Ham Radio Day 2013

A little bit earlier this year (Mar.16), and the weather should be great .!.

HR Day at GigaParts in Huntsville AL

This is a fun event, and a great opportunity for folks to learn more about this hobby. Doesn’t matter if you are newly-licensed, un-licensed, or an Old-Timer like me . . . something for everyone. Vendors, product demos, show&tell – I really appreciate GigaParts for hosting such an event. I plan to be there again to demonstrate my Subaru-deployable EmComm station. Last year I had HF and VHF radio, with simple quick antenna setups. This year I’m hoping to demo a portable VHF Winlink2000 email gateway. I’ll offer assistance and tips on how to configure your RMS-Express clients to use this service.
Sounds like a party .!. (here are a couple of pics from last year…)

Subaru Field Station WB5RMG @ GigaParts 2012

Subaru Field Station WB5RMG w/ HF & VHF & APRS & PSK31 /;^)

 

Christmas Chili

It had somehow never occurred to me to use cinnamon in chili…

Shelby thinks it is ready to eat.

This recipe was apparently known as Cincinnati Chili. Then some folks I know in North Carolina added Pinto Beans and Cumin . . . I must say, I like it.
I’m calling this variety Christmas Chili  /;^)

1 or 2 pounds ground beef (I like it pretty lean)
1/2 of a sweet-yellow onion; chopped
2 teaspoons minced garlic
Brown beef with the chopped onion and garlic; drain fat, if any.

32 oz. carton of beef broth
one 14-1/2 oz. can diced tomatoes; undrained
1 small can tomato paste
one 14-1/2 oz. can each :
kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans; drained and rinsed
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon each of cinnamon, allspice, cumin, oregano, and salt.

simmer 1-1/2 to 2 hours, stirring enough to keep from getting bored;
this also makes the house smell really nice and spicy.

This is good to eat with cornbread.

Mmmmmm, try it. You might like it.
I think it’s already time to make some more.
Enjoy  /;^)

Publish This Book

I don’t frequently make such an endorsement on my blog.
This is a unique situation tho, and I felt a call to action . . .
There is a limited time to respond, or this won’t happen. This is a once-in-a -lifetime opportunity to be a part of such a unique project. Only here, only now.

My friend Earl Carter is preparing to publish a book, but this is more than a book of pictures. Earl has an ability to capture so much more than just light. He knows the people in his photographs, and they invite him into their soul through their eyes. This remarkable presence is more than photography; you learn so much about these people by looking at these pictures, as if you were there…..

Samples of Earl Carter’s Photography

These photos are copyright by Earl Carter, http://earlcarter.com …
Earl has been a photojournalist for the last 45 years, working at the Miami Herald, the Huntsville (AL) Times, and the Kingsport (TN) Times-News. This will become a valued collector’s piece, but not unless the funding is secured through this unique channel. I’ll let Earl explain it via his KickStarter website.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/82315136/fund-appalachian-album-book

Please feel free to re-post, like, re-tweet – somehow tell all your friends; get the word out now. We only have until Sept. 8th, 2012 to gather enough pledges to get this published. This is a simple process, and a clever way to make this happen. With enough support this will become a reality.

You can get a preview of “The Appalachian Album“, and look back over some of the material that Earl has been collecting.
You don’t even need to  tell him that I sent you, just go do it.

Thanks  /;^)

MakersLocal256 OpenHouse

In celebration of November 11, 2011 (20111111) – the fine folks at Makers Local 256 in Huntsville decided to have an Open House. My good friend Scott was to be cooking gumbo for this event, and invited me to come visit. This is a collaborative learning workspace, and has become quite active. I had been meaning to check it out for some time now, so I could not pass this opportunity. I took my camera and have now finally posted this gallery . . .
Thanks for the GUMBO /;^)

now located @ 414 Stevens Avenue

Maker Scott & family (and gumbo)

maker space and supply loft

KM4KER ham radio station

the MakerBot

ascending the stairs to the loft

large keyboard, mixers

large mixer console

Open House brainstorming

electronics lab

mechanical lab

mechanical process lab