HOP has a HOT Day.
W8nuts (the squirrel) reports on this weeks exploits of HOP.
"It was a very active week with several failures due to unexplained circumstances and a opportunity lost for the hapless HOP"
"I noticed HOP running back and forth multiple times between his shack and the service panel in his house"
" It seems he was trying to figure out why he kept letting the smoke out of several power supplies"
"At one point he stopped mid-point between his shack and house and yelled 'I'd give anything to fix just one of these supplies!''
At that very moment the Devil popped out of HOP's shed, wearing a stunning red velour outfit. Just for the occasion he traded his trademark horns for two small 1/4 wave 2M antennas. Holding a burned copy of QST, he looked a bit upset.
Oddly, HOP didn't seem to think this was strange.
The Devil, "HOP, I've been watching you for some time and figured it was about time to help you out. I am willing to make a deal for your soul in exchange for one successful radio project"
HOP, at the end of his rope, agreed.
"Pick one power supply and continue your work"
HOP picked a supply that still had some output and started changing out parts and waiting for the agreed results.
Sadly, every change yielded smaller and smaller output levels. 7 volts, 5 volts, 3 volts and finally something barely readable. Caps, resistors, you name it, nothing seemed to help.
HOP keeps winking at the Devil waiting for the moment when it all comes together. The Devil on the other hand is looking more and more nervous.
HOP, realizes that he needs the Devils help and asks him to hold on to a contact while he solders yet another joint.
Of course, the Devil receives an incredible electrical burn and starts shouting profanities at the top of his voice.
Not realizing what he did, the Devil inadvertently transmits his tirade over the 2m band via his vanity antenna horns.
In an instant, a representative of the FCC pops out of HOP's shack and takes the Devil away fining him and taking his license away for eternity.
In the meantime, HOP finally gets the power supply to light one LED.