Thank you!
Looking at my stats page for 2012 offers insight into what people like to read. Some results were predictable, others weren’t.
The one constant is that I owe thanks to many people who, either knowingly or unknowingly, provided inspiration to write much of what is contained within these pages.
Here are the posts (not all from 2012) that received the most hits throughout 2012, in order from most to least read. Each received over 1000 hits during the year:
- Elecraft KX1 vs. Ten Tec HB1B
- KX3 assembly photos de WG0AT
- Tower Installation
- From Sardine Sender to DXCC Honor Roll in 10 Years – QRP
- “Take plenty of dogs and only the best of men”
- “CW Scrubber” kit is now “CW Regen Filter” kit
- The curious beginning of the end-fed Zepp
- E Pluribus Unum Andthensome, QRP de Theremin
- Hallicrafters and electronic warfare in 1940 on 10 meters. . .or, an ‘Aspirin’ for the ‘Headache’
- Chasing Bonnie & Clyde: an eye-witness account
Obviously, QRP is popular. Folks like to build kits, operate at low power and read about who’s doing what.
When the KX3 came out and first-build photos were posted by WG0AT…well, who wouldn’t want to see that. Thanks Steve, for permission to post them here.
I’m very happy that WG5G has been so widely read about in many countries. Many of the links to this particular article came from QRP clubs and newsletters that pointed their subscribers to my write-up on Dan. But others came from non-QRPers. It’s one thing to preach to the choir but when non-QRPers take note of what can be done with 5 watts – makes my day. Thanks Dan – I enjoyed meeting you.
The posts about radio’s role in history – what a surprise. I thought this topic would appeal to me and maybe a handful of others – wrong! Evidently, many of you like to read these stories. I periodically receive emails asking where I dig this stuff up. My reading list sometimes points me in such a direction to pursue a given topic more deeply. When I do, I find radio. An absolutely fantastic book – No Empty Chairs – spawned an interest in WW1-era pilots that resulted in the purchase of three other books on the topic: a 1st edition from 1927 by Ernst Lehmann, a WW1 Zepp pilot and captain of the Hindenburg when it exploded) lead to posts on the end-fed Zepp and others. More good reading on that topic: Dr. Eckener’s Dream Machine and The Golden Age of the Great Passenger Airships - both are excellent.
That story about the Great Seal of the US hanging on a wall in Moscow just amazed me. A lot of creativity by both sides was inspired by the US-Soviet cat-and-mouse game. Gotta admire that, regardless of the source! I have a few “submarine sea stories” safe (legally) to post in 2013 that are topical to this radio-related blog. For the inspiration – Spasibo, comrades!
The WW2 stuff is mostly due to a co-worker who doubles as a walking almanac on all things regarding WW2 technology. The man’s a human encyclopedia of even the most minute factoids of that war’s technology - and of the more significant occurances as well. Book loans from him that inspired some of my posts include The Secret War, Most Secret War and Spycraft. Thanks Rod!
What to make of the Bonnie & Clyde post? It’s my only non-radio post and yet it gets hit after hit…but not from hams. It provided me with a lesson as a blogger: if you want a post to have staying power, consider keywords that will cause Google to point searchers your way. That was not my intent when I wrote the post but now anyone doing a search on “Blanch Barrow” will find their way to this ham radio blog. Go figure…
My own most fulfilling post was A Video Tribute to Marconi due to what happened as a result. A British ham forwarded that posting to a local London schoolteacher who in turn played the video for her class. They then built and experimented with coherers in the classroom.
Thank you for your emails & comments – and, most of all, just for reading to the tune of 90,000 hits for the year. Best wishes to you all in 2013.
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FWIW: I am aware that it’s possible to link to Amazon products in such a way as to generate income for the person providing the link. The links here are (and always will be) generic – I will never use this blog in an attempt to make money. No ads and certainly no “Donate to me” PayPal buttons – ever.
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Themocracy
I’m delighted your site is popular, it bodes well for more to come! Thanks very much for your time and efforts John and all the best for ’13.
Same to you, Elwood – thanks.
Thanks for the insight to your blog John. Very interesting and I’m very curious at the 2013 submarine posts you have for us. All the best and happy blogging & radioing in 2013. 73, Bas
Bas, I guess we will both be experimenting with solar power in 2013 I’ll be very interested in those posts from you…best to you as well in the new year.
John,
Thank you for a year of excellent reading, ham radio related content, and RadioSport Qs in the log. I enjoy your commentary as well as your insight into our unique hobby. Best results with all your endeavors going into the New Year!
73, Scot KA3DRR
Hey Scot – I see we’ve worked on all the contest bands except 80m. Let’s fix that during 2013…see you in the contests!
Just stumbled across your log a few months ago, but have enjoyed reading it since. You also give me lot’s of inspiration for new material and articles.
Here’s to 2013, Don
Thanks Don!