Now that the summer is beginning, we have decided to remodel the basement where I have my office, ham shack, and storage. For the XYL, this remodeling is a code name for asking me to get rid of my accumulated junk that I have gathered over the years for my ham radio projects. This includes but is not limited to rolls of coax and hard line, boxes of circuit boards that I have removed from gear fished out of the trash can. It also includes old computer chassis that I can't bear to get rid of including my Toshiba T1000LE laptop that I purchased in 1986, with its built in 1200 baud modem. I was sure that I could find a use for it, even now. I can't tell you how much stuff I fish out of the trash, just for the hardware, bolts, flanges, and other assorted stuff, just in case I have to fix something and can find the part that I need in my assorted junk. This is an inherited trait that I got from my dad. I like him can fix just about anything, if I have the stuff. And I have the stuff. Lots of stuff. All of it junk.
On the other hand, maybe its time to reduce the amount of stuff sitting around waiting for a project, that may or may not ever happen. I have been inspired by the many hams that I have interviewed who are taking their gear into the field, to the mountain tops, and to the beach. Very small stations that take up little space, use little electricity, and cause the XYL to think that I have gone QRT on the hobby. Stealth mode amateur radio. Maybe that's my future.
I interviewed Budd Drummond, W3FF, in episode 48, creator of the Buddipole portable antenna system. I did not get a chance to ask him how much stuff he has in his garage - maybe I should ask him and report back here. But as you will hear from our conversation, he operates up to 500 watts, HF from a fancy tricycle with a trailer. He gets his exercise, does not upset the neighbors, and his XYL is not stepping over his stuff to warm up his coffee.
On the other hand, maybe its time to reduce the amount of stuff sitting around waiting for a project, that may or may not ever happen. I have been inspired by the many hams that I have interviewed who are taking their gear into the field, to the mountain tops, and to the beach. Very small stations that take up little space, use little electricity, and cause the XYL to think that I have gone QRT on the hobby. Stealth mode amateur radio. Maybe that's my future.
I interviewed Budd Drummond, W3FF, in episode 48, creator of the Buddipole portable antenna system. I did not get a chance to ask him how much stuff he has in his garage - maybe I should ask him and report back here. But as you will hear from our conversation, he operates up to 500 watts, HF from a fancy tricycle with a trailer. He gets his exercise, does not upset the neighbors, and his XYL is not stepping over his stuff to warm up his coffee.
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