[MRCA] Happy Holidays

[Ray Fantini]

It's the day before Christmas and with all the stuff going on around the house thought I would have an opportunity to sit down and maybe just write up something about the hobby and something about running vintage equipment.
Perhaps there are all different aspects to the Ham radio hobby, some peruse certificates and DX, others find some fascination in digital modes, some do the whole public service thing and some appear to be obsessed with the newest and best technology.
If you read QST you get the felling that you're not a complete Ham unless you're buying the latest box or operating some new digital protocol but at work I have to deal with constant upgrades of software, operating systems and hardware and have no desire to be pushing the curve at home.
Maybe it's because in the educational and commercial world so much emphases is placed on the newest equipment and the mindset that newer is always better that I find in my personal life I would prefer to work where craftsmanship and individual choice are King. That along with the fact that at work your working for a common goal and in my shop at home I don't have to compromise or be part of the team.
So perhaps that's the fascination with the military equipment because in many ways it represents some of the best that was produced in its time and working with it allows you to somehow get into the minds of the designers and people who built and used it. That's some what the same thing of the vintage computer collection and other things going on around here. The FR-38 project has no practical application other then just doing it to experience vacuum tube digital electronics.
Another factor that I have not at first foreseen but have to admit is of considerable importance today is the camaraderie and sense of family that has developed with the like minded on line community and all the individuals who show up at Gilbert, Dayton and all the other events every year.  Having friends to go out and play radio with is a true blessing. The support in terms of information, parts and in some cases equipment continues to make what at times seam impossible possible. Thank you all.
 I do occasionally do regular "Hamming" but have to admit that I have little to say or little respect for the average Ham who buys a box and dose not understand it.
So Happy Holidays to you all and look forward to another year of perhaps pointless projects with the help of this online community.



Ray Fantini / KA3EKH

Salisbury Maryland
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