[VHFcontesting] 222 Activity / energy costs / QRT

[N1BUG]

Hello friends,

Even after inconveniencing a lot of people to free up my Tuesday 
schedule I am still struggling to stay awake and functional in the 
evenings. There may be an occasional Tuesday when I make an appearance, 
but don't count on me.

For the most part, don't expect to see me on the air at all. Dave is 
right about our energy costs.

Sorry for going off topic. I won't bring this up again. The cost of 
standard offer electricity supply in Maine increased 88.6% January 1. 
The total cost of supply plus delivery I am paying went from 
approximately 17 cents per kWh to 25 cents. Never in my lifetime have I 
seen such a big jump in rates. Heating oil (kerosene) is now $6 per 
gallon and will probably go up even more. Things have suddenly become 
very serious. I still have 18 months to go on paying off the 2021 loan 
for antenna and tower repairs which was already making the budget tight. 
I have completed an energy audit and am making cuts wherever possible. 
My station is QRT except for very special occasions. I had been hoping 
to continue toward my dream of getting on 10 GHz but that too is in 
jeopardy now. If prices don't come down I have no idea how I am going to 
stay warm next winter but I need to go into survival mode and do all 
that I can to prepare. I hope we all come through this to see better times.

73,
Paul N1BUG