It dawned on me while watching the video that as smart and knowledgeable as humanity thinks it is, ALL humanity past, present and future COMBINED can’t account for the tiniest pimple on the universe’s ass. Hell, we can’t figure out how to stop an oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico or how to stop nuclear radiation and contamination from spreading in Japan.   We can’t even figure out how to get along!   The more I think about the “Grand Universal Plan”, the more I realize “there is no plan“.  We’re just winging it as we go, reacting to everything, planning nothing.  Swell…

You’ve all seen these on eBay:

eBay Scam

Admit it, you want one, right?

WRONG! NO you don’t. They’re a scam. You’re better off throwing your money down the drain than sending it to this turkey. He has 111 Negative Feedbacks in just the last 30 days! WOW!

I’ve been in contact with several other disgruntled folks that never received their orders either, so I know it’s not just me that never got what I paid for. My advice, stay away (unless you like playing Russian roulette). This stickfigs guy doesn’t perform on his ads and doesn’t communicate at all. In my opinion, he’s a scammer. Don’t do what I did, you’ve been WARNED…

WARNING! DANGER WILL ROBINSON, DANGER!

Here’s a few links to just a bit of Len’s Bio, and also an address if you’d like to make a donation on Len’s behalf.

Rest in Peace Len.

MIDXA MEMBER PROFILE – KH0AC

KH0AC QSL Card

A short recorded QSO of Len, KH0AC

Today, in an e-mail received from Col, VK4CC:

Hello Wayne, The address to send cards/letters/donations to is;

Connie Kaufer
P.O. BOX 7611 SVRB
Saipan, MP 96950

“And if Hams are sending cards, I know that Connie would appreciate hearing any stories or other memories that Hams have of Len. Tell the lads to share their memories.” I may catch you on the net this afternoon/evening Wayne.

Col, VK4CC

Through Karen’s ability to convey her experiences to writing, and Al’s ability to drive the “Roo” and publish their diary to the Web, they’ve teamed up to bring us “On the Road Again” – a daily digest of their encounters as they travel the open roads of our Great Nation.

If you’re also wondering why I would write a post about “RV’ing” on my Ham Radio Blog, you need to know my friend Al is also a Ham Radio Operator that has intertwined his radio hobby into their schedule as they cross the country on six tires. You can catch Al on 14.240 with the rest of the 240 Group when he’s “parked and playing radio”.

You’ll join Karen and Al as they watch the Space Shuttle launch, snap vivid photos of wildlife and nature and journal their interactions with people and places. It is a fascinating and captivating read as Karen’s writing style puts the reader at ease and really does makes you feel like you’re part of their experience.

It’s odd that in my hectic life I never seem to find the time to “stop and smell the roses”. Karen and Al do that everyday, congratulations!

Vist Al and Karen’s Blog here at http://www.w1jhu.com/roo or click on the logo below:

“Top 10 Small Countries by Square Mile”

Monaco, 0.7 square miles? Guess I shoulda’ paid better attention to my school teachers.

I’m planning on updating this Blog at least once a week or so. We’ll see how it goes – as it goes. Maybe more, maybe less, who knows?

Today, I’m chomping at the bit for the UPS man to arrive. It would have been the perfect day to play radio as it’s overcast and a little cooler than yesterday, but no FT-990 yet, so no Ham Radio.

The New (Used) Rig:  I’ve been watching and searching for a decent used rig the last couple of weeks. I found a used Yeasu FT-990 on eBay a week or so ago and it seems to be just what I’m looking for. I’ve noticed that FT-990′s go anywhere from about $700 to as high as $1,200+ depending on whether they’re AC or DC, what filters and accessories they’re equipped with, and also what condition the rig is in. For some reason I found (and bought) this one (DC model, with MD-1 mic) for $550. What was weird about it, I was the only bidder. All the others I’ve seen (I mean ALL) have 10 – 20 bidders by the time they sell. I have no idea why this one didn’t attract bidders, but I’m not complaining. The Ham that I bought it from also took my offer of $75 for the 35A power supply he was using, so for $625 I’d say that’s a pretty good deal from the looks of it.

I found a SP-6 with LL-5 Phone Patch on eBay yesterday for $140 “Buy it Now”. So now we’ll have the matched set when everything finally arrives (IF everything arrives safely). Seems when the word “FRAGILE” is stamped on the box anymore, it must be some secret truck driver code meaning “kick the shit out of it” anymore. We’ll know Wednesday if the rig and PS make it in one piece (or not).  Next week on the SP-6 to learn its fate.

Thanks to my friend Eric (KØKE) who had a booth at the local Hamfest here a couple of weekends ago. He found a pristine Heathkit SB200 before the doors ever opened to the general public. He worked the deal and stashed the amp for me until I got in the door. In this world, It still pays to know people. It’s not what you know, but who you know.  Case in point, another friend Hank, WØZU had a brand new MD-1 at the shack and said to give him $30 for it. Well hell, brand new MD-1′s don’t grow on trees, so I gave him $50 and that was still a deal. I saw a comparable Kenwood microphone at the Hamfest and even though it was scratched up and obviously well worn, they wanted $100. Now I have two, go figure.

More on the FT-890 that made it here but never made it on the air (US Postal Service dropped it on it’s nose) and more on the antenna situation in the next post.

73,

NØUN