Digitizing Old Log Books.

I have started entering my old log books into digital form.
I got my first license in 1973, and have been doing ham radio since then, sometimes more , sometimes less.
For now I am using the Linux program Xlog. It has a simple data entry and a simple file structure that can be exported to some of the most common logbook formats, ADIF being the most relevant for me, I think.
Because I am using Linux more than anything for ham radio, some log programs were, of course excluded from consideration. I am well aware that there are several excellent logging programs available for windows. If I want something more elaborate, I will probably switch to CQRLog.
I did notice one significant (to me) weakness in the Xlog program, and that is counting of old (now deleted) DXCC entities. Examples for me are the old East Germany (DMxxx, Chekoslovakia (now 2 separate entities), the Baltic states, some Russian calls and Belarus, and, of course, the former Yugoslavian republics. I am sure that there are others, but those stood out for me.

I started doing my VHF/UHF logs, as those bands have my highest interest.
I have now reached November 1978 in the entries, just before I added 70cm to my activities. 1978 was a significant year for 2m activity, working many new DXCC entities and grid squares.

Entering the data will take some time due to thousands of QSOs to be entered, and I do not want to stop all other activities, so a few log pages per day is feasible. I will probably post some updates once in a while, as the data entry progresses. After the VHF/UHF entries, I intend to add all my HF QSOs, but that will not be for a while.

Also, one of the aims for this activity is adding the logs to online logs, such as eQSL and Logbook of the World, so people will be able to confirm QSOs that way. I will have to do the administration for getting there, but initially there will be (ir)regular update uploads to the QRZCQ site that I have registered to. I still need to upload the latest updates. This will probably happen when I have completed the 1978 VHF/UHF log entries, likely near the end of this year.

Solar Cycle 25 Is Slowly Coming to Life.

According to an article at Space Weather ( https://www.spaceweather.com ) a few sunspots have appeared since May this year, all deemed to belong to the new cycle. These spots come interspersed with sunspots from the old cycle, a well known phenomenon during a sunspot minimum.

Now, the minimum is expect to last about another year, then we should see more sunspots going towards a maximum. The article says that it is estimated to me 2023, but I consider that a bit optimistic. I think 2024 is more likely, since low activity sunspot cycles tend to last longer, i.e. the build up to the maximum is slower.

Never the less, I am looking forward to more solar activity, so the higher HF bands will awaken from their deep sleep. Mind you, even in the deep sleep of this minimum, 10m is not completely dead. It does not happen daily, but there are sporadic openings from my place in Denmark, mostly to the Southern part of Africa and occasionally South America, in the autumn/winter/spring-time, and, of course, occasional sporadic E all year around, with a large peak in the summer and a smaller one in the winter.

Here is to be a bit (quite a bit) optimistic and hope for DX F2 openings on 6m. I know it is not likely, but let us see what happens.

Idea: How To Get Stackable Antenna Masts Up and Down.

For a while I have been using stackable (up to 1.5m long) pipes for some of my antennas.

Getting those up and down has been a bit of a pain, needing at least 2 people to get the antennas erected.
I think that I now have an idea for reducing the man power needed:

When lowering antennas (e.g. verticals) for maintenance 2 people will be ideal, but a system with a pulley might work for one person, at leat in calm weather:

- Clamp a 3-4m long support pipe parallel with the mast
- Elevate the mast enough and fasten to the pipe
- Now the lowest of the stack can be removed and the mast be lowered further
- repeat as needed for maintenance
- fix the mast to the support pipe

For elevating the antenna again, use the reverse order.

As I see it, it works a bit like when using a telescopic mast. Not quite but close enough, and maybe  with a bit more work. The main point for me is that the will be no need for a big(ish) team for antenna work.

Right now I cannot see any serious weakness in the idea. If you see one, please tell me in the comment section.