{"id":61515,"date":"2025-01-01T09:17:27","date_gmt":"2025-01-01T13:17:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=61515"},"modified":"2025-01-01T09:17:27","modified_gmt":"2025-01-01T13:17:27","slug":"looking-back-at-2024-and-ahead-to-2025-a-fresh-start-with-correspondence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2025\/01\/looking-back-at-2024-and-ahead-to-2025-a-fresh-start-with-correspondence\/","title":{"rendered":"Looking Back at 2024 and Ahead to 2025: A Fresh Start with Correspondence"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Good Morning!<\/p>\n

It\u2019s January 1st, 2025, and I\u2019d like to wish you all a very Happy New Year!<\/strong><\/p>\n

As I mentioned on Patreon<\/a> yesterday, in many ways, I\u2019m happy to see 2024 in the rear-view mirror.<\/p>\n

It was a challenging year for our family, but even amidst the difficulties, there were countless moments of joy and celebration.<\/p>\n

Our biggest takeaway from 2024 was experiencing the overwhelming love, kindness, and support from our community after my mother\u2019s passing, my father and father-in-law\u2019s (multiple) hospitalizations, and, most notably, the aftermath of Hurricane Helene<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This incredible community pulled us through, and for that, we are deeply grateful. Thank you!<\/p>\n

Looking Ahead to 2025<\/h1>\n

As we enter the new year, I\u2019m committed to maintaining a positive outlook. One of my key goals is to continue pouring energy into the SWLing Post<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Over the years, the SWLing Post<\/em> has grown into a vibrant and diverse community of radio enthusiasts, and it\u2019s a privilege to curate so many incredible guest contributions. I\u2019m constantly inspired by your passion for the world of radio.<\/p>\n

On the home front, we hope to fit in some travel this summer and work on the long list of storm repairs.<\/p>\n

A Fresh Start with Correspondence<\/h1>\n

\"\"<\/a>If you know me, you know how much I value the time and effort people put into reaching out. I take great pride in responding to every email I receive.<\/p>\n

That said, even in the best of times, keeping up with correspondence is a challenge. I typically receive 12\u201324 personal messages daily\u2014sometimes more\u2014and that\u2019s in addition to emails from our family business, organizations, and other responsibilities. It all adds up.<\/p>\n

After Hurricane Helene, I was deeply moved by the flood of supportive messages from SWLing Post readers. While I\u2019ve read every one, replying has been a challenge. Between storm recovery, family commitments, and running the site, my ability to keep up with correspondence virtually disappeared.<\/p>\n

Recent hand soreness from storm cleanup has made extended typing difficult, and my overly aggressive SPAM filter has likely deleted over 30% of messages from new senders. Despite my best efforts, my backlog now exceeds 350 individual emails, and I know some messages have been permanently lost.<\/p>\n

Moving Forward<\/h1>\n

After much thought and advice from a friend, I\u2019ve decided to implement a correspondence moratorium for 2025.<\/p>\n

This means I\u2019ll archive my current 2024 email backlog and start fresh.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve sent me a guest post, news tip, or story for the SWLing Post and haven\u2019t heard back, please re-send it\u2014I\u2019ll prioritize those contributions and get them in the pipeline. (Those of you who have sent me articles this past week, I’ve got them in the pipeline.)<\/p>\n

For those who sent notes of encouragement: please know I\u2019ve read and appreciated every word<\/strong><\/em>, even if I couldn\u2019t reply.<\/p>\n

Thank you for your understanding and patience.<\/p>\n

Looking to the Future<\/h1>\n

\"\"<\/a>While storm restoration projects will continue into the summer, I\u2019m optimistic about finding more balance this year. As my daughters start their university journeys this fall, my family and I are deeply grateful for the support and kindness you\u2019ve shown us.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s wishing you and yours a 2025 filled with joy, peace, and, of course, great DX!<\/p>\n

Warmest regards,
\nThomas (K4SWL)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Good Morning! It\u2019s January 1st, 2025, and I\u2019d like to wish you all a very Happy New Year! As I mentioned on Patreon yesterday, in many ways, I\u2019m happy to see 2024 in the rear-view mirror. It was a challenging year for our family, but even amidst the difficulties, there were countless moments of joy […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","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":[755,317],"class_list":["post-61515","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-swling-post","tag-thomas-witherspoon"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-g0b","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":60690,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2024\/09\/frank-shares-updates-about-the-swl-contest-2024-and-2025\/","url_meta":{"origin":61515,"position":0},"title":"Frank shares updates about the SWL Contest 2024 and 2025","author":"Thomas","date":"September 16, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Frank SWL (F14368), who writes: I've written three articles about the next contest project in January 2025, a list of our sponsors for 2024, and a list of listeners who worked this contest 2024. Check them out here: https:\/\/icomjapan.blogspot.com\/ Frank also shared the following\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Contests"","block_context":{"text":"Contests","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/contests\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/SWL-Contest-2025-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/SWL-Contest-2025-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/SWL-Contest-2025-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":61509,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2024\/12\/carlos-illustrated-radio-listening-report-and-recording-of-kbs-world-radio-december-30-2024\/","url_meta":{"origin":61515,"position":1},"title":"Carlos\u2019 Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of KBS World Radio (December 30, 2024)","author":"Thomas","date":"December 31, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0contributor and noted political cartoonist,\u00a0Carlos Latuff, who shares\u00a0illustrated radio listening report of a recent KBS World Radio broadcast. Carlos notes: Hey Thomas my friend, wish you, your family and the SWLing Post community a happy 2025. Full news bulletin of KBS World Radio (in Spanish), with focus\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Art"","block_context":{"text":"Art","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/art-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Latuff-KBS-World-Radio-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Latuff-KBS-World-Radio-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Latuff-KBS-World-Radio-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Latuff-KBS-World-Radio-1.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Latuff-KBS-World-Radio-1.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Latuff-KBS-World-Radio-1.jpeg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":64581,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2025\/11\/texas-radio-shortwave-schedule-for-december-2024-january-2025\/","url_meta":{"origin":61515,"position":2},"title":"Texas Radio Shortwave: Schedule for December 2024 \u2013 January 2025","author":"Thomas","date":"November 13, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0contributor Terry (N5RTC), who shares the following schedules for Texas Radio Shortwave (click image to enlarge):","rel":"","context":"In "Music"","block_context":{"text":"Music","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/music\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TRSW-2025-2026-B-25-Program-Schedule-DecJan.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TRSW-2025-2026-B-25-Program-Schedule-DecJan.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TRSW-2025-2026-B-25-Program-Schedule-DecJan.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TRSW-2025-2026-B-25-Program-Schedule-DecJan.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":60957,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2024\/10\/frank-provides-swl-contest-2025-updated-rules\/","url_meta":{"origin":61515,"position":3},"title":"Frank provides SWL Contest 2025 Updated Rules","author":"Thomas","date":"October 25, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Frank SWL F14368, who notes that he has updated the rules for the SWL Contest 2025 and has posted information on his website: https:\/\/webkiwisdrswl.blogspot.com\/2024\/09\/swl-contest-2025-rules.html Thank you for the update, Frank!","rel":"","context":"In "Contests"","block_context":{"text":"Contests","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/contests\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/JRC-NRD-630-Dial-Frequency.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/JRC-NRD-630-Dial-Frequency.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/JRC-NRD-630-Dial-Frequency.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/JRC-NRD-630-Dial-Frequency.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/JRC-NRD-630-Dial-Frequency.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":61101,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2024\/11\/frank-reminds-us-about-the-upcoming-2025-swl-contest\/","url_meta":{"origin":61515,"position":4},"title":"Frank reminds us about the upcoming 2025 SWL Contest","author":"Thomas","date":"November 13, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Jamet, who shares the following announcement: This message to announce a contest launched by radio listener F-14368 (Frank Parisot) Information in French: http:\/\/radioclub.perche.free.fr\/ Contest rules in English: https:\/\/webkiwisdrswl.blogspot.com\/2024\/09\/swl-contest-2025-rules.html Thanks for sharing this announcement, Paul!","rel":"","context":"In "Contests"","block_context":{"text":"Contests","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/contests\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/JRC-NRD-545-Dial-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/JRC-NRD-545-Dial-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/JRC-NRD-545-Dial-2.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/JRC-NRD-545-Dial-2.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/JRC-NRD-545-Dial-2.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":61466,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2024\/12\/kmts-calling-kmts-calling\/","url_meta":{"origin":61515,"position":5},"title":"KMTS Calling, KMTS Calling","author":"Fastradioburst23","date":"December 25, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Hi to all SWLing Post community! FastRadioBurst 23 here letting you know what the Imaginary Stations crew have up their sleeves for this festive weekend. We'd like to send holiday greetings to our listeners old and new. Thank you for your support, we couldn't do it without you. On Saturday\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Guest Posts"","block_context":{"text":"Guest Posts","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/guest-posts\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/KMTS-end-of-year-show-2024-flyer.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/KMTS-end-of-year-show-2024-flyer.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/KMTS-end-of-year-show-2024-flyer.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/KMTS-end-of-year-show-2024-flyer.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61515","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=61515"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61515\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":61519,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61515\/revisions\/61519"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61515"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61515"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61515"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}