We had a great time!
Several of the people had previous firearms experience, with rifles and shotguns, but had never fired a handgun before.
Several had some very limited handgun experience, and were there to learn more, and improve their understnding.
One family was there, and they brought their 14 year old son because "It was time for him to learn about gun safety".
And we advised by the lead instructor before the students arrived that one person was an anti!
The class ran as it usually does, with intelligent questions being asked, and all of the students understood eye dominance, and all quickly learned the correct stances and grips, and above all, The Four Rules.
Everybody understood sight picture, trigger control, safe gun handling, and all the other things that get taught in the NRA "First Steps" class.
Then it was time to go out to the range, and put the pedal to the metal.
The range time consists of 20 shots at 7 yards, at an 8" x 10" piece of blank paper so the students can get used to handling, loading, and firing the pistols. This gives us a chance to check and correct any improper things they might be doing.
Next is 20 rounds on a "standard" slow fire/rapid fire target, again at 7 yards, and this gives us a chance to help them improve or correct things like an improper sight picture, jerking or slapping the trigger, and to keep checking their stance again.
One thing I've noticed is that while they may do as instructed in the classroom with a rubber gun, for some reason they change when they get out on the range. The most common fault I've seen is that people start to lean back, almost as if they want to hold the gun further away.
This does bad things to your balance, sight picture, and trigger control, so we do our best to correct them on their first shots at the blank paper.
It's up to the student to decide if they like the Isosceles or Weaver stance, and whether they want to keep their elbow "locked" or slightly bent. We also stress keeping the knees slightly bent, as if they go further in their training (most do), it's important to keep a bit "loose" so you can learn shooting on the move, a vital skill in self-defense.
The last target is 10 rounds on the same size target, and we score them on this one.
The big surprise of the class was the young lady (the "anti") we were advised about.
She was pretty quiet during class, asking few questions, but really came to life on the range. As luck would have it, she was in "my" group (We had 10 students an 4 instructors) on the range, and turned out to be an excellent student. She listened carefully, took direction very well, and had a good attitude.
At one point she turned slightly (and safely, keeping the pistol pointed downrange) to me and said "This is FUN! I don't see what the big deal is about guns!".
So I don't know if we "turned" an anti-gun person, or just helped her to subtly make up her own mind.
The two guys who had rifle experience wound up going into a 3 round "shoot off" to determine the overall "winner", and over half the class scored in the 90's on their last target.
So we had another safe class, and brought 9 adults and one 14 year old boy through it with flying colors.
After class one of the other instructors and I spent some time getting our own bad habits worked out, and I put about 100 rounds of 45 ACP downrange.
Always good to go to the range!
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Sunday NRA "First Steps" Class
And I'll be helping another instructor.
Been quite a while (TOO long!) since I've helped with a class, so I hope I remember everything.
I'll give an post-class report later on Sunday and let you know how things went.....
Been quite a while (TOO long!) since I've helped with a class, so I hope I remember everything.
I'll give an post-class report later on Sunday and let you know how things went.....
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Another "Senior Moment"....
Aw, rats....
I was driving home from the store tonight with a *killer* idea for a post, and.....POOF!....out of my head it went.
And I don't even remember what subject I was going to post about.....
I'm just going to have to start carrying my little voice recorder so I can capture these moments when I have these truly brilliant flashes of inspiration to inform and entertain you with.
In the meantime, as a lot of people have been saying lately.....I got nothin.....
I was driving home from the store tonight with a *killer* idea for a post, and.....POOF!....out of my head it went.
And I don't even remember what subject I was going to post about.....
I'm just going to have to start carrying my little voice recorder so I can capture these moments when I have these truly brilliant flashes of inspiration to inform and entertain you with.
In the meantime, as a lot of people have been saying lately.....I got nothin.....
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Prayers For Our Friends and Relatives In Colorado
My wife talked to her son's girlfriend yesterday, and the flooding around the Fort Collins area was pretty severe.
They were stuck "On the mountain" for 2-1/2 days until the water went down far enough that temporary road repairs could be made.
Fortunately they prepare for things like this, and getting snowed in, so they have plenty of food, water, and fuel. She told me once they could go a month without any problems, and if they knew it would be longer, they'd "Bust Out Our Prepper Supplies!", so we know they can take care of things.
Still, when I saw these pictures of the flooding, my heart went out to all their neighbors who weren't so fortunate to live well above where the flood waters rise.
Full article with pix is here.
They were stuck "On the mountain" for 2-1/2 days until the water went down far enough that temporary road repairs could be made.
Fortunately they prepare for things like this, and getting snowed in, so they have plenty of food, water, and fuel. She told me once they could go a month without any problems, and if they knew it would be longer, they'd "Bust Out Our Prepper Supplies!", so we know they can take care of things.
Still, when I saw these pictures of the flooding, my heart went out to all their neighbors who weren't so fortunate to live well above where the flood waters rise.
Full article with pix is here.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Wayne Green, W2NSD, SK
The Amateur Radio term "SK" means "Silent Key", and is sent as a "Prosign" at the end of CW (Morse Code) transmissions when the station is going off-the-air.
It's also used to describe a Ham who has passed away.....their key is now silent forever.
Well, I just heard that Wayne Green, W2NSD (Never Say Die), noted publisher of "73" magazine, among many other things, has passed away a few days ago at age 91.
Wayne has a rather short Wikipedia entry, considering all he did, so courtesy of the AMSAT News Service, here's a listing of some of his accomplishments:
* started one of the first personal computer software companies
(Instant Software).
* opened computer software stores - eventually sold a national chain
of 58 stores.
* while in college started a broadcasting station (WRPI) which is now
the largest student activity.
* served on the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Board of Overseers
and RPI Council.
* served as the First Executive in Residence at RPI.
* served as a consultant for the RPI Business Incubator - which won
the 1996 prize as the best in the country.
* been a licensed amateur radio operator as W2NSD since 1940.
* pioneered amateur radio repeaters since 1969, starting with WRLAAB
on Mt. Monadnock NH.
* established amater radio in Jordan in 1970 and wrote their rules and
regulations.
* supplied and installed the first repeater in Jordan, J-Y73, in 1973.
* helped radio amateurs pioneer FM, radio Teletype, single sideband,
and slow scan TV.
* bounced amateur radio signals off the Moon from the big dish at the
Arecibo Observatory, PR.
* been editing and publishing amateur radio magazines for 47 years.
* a state-of-the-art digital recording studio.
* four record labels and produced over 150 CDs.
* helped re-popularize ragtime music and personally knows all of the
top ragtime performers.
* started 25 successful publications in the radio, computer and music
fields.
* published over 100 books.
* wrote one of the first books on digital communications.
* been on an African hunting safari.
* visited the ruins of Ba'albek in Lebanon, the Queen of Sheba's water
catchments in Aden.
* visited the Pyramids, the Sphynx. the ruins in Athens, the Taj Mahal
and Katmandu.
* visited the head-hunter longhouses in Sarawak.
* helped organize and lead trade groups of around 250 people to yearly
electronic shows in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
* given keynote addresses to radio, educational, computer, and music
conferences.
* helped invent a new kind of loud speaker - borrowed $1,000 on my car
to start a manufacturing company and within two and a half years it
became the largest speaker manufacturer in the country with seven
factories.
* performed in The Mikado and Pirates of Penzance in high school
* served as president of radio clubs in high school and college.
* served in Navy 1942-1946 in WWII - electronic technician on USS Drum
SS-228 (which is on display at Mobile, Alabama) for five war patrols.
* been a radio engineer and announcer in North Carolina, Florida and
Virginia.
* been chief cameraman at WPIX-TV (11) in NYC.
* produced and directed network TV shows in Dallas and Cleveland.
* a reputation as a gourmet cook.
* served as president of Porsche Club of America.
* raced my Porsche on the Nurburgring and Solitude race tracks in
Germany.
* both driven and navigated in many national SCCA car rallies.
* served as a founder and first secretary of American Mensa.
* a Ph.D. in Entrepreneurial Science.
* lectured on entrepreneurialism at Yale, Boston University, Case
Western, Babson College, RPL and many other colleges.
* been on the first commercial airline flight between Philadelphia and
New York in 1927.
* flown with father since 1922.
* served on the FCC's National Industry Advisory Committee (NIAC).
* served on the FCC's Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC).
* testified before a Congressional hearing on the music industry.
* had the usual toys: airplane, Porsche, yacht, Jaguar, Mercedes 600
Pullman limosine.
* worked on a Guggenheim grant on a color organ for the Guggenheim
Museum on 5th Avenue.
* graduated Bliss Electrical SchooL Tacoma Padc MD.
* attended Radio Materiel School on Treasure Island, San Francisco and
graduated as ETM2/c.
* served for five war patrols on SS-228 USS Dnun, made ETMI/c.
* taught electronics at Submarine School, New London CT.
* organized and run successful mail order Elm Stamp Company at age 12.
* sung in St. Pauls Church choir as boy soprano.
* sung in Philharmonic Choir of Brooklyn.
* sung in Erasmus High School Choral Club.
* pioneered the 6-meter ham band as the first New York City station on
that band.
* run a 6-meter beacon station for several years in cooperation with
the Radio Amateur Scientific Observations (RASO) program.
* for years had a VHF/UHF station on Mt. Monadnock NH; regularly heard
for over 600 miles.
* been Excutive Secretary of the Music Research Foundation, Madison
Avenue, N.Y.
* worked for GE as a test engineer on Army radio equipment.
* been an engineer at Airborne Instrument Laboratories in Mineola NY
developing radar equip.
* tried marijuana in 1948 to see what it was like.
* tried LSD in 1960 to see what that was like.
* drunk with shipmates on liberty while in the Navy. Have seldom drunk
since.
* tried smoking as a teenager, thought it was stupid. Ignored peer
pressure.
* know the real dope on Amelia Earhart's last trip.
* been convinced that NASA had to have faked all of the moon landings.
* driven from Brooklyn NY to Peterborough NH (250 miles), averaging
100 mph one night - including a gas stop.
* interesting friends such as Barry Goldwater, King Hussein, Steve
Jobs, Bill Gates, and Rod McKuen.
* been convinced that with proper nutrition and avoiding poisons we
can dependably live to over 100.
* ridden Starlit Night, the Ringling Brothers top show horse.
* a professorship of horsemanship and taught riding instructors.
* a Hubbard Dianetic Auditor certificate and has processed over 100
patients, with some remarkable successes.
* swum the three mile length of Coney Island many times.
* investigated crop circles and a UFO hovering over a house in nearby
Francestown, NH.
* drove a snowmobile 50 mph in the White Mountains of New Hampshire at
age 82.
Some of his beliefs were decidedly NON mainstream, and there were times I thought he'd gone completely off his rocker, especially in his later years.
Still, I admired his tenacity, even though I didn't agree with 90% of his writings.
So farewell, Wayne, and may your final journey be enjoyable.
I'm sure he'll be arguing with St. Peter until they let him in.....
******UPDATE******
From the ARRL Bulletin, as posted on the eHam website, with various comments from the Amateur Radio community.
It's also used to describe a Ham who has passed away.....their key is now silent forever.
Well, I just heard that Wayne Green, W2NSD (Never Say Die), noted publisher of "73" magazine, among many other things, has passed away a few days ago at age 91.
Wayne has a rather short Wikipedia entry, considering all he did, so courtesy of the AMSAT News Service, here's a listing of some of his accomplishments:
* started one of the first personal computer software companies
(Instant Software).
* opened computer software stores - eventually sold a national chain
of 58 stores.
* while in college started a broadcasting station (WRPI) which is now
the largest student activity.
* served on the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Board of Overseers
and RPI Council.
* served as the First Executive in Residence at RPI.
* served as a consultant for the RPI Business Incubator - which won
the 1996 prize as the best in the country.
* been a licensed amateur radio operator as W2NSD since 1940.
* pioneered amateur radio repeaters since 1969, starting with WRLAAB
on Mt. Monadnock NH.
* established amater radio in Jordan in 1970 and wrote their rules and
regulations.
* supplied and installed the first repeater in Jordan, J-Y73, in 1973.
* helped radio amateurs pioneer FM, radio Teletype, single sideband,
and slow scan TV.
* bounced amateur radio signals off the Moon from the big dish at the
Arecibo Observatory, PR.
* been editing and publishing amateur radio magazines for 47 years.
* a state-of-the-art digital recording studio.
* four record labels and produced over 150 CDs.
* helped re-popularize ragtime music and personally knows all of the
top ragtime performers.
* started 25 successful publications in the radio, computer and music
fields.
* published over 100 books.
* wrote one of the first books on digital communications.
* been on an African hunting safari.
* visited the ruins of Ba'albek in Lebanon, the Queen of Sheba's water
catchments in Aden.
* visited the Pyramids, the Sphynx. the ruins in Athens, the Taj Mahal
and Katmandu.
* visited the head-hunter longhouses in Sarawak.
* helped organize and lead trade groups of around 250 people to yearly
electronic shows in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
* given keynote addresses to radio, educational, computer, and music
conferences.
* helped invent a new kind of loud speaker - borrowed $1,000 on my car
to start a manufacturing company and within two and a half years it
became the largest speaker manufacturer in the country with seven
factories.
* performed in The Mikado and Pirates of Penzance in high school
* served as president of radio clubs in high school and college.
* served in Navy 1942-1946 in WWII - electronic technician on USS Drum
SS-228 (which is on display at Mobile, Alabama) for five war patrols.
* been a radio engineer and announcer in North Carolina, Florida and
Virginia.
* been chief cameraman at WPIX-TV (11) in NYC.
* produced and directed network TV shows in Dallas and Cleveland.
* a reputation as a gourmet cook.
* served as president of Porsche Club of America.
* raced my Porsche on the Nurburgring and Solitude race tracks in
Germany.
* both driven and navigated in many national SCCA car rallies.
* served as a founder and first secretary of American Mensa.
* a Ph.D. in Entrepreneurial Science.
* lectured on entrepreneurialism at Yale, Boston University, Case
Western, Babson College, RPL and many other colleges.
* been on the first commercial airline flight between Philadelphia and
New York in 1927.
* flown with father since 1922.
* served on the FCC's National Industry Advisory Committee (NIAC).
* served on the FCC's Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC).
* testified before a Congressional hearing on the music industry.
* had the usual toys: airplane, Porsche, yacht, Jaguar, Mercedes 600
Pullman limosine.
* worked on a Guggenheim grant on a color organ for the Guggenheim
Museum on 5th Avenue.
* graduated Bliss Electrical SchooL Tacoma Padc MD.
* attended Radio Materiel School on Treasure Island, San Francisco and
graduated as ETM2/c.
* served for five war patrols on SS-228 USS Dnun, made ETMI/c.
* taught electronics at Submarine School, New London CT.
* organized and run successful mail order Elm Stamp Company at age 12.
* sung in St. Pauls Church choir as boy soprano.
* sung in Philharmonic Choir of Brooklyn.
* sung in Erasmus High School Choral Club.
* pioneered the 6-meter ham band as the first New York City station on
that band.
* run a 6-meter beacon station for several years in cooperation with
the Radio Amateur Scientific Observations (RASO) program.
* for years had a VHF/UHF station on Mt. Monadnock NH; regularly heard
for over 600 miles.
* been Excutive Secretary of the Music Research Foundation, Madison
Avenue, N.Y.
* worked for GE as a test engineer on Army radio equipment.
* been an engineer at Airborne Instrument Laboratories in Mineola NY
developing radar equip.
* tried marijuana in 1948 to see what it was like.
* tried LSD in 1960 to see what that was like.
* drunk with shipmates on liberty while in the Navy. Have seldom drunk
since.
* tried smoking as a teenager, thought it was stupid. Ignored peer
pressure.
* know the real dope on Amelia Earhart's last trip.
* been convinced that NASA had to have faked all of the moon landings.
* driven from Brooklyn NY to Peterborough NH (250 miles), averaging
100 mph one night - including a gas stop.
* interesting friends such as Barry Goldwater, King Hussein, Steve
Jobs, Bill Gates, and Rod McKuen.
* been convinced that with proper nutrition and avoiding poisons we
can dependably live to over 100.
* ridden Starlit Night, the Ringling Brothers top show horse.
* a professorship of horsemanship and taught riding instructors.
* a Hubbard Dianetic Auditor certificate and has processed over 100
patients, with some remarkable successes.
* swum the three mile length of Coney Island many times.
* investigated crop circles and a UFO hovering over a house in nearby
Francestown, NH.
* drove a snowmobile 50 mph in the White Mountains of New Hampshire at
age 82.
Some of his beliefs were decidedly NON mainstream, and there were times I thought he'd gone completely off his rocker, especially in his later years.
Still, I admired his tenacity, even though I didn't agree with 90% of his writings.
So farewell, Wayne, and may your final journey be enjoyable.
I'm sure he'll be arguing with St. Peter until they let him in.....
******UPDATE******
From the ARRL Bulletin, as posted on the eHam website, with various comments from the Amateur Radio community.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Been Busy, More To Follow
Well, my sweet wife just loves her new little Hyundai. It's red, and she's always wanted a red car. Charcoal interior, with enough air conditioning to make it a meat locker, nice 6 speaker radio/cd player with 100something Watts of power and Sirius/XM.
Rides nice, seems to be pretty peppy, gets astoundingly good mileage (she's averaging THIRTY FOUR MPG in her around town driving), and they gave us a bunch of stuff we didn't pay for (window tint, first aid kit, cargo net, nice floor mats, etc) because it took them a few days longer than they promised to get us the car.
And they delivered it, and spent an hour going over stuff, showing us the features, and explaining things.
I've also been spending a lot of time in the garage cleaning it up and getting it organized. I still haven't gotten to the work bench so I can mount my press and start reloading, but I made a HUGE improvement in how things are organized.
I dug out a bunch of stuff I'm going to sell (Dahlquist DQM-9 monitor speakers, anyone? They're like new, and had the foam surrounds replaced about two years ago), threw a bunch of stuff away, coiled up about 75 pounds of "scrap copper wire" I'll haul to the recycler when I take the cans in, and sorted several "piles" ("radio 1", "radio 2", and "computer") for some eBay sales I'll be running in the next month or so.
And the nice thing is, I can walk in the side door, and get all they way to the big door now, and I can easily get to both of my two big roll-around toolboxes.
About 1/3 of the space in the garage is still occupied by the "collectibles" her first husband was acquiring when he passed away. Action figures, Star Wars and Star Trek stuff, and an odd assortment of other things he thought were collectible. SOME of the items have fairly good values on eBay (yes, the actual sales prices, and not the "listing/wishing" prices!), but a lot of it doesn't.
I swear, we have enough 4" and 6" plastic "action figures", army men, and little plastic tanks and armor to take over the back yard and stage the Battle of Kursk all over again!
We have two cardboard boxes, each about half the size of a refrigerator box, FULL of these things.
I might just sell them "by the scoop" on eBay!
And in working my tail off, hustling around, sweeping things up, trimming the trees (again.....sigh), and chasing the dogs around, I'm starting to get my endurance back, and I'm feeling better. It's been 4-1/2 months now since my "cardiac incident", and I'm finally getting used to what the meds do to me, and feeling better.
And I'm really looking forward to attacking the front-end of the gargae, and getting my press set up!
Rides nice, seems to be pretty peppy, gets astoundingly good mileage (she's averaging THIRTY FOUR MPG in her around town driving), and they gave us a bunch of stuff we didn't pay for (window tint, first aid kit, cargo net, nice floor mats, etc) because it took them a few days longer than they promised to get us the car.
And they delivered it, and spent an hour going over stuff, showing us the features, and explaining things.
I've also been spending a lot of time in the garage cleaning it up and getting it organized. I still haven't gotten to the work bench so I can mount my press and start reloading, but I made a HUGE improvement in how things are organized.
I dug out a bunch of stuff I'm going to sell (Dahlquist DQM-9 monitor speakers, anyone? They're like new, and had the foam surrounds replaced about two years ago), threw a bunch of stuff away, coiled up about 75 pounds of "scrap copper wire" I'll haul to the recycler when I take the cans in, and sorted several "piles" ("radio 1", "radio 2", and "computer") for some eBay sales I'll be running in the next month or so.
And the nice thing is, I can walk in the side door, and get all they way to the big door now, and I can easily get to both of my two big roll-around toolboxes.
About 1/3 of the space in the garage is still occupied by the "collectibles" her first husband was acquiring when he passed away. Action figures, Star Wars and Star Trek stuff, and an odd assortment of other things he thought were collectible. SOME of the items have fairly good values on eBay (yes, the actual sales prices, and not the "listing/wishing" prices!), but a lot of it doesn't.
I swear, we have enough 4" and 6" plastic "action figures", army men, and little plastic tanks and armor to take over the back yard and stage the Battle of Kursk all over again!
We have two cardboard boxes, each about half the size of a refrigerator box, FULL of these things.
I might just sell them "by the scoop" on eBay!
And in working my tail off, hustling around, sweeping things up, trimming the trees (again.....sigh), and chasing the dogs around, I'm starting to get my endurance back, and I'm feeling better. It's been 4-1/2 months now since my "cardiac incident", and I'm finally getting used to what the meds do to me, and feeling better.
And I'm really looking forward to attacking the front-end of the gargae, and getting my press set up!
Sunday, September 8, 2013
We Bought A Car
After going to several dealers where we were either treated rudely, or told "These are HOT right now, so the list price is the best we'll do!", a guy from the Hyundai dealership up in Commerce called.
My wife had put out a "Request for Quotation" to an Internet service, and he was one of the people who received the RFQ.
I told him the prices the other places quoted, and he said he couldn't beat them by much, but he could beat them.
So, after running some errands and getting some dinner, we drove up to Commerce, about 12 miles North of the LBC.
The dealership was in a decidedly 'low rent' area, but was very clean, and the buildings and service area were probably the best kept in the area, always a good sign.
The guy we talked with was able to beat the "best" price we got by almost $300, and told us they would deliver the car here, and spend about 30 minutes with us going over the features, and finishing the paperwork.
One of the things that sealed the deal was that my wife was very comfortable talking to him and the finance people, who treated us as friends, didn't try to force any other options or "dealer installed" equipment on us, and walked us through the paperwork jungle in less than half an hour, which is a record in my book!
SO.....Tuesday or Wednesday they'll drop the car off, and my wife will be cruising around in a brand-new RED Hyundai Eleantra GLS with the "Preferred Package" with 2.9% financing on the balance.
Since the gave us over $8500 for her poor little Nissan Sentra, and we're putting some more down, the monthly payment is well under $200 for 48 months.
I'll post a pic after we get the car.
My wife had put out a "Request for Quotation" to an Internet service, and he was one of the people who received the RFQ.
I told him the prices the other places quoted, and he said he couldn't beat them by much, but he could beat them.
So, after running some errands and getting some dinner, we drove up to Commerce, about 12 miles North of the LBC.
The dealership was in a decidedly 'low rent' area, but was very clean, and the buildings and service area were probably the best kept in the area, always a good sign.
The guy we talked with was able to beat the "best" price we got by almost $300, and told us they would deliver the car here, and spend about 30 minutes with us going over the features, and finishing the paperwork.
One of the things that sealed the deal was that my wife was very comfortable talking to him and the finance people, who treated us as friends, didn't try to force any other options or "dealer installed" equipment on us, and walked us through the paperwork jungle in less than half an hour, which is a record in my book!
SO.....Tuesday or Wednesday they'll drop the car off, and my wife will be cruising around in a brand-new RED Hyundai Eleantra GLS with the "Preferred Package" with 2.9% financing on the balance.
Since the gave us over $8500 for her poor little Nissan Sentra, and we're putting some more down, the monthly payment is well under $200 for 48 months.
I'll post a pic after we get the car.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Damage Estimate: $8300 Car Value:$6000
Looks like we're in the market for a replacement car..
We went and looked at Hyundai Elantras tonight, and the wife thought they were very nice.
We'll also be looking at the Kia Forte, as these two cars are about the same size and in the price class we're comfortable with.
Everything I read today about the current version of the Nissan Sentra convinced me to NOT even look at them.
The closest Nissan model would be the Altima, and it's a minimum of $2000 over the other two.
Same with the Ford Fusion, and I absolutely, positively, will NEVER step foot into a Government Motors dealership.
We went and looked at Hyundai Elantras tonight, and the wife thought they were very nice.
We'll also be looking at the Kia Forte, as these two cars are about the same size and in the price class we're comfortable with.
Everything I read today about the current version of the Nissan Sentra convinced me to NOT even look at them.
The closest Nissan model would be the Altima, and it's a minimum of $2000 over the other two.
Same with the Ford Fusion, and I absolutely, positively, will NEVER step foot into a Government Motors dealership.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Uh-OH....Wife just got in 4 Car Accident *UPDATE*
Hit in the rear in a multi-car accident.
She was the second car in line.
More to follow, but I'm on my way to pick her up......
UPDATE
She seems to be OK...a little sore in her back and shoulders.
There's a set of railroad tracks on the road she takes to work every day. A tanker truck had come to a full stop before crossing the tracks, and she was the second car behind the tanker, with another small car (a Chevy Cobalt) behind her.
A guy in a full size pickup didn't see the line of stopped cars ( ! ) waiting for the tanker to cross the RR tracks, and plowed into the car behind her at about 45~50 MPH. The little Chevy Cobalt then almost went _under_ the rear of my wife's Nissan Sentra, pushing her into a Nissan Maxima.
As expected, the little Cobalt took the brunt of the collision, and the rear of my wife's Sentra absorbed most of the rest.
The front of her car wasn't too badly damaged, but it'll still need a bunch of new parts.
So, she's home now, and on the phone with our insurance company.
Thankfully, we have a good company, with good coverage, including rental car.
She was the second car in line.
More to follow, but I'm on my way to pick her up......
UPDATE
She seems to be OK...a little sore in her back and shoulders.
There's a set of railroad tracks on the road she takes to work every day. A tanker truck had come to a full stop before crossing the tracks, and she was the second car behind the tanker, with another small car (a Chevy Cobalt) behind her.
A guy in a full size pickup didn't see the line of stopped cars ( ! ) waiting for the tanker to cross the RR tracks, and plowed into the car behind her at about 45~50 MPH. The little Chevy Cobalt then almost went _under_ the rear of my wife's Nissan Sentra, pushing her into a Nissan Maxima.
As expected, the little Cobalt took the brunt of the collision, and the rear of my wife's Sentra absorbed most of the rest.
The front of her car wasn't too badly damaged, but it'll still need a bunch of new parts.
So, she's home now, and on the phone with our insurance company.
Thankfully, we have a good company, with good coverage, including rental car.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
QOTD
Taking a break from "Garage Reconstruction 101" and thought I'd share this with my friends here.
It was written sixty years ago, but is more relevant now than ever.....
Secrecy is the keystone to all tyranny. Not force, but secrecy and censorship. When any government, or church for that matter, undertakes to say to its subjects, "This you may not read, this you must not see, this you are forbidden to know," the end result is tyranny and oppression, no matter how holy the motives. Mighty little force is needed to control a man who has been hoodwinked; contrariwise, no amount of force can control a free man, a man whose mind is free. No, not the rack, not fission bombs, not anything. You can't conquer a free man; the most you can do is kill him.”
From "Revolt in 2100" by Robert A. Heinlein, written in 1954
Friday, August 30, 2013
Been Hot and Muggy All Week Here.....
And I haven't felt like doing much besdies some benchwork on a couple of radios I'm getting ready to sell on eBay.
95* and 50% humidity does not make for good yard work days, or even "Clean Out The Garage" days!
95* and 50% humidity does not make for good yard work days, or even "Clean Out The Garage" days!
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Yard Work Weekend
Not exactly my favorite thing to do, but it needed to get done.
Bought some sand and topsoil, and filled in all the new "dog holes" that one of the two has been digging.
I also dumped some Cayenne Pepper on the areas hoping that if "The Digger" gets a snoot full, he/she won't do it again.
As of the discovery of any new holes gets a random Paw Check when they come in the house, and with no likely perps found, I hope the pepper works.
Trimmed back our lemon tree, which actually started from some dropped seeds years ago. It's not very big, but grows like a weed.
And like the video somebody had posted a week or so ago, watching a dog play with a lemon is pretty funny. Pebbles loves to play ball, and since the lemons are fairly round, and roll nicely, she has a lot of fun until she chomps down on one.
Did the pooper-scooper routine as it was my week to do it.
Push broomed the driveway inside the gate and the side walks, as these guys go blasting around the back yard at about Mach 2.5, tearing out any weak grass, and scattering it everywhere in their vortex.
I went to water the back yard the other day and found my new $12 garden hose nozzle chewed up beyond belief, so got another one of those.
NOTE TO SELF: Pick up the nozzle off the ground when done using, and don't let it dangle on the hose end where they can get at it!
And did a few more sundry things like blasted all the front driveway and walkway cracks with RoundUp to kill the grass starting to grow out of them. One of these days I suppose I should patch the big cracks in the driveway. The problem with that is that whoever poured our driveway didn't use any metal mesh/rebar in it....it's just a slab of concrete about 2" think, and as it settled, it cracked.
I don't even want to think about the cost of busting it up, hauling it away, and having it done properly. I have better thing to spend $5000 on than a new driveway!
Bought some sand and topsoil, and filled in all the new "dog holes" that one of the two has been digging.
I also dumped some Cayenne Pepper on the areas hoping that if "The Digger" gets a snoot full, he/she won't do it again.
As of the discovery of any new holes gets a random Paw Check when they come in the house, and with no likely perps found, I hope the pepper works.
Trimmed back our lemon tree, which actually started from some dropped seeds years ago. It's not very big, but grows like a weed.
And like the video somebody had posted a week or so ago, watching a dog play with a lemon is pretty funny. Pebbles loves to play ball, and since the lemons are fairly round, and roll nicely, she has a lot of fun until she chomps down on one.
Did the pooper-scooper routine as it was my week to do it.
Push broomed the driveway inside the gate and the side walks, as these guys go blasting around the back yard at about Mach 2.5, tearing out any weak grass, and scattering it everywhere in their vortex.
I went to water the back yard the other day and found my new $12 garden hose nozzle chewed up beyond belief, so got another one of those.
NOTE TO SELF: Pick up the nozzle off the ground when done using, and don't let it dangle on the hose end where they can get at it!
And did a few more sundry things like blasted all the front driveway and walkway cracks with RoundUp to kill the grass starting to grow out of them. One of these days I suppose I should patch the big cracks in the driveway. The problem with that is that whoever poured our driveway didn't use any metal mesh/rebar in it....it's just a slab of concrete about 2" think, and as it settled, it cracked.
I don't even want to think about the cost of busting it up, hauling it away, and having it done properly. I have better thing to spend $5000 on than a new driveway!
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
meh....Got Nuthin' Today
Went to my friend's internment with my wife, and then crawled around on the Battleship Iowa helping to inventory all the radio gear still in the racks.
Drank FOUR bottles of water, and didn't go to the restroom once.
It's HOT down on the third deck where the transmitter room is!
Drank FOUR bottles of water, and didn't go to the restroom once.
It's HOT down on the third deck where the transmitter room is!
Monday, August 19, 2013
"Never Was So Much Owed By So Many To So Few"
Winston Churchill made his famous speech thanking the RAF on this date in 1940.
Saturday, August 17, 2013
The Blow That Killed America 100 Years Ago
I've always hated that elitist snob Woodrow Wilson, at least as much as I detest FDR.
WELL...a lot of Really Bad Stuff happened on his watch, and you can read about it over at Free-Man's Perspective.
Cruise on over and RTWT.
It'll really let you understand how far back the planned destruction of our United States goes.
.
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WELL...a lot of Really Bad Stuff happened on his watch, and you can read about it over at Free-Man's Perspective.
Cruise on over and RTWT.
It'll really let you understand how far back the planned destruction of our United States goes.
.
.
30-06 Reloading Project
The brass, bullets, and primers arrived Thursday, and my IMR-4895 arrived Friday.
Now I get to fondle the brass, measure it, and resize it. The case mouths are DEFINITELY banged up from being shipped in a bag, and even I, a rank beginner, wouldn't attempt to force a bullet into one of these cases.
And to top it off.....the day after the brass and stuff arrived, I received a shipping notice from the CMP for my 400 rounds of specially loaded Hornady ammo!
Look like I won't have any excuses to not take Duke out to the range Real Soon Now!
I'll post some pix of the brass later today......
Now I get to fondle the brass, measure it, and resize it. The case mouths are DEFINITELY banged up from being shipped in a bag, and even I, a rank beginner, wouldn't attempt to force a bullet into one of these cases.
And to top it off.....the day after the brass and stuff arrived, I received a shipping notice from the CMP for my 400 rounds of specially loaded Hornady ammo!
Look like I won't have any excuses to not take Duke out to the range Real Soon Now!
I'll post some pix of the brass later today......
Friday, August 16, 2013
Hey....extexavwannabe!
I keep trying to leave a reply for your new movie trivia, and none of the 5 I left will show up.
The answer is Red Planet with Val Kilmer.
The answer is Red Planet with Val Kilmer.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
On This Day....
In 1960 Joe Kittinger made his famous balloon jump.
Amazing!
I'll bet he clanks when he walks, too.....
Amazing!
I'll bet he clanks when he walks, too.....
On The Passing of a Friend.....
I just received an email that one of my dear friends passed away last night.
I'd known him since 1995 when I got back into Amateur Radio, and immediately "clicked" with him, both of us having been involved in the Aerospace business here in SoCal.
We'd both worked on many Things We Can't Talk About, but from little snippets of conversations, and inside jokes over the years, we both had a pretty good idea of what programs we each worked on.
I looked upon him as one of the many mentors I was blessed to have over the years, and through our interaction, I was able to help him with some of the new fangled computer stuff we all take for granted these days.
He was 87 years old, from Montana, and served in WWII during the Battle Of The Bulge as a "green kid from nowhere". He went on to college after the war, and into Electronics and radio.
He was also an avid sailor, and was my go-to-guy for any obscure questions I had about ships, sails, and rigging.
Every year my radio club has a "White Elephant" auction to raise funds for our Field Day activities, and there was a floating "Booby Prize" that passed among the club members from year to year.
It was a long running joke that somebody would place a bid like "I'll bid $10 if Dale takes that home!", promptly followed by "I'll bid $25 if JIM takes it home".
One of us always got "stuck" with it, and we always brought it back the next year so the game could continue.
It was my turn to "win" the item last year, and since we weren't able to have the White Elephant Sale this year, it's still sitting out in the garage, wrapped in plastic.
It's an HP 200AB Audio Oscillator, a direct descendant of the model 200A that launched Hewlett-Packard.
I'm going to get it out of the garage and restore it to it's former glory and keep it, as it's really a very nice piece of test equipment, and other than the decaying leather carrying handle on top, and an unsafe cracked and split AC power cord, the case, front panel, main dial, and all the knobs are in very good condition.
I think my friend would approve.
I'd known him since 1995 when I got back into Amateur Radio, and immediately "clicked" with him, both of us having been involved in the Aerospace business here in SoCal.
We'd both worked on many Things We Can't Talk About, but from little snippets of conversations, and inside jokes over the years, we both had a pretty good idea of what programs we each worked on.
I looked upon him as one of the many mentors I was blessed to have over the years, and through our interaction, I was able to help him with some of the new fangled computer stuff we all take for granted these days.
He was 87 years old, from Montana, and served in WWII during the Battle Of The Bulge as a "green kid from nowhere". He went on to college after the war, and into Electronics and radio.
He was also an avid sailor, and was my go-to-guy for any obscure questions I had about ships, sails, and rigging.
Every year my radio club has a "White Elephant" auction to raise funds for our Field Day activities, and there was a floating "Booby Prize" that passed among the club members from year to year.
It was a long running joke that somebody would place a bid like "I'll bid $10 if Dale takes that home!", promptly followed by "I'll bid $25 if JIM takes it home".
One of us always got "stuck" with it, and we always brought it back the next year so the game could continue.
It was my turn to "win" the item last year, and since we weren't able to have the White Elephant Sale this year, it's still sitting out in the garage, wrapped in plastic.
It's an HP 200AB Audio Oscillator, a direct descendant of the model 200A that launched Hewlett-Packard.
I'm going to get it out of the garage and restore it to it's former glory and keep it, as it's really a very nice piece of test equipment, and other than the decaying leather carrying handle on top, and an unsafe cracked and split AC power cord, the case, front panel, main dial, and all the knobs are in very good condition.
I think my friend would approve.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Smith - "Baby It's You"
Great oldie cover tune, and she's actually singing it!
Gayle McCormick was quite a singer, but man, does that headband ever date this video!
Gayle McCormick was quite a singer, but man, does that headband ever date this video!
Sunday, August 11, 2013
What Kind of D&D Character Would You Be?
I've never played the game, but have friends who are quite good at it.
Found over here.
I Am A: Neutral Good Human Wizard/Sorcerer (4th/4th Level)
Ability Scores:
Strength-13
Dexterity-13
Constitution-13
Intelligence-17
Wisdom-14
Charisma-13
Alignment:
Neutral Good A neutral good character does the best that a good person can do. He is devoted to helping others. He works with kings and magistrates but does not feel beholden to them. Neutral good is the best alignment you can be because it means doing what is good without bias for or against order. However, neutral good can be a dangerous alignment when it advances mediocrity by limiting the actions of the truly capable.
Race:
Humans are the most adaptable of the common races. Short generations and a penchant for migration and conquest have made them physically diverse as well. Humans are often unorthodox in their dress, sporting unusual hairstyles, fanciful clothes, tattoos, and the like.
Primary Class:
Wizards are arcane spellcasters who depend on intensive study to create their magic. To wizards, magic is not a talent but a difficult, rewarding art. When they are prepared for battle, wizards can use their spells to devastating effect. When caught by surprise, they are vulnerable. The wizard's strength is her spells, everything else is secondary. She learns new spells as she experiments and grows in experience, and she can also learn them from other wizards. In addition, over time a wizard learns to manipulate her spells so they go farther, work better, or are improved in some other way. A wizard can call a familiar- a small, magical, animal companion that serves her. With a high Intelligence, wizards are capable of casting very high levels of spells.
Secondary Class:
Sorcerers are arcane spellcasters who manipulate magic energy with imagination and talent rather than studious discipline. They have no books, no mentors, no theories just raw power that they direct at will. Sorcerers know fewer spells than wizards do and acquire them more slowly, but they can cast individual spells more often and have no need to prepare their incantations ahead of time. Also unlike wizards, sorcerers cannot specialize in a school of magic. Since sorcerers gain their powers without undergoing the years of rigorous study that wizards go through, they have more time to learn fighting skills and are proficient with simple weapons. Charisma is very important for sorcerers; the higher their value in this ability, the higher the spell level they can cast.
Find out What Kind of Dungeons and Dragons Character Would You Be?, courtesy of Easydamus (e-mail)
Found over here.
I Am A: Neutral Good Human Wizard/Sorcerer (4th/4th Level)
Ability Scores:
Strength-13
Dexterity-13
Constitution-13
Intelligence-17
Wisdom-14
Charisma-13
Alignment:
Neutral Good A neutral good character does the best that a good person can do. He is devoted to helping others. He works with kings and magistrates but does not feel beholden to them. Neutral good is the best alignment you can be because it means doing what is good without bias for or against order. However, neutral good can be a dangerous alignment when it advances mediocrity by limiting the actions of the truly capable.
Race:
Humans are the most adaptable of the common races. Short generations and a penchant for migration and conquest have made them physically diverse as well. Humans are often unorthodox in their dress, sporting unusual hairstyles, fanciful clothes, tattoos, and the like.
Primary Class:
Wizards are arcane spellcasters who depend on intensive study to create their magic. To wizards, magic is not a talent but a difficult, rewarding art. When they are prepared for battle, wizards can use their spells to devastating effect. When caught by surprise, they are vulnerable. The wizard's strength is her spells, everything else is secondary. She learns new spells as she experiments and grows in experience, and she can also learn them from other wizards. In addition, over time a wizard learns to manipulate her spells so they go farther, work better, or are improved in some other way. A wizard can call a familiar- a small, magical, animal companion that serves her. With a high Intelligence, wizards are capable of casting very high levels of spells.
Secondary Class:
Sorcerers are arcane spellcasters who manipulate magic energy with imagination and talent rather than studious discipline. They have no books, no mentors, no theories just raw power that they direct at will. Sorcerers know fewer spells than wizards do and acquire them more slowly, but they can cast individual spells more often and have no need to prepare their incantations ahead of time. Also unlike wizards, sorcerers cannot specialize in a school of magic. Since sorcerers gain their powers without undergoing the years of rigorous study that wizards go through, they have more time to learn fighting skills and are proficient with simple weapons. Charisma is very important for sorcerers; the higher their value in this ability, the higher the spell level they can cast.
Find out What Kind of Dungeons and Dragons Character Would You Be?, courtesy of Easydamus (e-mail)
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Manufaturing TV Sets in the 1950's
Even though it's not from the people who put the quality in before the name went on, it's still pretty interesting.
It's 26 minutes long, but worth the view if you like Electronics History.
And check out the Lissajous pattern on the scope in the beginning.
It's 26 minutes long, but worth the view if you like Electronics History.
And check out the Lissajous pattern on the scope in the beginning.
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Reloading 30-06 For "Duke"
After all I've read, it looks like the best ammo to *safely* shoot through my new ( ? ) M1 Garand is ammo loaded to the US Military "M2 Ball" specification.
I bought some Federal 150gr ammo a while back, but "expert" opinions are split on using the particular load I bought in an M1. Some people say it will be fine, while others say NOT to stray from the M2 Ball spec.
I prefer to err on the side of caution, so I *might* shoot a couple of the Federal rounds to see how it feels and acts, but until I get more experience, I'd rather stick with a round that's loaded to the spec the rifle was designed for.
Since I can't find any "M2 Ball Spec" factory loads (CMP has Hornady, but it's back ordered) in stock anywhere, I ordered some brass, large rifle primers, Sierra 150gr HPBT bullets, and some IMR 4895 powder.
From what I've read, it's good practice to _at least_ neck size new brass as it can get banged around in shipping, and I'll also check the OAL, and deburr the flash hole, and chamfer the case mouths.
IOW, unless you're loading premium brass like Lapua, treat new brass as old brass, and reload it as such.
From posts on the CMP forums, I'll start with 45gr of powder, and see how it goes.
And since my Honey Dew list is getting much smaller, I'll spend some time this weekend in the garage cleaning up the workbench, getting the "Reloading Area" cleaned up, and maybe mounting the press.
At least this a good way to get off my duff and get the press set up. I've got a couple of huge boxes of once-fired brass I've been collecting over the last couple of years, and setting up an official "Reloading Area" will let me get stuff sorted out and organized.
I bought some Federal 150gr ammo a while back, but "expert" opinions are split on using the particular load I bought in an M1. Some people say it will be fine, while others say NOT to stray from the M2 Ball spec.
I prefer to err on the side of caution, so I *might* shoot a couple of the Federal rounds to see how it feels and acts, but until I get more experience, I'd rather stick with a round that's loaded to the spec the rifle was designed for.
Since I can't find any "M2 Ball Spec" factory loads (CMP has Hornady, but it's back ordered) in stock anywhere, I ordered some brass, large rifle primers, Sierra 150gr HPBT bullets, and some IMR 4895 powder.
From what I've read, it's good practice to _at least_ neck size new brass as it can get banged around in shipping, and I'll also check the OAL, and deburr the flash hole, and chamfer the case mouths.
IOW, unless you're loading premium brass like Lapua, treat new brass as old brass, and reload it as such.
From posts on the CMP forums, I'll start with 45gr of powder, and see how it goes.
And since my Honey Dew list is getting much smaller, I'll spend some time this weekend in the garage cleaning up the workbench, getting the "Reloading Area" cleaned up, and maybe mounting the press.
At least this a good way to get off my duff and get the press set up. I've got a couple of huge boxes of once-fired brass I've been collecting over the last couple of years, and setting up an official "Reloading Area" will let me get stuff sorted out and organized.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Capchas
Or however it's spelled.
Just had one over at Sipsey Street that was "autowee".
Sounds like something Phleghemmy, Tam, or Roberta would say when confronted with new shoes, a BMW, or a Johnson Invader.....
Just had one over at Sipsey Street that was "autowee".
Sounds like something Phleghemmy, Tam, or Roberta would say when confronted with new shoes, a BMW, or a Johnson Invader.....
Sun's Magnetic Field Is About To "Flip"
Oh, boy....wonder what the loonies will do when they here about this...
ZOMG! ZOMBIES!! TEOTWAWKI!!!
But then again, it doesn't have the media value of "Carrington Events" (Remember "Ellie" from "Deep Impact"?) that never occurred, or "Massive CME Ready To Wipe Out Humanity", or any of the other pseudo-science that the products of the public "education" system take as Gospel from the 6pm Talking Heads that can't even see through a bad joke about Asian aircraft pilot names.
Sigh.....
Anyway....go here to read the article. This is nothing new, and is associated with the Sun's activity during the solar cycle.
.
.
ZOMG! ZOMBIES!! TEOTWAWKI!!!
But then again, it doesn't have the media value of "Carrington Events" (Remember "Ellie" from "Deep Impact"?) that never occurred, or "Massive CME Ready To Wipe Out Humanity", or any of the other pseudo-science that the products of the public "education" system take as Gospel from the 6pm Talking Heads that can't even see through a bad joke about Asian aircraft pilot names.
Sigh.....
Anyway....go here to read the article. This is nothing new, and is associated with the Sun's activity during the solar cycle.
.
.
Monday, August 5, 2013
U.S. Governemnt Suspected In TOR Hack
Courtesy of Wirecutter.
RTWT over at Wired.com
In case you don't know what it is, here's an article on TOR from the Wikipedia.
Wouldn't surprise me a bit..........
RTWT over at Wired.com
In case you don't know what it is, here's an article on TOR from the Wikipedia.
Wouldn't surprise me a bit..........
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Current Solar Cycle 24 Is Weakest In 100 Years
I've been "Radio Active" since about 1961, and got much more involved about 1963 when I built my first Real Radio, a Knight-Kit "Star Roamer".
My Dad took me up to Allied Radio on 100 N. Western Ave. in Chicago, and one of my buddies at Holy Family grade school helped me get it built properly.
I missed out on Cycle 19, the Grand Daddy of all recorded solar cycles, but I've been through all the rest, if not on-the-air, then at least as a Short Wave Listener.
The next few cycles weren't as "good" as Cycle 19, at least for radio propagation, but I had fun listening anyway.
Here's a more expanded view of Cycle 23, the last one, and Cycle 24, the current one:
Cycle 24 doesn't even look like it's going to break a Smoothed Sunspot Number (SSN) of 100, which is a real bust for radio guys like me. There are daily peaks well above 100, but the smoothed numbers give you a better general overview of the state of Solar Activity, and brother, Old Sol is sleeping!
Now while its possible that even a "Quiet Sun" can cut loose with the Mother of All Solar Flares, with general Solar Activity being so low, it's highly improbable that it will do so.
Predicting this stuff ranges from the Highly Scientific, to the level of people reading chicken entrails.
I've met some Solar Cycle "experts" in my Amateur Radio travels, and these guys are laughable. They're always preaching their own pet theory that the upcoming cycle will be "Bigger Than Cycle 19!!!", and they are always wrong.
Every
Single
Time
Then they disappear back to wherever they came from, and hibernate until the next cycle is starting, and pop up at Amateur Radio club meetings and seminars pushing their Snake Oil again.
The reason I'm bringing this up, is the recent (well, over the last several years) spate of ZOMG! SOLAR FLARE!! CME!!! TEOTWAWKI!!!! and other such nonsense that appears on the TV and Web, some of it by people who should know better.
I'm not saying it's not possible for some massive CME/Flare/X-Ray Burst out of our own Sun to completely turn all electrical systems to toast, and plunge the world into a new Dark Ages, but that the probability of that happening is so small that I'm sure not going to lose any sleep over it.
There are far more nefarious forces at work among men, than to worry about Mother Nature dropping the hammer on us.
More info for those who care:
Solar Terrestrial Activity Report
Space Weather
Cycle 24 to be weakest in 100 years
NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center
SOHO Space Weather
My Dad took me up to Allied Radio on 100 N. Western Ave. in Chicago, and one of my buddies at Holy Family grade school helped me get it built properly.
I missed out on Cycle 19, the Grand Daddy of all recorded solar cycles, but I've been through all the rest, if not on-the-air, then at least as a Short Wave Listener.
The next few cycles weren't as "good" as Cycle 19, at least for radio propagation, but I had fun listening anyway.
Cycle 24 doesn't even look like it's going to break a Smoothed Sunspot Number (SSN) of 100, which is a real bust for radio guys like me. There are daily peaks well above 100, but the smoothed numbers give you a better general overview of the state of Solar Activity, and brother, Old Sol is sleeping!
Now while its possible that even a "Quiet Sun" can cut loose with the Mother of All Solar Flares, with general Solar Activity being so low, it's highly improbable that it will do so.
Predicting this stuff ranges from the Highly Scientific, to the level of people reading chicken entrails.
I've met some Solar Cycle "experts" in my Amateur Radio travels, and these guys are laughable. They're always preaching their own pet theory that the upcoming cycle will be "Bigger Than Cycle 19!!!", and they are always wrong.
Every
Single
Time
Then they disappear back to wherever they came from, and hibernate until the next cycle is starting, and pop up at Amateur Radio club meetings and seminars pushing their Snake Oil again.
The reason I'm bringing this up, is the recent (well, over the last several years) spate of ZOMG! SOLAR FLARE!! CME!!! TEOTWAWKI!!!! and other such nonsense that appears on the TV and Web, some of it by people who should know better.
I'm not saying it's not possible for some massive CME/Flare/X-Ray Burst out of our own Sun to completely turn all electrical systems to toast, and plunge the world into a new Dark Ages, but that the probability of that happening is so small that I'm sure not going to lose any sleep over it.
There are far more nefarious forces at work among men, than to worry about Mother Nature dropping the hammer on us.
More info for those who care:
Solar Terrestrial Activity Report
Space Weather
Cycle 24 to be weakest in 100 years
NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center
SOHO Space Weather
Grover Washington, Jr. **Mister magic**
heard this on the way home from Home Depot and realized I'd forgotten how good it is.
Too bad Grover passed away in 1999. He was a fabulous musician.
Everybody who played on this album was 1st class, and I think it was his best album.
Enjoy a little smoothness........
.
.
.
Too bad Grover passed away in 1999. He was a fabulous musician.
Everybody who played on this album was 1st class, and I think it was his best album.
Enjoy a little smoothness........
.
.
.
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Oh, Boy....Might Have To Send One Of The Dogs Back.......
Things seemed to be going OK with both of them, but over the last couple of days Swisher (the older one) has become very aggressive towards Pebbles (the younger one).
We first noticed it at dinner time, when Swisher would get very defensive about his food. It's gotten to the point now where we have to feed them separately because Swisher will "Evil Eye" and intimidate Pebbles until she walks away from her food.
Today we had to break up two fights, and as far as we can tell, the older dog just "went off" on the younger one without provocation.
The second time he had her down and by the throat, and she was in quite a bit of distress. I was afraid I was going to have to use something to bust them apart, but Swisher finally let go of Pebbles after I *really* yelled "NO!" at him.
We're starting to get pretty attached to both of them, and like any dog, they both have their good points and bad points, but we're worried about leaving them alone together at this point.
Swisher is well-trained to walk, obeys all the commands we give him, but has gotten this aggressive streak all of a sudden.
Pebbles is a sweetheart, but is (still) a handful to walk, and can be stubborn at times. She's getting better about walking and obeying commands, and needs more work, but she's showing great promise.
Swisher would be a great dog for a one-dog family, but we really want two dogs.
We'll make the decision tomorrow, but I think we're going to send Swisher back to the rescue organization.......
.
.
We first noticed it at dinner time, when Swisher would get very defensive about his food. It's gotten to the point now where we have to feed them separately because Swisher will "Evil Eye" and intimidate Pebbles until she walks away from her food.
Today we had to break up two fights, and as far as we can tell, the older dog just "went off" on the younger one without provocation.
The second time he had her down and by the throat, and she was in quite a bit of distress. I was afraid I was going to have to use something to bust them apart, but Swisher finally let go of Pebbles after I *really* yelled "NO!" at him.
We're starting to get pretty attached to both of them, and like any dog, they both have their good points and bad points, but we're worried about leaving them alone together at this point.
Swisher is well-trained to walk, obeys all the commands we give him, but has gotten this aggressive streak all of a sudden.
Pebbles is a sweetheart, but is (still) a handful to walk, and can be stubborn at times. She's getting better about walking and obeying commands, and needs more work, but she's showing great promise.
Swisher would be a great dog for a one-dog family, but we really want two dogs.
We'll make the decision tomorrow, but I think we're going to send Swisher back to the rescue organization.......
.
.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
-PT 658- The World's ONLY Restored and Functional PT Boat
What a heartwarming story.
My hat is off to these guys. They did an amazing job!
My hat is off to these guys. They did an amazing job!
Monday, July 29, 2013
Syncom Satellite Launched 50 years ago
Found the following article at the L.A. Times website while I was perusing the local news.
How a satellite called Syncom changed the world
I remembered watching the Tokyo Olympics, and being very interested in how a satellite could stay put over one part of the earth without having a rocket motor to keep it in place.
Years (many!) later when I was working for Hughes Aircraft I got to see some of the gentlemen mentioned in the article at company seminars and talks.
And later still when I worked for DirecTV, I got to meet Eddy Hartenstein, who was one of the principles in developing Direct-To-Home ("DTH") television broadcasting.
The original Syncom weighed in at about 150 pounds, fueled.
The last satellite the place I work at now attempted to launch weighed in at a little under fourteen THOUSAND pounds.
We sure have come a long way....
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Say Hello to Swisher and Pebbles!
Her's the two newest mebers of the family.
Swisher is on the left, and Pebbles is on your right.
Swisher is a joy to walk, and is "helping" me regain some of my stamina by walking with me after dinner.
Pebbles still has a lot to learn, so I've been "walking" her around the back yard so she'll get used to walking with me, and learn some basic commands.
Right now she could be leased out to a towing company, and probably earn her keep by pulling cars off the road!
Swisher is on the left, and Pebbles is on your right.
Swisher is a joy to walk, and is "helping" me regain some of my stamina by walking with me after dinner.
Pebbles still has a lot to learn, so I've been "walking" her around the back yard so she'll get used to walking with me, and learn some basic commands.
Right now she could be leased out to a towing company, and probably earn her keep by pulling cars off the road!
SS Lane Victory July, 2013 Cruise
The last time I went out on the Lane Victory was in 2006, so when I got an email notice of the cruise schedule for this year, I ordered two tickets.
My wife has never been out on a ship like this, so I thought she might enjoy it, and she did.
This year's cruise are in remembrance of the Korean War Armistice, and the memeorial services were very nice.
There were two wreaths dropped over the side, one for the US Merchant Marine sailors who gave their lives during WWII, and one for all the Korean War casualties.
The Lane Victory helped evacuate people from Wonsan, where she hauled over SEVEN THOUSAND people, plus her own crew, away in one trip!
And she also evacuated 3800 troops and 1100 vehicles from Hungnam during the Battle of Chosin Resivoir.
My wife has never been out on a ship like this, so I thought she might enjoy it, and she did.
This year's cruise are in remembrance of the Korean War Armistice, and the memeorial services were very nice.
There were two wreaths dropped over the side, one for the US Merchant Marine sailors who gave their lives during WWII, and one for all the Korean War casualties.
The Lane Victory helped evacuate people from Wonsan, where she hauled over SEVEN THOUSAND people, plus her own crew, away in one trip!
And she also evacuated 3800 troops and 1100 vehicles from Hungnam during the Battle of Chosin Resivoir.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
New Dogs!
Well, we finally found a couple of dogs. We've been working with some Pit Bull rescue places, and last weekend one of the places we were working with brought two we had previously met over for a trial stay.
"Swisher" (named after the Swisher Sweets cigars) is a 3 year old male Pit Bull/Boxer mix, and "Pebbles" is a 10 month old female Pit Bull.
Swisher has had obedience training, and is a joy to walk. He stops at every intersection, looks up at you, and then sits down until you tell him to heel, and away we go. It took him a couple of walks to get used to our style of walking, but he remembered his training, and settled right in to taking our lead.
Pebbles, well....not so much!
She still has a lot of "puppy" in her, and I swear she could pull my Jeep down the street, so we still have a lot of work to do with her.
They've both been fixed, have all their shots, get along great together, and are fully house-broken.
I'll post some pix later.
It sure is nice to have wagging tails again to greet me when I get home from work!
"Swisher" (named after the Swisher Sweets cigars) is a 3 year old male Pit Bull/Boxer mix, and "Pebbles" is a 10 month old female Pit Bull.
Swisher has had obedience training, and is a joy to walk. He stops at every intersection, looks up at you, and then sits down until you tell him to heel, and away we go. It took him a couple of walks to get used to our style of walking, but he remembered his training, and settled right in to taking our lead.
Pebbles, well....not so much!
She still has a lot of "puppy" in her, and I swear she could pull my Jeep down the street, so we still have a lot of work to do with her.
They've both been fixed, have all their shots, get along great together, and are fully house-broken.
I'll post some pix later.
It sure is nice to have wagging tails again to greet me when I get home from work!
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Bill Whittle: "The Lynching"
Amazingly to the point, and on target!
....especially the last few seconds.......
....especially the last few seconds.......
Friday, July 19, 2013
"That's One Small Step....."
Apollo 11 made the first manned Moon landing today in 1969.
I watched it live.
I'll never forget it.
Why can't the USA do things like this today? Where are our next generation (I figure we're at least 3 'generations' behind by now) of Engineers and scientists going to come from?
I watched it live.
I'll never forget it.
Why can't the USA do things like this today? Where are our next generation (I figure we're at least 3 'generations' behind by now) of Engineers and scientists going to come from?
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
HAARP Facility Closed Due To Lack Of Funding
Well, I guess we can all take off our tin-foil hats now!
From the ARRL website:
The High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) — a subject of fascination for many hams and the target of conspiracy theorists and anti-government activists — has closed down.
HAARP’s program manager, Dr James Keeney at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, told ARRL that the sprawling 35-acre ionospheric research facility in remote Gakona, Alaska, has been shuttered since early May.
“Currently the site is abandoned,” he said. “It comes down to money. We don’t have any.” Keeney said no one is on site, access roads are blocked, buildings are chained and the power turned off.
HAARP’s website through the University of Alaska no longer is available; Keeney said the program can’t afford to pay for the service. “Everything is in secure mode,” he said, adding that it will stay that way at least for another 4 to 6 weeks. In the meantime a new prime contractor will be coming on board to run the government owned-contractor operated (GOCO) facility.
HAARP put the world on notice two years ago that it would be shutting down and did not submit a budget request for FY 15, Keeney said, “but no one paid any attention.” Now, he says, they’re complaining. “People came unglued,” Keeney said, noting that he’s already had inquiries from Congress. Universities that depended upon HAARP research grants also are upset, he said.
The only bright spot on HAARP’s horizon right now is that the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is expected on site as a client to finish up some research this fall and winter. DARPA has nearly $8.8 million in its FY 14 budget plan to research “physical aspects of natural phenomena such as magnetospheric sub-storms, fire, lightning and geo-physical phenomena.”
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
OpenSUSE 12.3
Seeing as I was off work yesterday (hint: I bought a lot of Immodium...), I decided to upgrade this PC to the latest version of the Linux distribution I prefer, OpenSUSE.
The download went fast, as we have FiOS here (35 meg service, up and down), and the download, 4.4GB, took about 25 minutes.
I backed up my /home directory to another hard disk, and began the installation.
30 minutes later I was done, and updating the packages. Even though I had a downloaded the latest complete distribution, there are times when the updates don't get folded in to the complete distro that's on the servers. I'm not sure how often they update the served version, but as with any Operating System, you should always do the updates after you finish installing it.
Then I spent some time customizing it, and turning off the eye-candy I don't care for, adding the repositories that have the multimedia and Amateur Radio programs I use, and transferring the things I needed from my backed-up /home directory, and I was off and running.
All told, I spent a couple of hours downloading, installing, and tweaking the new version.
I haven't noticed any huge differences between this version, 12.3, and the previous version, 12.1, I was running, but it's nice to be able to upgrade your OS for free.
I've been running Linux since about 1995, and SuSE/OpenSUSE since shortly after that. I started with Red Hat (aka "Head Rat"), tried several other distributions, and one day when I was at CompUSA looking to see if the new version of Red Hat was out, I spotted one I hadn't seen before, SuSE, which stood for " Software- und System-Entwicklung (Software and Systems Development).
Since it listed numerous Amateur Radio packages on the "What's In The Box" side panel, I bought it. It installed easily, and with the included configuration tools, I was online in a short time.
Keep in mind this was back when if you wanted to use Linux, you had to get a couple of books, READ THEM, and tinker with the software to get your hardware working.
And not all hardware was supported!
You had to be careful what video card you bought, and you had to get a real "hardware" modem. "Soft" modems and "Win" modems simply would not work as the hardware was dependent on Windows doing a lot of the processing to extract the data stream from the audio.
The first time I installed a proper modem, it took me the better part of a week to get it running, and connected to my ISP.
And if configured your video card improperly, it would happily send the wrong signals to your monitor, resulting in garbled video at best, and blown monitor at worst!
Ethernet cards were another matter entirely, and 90+% of the Ethernet cards were supported, as Linux has always been a networking friendly OS. Buy a 3Com card, and you were golden!
It really paid off to have a dedicated machine for Linux, as it could be a bit, uhhh, "interesting" to get it running properly, and I finally built another PC just to run/learn Linux on.
Things have gotten much more refined since the early days of Linux, and installing and using Linux has never been easier. Most modern hardware, and almost all vintage hardware, is supported, and Linux is a great way to revive an older PC that doesn't have the horsepower to run newer (XP and newer) versions of Windows.
Long live the lizard!
The download went fast, as we have FiOS here (35 meg service, up and down), and the download, 4.4GB, took about 25 minutes.
I backed up my /home directory to another hard disk, and began the installation.
30 minutes later I was done, and updating the packages. Even though I had a downloaded the latest complete distribution, there are times when the updates don't get folded in to the complete distro that's on the servers. I'm not sure how often they update the served version, but as with any Operating System, you should always do the updates after you finish installing it.
Then I spent some time customizing it, and turning off the eye-candy I don't care for, adding the repositories that have the multimedia and Amateur Radio programs I use, and transferring the things I needed from my backed-up /home directory, and I was off and running.
All told, I spent a couple of hours downloading, installing, and tweaking the new version.
I haven't noticed any huge differences between this version, 12.3, and the previous version, 12.1, I was running, but it's nice to be able to upgrade your OS for free.
I've been running Linux since about 1995, and SuSE/OpenSUSE since shortly after that. I started with Red Hat (aka "Head Rat"), tried several other distributions, and one day when I was at CompUSA looking to see if the new version of Red Hat was out, I spotted one I hadn't seen before, SuSE, which stood for " Software- und System-Entwicklung (Software and Systems Development).
Since it listed numerous Amateur Radio packages on the "What's In The Box" side panel, I bought it. It installed easily, and with the included configuration tools, I was online in a short time.
Keep in mind this was back when if you wanted to use Linux, you had to get a couple of books, READ THEM, and tinker with the software to get your hardware working.
And not all hardware was supported!
You had to be careful what video card you bought, and you had to get a real "hardware" modem. "Soft" modems and "Win" modems simply would not work as the hardware was dependent on Windows doing a lot of the processing to extract the data stream from the audio.
The first time I installed a proper modem, it took me the better part of a week to get it running, and connected to my ISP.
And if configured your video card improperly, it would happily send the wrong signals to your monitor, resulting in garbled video at best, and blown monitor at worst!
Ethernet cards were another matter entirely, and 90+% of the Ethernet cards were supported, as Linux has always been a networking friendly OS. Buy a 3Com card, and you were golden!
It really paid off to have a dedicated machine for Linux, as it could be a bit, uhhh, "interesting" to get it running properly, and I finally built another PC just to run/learn Linux on.
Things have gotten much more refined since the early days of Linux, and installing and using Linux has never been easier. Most modern hardware, and almost all vintage hardware, is supported, and Linux is a great way to revive an older PC that doesn't have the horsepower to run newer (XP and newer) versions of Windows.
Long live the lizard!
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Not Guilty
I'm staying home and listening to my scanner.
So far it's quiet in in SoCal, other than the usual Saturday night nuttiness.
Let's just hope it stays that way.......
**UPDATE**
Pretty quiet in El Ay last night.
Nothing happened in The LBC.
Let's hope it stays that way.....
So far it's quiet in in SoCal, other than the usual Saturday night nuttiness.
Let's just hope it stays that way.......
**UPDATE**
Pretty quiet in El Ay last night.
Nothing happened in The LBC.
Let's hope it stays that way.....
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Ladies and Gentlemen....The "Duke" has Arrived!
And boy, is it nice!
Duke came in a nice travel case:
And he's a very handsome fellow.
He must have to some strange foreign place, as the local custom caused him to be branded with a "cartouche".
Hes a very late model, with a serial number in the high 5 millions (57xxxxx). According to one of my books, that would place him in the second-to-the-last batch made by Springfield Armory.
I had hoped for a WWII model, but seeing as I'm a child of the Cold War, I guess its more fitting that I received a rifle from the Korean War era.
When I opened it up today, My buddy who runs the mail box store I use looked at it, held it, and just about drooled over it. I looked at the serial number and realized it was a very late one, probably from the post-war production runs.
He's Korean, and I told him there was a chance that this rifle had helped defend his homeland. He lovingly patted it, and said "Thank you, Mr. Garand".
The receiver is in excellent condition, with only very, very light pitting, which you can barely see.
The tag that came with it rates the barrel as "0+", and the chamber as "1+", which goes right along with it having a new barrel.
So now I have to get the books out and study them. I'll want to carefully inspect it, and properly lube it with grease. ALL the books I've read say to use grease, and NOT oil, and all he has right now is a light coating of oil.
The wood on him is just beautiful, and looks "furniture quality" to me as far as grain patter goes.
Which brings up a question........What do I use on the stock? Linseed oil? Tung Oil? Pledge? I don't remember if my Garand books go into the proper care of a new stock, and this one looks like brand new, bare wood to me.
Besides the travel case, he came with a COA, a very nice instruction manual, a plastic thing to put in the unloaded rifle to tell you the chamber is empty, a new canvas sling, and one clip.
To borrow a line from "Casablanca", I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship.
.
.
Duke came in a nice travel case:
And he's a very handsome fellow.
He must have to some strange foreign place, as the local custom caused him to be branded with a "cartouche".
Hes a very late model, with a serial number in the high 5 millions (57xxxxx). According to one of my books, that would place him in the second-to-the-last batch made by Springfield Armory.
I had hoped for a WWII model, but seeing as I'm a child of the Cold War, I guess its more fitting that I received a rifle from the Korean War era.
When I opened it up today, My buddy who runs the mail box store I use looked at it, held it, and just about drooled over it. I looked at the serial number and realized it was a very late one, probably from the post-war production runs.
He's Korean, and I told him there was a chance that this rifle had helped defend his homeland. He lovingly patted it, and said "Thank you, Mr. Garand".
The receiver is in excellent condition, with only very, very light pitting, which you can barely see.
The tag that came with it rates the barrel as "0+", and the chamber as "1+", which goes right along with it having a new barrel.
So now I have to get the books out and study them. I'll want to carefully inspect it, and properly lube it with grease. ALL the books I've read say to use grease, and NOT oil, and all he has right now is a light coating of oil.
The wood on him is just beautiful, and looks "furniture quality" to me as far as grain patter goes.
Which brings up a question........What do I use on the stock? Linseed oil? Tung Oil? Pledge? I don't remember if my Garand books go into the proper care of a new stock, and this one looks like brand new, bare wood to me.
Besides the travel case, he came with a COA, a very nice instruction manual, a plastic thing to put in the unloaded rifle to tell you the chamber is empty, a new canvas sling, and one clip.
To borrow a line from "Casablanca", I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship.
.
.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
"Duke" Is On His Way
WHOO-HOO!
I received the shipping notice from the CMP this afternoon.
Since they ship FedEx overnight, I'll pick him up tomorrow on my way home from work.
Then I'll spend some time learning how to field strip and clean him, and make plans to hit the range.
I received the shipping notice from the CMP this afternoon.
Since they ship FedEx overnight, I'll pick him up tomorrow on my way home from work.
Then I'll spend some time learning how to field strip and clean him, and make plans to hit the range.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Meanwhile, at Long Beach Airport.....
A banner tower went down on takeoff.
Looks like he struck a power pole, sheared off a wing, and came down on an embankment of the 405 freeway.
He walked away.....
And he just barely cleared the freeway....
.
.
Looks like he struck a power pole, sheared off a wing, and came down on an embankment of the 405 freeway.
He walked away.....
And he just barely cleared the freeway....
.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Happy Independence Day!
I know you all remember what it took to get our country started, and may God be with us if we have to do it again.
And thank you to all who have served. It's a duty and an honor I wasn't allowed due to circumstances.
I'm goofing off.
ALL
DAY
LONG!
Well.....not really. The YF is recovering from minor surgery, so I'm doing laundry, swabbing out the head, and flying Mr. Kirby around today.
Be safe and sane out there.....
.
.
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