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Saturday, April 23, 2011

It's a rainout

If I get the chance to do any QRPTTF this year, it's going to be as a Home station.  Right now, as I type this at 8:30 in the morning (local time) the rain is coming down at a pretty good clip.  So much for having faith in long range forecasts! Even this morning's Town Clean-up, which was scheduled to be held this morning was postponed until next weekend.  Both of my children, one as a Boy Scout and the other as a Girl Scout, were supposed to take part in this (with the help of dear ol' Dad, of course!).

Even so, my trip to Home Depot the other day to buy a new painter's pole to serve as a mast for the Buddistick was not in vain.  The new pole is much nicer that the one I had, and it will serve nicely for years to come.  It is heartier and more robust in construction.  It is School Bus yellow and actually compliments the PFR-3A very well, if you're into aesthetics.  It collapses down to 6 feet and extends to 12 feet.  They had another that collapsed to 8 feet and extended to 16 feet; but it was twice the price.  Also by collapsing only to 8 feet, I thought that to be kind of unwieldy for transporting around to portable locations.

It looks to be another busy day, getting ready for tomorrow's big Easter celebration.  Even with the clean-up being postponed, I might find it hard to squeeze any QRPTTF activity in.  I guess it's just an unfortunate coincidence (for me, at least) that one of my all time favorite QRP events had to fall on Holy Saturday this year.  Lot's of running around to do today. AND ...... I'm sure glad I got the lawn mowed yesterday!  It was quite shaggy and after today's rain, certainly would have gotten more jungle like.  I also quietly thanked the Lord that the mower started.  Seriously had my doubts about that and really don't want to buy a new one if I don't have to.

If I get some time, I hope to hear you folks on the air later.  If I don't - good luck to you all.  Hoping for good band conditions and lots of QSOs!

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

3 comments:

  1. Hi,

    What did the painter's pole cost you? I was in Lowes a few weeks ago and they were expensive, but what isn't these days??

    Best Regards - Jim

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jim,

    I don't have the receipt in front of me; but it was in the $26 - $29 neighborhood. They wanted close to $60 for the longer one. I couldn't see spending that; or toting around an 8' long stick.

    72 de Larry W2LJ

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi, That sounds about right, Lowes was in the $60.00 range also.
    Best Regards, - Jim

    ReplyDelete