Amateur Radio During a Pandemic

Hams are not in world of their own. As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds we are affected like everyone else. Unlike other social events there is no lessening of on-air activity. Amateur radio is a social activity yet one that does not require personal contact. You could say it's the original social distancing app.

On the bands this weekend there were contests, DXpeditions and all the other kinds of operating that we do. There was no dearth of activity and there appears to be more than usual as people take to staying home with family. There is only so much television you can watch. Families themselves may see increased (friendly) friction from being cooped up together. An occasional trip to the shack can benefit all.

For myself it's a time to concentrate on antenna projects that I might otherwise leave until later. Most of the parts I need arrive by courier. Antenna design requires just a computer and spending time by myself out in the field or bush with tools and test equipment. As the weather warms I have made a few forays up towers to do inspections and to install rigging for lifting antennas, masts and other items.

There are bigger projects on my plate that require assistance. Those I am pondering while we all decide how much isolation is truly needed. That is, I am hesitating to invite people to visit. So far it hasn't stopped me from visiting others. In this region we have been fortunate with few cases of the disease: none in rural areas and a handful in Ottawa nearby.

Soon the weather in this part of the world will be warm and the virus will subside. Viruses don't like the heat and this one is reported to lose viability above 26° C. It's the same reason why influenza and other viral diseases are relatively uncommon during summer. All the more reason to slow the propagation of the virus for a few months until the weather turns in our favour. Next winter will remain a hazard but beyond that we will likely have a vaccine to halt the disease.
Spring hamfests and flea markets are being cancelled. That's unfortunate even though it is sensible. With the high average age of hams too many of us are in the high risk age bracket. Summer events should be safe except for cancellations made out of an abundance of caution.

Once our homes, finances and families are taken care of it can be anodyne to use our new found free time to get on the air and be active. We can be eminently social while maintaining a safe social distance. The virus doesn't travel by radio waves.

The risk of catching and succumbing to the disease is low for most people and I have not been too worried. Yet as the economy is shuttered and frightened people hunker down (after raiding grocery store shelves) it is nice that we have the comfort of amateur radio.

Of course everyone has the internet and social networking app but they are not the same. Amateur radio is more like mixing in public since we communicate with strangers: other hams. Social networking apps are more inward looking and we mostly talk to people we already know.

Get on the air and talk to people. Maybe I'll see you there.

73 and take care. Technical articles on the blog will resume shortly.