Almost hit 14,000...
Once again it's year in the rear-view mirror time at the shack. I do want to start by saying I am thrilled that 2024 has come and gone with no health issues for our entire family! To me, that is the best gift of all our health. As for me I am finally getting settled into retirement and feeling the "normal" feeling. In 2025 I will hit the milestone of turning 65...funny as I get older it seems that those older than me are "old" until I hit that age and the "old" timeline moves further ahead. One area I will be working on in 2025 is my mindset. I find with all that has been going on in our globe it has started to slant me in the wrong direction. I want to make the effort to re-balance, reset or see the other side of things. I guess more of the bright side is what I am saying.
Ok, enough of that and on to the hobby end of things......I had a great year of CW contesting. I am now very comfortable calling "CQ contest" or running as it is called. I have improved on my pileup skills, being able to pick out a call from the many that are coming at me. I have gained the art of coping ahead but it's still new and if I do not practice for a few days it slips.
There was no real improvement of antennas here as I do live on a small lot and not much space at this time to go crazy. I did however do some computer upgrades such as an M.2 SSD which turned out to be a great upgrade. I did have my share of RFI issues over this past year BUT finally forking out the money for quality toroids from Fair-Rite did the job. There was some fine tweaking along the way but I am confident I have now worked out all the bugs and am RFI free.....famous last words.
Looking ahead into 2025 at this point radio-wise it looks like the same old same old but I am very happy with that. The funny thing I have noticed over the past 2 years or so around the time I changed the focus of the blog to CW only basically the readership and comments have taken a dive. I will continue to look into this and over the course of 2025 see if it is time to close the door or refocus on the content.
4 comments:
Hello Mike, an incredible amount of QSOs. You might not have the best of the best antenna but you get out. Even I can work you :-). You tell me, when you started this blog have you ever thought that you get this far in the hobby? I remember it very well when you wrote about your antenna restrictions and attic dipoles. It was not an ideal situation for this hobby but you made something from it. Now in 2024 you are getting an experienced CW contester and work the world with your radio. I feel deep respect for that. Wishing you and yours a very healthy and prosperous new year. 73, Bas
Well don't give up now (blogging)! Your results with CW-only are excellent and it's obvious you are making outstanding progress. You've inspired me!
https://ke9v.net/2025/01/01/wednesday.html
73 es HNY de Jeff, KE9V
Good afternoon Bas and great to hear from you. Yes I sometimes forget what the past was like with very limited antennas. Thanks for the kind words and Happy New Year to you and your family.
73,
Mike
VE9KK
Good afternoon Jeff, thanks for stopping by and for the great words of encouragement. Always look forward to your posts.
Great to hear I have moved the CW needle forward for you.
73 and Happy New Year
Mike
VE9KK
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