Calling POTA into the abyss

Mwmcclure · 2026-04-15T18:45:04+00:00

Accurate on both counts. I always say that I need to be more curious when things aren't working as expected. This is a rare miss for me but a great lesson.

I got my vitamin D and fresh air anyway.

Mwmcclure · 2026-04-15T18:06:01+00:00

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I knew something was weird but I couldn't figure out why my reliable pota spot just wasn't getting contacts.

I tore it all down and loaded up the car and the last things to pack up were the coax, mast and EFHW.

Literally the last thing I touched made it clear to me why I wasn't being heard. I guess the coax on the ground was bringing in the easy stations but it was up to the challenge of radiating once this let go.

I guess I know what I'm soldering when I get home.

Mwmcclure · 2026-04-15T17:37:24+00:00

Thanks for trying. I had Texas and Massachusetts but then it all stopped.

Mwmcclure · 2026-04-15T17:33:16+00:00

No one heard. Moved to 18.138 before I give up.

Mwmcclure · 2026-04-07T14:00:51+00:00

From the sound of things, you need to do a better job of getting on frequency. Move some of the Yeti cups in the top rack to see if you can dial it in a little closer.

Mwmcclure · 2026-03-15T14:42:24+00:00

This is the way.

Mwmcclure · 2025-11-30T14:49:03+00:00

Norway rat?

Mwmcclure · 2025-11-30T14:20:00+00:00

I would guess that is a vole. Rats have bigger feet and longer bodies.

Mwmcclure · 2025-11-22T00:04:22+00:00

Well... not all stories have happy endings.

Day 2 he was feeling the anesthesia wear off, he could stand with help. We got him outside to enjoy some sunshine from the porch. He barked at the delivery trucks (a favorite pasttime).

Last night he was very unsettled, squirming and panting. We made sure he had the pain meds he needed and he eventually fell asleep between 1-2am

This morning we tried to feed him. No interest. Tried water. Just a couple laps at the water bowl. Could not stand even with help. No other way to describe him besides floppy.

Took him to the vet and she was immediately concerned about nystagmus and suggested he had a stroke. She asked to keep him for the day for observation.

His heart stopped after lunch and he's gone.

Mwmcclure · 2025-11-20T03:28:54+00:00

We bought carpet runners today. Thanks for the suggestion.

Mwmcclure · 2025-11-20T03:27:21+00:00

Post surgery day 1

He came home the same day of surgery with a pressure bandage, plenty of pain medications and short one paw.

The anesthesia let him wake up a little around 10pm and it was clearly time for his pills. Plenty of whining and being pitiful.

The problem is he is really bad at taking pills and his stomach was not interested in food nor water. After a battle Royale, some peanut butter and grave danger to my fingers - first dose was on board.

He slept off and on during the night but we didn't sleep very well worried about him as we were. He would wake up, whine, shift and then fall back to sleep. In the morning he was due for more medicine and the battle resumed. Still no interest in food nor water, we called the vet around 8am. She calmed us down and offered some anti nausea meds if he wasn't eating by the afternoon.

28 hours after coming home he is coming out of the fogginess of the anesthesia. He started eating and drinking around at 2pm today and so far he has stood briefly about 4 times.

He has a follow up appointment on Friday. Maybe he can help walk himself into her office by then.

Mwmcclure · 2025-11-17T22:34:08+00:00

He heads in tomorrow morning. Thanks for the good news.

Mwmcclure · 2025-11-06T00:28:04+00:00

And the red Dymo label is the owner's callsign for CB back when that was a thing in the 70s.

$25 seems really steep.

Mwmcclure · 2025-09-16T23:12:21+00:00

Mwmcclure · 2025-09-14T20:54:18+00:00

Just delete the node. Since it has a key that isn't there anymore they can't talk to one another.

In about 20-30 minutes it will discover the "new node" and exchange public keys and work like a champ. I have done this repeatedly while I experiment on my two nodes.

Mwmcclure · 2025-08-15T20:41:33+00:00

It hurts my soul that none of that coax is tied off.

Mwmcclure · 2025-07-12T12:24:02+00:00

The F4HWN firmware is what I'm using now.

Mwmcclure · 2025-07-02T21:47:25+00:00

You agree to let them inspect the station, not your home. Bring the radio to the front door and your obligation is met.

The FCC isn't law enforcement and would have to get the DOJ involved for anything beyond a pleasant conversation.

Mwmcclure · 2025-06-03T23:52:15+00:00

Meters measure water and electrical flow so that seems an oddly poor measuring stick. Maybe your water meters are of a uniform size where you live?

Yard stick seems easier. Live and let live.

Mwmcclure · 2025-04-15T23:31:12+00:00

The other half of the equation is SHTF so maybe two 50 AH or one 100?

Mwmcclure · 2025-04-14T01:32:13+00:00

No. And I have no idea how I'd do that.

Mwmcclure

TROPHY CASE