Excellent points, Ron.

That's why I felt especially good when I beat my P A Q P number of QSO's
from last year by three this year, under somewhat challenging conditions
with the grand-kids visiting.

Plus, I still will try for that county sweep next year.

Always something more to strive for, and, as many of you know, I now only
use wire antennas with an amp that puts out at most 600 watts.

With the somewhat limited time I have to play radio, I still have lots of
fun whenever I can.

Tom Behler: KB8TYJ




-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Dr. Ronald E. Milliman
Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2014 10:36 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Expensive, high-power, up-scale stations

I knew a fellow up in Michigan who put up an amazing antenna farm and had
the Collins S-Line and ran the maximum legal power, maybe even a bit more at
times, and it took all of the fun and challenge out of it for him. He soon
lost his interest in ham radio and all of the fabulous gear and his
expensive and very up-scale antenna farm simply sat there for years unused.
He had a massive heart attack, and his wife simply gave his Collins S-Line
away, and the last I knew his antenna farm just deteriorated over the years.

So, guys, we are the products of basic operant conditioning. Random
reinforcement sustains behavior over time far better than receiving total
and known reinforcement every time one engages in a particular behavior. In
short, if you don't break through that big pile-up every time, and
especially if you don't break through every time the first time you try, you
are more likely to continue trying and feeling rewarded when you finally
break through, if and when you do!! <Smile> 

Ron, K8HSY