[CQ-Contest] "and tell them you're too stupid to own a computer" (CQ-Contest version)

Art Boyars artboyars at gmail.com
Mon Oct 21 11:43:40 EDT 2024


(I already shared this with my computer professional, with my family, and
with PVRC.  Perhaps the wider Contest Community will enjoy it.  SPECIAL
OFFER for CQ-Contest W/VE subscribers: a K3KU SSCW QSO absolutely free if
you know the purportedly true story that goes with the email subject here!)

Earlier one evening (a week or two ago) I wanted to listen to the hockey
game while working at my desk.

So I inter-webbed to wjfk.com and clicked on "Listen Live", which opened
some app (if that's what it was; I know from nothing about this).  The
pre-game show was playing, but seemed delayed; the game should have already
started.

So I turned on my ham radio and tuned it down to 1500 AM (WFED, formerly
WTOP; 50KW, less than two miles from my house) which was broadcasting the
game.  Speaker is right under my main computer monitor.  Yup, the game has
just started.

So I worked at my desk and around the house for 2:45 hours, and the game
ended. and the post-game show started.  Time to turn it off.

I put my hand on my mouse and looked at the display of open websites on my
Chrome tabs (many open for banking, bill paying, etc.).

Hmmm.  Where is the tab for WJFK??.  Ah, maybe it's one of those things
that opens up an app(?) when you listen live.  So where do I find the app,
to close it?  (Post-game show continues to play.)

Uhh, try closing Chrome.  Nope -- nothing appears on the monitor,and
post-game audio continues.  Look all around the monitor screen for some
kind of Listen Live icon.  Nope; hockey post-game audio continues.

Try restarting the computer.  Nope; hockey post-game audio continues.

Has something captured my computer??? Do I need to get my computer pro???

Try turning off the computer.    Nope; hockey post-game audio continues.

What has this thing done to my computer???  I'll sue!!!  I'll never listen
to hockey again!!!  I'll never Listen Live again!!!  Maybe I should email
my computer pro before he goes to sleep.

But first, one last gasp -- Unplug the power cord from the back of the
computer.  Holy Moley!! Hockey post-game audio continues!!!!

How can that be?!?!  You don't even have to be an Electronics Engineer and
an Extra Class Amateur Radio operator with 64 years experience to know that
unplugging should kill everything!!!

Uhhh, wait a minute.  The ham radio front panel is lighted.
The ham radio is on.
Art, you dummy!!  You were listening on the radio, not on the computer.

Turn off ham radio.  Turn on computer.  Write this story in an email.

73, Art K3KU


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