[Elecraft] K4???

[Wes]

I got a much needed haircut today. Usually I take the dog to grooming and I get 
a haircut on the same day.  He got groomed two weeks ago.

For the last couple of days I've been battling the annual infestation of killer 
bees in my fireplace. Two days ago I set a small newspaper fire to drive them 
out.  I was rewarded with a big chunk of honeycomb falling down the flue into 
the firebox.  It was full of angry bees, fortunately all behind glass doors.  
(Note I was stung a couple of years ago by one and had an acute reaction.  My 
hand swelled to about twice normal size and I had hives (not bee hives) under my 
arms and in my groin.  It took a steroid injection to give me relief.)  After 
dark when they settled down I gave them a good dusting with Sevin.

But they were still entrenched high up in the flue, so yesterday, I set a bigger 
fire.  It burned for an hour or so and died out.  I went outside and the chimney 
was smoking like crazy. It looked like I had a chimney fire so discretion being 
the better par of valor, I called the fire department.  However, three deputy 
sheriff deputies showed up first.  None of them had on masks or gloves.  They 
left when the firemen arrived.  The firemen/paramedics weren't in masks or 
gloves either.  After a review of the situation they said let it burn, but given 
my sensitivity stay away from the bees and call a bee removal expert.  Then we 
stood around in my living room for a few minutes and we queried them about the 
virus.  They reported that in all the calls they've answered, they have yet to 
encounter a COVID victim. So we shook hands and they left. So much for social 
distancing.

Wes  N7WS

ps.  I'm one of those 78 year olds that might not live long enough to get a K4 
but I'm ready for the country to get back to work.



On 5/15/2020 3:54 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
> We here in North Carolina will be beginning to open after next Friday, but 
> very carefully.  We do not want to see a resurgence of this virus.
> I need a haircut, and an appointment with my chiropractor, but those will have 
> to wait because those are close physical contact situations.
> Since many of us are in the high risk category due to age, we must remain 
> careful and vigilant even as things reopen.  Facemasks and gloves are the 
> order of the day for all outings as well as handwashing when we return home 
> and hand sanitizer when not at home.
>
> It would be nice if all of this just went away, but that is wishful thinking 
> during a major worldwide pandemic.
>
> The K4 will be ready when Elecraft can get the parts and start shipping.  In 
> the meantime, firmware updates and some Field Testing is all they can do.
>
> 73 and stay safe,
> Don W3FPR