With the temps nearing 90 F, today would be the perfect day to spend on the beach but unfortunately I am stuck in the office. So the next best thing to tease me is the live video feed from Seaside Heights.
http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newjersey/seasideheights/
As of 9AM the beach is starting to fill up. This is where the new broadwalk has been rebuilt from last years storm.
Back to work!
Building Kits, Small Circuits, & Amateur Radio Stuff!
Friday, May 31, 2013
Friday, May 24, 2013
The Long Weekend!
Wow... Memorial Day Weekend is here already. Looking forward to spending time on the radio in the yard if the weather holds out.
Sorry to say have not fired up a radio in a few weeks, work and family duties come first but excited and looking forward to making a few contacts to some cool far away places. In the meantime I have been enjoying reading the blogs on the web.
If anyone have a radio, kit, or building blog please let me know and I will add it to my list.
Have a safe weekend!
Sorry to say have not fired up a radio in a few weeks, work and family duties come first but excited and looking forward to making a few contacts to some cool far away places. In the meantime I have been enjoying reading the blogs on the web.
If anyone have a radio, kit, or building blog please let me know and I will add it to my list.
Have a safe weekend!
Monday, May 13, 2013
Internet Issues
A few weeks ago ran into major Internet problems with Verizon Fios, for a good 7 days my speed slowed to a crawl. I was barely able to stay connected, reminded me of the dial up days with AOL.
It all started when I could no longer send email with small pdf attachments. After six hours spent over two days with tech help online, 4 more hours with a tech at my location, problem was internal at one of the switching offices and a computer board. Verizon Fios provided wonderful service but I could not stay disconnected from the Internet any longer for work purposes so made the switch to Optimum Online.
I made the Optimum appointment with a sales guy who showed up at my house ASAP at 8:00PM that night with a handful of offers. As it turns out Fios called next day and got speeds back to normal but I did not want to cancel cable considering I called salesman direct.
Fios offers a faster speed with fiber but so far Optimum is holding its own in the house for streaming and my sons gaming.
It all started when I could no longer send email with small pdf attachments. After six hours spent over two days with tech help online, 4 more hours with a tech at my location, problem was internal at one of the switching offices and a computer board. Verizon Fios provided wonderful service but I could not stay disconnected from the Internet any longer for work purposes so made the switch to Optimum Online.
I made the Optimum appointment with a sales guy who showed up at my house ASAP at 8:00PM that night with a handful of offers. As it turns out Fios called next day and got speeds back to normal but I did not want to cancel cable considering I called salesman direct.
Fios offers a faster speed with fiber but so far Optimum is holding its own in the house for streaming and my sons gaming.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Saturday Evening Post
The transistor radio still is one of my favorites, I know there are a handful of gadgets that are smaller and sound so much better. Maybe its all those through hole components planted on the PC board when you pry open the case. A few still have the old radio smell that's hard to describe. You can't forget the earphone that plugs into the jack for those nights listening when you were a kid and should be sound asleep. If we could only go back in time.
This article in my local newspaper brought back memories of my transistor radio days of the past.
http://www.northjersey.com/community/family/ervolino/202887211_Then_and_Now__Transistor_radios.html?page=all
A few transistor radio commercials and ads of the past.
Classic ads.
My first radio dxing was with a transistor radio tuning in distance stations from Canada on cold winter nights in my bedroom. Every now and then I still try and see what I can pick up across the radio dial in the car while waiting for the kids.
So break out that beat up AM radio from the basement, put in a fresh 9V, extend the antenna, and you might surprise yourself with a powerhouse station or two from nice distance away. Just don't skip over those far away weak stations, you never know.
Have Fun!
This article in my local newspaper brought back memories of my transistor radio days of the past.
http://www.northjersey.com/community/family/ervolino/202887211_Then_and_Now__Transistor_radios.html?page=all
A few transistor radio commercials and ads of the past.
Classic ads.
My first radio dxing was with a transistor radio tuning in distance stations from Canada on cold winter nights in my bedroom. Every now and then I still try and see what I can pick up across the radio dial in the car while waiting for the kids.
The Playboy centerfold of radios!
So break out that beat up AM radio from the basement, put in a fresh 9V, extend the antenna, and you might surprise yourself with a powerhouse station or two from nice distance away. Just don't skip over those far away weak stations, you never know.
Have Fun!
Monday, May 6, 2013
Home Built Submarine
Talk about home brewing at its best!
Check out this 18 year old who built his own submarine.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/05/teenage_thomas_edison_builds_s.html
Very impressive!!!
Check out this 18 year old who built his own submarine.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/05/teenage_thomas_edison_builds_s.html
Very impressive!!!
Easy Up Antenna
Yesterday afternoon I attached the Par-20 end fed antenna to my painters pole up against my house. For the pole support I used a heavy umbrella base and it provided a tight secure fit. One end of the wire with the matching box/connector was hung over a branch of a small maple tree. This setup takes 3-5 minutes tops and provides a stealth approach depending where the support is located.
The 20 meter band was quiet here in N.J. except few a New England stations. I did try for a few dx contacts but my QRP 10 watts SSB could not break into the pile ups.
Overall a fun time playing around with a new antenna configuration.
The 20 meter band was quiet here in N.J. except few a New England stations. I did try for a few dx contacts but my QRP 10 watts SSB could not break into the pile ups.
Overall a fun time playing around with a new antenna configuration.
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