepared for most repairs which is why I like dipoles: easy to make and easy to repair. I have even fixed a broken dipole by wrapping a piece of wire across both ends of the break and soldering the whole thing.
As the day progressed, things stayed active. SWMBO was doing laundry stuff whilst I did the yard and then we put most of it away. Since this involves carrying heavy baskets of clothing from the basement to the second floor, we don’t do it all at once. We spread it over a couple of days.
The next item on the agenda was taking Muffin (our youngest) to the vet for a shot and an exam. She was not happy being in the carrier and serenaded us with the lamentations of her people all the way to the vets. It turns out that she is in good health and, despite her small size, is between 10 and 12 weeks old. Now she goes back in 2 to 4 weeks for other shots. She is very active and amusing.
We went to lunch after which SWMBO said she needed to go to a big national chain store (use your imagination) as the one we went to yesterday didn’t have any paper left that hadn’t been mauled by rabid baboons. At least this store (in another town) had a good selection of specialty paper that was in saleable shape.
On the way to said store we went up into the local mountains and went to the 3 Square Hollow Vista (Tuscarora State Foerst US-5479) overlooking Cumberland County, where we did an activation. This being in the early afternoon, the 40 m band wasn’t great, but we got our 10 in about 20 minutes. As I was packing up, I turned on my 2 meter rig and asked on simplex if anyone wanted a POTA contact. Immediately a voice said ” I do! I do”. We got him in the log (my first 2 meter POTA QSO) and went on our way.
After the store we came home and here we are. I am enjoying the AC as it is still 32C outside (86 F) with a heat index of 40C. I guess the next few days will be the same, but I will be working so I won’t be out in the heat as much.
Well, enough for now. Namaste and enjoy your best life.
Nature, Radio, and Me 