Where the heck did it go!!
Now that I'm getting up there in age......well heck I was always like this and it really has nothing to do with age! Have you ever put something somewhere so you would not forget where it was.....to only look for it one day saying to yourself " I know I put it somewhere I would not forget but I forgot! Many time with Ham radio I have had items that were used very seldom and when needed it I just get very frustrated looking EVERYWHERE and just not being able to find it. Oh and I do want to mention that when I do find what ever it is I don't need it anymore. I have found myself looking for certain soldering tips for my Weller soldering station, a nice long DVI cable, wall warts and the list goes on. Most times it has ended in frustration not being able to locate something I know I have and at the time very much needed.
Once I eventually find what I was looking for here is what I do......When originally looking I take note of the first place I went and tried to locate it. This place at the time seemed the most logical place for me to have put it, once I find the item it is returned to this first place I looked . I also with my iPhone take a picture of it in the place I placed it. This may sound silly but for me it really has worked. Many times when I went to look for this item once again I actually looked in this first place that logically comes to mind and there it was. If the spot I was wanting to place it did not seem to be the right fit, for example a Weller soldering tip in a spot were it could easily fall and get lost I put a 3x5 card there with it's location. With ham radio (for me anyway) I have found myself turning the shack upside down for an item I know I have but can't locate and the above ideas help me out a great deal. Are there any ideas my fellow ham's that you can add?
Mike Weir, VE9KK, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from New Brunswick, Canada. Contact him at [email protected].Once I eventually find what I was looking for here is what I do......When originally looking I take note of the first place I went and tried to locate it. This place at the time seemed the most logical place for me to have put it, once I find the item it is returned to this first place I looked . I also with my iPhone take a picture of it in the place I placed it. This may sound silly but for me it really has worked. Many times when I went to look for this item once again I actually looked in this first place that logically comes to mind and there it was. If the spot I was wanting to place it did not seem to be the right fit, for example a Weller soldering tip in a spot were it could easily fall and get lost I put a 3x5 card there with it's location. With ham radio (for me anyway) I have found myself turning the shack upside down for an item I know I have but can't locate and the above ideas help me out a great deal. Are there any ideas my fellow ham's that you can add?
Your idea of taking pictures is one I hadn’t thought of before. I try to put things with like items. It does help, because I at least have a starting place.
Be assured you are not alone in this situation.
Good evening David and nice to hear from you, yes taking pictures of things in the new place has really helped me and I am not sure where I picked that up. It’s good to hear that I’m not alone in this regard.
73,
Mike
VE3WDM
Oh, you’re definitely not alone!
I’ve often lost a widget, or whatever, that I have put somewhere safe in the shack.
I’ve found that buying a new widget pretty much guarantees that the original one will turn up the following day.
Exactly where you left it.
Good afternoon Mark and thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment, I had a smile on my face as I read your comment regarding “putting something somewhere safe” I have done that to only as you said find it when it is no longer needed. Once what ever it is I find I for sure place it back in the spot where I first looked for it.
73 and have a good weekend
Mike
VE3WDM
And in the extended search it always seems to be in the LAST place you look more often than the FIRST.
…Because you stop looking when you find it — duh!
Good morning Lee and how very true!
73,
Mike
VE3WDM