As may be obvious from the frequency of my posts here lately, I've been going through the flashlight accumulation startup phase. I'm ready to let some of my early missteps go.

I like the peer-to-peer, no platform fee of something like reddit's r/flashlight monthly pinned BTS thread. Would there be appetite for something like that here, or does that just make moderation tedious?

Is there already a trade-friendly fedi solution that could support something as specialized as (ahem) enthusiast flashlights? TY in advance.

L-R: orange Wurkkos FC11C 4kk, green Emisar DA1K NTG50 4200k, white Emisar DW4 NTG35 1800k/SST20 red 660nm, blue Wurkkos TS27, coyote Acebeam T35 SFT40 5kk, green aluminum reylight pineapple mini.

DA1K was the most pleasing for just admiring the trees. I had lost the T35 in an apron pocket and just found it yesterday. Better beam distance than I remembered.

My pockets grow full. I’m tempted to ride outside more often. Are my lights cruisin’ for a bruisin’ if I take this route? Tell me your horror stories. Cause it sure would make it easier to carry 18650 lights outside in my belt or pocket.

This is a Wurkkos CL01 that I use in a dark computer nook so people can see me on video phone. It’s hanging on the arm of an adjustable mirror. It works, just curious what others do. I have the tiny tripod for it, but I can’t set it in front of the compy.

A mentor convinced me to upgrade even though I’m having fun as a Tech

I'm getting back into WSPR after an unplanned hiatus. I seem to remember that WSPR was just more popular in Europe across all bands...is that right? And that's what explains this spot map, not isolated propogation phenomena over Western Europe?

This map shows 1 week of six meter data (1484 spots) from wspr.rocks.

I've been maintaining this list of currently published (e-)magazines for my own benefit, so I thought I'd share and see if it's useful for others. This is primarily English language right now, so contributing other language magazines would be helpful. Former magazines like 73 are not in scope for this list, but the DLARC is included which contains many historical publications.

If you have a Codeberg account, please make a pull request or open an issue to suggest an addition. Otherwise, if you comment here I can add it.

My personal fave is SWR. There's nothing else like the Spectrum Monitor. The DLARC recommendation is cheating a bit because there's so much there (and it's not about current publications), but you can read old issues of CQ and much more.

If you have a good resource to share beyond Grounding and Bonding for the Radio Amateur by N0AX, please do!

I want to mount a simple 6m aluminum dipole from my roof chimney.

Nets and conversations on repeaters in the Wake County, NC vicinity are getting disrupted by a troublemaker. The conventional wisdom is not to feed the trolls.

Transcript of short article about interference follows:

When You’re the Victim of Intentional Interference

The question of why one ham intentionally interferes with another would make a fascinating study topic for psychologists. The answer usually involves anger of some sort-either anger at you personally, or anger at the world in general. Amateur Radio is the ideal medium for those who want to act on their frustrations with little fear of suffering the consequences. A ham who wouldn’t dare insult you to your face has no problem anonymously garbling your transmissions!

This type of ham gains pleasure from his actions only when you acknowledge them. He craves attention and your angry response gives him exactly what he needs. The trick is to do everything possib!e to ignore him. Try to continue your conversation as best you can, working around his interruptions without comment If the interference is so bad that you cannot continue, move to another frequency.

I know it’s difficult to hold your tongue in the face of such rude behavior. By ignoring his antics, however, you’ll rob him of the pleasure he seeks. Eventually, he’ll become bored and move on. That’s the worst punishment you can inflict! - WB8IMY

I’m inclined to go with the long-term cost savings of a radio that does everything but wondering if others have good reasons to go with a dedicated, simplified rig. I would be purchasing used equipment either way. And would have to use either radio for base as well as mobile use. #PublicSevice #VHF #UHF

[EDIT] to clarify I'm in the US, where "public service" (being communications support for primarily bike and foot races, where I live) does indeed happen on the amateur VHF/UHF bands. This is who I volunteer with, for context: https://www.hpsnc.org/. They also require a mobile (not handheld) radio at least 25W.

Announcement of “joint re-introduction of legislation in the Senate and House to restore the right to Amateur Radio operators to install the antennas necessary to serve their communities” e.g., to prevent homeowner associations from fining you for antennas on your property.