5th
November
2015
This afternoon, I had to spend some time “renewing” metal hardware. The antenna project, for those who need to know. Several dozen small bolts and nuts, placed outside about six years back. Not one of them worth keeping. Corrosion happens, but this was a return to dust. From now on, when I see artefacts in a museum, I’ll have a whole new sense of respect for the original manufacturer.
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posted in ham radio, politics, technology |
4th
November
2015
That new box with the three spools of zip cord just couldn’t wait any longer. After getting my morning coffee squared away, I brought out a good measuring tape, and then I converted a majority of the wire into equal lengths of 14 feet and squirm room. Just following the directions of the antenna people.
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posted in ham radio |
3rd
November
2015
Less than twenty-four hours from the hanging of the open for business sign to the arrival of the local thief. A security camera caught him busy picking through the displayed products…
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posted in environment, ham radio |
28th
October
2015
When I actually went to find that magic lug nut key, it didn’t take long. Safe inside the car, etc. However, the other nuts are doing just fine, so I’ll leave them in place until some time when I’m really bored and it’s very warm outside. Translation: not this season.
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posted in food, ham radio |
27th
October
2015
The dog and I arrived at the garage at the appointed (early) hour. Time to let someone with a proper lift and an air compressor mount the winter tires. Close call; the “magic” key to the long lug nuts is MIA. Probably donated to the cause of my last tire place…
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posted in ham radio |
26th
October
2015
Not sure where I saw it, but the phrase involved “setting a goal and making a plan”. In that order. So, I did.
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posted in ham radio |
2nd
October
2014
This might be the last time that I have to climb on the roof of this house. A sigh of relief; up is not better than down. In fact, the ladder will be left behind, since it requires two people to get it out of the basement. Next time around, wall hooks in the garage.
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posted in environment, ham radio |
28th
September
2014
Six years ago, after careful planning, I installed a new vertical antenna. HF bands, with a full set of radials. And today, with careful planning (for an eventual reinstallation), the process was reversed. No bolts jammed or broken. Nothing in need of replacement. Six years of Canadian weather…
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posted in ham radio |
3rd
July
2014
Had to do some parental taxi service today, with added challenge of a foreign language guide. Sort of. We were off to find a government office in another part of the city. I know; even after thirty years, I don’t know where all the streets go, and so we turned things over to an iPhone. For the record, many of the streets around here are named after famous French people and places, and guessing what the next street might be was often “lost in translation”. The turn in so many metres I can handle, but when there are three lanes in each direction, the street name has to be precise. Not so much with our electronic guide. We did get there; recomputing helped ease the pain.
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posted in ham radio, travel |
29th
September
2013
As I work through the final set of videos for my current MOOC, I’m forced to admit that I learned something today. Among all the bad efforts attached to playing the theremin, there are actually a small number of musicians that can coax a tune out of one. Here’s an example: Clara Rockmore. Despite her patronym, this is not an example of classic rock..,
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posted in education, ham radio |
