Today on our usual Sunday night net _(0130 UTC on 146.835Mhz PL 131.8 around EN44eb)_ we experienced a brief power outage in several parts of town and some surrounding areas.
Today is Christmas for those of us that celebrate it, and the face of my child this morning was a beacon of light. To those of you that celebrate it, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!
I would like to start with the fact that I haven't been a ham for awfully long, since May 2020. I am employed by a multi-national electronics company and work in the repair department with enough boards to make my brain numb. I've seen a LOT of things.
Recently there was a message in the Winona ARC mailing from Ben that he had some kits (PCB + parts) available for tinkering. I've been experimenting with APRS so why not?
After passing my Technician exam, I enjoyed messing with VHF/UHF for a bit, until the 2020 ARRL Field Day. My local club, the Winona ARC, hosted our local event and I was addicted to HF.
I purchased this handheld to have an inexpensive handheld while I was at home or out and about. For the money, the unit is okay. Can't expect a $30 unit to perform like a $300 unit.
The year 2020 has proven to be a challenging year for the world and is a time where everything is evolving rapidly. Many have lost their jobs due to the stay-at-home orders during this pandemic.