Over the past couple of days I have been pondering life, specifically my life in radio communications. For many years I have practiced the art of portable operations both for fun and in preparation for a real world deployment. I kept my gear ready, able to deploy quickly anywhere my truck and camper could take me. It was fun pulling into a strange campsite, setting up my station, and making it fit the situation. I was able to work the world from my little camper.
I have taken many radios to the field to include an IC-7300, IC-7300MK2, IC-7100, IC-7200, IC-705, TS-590sg, Elecraft K3, FTDX-10, FT-710, Elecraft KX2 and KX3, Lab599 TX-500, Xeigu G90, Pentek TR-35 and TR-45. All fun radios.
It was a lot of fun and I learned a whole lot about operating portable. It was the best learning experience making your station work while away from your support framework. If you want to test your equipment portable, go at least 20 miles away from home. That is usually the point where it is too far to go back for something you forgot.
Where I am going with this is I am not young anymore. The camper life has gotten "uncomfortable" and the aches and pains that are the result of youthful indiscretions are not getting any better. There is nothing to prepare you for getting older, it's like you wake up one day and BAM! there you are. Where does this leave me? Life at this point is more of a paradigm shift. I no longer imagine myself as going anywhere to support communications. I feel camper life at least as I now camp is coming to a close. There is still plenty for me to do.
I have spent the past couple years rebuilding my home station and continue to practice running nets. I can still work from home which allows me to take care of myself and my wife. I have a pretty good setup to include emergency power.
Am I quitting portable ops? No, but the format is changing. Instead of camping out, I will probably stay in a motel near a park and only operate during the day. I also plan to operate more locally. This may mean fewer trips each year, but I still have plenty to do and still have opportunities to serve.
As you climb that ladder into older age, think far enough ahead where your activities are still relevant to your age. Sometimes you have to have a come to Jesus meeting with yourself and face reality. Yeah, it hurts your feelings, but you will be better for it. Take heart, it's just another unavoidable phase in life. Accept it gracefully, and make the most of it. To quote a good friend Joe Fox "Do the best you can, with what you got, where you're at".
Life is good es 73 de Scott
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