The radio seemed to work okay with the new firmware update; I asked particularly for reports on my signal and audio; “just fine” was the typical response. (lol, insofar as anyone can tell when they’re giving me a 33 signal report). Here’s one ominous note: the volume knob froze on me again. It doesn’t seem to be the shaft encoder; RF gain and squelch will adjust just fine, it’s only volume that is affected. Turning radio off and back on fixes it.
I waited a few days before writing this, figured it might provide a sense of balance, maybe alter my perspective … but sitting here, now, typing this, I’m not sure if it’s working.
See those 11 contacts on that map? By the third hour of operating I was alternating between paranoia and questioning every life choice I ever made that led me to be out trying for a QRP POTA activation. Not a good place for anyone’s head to be in. I never would have made # 9 through 11 without going hunting across 20 meters and fighting through the huge pileups that every other activator seemed to have. I spent another 20+ minutes trying for a 12 and 13 twofer but that was a really exceptional pileup and I finally gave up, hoping that I still had a wife, dog, and house to return to. (yes, they were all there!)
I did the .adif log and sent it in; good, all done. Shake it off, move along, life goes on, flap flap flap.
Meh, I’ll probably be fine, just need to do an activation that goes better. Thanks for letting me vent about that, and for stopping by driftlessqrp.com!
Random Photograph Department
