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If you can afford to, please consider a donation
First off, I want to thank everyone for their support and kind words when talking to me about my websites/repeaters/weather station (either in person, via email, or via the guestbook posts). It makes me very happy that so many people use the equipment, tools, and data provided.
Hard to believe it all started in 1994 with an old 286 computer, a couple of packet radios, and a LaCrosse weather station. Boy have things gotten out of control! Maintaining all the equipment and websites is a hobby that I still enjoy very much.
As more and more people utilize the data, tools, solar banners (for your websites and desktop's), repeaters, echolink, etc, the costs have increased to the point where I cannot continue to maintain alone.
- For the websites, the bandwidth and processing on my ISP server has increased to the point where I have had to upgrade twice.
To date I have been able to cover all server costs myself, but traffic will only increase as Solar Cycle 24 moves towards maximum (it has been a long minimum). So for those of you that have the solar banners on your webpage or desktop (biggest users of bandwidth and processing), please consider a donation of any amount to offset the costs, and keep the banners available.
- For the repeaters, autopatch, and echolink; the equipment maintenance and repair costs, and even air conditioning and power costs have increased dramatically.
- For the weather station, the maintenance (hardware and software), internet, and computer costs have also increased.
Keeping the equipment and services free for all to use is still my primary goal. I had some choices in realizing that goal, advertising, dues, donations, etc.
I opted to add a donation box through PayPal for anybody volunteering to donate money to help offset the increased costs. If you do not like online transactions, you can also send a donation the old fashioned way, my address is in the callbook.
I will continue to donate much of my free time and money in keeping all the equipment maintained, and pages up to date with new information and your ideas.
Any size donation would be appreciated, and all money donated will go towards keeping the equipment and information free for all to use. You can also specify where you want the money to go (websites, repeaters, or weather). I will make sure it is spent as you wish.
All donations are voluntary, so if you choose not to make a donation, you can still use all the equipment and information available just as before. But if you can afford it, please make a donation.
Very respectfully,
Paul L Herrman (N0NBH)
http://www.n0nbh.com (HAM website)
http://www.hamqsl.com (Ham Toplist website)
http://www.hamqsl.com/solar.html (Solar/HF Propagation website)
http://www.svazwx.com (Weather website)
http://www.lightningring.com (Weather Toplist website)
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