Hi Kids. I haven’t had an opportunity to activate as I am working extra to fill in for a co-worker. That doesn’t mean I am not radio active. When I can, I fit in some time to chase down activators from home. I can usually get on for an hour or so before work and I can always find someone on the bands.

In a way, hunting is paying forward for those who hunt me on an activation. There is an interdependence between hunters and activators. Without hunters there would be no activations and without activators there would be no hunting. I know there are sad hams out there who bitch about POTA folks using up the bands but I believe activity beats silence. POTA has been a great boon to the hobby as it increases band utilization and keeps hams active. Even sitting home and hunting keeps the mind active. It also gives a person a reason to adapt and to experiment.

My home equipment might not be the biggest and best but it works well. I have a Yaesu FT450 (the original model, not the “D”) which I bought back in 2007. I only run it at 75 watts and my antennae are dipoles of various sorts. I have an Alpha Delta DX-LB Plus which covers 160, 80, 40, 20, 17. 15 and 10 meters. It is a fan dipole with coils for 160 and 80. I also have a 30 M homemade dipole and a 12 M dipole, also homemade, which can tune on 6 M. I know this is a modest station, but it does the trick, even during solar minimums. My next projects are to raise the main dipole up a bit and to make a dedicated dipole for 6 M.

I will be activating during my next days off but just wanted to make an entry. Below you will find some AI generated pics of my cats that I made for fun. Whatever you do, get on the air at least once a day if you can. Don’t let your skills get rusty and your equipment dusty. Namaste for now and keep your stick on the ice.