Craig Vodnik - K5AYO
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craigvodnik.com
Craig Vodnik - K5AYO
@craigvodnik.com
When government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.
Still racking up the points. Scored San Marino this morning and Australia this evening. Next up: 150 points and barely 2.5 weeks into the year!
January 18, 2026 at 10:53 PM
Cleaned up some European countries and now at 100 for the year. Gonna be slower going for sure, but summer should yield some interesting DX locations.
January 14, 2026 at 3:49 PM
From a freind of mine who was at the game last night:
January 11, 2026 at 1:40 PM
Got Norfolk Island and South Sudan today to push me over 75 for the year. 12m gonna be fun this year!
January 10, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Haven't been trying hard, but rather focused on the more edge DXCC but already at 50 points for the year. Hope to break 200 this year. Stretch goal is 250.
January 6, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Already at 25 points in the CQ DX Marathon 2026 contest. A long way to go, but working 12m this year since we are still in the good part of the solar cycle.
January 1, 2026 at 11:39 PM
So I started checking @Walmart to see how their prices compare. Obviously, there is some ring kissing there too, but not as singular as Nazi Bezos.

Checked a water purifier replacement and this was half the price at Walmart compared to Amazon:

www.walmart.com/ip/RO-Water-...
December 30, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Had a great time at Big Bend National Park taking a Geminids meteor shower photography workshop.

Ben Sassani and Mallory Davis were excellent hosts and very knowledgable.

Can't recommend them enough for Big Bend photography!!
December 17, 2025 at 1:07 AM
One of my favorite record subscription services is having a sale for their subscription. New Orleans based club has some real unique releases!

Tipitina's Record Club
November 28, 2025 at 3:30 PM
And this is why you have to keep the government closed. DementiaDon won't abide by any deal with Democrats:

www.nytimes.com/live/2025/11...
November 4, 2025 at 2:38 AM
In the thick of the #NoKings march in Austin, Texas.
October 18, 2025 at 10:05 PM
More from the #NoKings rally in Austin, Texas.
October 18, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Austin, Texas #NoKings rally was huge! Crowd stretched for a mile and a half walking from the Capitol to the Long Center.

Peaceful, fun, but with a purpose.
October 18, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Finally made my next 25 point increment. Took over 4 months, but I missed the digi contest over Labor Day and summer had short nights.

I still think that 200 points is possible. Only 5 CQ zones left.
October 18, 2025 at 2:23 AM
A great start to a celebration of founders at the University of Illinois.

Panel discussion about growing capital access in Illinois.

#Illini #FoundersWeek
October 9, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Royal and the Serpent singing Where Did You Sleep Last Night is a highlight so far. #ACL2025 #ACL25 #ACL
October 5, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Cast no shadow
August 29, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Some might say
August 29, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Sorry to see you go 247sports. I subscribed for the guys at Illini Inquirer, but now that they are owned to make State TV (Paramount), I am out of there.

#illini #247sports
August 5, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Great day of POTA at Peninsula State Park in Wisconsin!

Lots of CW and FT8 contacts, even a 20m ground wave to a local resident about 5 miles away.

Ham Radio can be so rewarding sometimes!
July 16, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Had a really great time working the 13 Colonies stations last week. Hope to complete the entire sweep in CW next year.
July 9, 2025 at 8:50 PM
I've never seen this much traffic on FT4. Digital bands are full all over the place and the 13Colonies SES seems to be driving 20% of the traffic.
July 4, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Great panel at ANS led by @katyhuff.bsky.social

How to navigate the uncertain funding environment.

I learned a lot and think public/private partnerships will need to grow long term.

#nuclear #ANS25 #Illini
June 17, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Took over three weeks for the next 25 points to be added. Gonna be slow going this summer, me thinks, but will pick up as the days get meaningfully longer.
June 8, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Milky Way Galaxy over Lake Tahoe, Cali last night. Really getting the hang of this editing with Capture One.

All setup for tonight's solar storm show. Fingers crossed!
June 2, 2025 at 12:40 AM