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…

Where it really hits home is not so much the dweeb “distracted Ham Radio Operator”, but ANY IDIOT that allows himself (or herself) to be distracted while driving.  Cell phones, texting, lipstick, make-up and anything else that distracts their already limited skillset makes for a ticking time bomb.  Most people can’t drive for shit anyway, now they’re distracted.  Boy, that gives a motorcyclist like me a “warm, fuzzy feeling”, doesn’t it?

If I sound pissed it is because I am pissed.  I just lost another good biker friend because of a “inattentive driver” that made an illegal left turn in front of her and her  boyfriend.   The driver said “I didn’t see them”.   Well let’s see; they had loud pipes and their headlight was on, and you didn’t see them?  You probably didn’t “hear” them because your boom boom radio was too loud, and you probably didn’t “see” them because you weren’t looking.  You want to see just how fast it can happen?  Here:

Look. Stop. I’m not picking on safe drivers and I’m not picking on good drivers.  I’m not picking on Ham Radio Operators that know how to safely drive their car, truck, RV or bus and simultaneously operate their radios. I’m picking on the idiots that need to have their teeth kicked in to make a point.

If you don’t like my post, I really don’t care. Move on. I’m past caring. I’d much rather pull my Harley up next to a “distracted driver” at a red light, reach in and “knock’em out” to tell you the truth.

Ride with the Angels sweet, sweet Kimmy.  Rest in Peace.

Story: Motorcycling Favorite Kimmy Chapman Lauer Killed By Negligent Driver

Then do what these old timers did. Fix it.

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:

The FT-990 arrived and all was well for about an hour before I remembered just how much I forgot. Seems the SB-200 uses 125V to key the amp and you just can’t key it off the FT-990′s PTT mic line, ooops. It didn’t dawn on me until it was too late.

Anyway, the FT-990 is down in Florida getting repaired and I borrowed a TS-820S from my Father-in-law in the mean time, so at least I’m back on the air.

Propagation during the Contest this last weekend was great. It felt good to hear Europe on 20 and I also worked a few South Pacific stations but it sure died off in the days after. I did manage to say hello to the guys on 14.240 yesterday and just got off the air with Randy in Hawaii (KH6IB) tonight. That good ole’ Ham Radio feeling has been re-lit! It’ll be just a matter of time before I start playing “antenna man” again, and I can say I’m looking forward to that this Autumn.

I was surprised to actually see power out of the SB-200 earlier. I picked up a PAL Watt/SWR meter from a nearby Ham (Eric, KØKE) – plugged’r in, and lo and behold – a rock solid 600W+ on 20 meters to an absolutely flat SWR on the dipole. That’s “progress“! Now I just have to choke some of the RF running around the shack – it’s more than ”annoying” when the computer locks up and the smoke (fire) sensor alarms keep going off…

Couple items of note. Bought and received a used (but mint) SP-6/LL5 speaker phone patch combo (found on eBay) that’ll match the FT-990; the “other” TS-820S made it to AK4AA (Old Ham Dave) who is refurbishing it; and the FT-990 also made it to tech (KI4NR). I made a couple Q’s; found out the SB-200 is rock solid; and oh – I ordered the HVN “Relay Saver” from Sultan Tronics yesterday, so that will take care of the SB-200 amp keying issue, “inexpensively” I should add…

Tomorrow’s another day, but at this rate of “progress” – hell, I should ‘prolly quit while I’m ahead, lol

73,

NØUN

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