Archive - December 2024

As the year 2024 end draws ever closer, we like to wish all our friends around the world season’s greetings in their home language, and we do apologize if we miss yours off the list. Let’s hope that 2025 brings us all good luck, health, and prosperity.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddn Newydd

Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo

Joyeux Noel et Bonne Annèe

Feliz Navidad y Feliz Año Nuevo

Vasel Koleda

Froehliche Weihnachten undein gluckliches Nues Jahr

Kala Christougenna Kieftihismenos O Kenowios Chronos

Boldoy Karácsonyt

Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia

Cestitamo Bozia

Boas Fiestas e um feliz Ano Novo

Nollaig Shona Dhuit

Any of my radio friends out there would like a nice design of a badge or banner creating, then have look at the Facebook page of Marcel – PD3MR – who has made some beautiful designs of call sign badges and banners. My QSL card image is one of his, from a photograph of the Red Arrows taken by myself. He also designed the HARES badge in an earlier post, so he is pretty good in my opinion. Do contact him and see what he can do for you, and mention my name and call when you do enquire. 

(Photo taken from ITV News)

The trend for naming storms has continued this past weekend with a storm hitting the UK causing power outages, damage to homes and trees, and radio amateurs antennas or supports. It is once again coastal areas that have taken the brunt of the hit. I am just hoping that my friends down in West Wales are all safe as the worst damage I am seeing and hearing about, my friend Rob (MW0RLJ) has suffered damage to his antenna with 2 spreaders on his Hexbeam breaking, some damage to his barn roof, and lost tiles on the house roof – at least he is safe. The BBC are reporting on sad news of at least one death from the storm. 

Locally I am hearing f friends antenna supports breaking in Redditch, a shed roof felt being blown off – the shed is his shack – and the smallholding where I go out portable has also suffered damage, her henhouse has gone over scaring the chickens I bet.

Here at home I have lost a couple of tiles on my roof, and luckily no other damage as far as I can tell. At least my antenna is still up. And who’s idea was it to name a storm after a comedian? Darragh O’Brien it is not funny now all this damage.

Time for an update on myself and why no posts in November. To be honest I have just not been myself and been hiding away in home putting on the “I’m OK” face when I have had to leave the house. Luckily I do have a few really good friends that have kept me from falling fully and not doing a self destruct mentally. I think I am back on track even though it is approaching Christmas and not my favourite time of year, but we will get through it.

I also started a diet in September to try once again to get my weight down and my health back, mainly so I wasn’t always feeling lethargic and out of breath when walking. This is working and over 2 stone gone, and I do have more energy. My consultant is encouraging and an old school friend so that helps.

One of my radio clubs, the local one I attend almost every meeting Hinckley ARES, has elected me as secretary at their AGM at the start of November and this has kept me busy trying to arrange some talks and visits for the next year. We have a nice looking calendar through to April now, and I am still looking at some visits for members in the warmer months. Below is the calendar and all are welcome to come along if visiting the area, you will be made welcome and offered a cuppa and a biscuit.