Amateur Radio in 2021

COVID-19 has affected us all in different ways this year. Many people have gotten sick or lost colleagues or loved ones. Others have lost jobs or have lingering symptoms of the disease. As an infectious disease epidemiologist, 2020-2021 has been crushingly stressful and tiring for me. 

Amateur Radio has been a godsend, though. Using FT-8 to chase DX or pursue WAS has provided much solace, and copying a few minutes of CW has Zen-like qualities for clearing the mind. Listening to POTA operators while working on the weekends has expanded my world beyond the confines of four walls and a keyboard.  

I don't know what 2022 will bring, but I do know that our hobby will continue to provide rest and escape from the stressful times. And for that I am grateful.

73, friends.

Field Day 2021

This was the second year of Field Day in the Age of COVID-19. I planned to operate as 1D outside, but the threatening skies convinced me to participate instead as 1E inside. It was a new experience.

Running the FT-891 off a 20 Ah LiFePo4 battery at my usual operating position in the shack worked quite well, and led to a new and deeper appreciation of the '891's capabilities. It really is a remarkable radio. 

Working Field Day from the shack was enjoyable. Propagation was reasonable and I bettered my score from last year. The mosquitoes were not missed one bit. 

That said, I hope next year we can get back to a more traditional Field Day. Radio alone is fun, but radio together is great.

VUCC!

A little less than a year after first transmitting on the Magic Band, I qualified for VUCC. This was a goal of mine, just to see if it could be done on FT8 and using the same EFLW that I use for HF. If fact, it is possible!

Next, I want to try my hand at SSB on 6m, as FT8 is getting a little old. I've been brushing up on my Morse and hope to jump into that again soon. 

Field Day is just around the corner; this is such an awesome hobby!

Disappointment

For the first time in over a year, the local hamfest was held. It was 100% outdoors, in alignment with COVID-19 guidelines. Much of the event felt familiar and normal. It was nice to see tailgates and tables with used gear, parts, antennas, and cables. It was equally great to see other hams outdoors in pursuit of the hobby.

About 1/3 of the those in the crowd were wearing masks. There are many reasons why someone may want or need to wear a mask. Maybe they haven't been fully vaccinated. Maybe they cannot be vaccinated due to a health condition. Maybe they feel safer wearing one, until things calm down just a little more. 

I needed to get a few coax connectors and some other hardware, and found, promptly, deals. As I paid, the person selling the parts -- they were not wearing a mask -- mentioned my mask and launched into a rant about the "China virus", "what China did to us", how "the truth is all coming out now", and that "the US should cancel its debt with China." It was impossible to follow; there was more, but you get the idea. The words were said with anger and hatred, and it was pointless to engage.

Sadly, this hamfest exchange is similar to on-air arguments and tirades heard over the last year. Our hobby has a long tradition of respect -- of helping, not belittling, others pursuing their radio interests. Most of us find relaxation in our radio endeavors, and take pride in our accomplishments, our stations, and the service we provide to our communities. Regardless of your position and views on politics and world affairs, why bring it up?

It feels like the hobby has lost something when amateurs act in ways to purposefully disrupt the enjoyment of others. Can't we please concentrate on the positive things we have in common with one another and stick to the the topic at hand: Amateur Radio?