Some catching up seems in order. It’s been a busy month with too much work in the yard for this old retired guy. The heat wave made things miserable for several weeks, but that broke a few days ago and the last two mornings I have enjoyed coffee and 54F with the windows wide open. I’m hoping against hope this will continue. I’ve been looking forward to autumn weather since the 4th of July!

Mercury Rising ⁍ I got word about a week ago that it was my turn to order the Mercury IIIs amplifier from KM3KM. That followed a seven month wait that was actually shorter than the expected one year queue. The next step in the process is to send money (done!) and now my amplifier is being assembled and tested. I expect to receive it by the end of August and have been trying to prepare everything on this end for higher power operation.

Data Disaster ⁍ Disaster struck in the form of losing my main logging file. Yeah, I know, back-ups are critical, but in this case the file was corrupted before it was backed up. Fortunately, I managed to extract all my data from LoTW online (I had no idea that was even possible) and created a new master log file. Of course all comments, power, antenna, transceiver used, etc. – everything non essential for a valid contact was lost, but at least I didn’t have to start over from scratch.

This never used to be a problem because my logging was hit and miss with the “hit” part being on paper. In May of 2022 I decided to set my course for DXCC and began using electronic logging in earnest. I hadn’t kept many paper QSL cards so it was a complete do-over and all of it via LoTW only. I’ve never submitted a paper card for any award credit. The electronic process is much easier to navigate though I only see a 64% return using LoTW. That might be as good or better than paper cards, but I’m always disappointed when an ATNO is waiting in confirmation purgatory.

While it’s taken hours to recover I have come up with an improved method for file rotation and back-ups so the time wasn’t completely wasted. I also took the opportunity to consider and review other logging applications since there was an opportunity to begin anew. The truth was, I could find nothing superior to what I already use, MacLoggerDX. The problem with all ham radio software is that it’s developed and maintained by individuals, or at best small enterprises, and you get onboard with full-knowledge that if you live long enough, one day the developer/maintainer will either lose interest or assume room temperature and you will be forced to start over with something new anyway…

DX IS ⁍ I renewed my INDEXA membership for another year and made a small donation. This seems reasonable given the important role DX organizations play in support of our unusual and unique game of DXing. But consider that I donate money to a group who donates those funds to a DXpedition and I still have to donate a few bucks directly to that operation if I want to receive an expedited QSL after working them. Mind you, I’m not complaining about the money, but one day we really need to have a long conversation about the value of DX organizations versus direct funding of operations. Especially since the DX world is fragmenting into non-traditional forms of communication. Some DXers don’t want to fund all-digital operations while others aren’t so happy funding the kind of DXpedition where there are no boots on the ground, etc.