[Southside_Chicago_Republican]

LOL! I can do that here too during migration seasons, but the rest of the year it’s slim pickings.

But I was thinking of turning a dial knob late at night hoping for a rare signal as being like walking a woods or field hoping for that rare bird. For me, there is something satisfying in the effort involved. If I hear that rare signal or see that rare bird, I have earned it.

[Ezekiel]

I liked your description. When I was a kid we had an ancient shortwave radio. I would do as you described. It was exciting to reel in a swishy overseas broadcast, and even better if I had to make an effort to identify the language.

If I hear that rare signal or see that rare bird, I have earned it.

Back when the first info was put out about the Mars 2020 mission, there was this:

Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Landing Press Kit

There's a diagram and description about how Perseverance would need to station at a lookout spot to watch the first flight, including this explanation of the terminology:

Twitcher’s point (star): Perseverance’s parking spot during the Ingenuity flight tests. “Twitcher” is a British (and now Martian) term for those who travel long distances to see a rare bird. Located about 330 feet (100 meters) from the edge of the flight zone, the site should be relatively level. Twitcher’s Point also must allow direct line-of-site between the rover and the helicopter during all portions of potential flight tests for optimal radio communications and imaging.

I've always remembered that, so with every flight, I get to travel to Mars to see a rare bird. (And I still don't have to leave the house!)