X-Wing Fighter Jet

This is a must build when things get tough at the office and you have to go into battle.

http://www.instructables.com/id/X-Wing-Fighter-from-Office-Supplies/

Or better yet keep one in the shack just in case someone tries messing with your on air contacts. This stealth jet will be sure to take out their dipole!

Basics: Zener Diode

Here is a very nice intro about Zener Diodes.

http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/zeners

Simple easy to follow.

Future Stuff

Now that all the holiday running around is over my attention turns to the new year and getting settled in for the cold winter months ahead, heating up the soldering iron on component leads and PC boards.

Winter is the perfect time for building kits and playing around with components especially when the freezing temps and bone chilling winds are blowing outside. I have a few kit ideas on deck to break in 2012.

Plus this year I want to find the time for more operating from the great outdoors whether its sitting in the car somewhere memorable or walking in the woods. It's always fun when your out of your normal element, certain changes are needed on the fly. This time of the year the local parks are empty, less hassle and questions. Operating out of the car is simple, find a cool spot with a view, just slap a ham stick on the roof and your good to go. Very easy and lots of fun.

Yesterday turned out to be a lazy day watching an all time classic on WPIX channel 11, The Honeymooner's marathon. Nothing beats new years day with Jackie Gleason on the tube.

Happy New Year!

Thank you to everyone who stopped by and read the blog over the past year. Hopefully it provided some helpful ideas and overall nice reading.

Happy New Year!

Afternoon Car Portable

With the temps edging near the 50 F mark yesterday afternoon spent an hour or so at the Fort Lee Historic Park in NJ high on the cliffs overlooking the Hudson River.

After a walk to check out the views and a few photos I set up shop in the car with the FT-857D, portable battery, and a 20 meter ham stick on the roof.

Had a wonderful conversation with a ham who lives in the Sunshine State of Fla. in the winter, Queens, NY in the summer months. His antenna was a wire attached to a palm tree, a stealth type set up, very cool.

My last contact was to the Ar tic Circle, OH9SCL, cranked up the juice for this one to break into the mix of other stations calling. That ham stick on the roof did it's job, for the price you can't beat it.



Circle Line tour boat.

View from the car.

Overall a nice afternoon on a fairly warm end of December, I will take it. The Fort Lee park is relatively quiet this time of year, the views are stunning. I have operated before here and its one of my favorites.

Kit Building & Soldering Guide

Here is a helpful and informative guide from Ramsey Electronics.

Kit Building & Soldering Guide

http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/downloads/catalog/201201W-27.pdf

Google Plus

Over the past few weeks I have been on Google Plus playing around with the various features, so far I am a very happy camper.

Sure most have accounts set up on Face book but with Google Plus I feel it offers much more rich content and a great way to make new friends. Face book seems to be a gathering of old friends and some of the posts are unnecessary. I especially like creating different groups, QRP, electronics, family, following, etc. that I can post to.

There is always fresh posts by hitting the What's Hot button on your home page. If your into photography some of the pictures posted are amazing. There also is a group of hams and QRpers on board posting away.

If you decide to sign up and join the fun be sure to grab a vanity address at the Google Plus toolbox.

http://www.gplustoolbox.com/index.php

Be sure to follow me at:
www.gplus.to/jimklimko