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Where is Everyone?

Created by Randy Cook, K6CRC on 2021-06-20

 

 

Where is Everyone?

 

By, Randy K6CRC

 

It was weird.  Reading some emails, I had the FT8 Waterfall on the top of the screen, the ‘Cluster’ in a MLDX window. Sipping a beer, letting the BBQ warm up, rice cooker started.

 

I guess I must have dosed off….

 

Waking in a fog, I noticed the Time/Date display on my computer, now apparently an iPad 15, June 18, 2025. No IC-7300 now, just a dongle -like thing hanging from the iPad.

 

I then saw the "Cluster," not many stations; 40M at 0200z should be jumping. Monitoring WSJT-X window, the few calls listed were all "green" meaning I had worked them on FT8 before, all on multiple bands. FT is the main mode, but everyone has already worked everyone.

 

Changed bands, speaking to some weird version of Siri, same thing. Clicked off "Digital" and there were only a couple of very weak SSB stations and one lone CW CQ.  RTTY had apparently gone away.

 

What happened? Clearly, I just missed 4 years of time. In any case, at the top of the Sunspot cycle the bands should be filled.

 

Glancing at my email inbox, 300,000 unread. I opened the ARRL Letter received 2 weeks previous. Lead story was from a remaining Section Director "We may need to kidnap people and force them to enter ARRL Sweeps contest."

 

COO made a note that the ARRL is operating now out of a rental house in a sketchy neighborhood, having been evicted from their former headquarters. ARRL soldiers on!

 

Another "ARRL Letter" story said round three of COVID have minimized DX Expeditions, and the age of those who have the money to participate, limiting the locations. Indian Ocean and South Pacific locations haven’t happened in 4 years. But Parks on the Air is the most popular award now.

 

Editorial reminded readers that new environmental regs in the US meant no hams can operate over 1 watt in a residential neighborhood.  Strangely, 5G antennas are everywhere, the story indicates. What happens when hams cannot afford to buy votes in Congress.

 

On the plus side, "Getting Started" story was about WSJT-X improvements, the world is workable on high bands much of the day with one watt. Most popular "Rigs" are apparently just USB-D dongles connected to 5G Wireless. Remote sharing of antenna farm and transmitters are normal. Want to try the new StepperIR "MONSTER" stack at 200 feet up and run a full gallon? No problem, just ask Siri to make the connection with your "rig" dongle. 

 

OTs use boatanchors like the IC-7610 or K3 turned down to the 1-watt limit. Tubes are unfortunately illegal, except for Guitar Amps.

 

Still some enterprising young hams out there. Lots of clever satellite apps utilizing the now obsolete Dish Network hardware. Backchannel communications for multiplayer games are giving hams a leg up in the new Olympic events for E-Games. The hobby continues on as it has for over 100 years.

 

The "ARRL Letter" ends with a plea from the new CEO. "Let’s get people back on the air willingly, as kidnapping is frowned upon!"  I would add, "Give us O.F.s a chance to have a good rag-chew in SSB audio, noise and all." At least 100 watts please, FCC.

 

The alarm on the rice cooker sounded. I awoke, everything back to normal.  But, when I looked at my email, there was a new ARRL Letter... dated June 2025.  Do I want to read it?

 

 

 

KB3DRF2021-07-11
Where is Everyone?
There all on 27.385 LSB

I got my arms up over my head blocking the beer cans and rice. Sad part is there more activity down there then on ten.

O I like reading it
73
K7WDA2021-07-06
Where is Everyone?
It is a little bit discouraging to see 6m beacons lit up on the display like a picket fence and hear no CW or SSB signals on an open band, yet the spotter is filled with digital contacts. Call me old school, but I do enjoy the freeform nature of CW and SSB ops. It is amazing how much the participation on that band has changed in such a short period of time.
K6CRC2021-07-06
Where is Everyone?
Thanks for reading. Just some amateur fiction, please don't read too much into it.

I was very encouraged for the hobby this weekend, bands lit up a lot. Pileups for 13 Colonies event, both SSB and Digital.

Got to stay on the air to keep the hobby going and the FCC from giving away unused spectrum. Speaking of which, WHERE is everyone on 2M?
WB0OEW2021-07-05
Where is Everyone?
Fun story, enjoyed it, thanks.
W1NEW2021-07-02
Where is Everyone?
Rod Serling would have been proud of you.
KUS3359832021-06-29
Where is Everyone?
This is better than my ZZZquil, for sure.
KJ6EUC2021-06-28
Where is Everyone?
Great story!!! That was fun reading. Touché!!!!!
VE3CUI2021-06-25
Where is Everyone?
Oh, c'mon now now guys, lighten-up even just a little bit here, and put an end to taking yourselves so very seriously. K6CRC has simply put pen in hand, & crafted a piece that's not unlike anything that "T.OM." would have written for "QST" magazine, back in the day --- that's all.

And from the sound of the bands anymore, I think he's struck a chord. As I tune across a dead 40-meter band --- both SSB, AND CW --- I nostalgically think back to those many references in magazine articles of yore re. our "...busy Ham bands," & have to smile to myself...

"Where IS everyone," indeed...!!! The PROPAGATION is certainly good enough --- but where are the Amateurs to actually USE it...?!
K6CRC2021-06-25
Re: Where is Everyone?
No, you do not. Especially when the audience is Hams.
Reply to a comment by : K0UA on 2021-06-24

I didn't think it was a very "lighthearted look" at all. I thought it dour, defeatist and very down in the mouth and nothing lighthearted or uplifting about it. You never know how your words will be taken.
Reply to a comment by : K6CRC on 2021-06-24

No particular point, just a short story.
Reply to a comment by : K0UA on 2021-06-24

To the author: And your point is?
K0UA2021-06-24
Re: Where is Everyone?
I didn't think it was a very "lighthearted look" at all.
I thought it dour, defeatist and very down in the mouth and nothing lighthearted or uplifting about it.

You never know how your words will be taken.
Reply to a comment by : K6CRC on 2021-06-24

No particular point, just a short story.
Reply to a comment by : K0UA on 2021-06-24

To the author: And your point is?
K6CRC2021-06-24
Re: Where is Everyone?
No particular point, just a short story.
Reply to a comment by : K0UA on 2021-06-24

To the author: And your point is?
K0UA2021-06-24
Where is Everyone?
To the author: And your point is?
K6CRC2021-06-23
Re: Where is Everyone?
Conditions are poor, but I still make contacts. FT8/4 of course, but some SSB. On a small suburban lot, with an inverted L. Seems to be someone on somewhere if you just look. Have to be patient for next cycle...
Reply to a comment by : NO9E on 2021-06-23

Conditions are extremely poor for stations with simple antennas, generating gloom and doom. But some stations can still be worked, like S51DX or S57DX. Phased beams on the hill. A few years ago, 10W with 15ft of wire next to a tree would be good for EU QSO on CW. Now not as good, although "miracles" happen. Lately I acquired extra property now with 2 phased beams at 60 and 100 ft + KW. When I call CQ on SSB, I get calls from the east coast from very happy owners of IC7300 with endfed antennas or G5RV. You are not too strong they say, 57. They say that their antenna is doing very well. Then I switch to 3 el beam at 40ft. Your dropped to 54 they say. Then I change to an endfed or no-radial vertical, and they could just hear traces. Wait year or two...
Reply to a comment by : W6HB on 2021-06-20

Wow.....
NO9E2021-06-23
Re: Where is Everyone?
Conditions are extremely poor for stations with simple antennas, generating gloom and doom. But some stations can still be worked, like S51DX or S57DX. Phased beams on the hill.

A few years ago, 10W with 15ft of wire next to a tree would be good for EU QSO on CW. Now not as good, although "miracles" happen.

Lately I acquired extra property now with 2 phased beams at 60 and 100 ft + KW. When I call CQ on SSB, I get calls from the east coast from very happy owners of IC7300 with endfed antennas or G5RV. You are not too strong they say, 57. They say that their antenna is doing very well. Then I switch to 3 el beam at 40ft. Your dropped to 54 they say. Then I change to an endfed or no-radial vertical, and they could just hear traces.

Wait year or two...

Reply to a comment by : W6HB on 2021-06-20

Wow.....
KC0W2021-06-23
Re: Where is Everyone?
Wow.....
Reply to a comment by : W6HB on 2021-06-20

Wow.....
VE3CUI2021-06-20
Where is Everyone?
WOW, will you just look at that...?! There's a whole brand new award available for the intrepid Ham: it's called the "H.A.D.I.T." award, an acronym for "Heard All Different Interference Terrifically."

With "HADIT," you don't even NEED to put out a signal on the air...! Just log & record all of the man-made QRM that you might hear on the bands --- noise that would not have been tolerated by federal authorities some 40 - 50 years ago --- that has absolutely no business whatsoever being there. Noise like that from the magnetic-induction charging systems of neighbourhood battery-powered vehicles, treadmill hash, the buzzing of touch-only under-cabinet kitchen lighting, the scrum emanating from nearby large-screen TVs --- even the drone emanating from open refrigerator doors...!

As with all other amateur radio awards, "HADIT" may be regularly augmented in increments of 5 new noises, as they may be experienced at your QTH...

Tired of the incessant, unwelcome, & unnecessary QRM fouling-up YOUR HF Ham radio experience...? Well then, simply declare aloud, after me --- "That's it, brother, I'VE 'HADIT'...!!!
W6HB2021-06-20
Where is Everyone?
Wow.....