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The projection of power AKA how to be noticed.


 



We all like it when we are noticed except when failing to stop at stop sign and the cop noticed. 

In our hobby, notice takes many forms such as the big antenna planted on a small lot or on the air with a rig such as the Apache Labs Anon plus a Mercury Amp and a 6kHz wide signal.

Then there are those that create You Tube videos of the latest radio from offshore being unboxed. Others will create projects that are published in QST such "How to work 100 FT-8 stations in 20 minutes using AI and a Raspberry Pi". 

Still, some will publish articles about a sojourn to E51 and how they provided contacts so others can achieve the WAR award (Worked All Rarotonga).

Everyone knows someone who belongs to five different ham clubs and has a presence on every social media platform plus two blogs, five websites and two podcasts.


While some will see this as being noticed, at the core, it is a basic caveman born "a projection of power" through visible and audible means. You will hear a 6KHz wide signal using SSB and you can't miss a 90-foot-high tower on a 100X150 foot lot.

The shrinks have constant fodder with those of us that in some ways fit in one of the aforementioned afflictions. Some of this behavior goes back to very early in our lives.

When I lived in the Seattle area, I once had a QSO with a station in Alaska. I could tell by the sound of the voice of the op at the other end was most likely a young teenager. Yet he was a seasoned operator. 

I asked what he was running. He responded an ICOM IC7850, an Alpha 9500 and a choice of two antennas, either a Stepp IR or Log Periodic on individual towers up at 75 feet. Wow, I said that is some station and do you have to fight family members to get on the air. He said NO. I am the only ham in the family.

I felt that this young ham might have missed some of the fun of getting on the air with a single homebrew 6V6 transmitter and converted ARC-5 and that was the whole station. He was already using top of the line gear and so what else was left. 

When I first started operating at an age not much older than him, I had dreams of one day moving up to better gear. He was already there. Then I felt bad for me that I had to wait so long to be noticed.

I won't make any comments about our politicians and how they are noticed or project power but do wonder if it is anything more than self-serving. 😂

Them that know can make things go. There is still time to donate to give some of your fellow Americans a decent meal on Turkey Day.

73's
Pete N6QW

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