This is a tough issue. It is especially tough for me as I met my
XYL in 1984 during a period of hiatus from amateur radio. But
then I read about CT in the July, 1989 QST, and it was what I had
daydreamed about doing as a teenager. I got the contest bug
again, bad this time. And now with two young kids.
So, what to do? Living in Los Angeles, the Disneyland Hotel has
had a few extra guests on contest weekends, as has hotels in
Santa Barbara and Palm Springs. My wife has had a few days by
herself or with a girlfriend at some local spas. There is the
occasional shopping spree. And for a big Carribean expedition
this fall there is the old "take her parents with us, while my
parents watch the kids" trick. And sometimes, she bites the
bullet and is super-mom for the weekend, which includes making
sure I'm well fed and not bothered, except for a few quick
goodnight kisses.
The bottom line is that she is extraordinarily understanding,
accepting and loving, which is why I married her in the first
place, for better or worse, in QRM or in sunspots...
Seriously, many of our arguments have been about the time and
effort devoted to contesting, which could otherwise be spent with
the family. It requires a delicate balancing and compromises, as
does most everything else in life. I, for one, sure do not wish
for the "good old days" of bachelorhood.
73, Ken, AB6FO KWIDELITZ@DELPHI.COM
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