{"id":41395,"date":"2020-01-02T12:17:55","date_gmt":"2020-01-02T16:17:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=41395"},"modified":"2020-01-02T12:19:29","modified_gmt":"2020-01-02T16:19:29","slug":"looking-back-2019-and-etow-in-review-and-the-dawn-of-a-new-decade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/01\/looking-back-2019-and-etow-in-review-and-the-dawn-of-a-new-decade\/","title":{"rendered":"Looking back: 2019\u2013\u2013and ETOW\u2013\u2013 in review, and the dawn of a new decade"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Yes, I’ll admit it:\u00a0 I’m\u00a0 happy to say “Goodbye” to 2019 and “Hello!” to 2020.<\/p>\n

While a lot of wonderful things happened last year, one event in particular will always be present in my mind when I recall 2019.<\/p>\n

The End of an Era: Remembering ETOW<\/h2>\n

Most importantly, however, last year will be remembered as the bittersweet year that we closed Ears To Our World<\/a> (ETOW) as a formal non-profit organization.<\/p>\n

I founded ETOW\u2013\u2013a mission of the heart\u2013\u2013in 2008, and I would never have guessed that it would be so successful.\u00a0 We’ve spent the past eleven years building up and supporting rural and remote communities throughout the world with appropriate technologies, like self-powered radios.<\/p>\n

I’m incredibly proud of and humbled by all that ETOW has accomplished.<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 It’s touching that we’re still receiving photos from the field, documenting projects we completed over the past two years.\u00a0 (It’s often taken months<\/em> for our intrepid partners to get our radios and gear to the end-users…but they get it there!).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Our radios finally reached the remote area of Cameroon served by the amazing community-driven FM station, Radio Taboo. Hooray!<\/p><\/div>\n

It’s been such an honor and a labor of love to serve as ETOW’s director.<\/p>\n

ETOW had a great run, too. I knew going in that all-volunteer NGOs have a dismal survival rate, typically not making it beyond two, three, or maybe four years. It requires an enormous amount of organization, work, and dedication to insure the mission has meaningful and strategic impact. I’m very proud of the fact that we topped a decade with ETOW. No doubt, we were able to accomplish so much because of our amazing supporters and volunteers, many of whom are here as a part of the SWLing Post<\/em> community. Thank you!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

But…if ETOW was successful, why<\/em> did we close shop? <\/strong><\/p>\n

As I mentioned in our annual letter to donors<\/a>, I have always believed that charity begins at home.<\/em> And at this point in my life, I must acknowledge more pressing needs in my home and extended family, some members of whom are more in need of my care than ever before.<\/p>\n

However, there’s a happy ending.\u00a0<\/strong> Closing ETOW as a formal<\/em> non-profit does not<\/em> signal the end of our humanitarian work.<\/strong> Ironically, without all of the administrative overhead of running a formal organization, I have the freedom to continue doing the work we’ve been doing, and even possibly even do more<\/em> of it.\u00a0<\/em> In fact, at this very moment, I’m working on three different projects through partners in Haiti and South Sudan.<\/p>\n

Basically, in closing ETOW, I’ve simply changed “hats:”\u00a0 instead of being a volunteer non-profit director<\/em>, I am now essentially a volunteer non-profit tech consultant.<\/em> And, really, that’s okay with me.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Another silver lining is that I may now also have more dedicated time for the Radio Spectrum Archive<\/a>\u2013\u2013yet another project near and dear to my heart.<\/p>\n

Resolutions and plans for 2020<\/h2>\n

If I can, I would like to play more radio this year\u2013\u2013and of course, spend quality time with my wonderful family.<\/p>\n

I’m truly passionate about field-portable radio, so, as I travel to visit and assist family, I plan to activate more state and national parks via the Parks On The Air (POTA<\/a>) program.\u00a0 I’d also like to make a few Summits On The Air (SOTA)<\/a> activations, if time allows.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Now that I have a capable portable SDR system<\/a>, I also plan to capture radio spectrum recordings as I travel back and forth.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

In a national forest with my portable SDR system, my hammock, and dog, Hazel, on the alert for black bears (and squirrels). Does life get any better?<\/p><\/div>\n

2020 will also be the year that I re-invest in my antennas.<\/p>\n

If time permits, I’d like to re-build my sky loop antenna, install a LOG (loop on ground), and (hopefully!) install a hex beam. I may not be able to hit all of these, but I’m going to try.<\/p>\n

Schedule<\/h2>\n

I do have a few conventions and events on the calendar this year:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The DoubleTree hotel where the Winter SWL Fest is held.<\/p><\/div>\n

February 27-29<\/strong>, I’m planning on attending and presenting at the 2020 Winter SWL Fest<\/a> in Plymouth Meeting, PA.<\/p>\n

April 3-4,<\/strong> I’ve been invited to speak at the Ozarkcon QRP Conference<\/a> in Branson, Missouri. I’ve wanted to attend this conference for years<\/em>, so I’m really looking forward to making the pilgrimage!<\/p>\n

May 15-17<\/strong>, I’ll again try to attend the 2020 Hamvention<\/a> in Xenia, Ohio. This is always a highlight of my year as it gives me a chance to meet with so many radio friends. I hope to also attend the full Four Days In May QRP conference<\/a> which is held in conjunction with Hamvention.<\/p>\n

September 25-26<\/strong>, I plan to attend and help at the W4DXCC<\/a> conference.<\/p>\n

I’ve also been invited to speak at a number of regional ham radio clubs\u2013\u2013I love doing this because it always gives me an excuse to engage in a little shortwave radio “evangelism.”<\/p>\n

Of course, I realize that family concerns can always change my plans. But having fun things to look forward to gives me positive energy and direction…Radio is my happy place.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Thank you so much!<\/h2>\n

If you’ve been reading the SWLing Post<\/em> for a while, you’ll know that my posts don’t typically get this personal. A lot happened this past year, though, and I wanted to share this with my radio family and friends.<\/p>\n

Thanks, especially, for understanding when it’s taken days or even weeks for me to reply to email.<\/p>\n

Thank you for your support of the SWLing Post<\/em> through the Coffee Fund and Patreon<\/a>!\u00a0 Thanks, too, for your comments, tips, guest posts, and active interest in the SWLing Post.\u00a0<\/em> And, no worries: I definitely plan to continue hosting this website, as I can work on it in and around whatever else may be required of me. The SWLing Post<\/em> is a true labor of love.<\/p>\n

I truly appreciate your support!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

What are your resolutions?<\/h2>\n

I’m looking forward to 2020, and I hope you are too.<\/p>\n

What are your resolutions, goals and objectives this year? Inquiring minds want to know! Please comment and share!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Do you enjoy the SWLing Post?<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

Please consider supporting us via\u00a0Patreon<\/span><\/a>\u00a0or our\u00a0Coffee<\/span>\u00a0Fund<\/span><\/a>! <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Your support makes articles like this one possible. Thank you!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Yes, I’ll admit it:\u00a0 I’m\u00a0 happy to say “Goodbye” to 2019 and “Hello!” to 2020. While a lot of wonderful things happened last year, one event in particular will always be present in my mind when I recall 2019. The End of an Era: Remembering ETOW Most importantly, however, last year will be remembered as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3],"tags":[178,8231,755],"class_list":["post-41395","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-ears-to-our-world","tag-ears-to-our-world-closing","tag-swling-post"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-aLF","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1327,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2011\/07\/etow-featured-on-pris-the-world-technology-podcast\/","url_meta":{"origin":41395,"position":0},"title":"ETOW featured on PRI’s The World Technology Podcast","author":"Thomas","date":"July 16, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Shortwave radio charity, ETOW (Ears To Our World) has been featured in this week's PRI's The World Technology Podcast. If you've never heard of ETOW, check out our previous posts or simply visit ETOW's website. Self-powered shortwave radios are an integral part of their mission to provide \"appropriate\" technologies to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Interviews"","block_context":{"text":"Interviews","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/interviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/etowlogo.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5218,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2012\/12\/ears-to-our-world-giving-the-gift-of-radio\/","url_meta":{"origin":41395,"position":1},"title":"Ears To Our World: Giving the gift of radio","author":"Thomas","date":"December 23, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"This holiday season, you might consider giving a charitable donation to Ears To Our World.\u00a0A one time donation of $40 US can help a community through the power of shortwave radio. Many readers may know that\u00a0I'm quite involved with ETOW. We recently published this article showing the impact of one\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Doulek's Association of Disabled People, Cameroon (Photo: ETOW)","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Cameroon5-300x225.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":18820,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/05\/stop-by-our-new-booth-sa0359-at-the-dayton-hamvention-next-week\/","url_meta":{"origin":41395,"position":2},"title":"Stop by our new booth SA0359 at the Dayton Hamvention next week!","author":"Thomas","date":"May 13, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"For the sixth year in a row at the Dayton Hamvention, fellow volunteers and I will be representing the charity Ears To Our World (ETOW). 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Note: New Booth Location We've been moved to a new table this\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Hamvention-2016","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Hamvention-2016.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Hamvention-2016.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Hamvention-2016.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Hamvention-2016.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1632,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2011\/08\/how-to-celebrate-national-radio-day\/","url_meta":{"origin":41395,"position":3},"title":"How to celebrate National Radio Day","author":"Thomas","date":"August 20, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"August 20th is National Radio Day, a day for celebrating the invention of radio and this amazing 110+ year old communications medium, still so vital to information access throughout our world. Those of you who still believe in the relevance of radio, please consider giving the gift of radio by\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Current Events"","block_context":{"text":"Current Events","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/current-events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/earstoourworld.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Haiti_HHF1.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2749,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2012\/02\/today-is-world-radio-day-support-a-cause-via-shortwave-radio\/","url_meta":{"origin":41395,"position":4},"title":"Today is World Radio Day: Support a Cause via Shortwave Radio","author":"Thomas","date":"February 13, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Shortwave Radio Listeners may occasionally feel that their hobby is a passive one--one of simply listening. I'm here to tell you that it is not. SWLers are among the more enlightened of media hobbyists, and here's why: 1) they tend to be intensely curious about the world, 2) they tend\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Current Events"","block_context":{"text":"Current Events","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/current-events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/DSCN2988wtmk.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/DSCN2988wtmk.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/DSCN2988wtmk.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10435,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2014\/08\/the-etow-humanalight-now-at-universal-radio\/","url_meta":{"origin":41395,"position":5},"title":"The ETOW HumanaLight now at Universal Radio","author":"Thomas","date":"August 3, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"If you've been an SWLing Post reader for long, you probably know that I'm the founder and director of Ears To Our World (ETOW), a charity\u00a0built on the belief\u00a0that\u00a0access to information is access to education.\u00a0And that access is achieved, of course, via radio: \u00a0self-powered radios distributed to schools and communities\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"HumanaLight-Front","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/HumanaLight-Front.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/HumanaLight-Front.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/HumanaLight-Front.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/HumanaLight-Front.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41395","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41395"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41395\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41395"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41395"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41395"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}