Why do I get my ham radio out on my holidays?

Question

I have my own, one man IT company. I always seem to have the compulsion to get my ham radio out and do tech projects on my holidays. Has anyone figured out where this type of compulsion comes from? I know it's not a good use of downtime but this probably won't stop me.

Pick-A-Hill2019 · Accepted Answer

Re ham radios on vacation - The Geek in me says it's because any new (to you/me) areas have different propagation properties. That and the 'fun' of trying to run portable equipment by tweaking it is like moths to a candle.
As for the underlying question of 'why when I am on holiday do I find it easier/more comfortable reaching out to others in the 'techno-sphere' versus interacting with fellow vacationers? I wouldn't presume to answer for you but for me it would be -
A) An innate shyness B) Trouble de-coupling brain after 50 weeks on the corporate treadmill C) A realization that I had little in common with fellow vacationers (you tend to see very few geeks slapping on the factor 50 and hanging out round the pool)
In short – I don’t know but you aren’t the only one (grin)

PaulHoule · Answer

I have to fight that urge myself, if for the reason that every ham radio event is a sausage party.

ThrowawayR2 · Answer

Are you having fun when you do? That's the only thing that matters.

pestatije · Answer

Because it's the only time you can?