Messages

121

Huh? / Re: Gary Richrath, former guitarist for REO Speedwagon, dies at 65

« on: September 15, 2015, 1611 UTC »

Very sorry to hear this Al.  He was one of my early "guitar gods".  I remember hearing "Anti-Establishment Man" back around '73 or so and being grabbed by Richrath's playing.  Please accept my condolences...

122

General Radio Discussion / Re: Newbie Questions

« on: September 14, 2015, 0051 UTC »

Hi Index and welcome to the community!  Although a decent tabletop receiver and outdoor antenna will leave any portable in the dust, the 880 is a wonderful radio for the price.  It will probably take you a couple hours of playing, but you WILL get the hang of it.  Boombox gave you a good basic expy of operational modes and JC gave you a good link for study.  All I can add is that the 880 has several filter widths that you will want to use to null out adjacent stations and interference.  All three buttons (AM, LSB, USB) will toggle the different filter widths available for the mode in use.  What this does is widen or narrow the frequency "window" or width that is being passed through.  I own both an 880 and a 660 and both are great little receivers.  You will certainly have fun with yours over the next few years...

123

General Radio Discussion / Re: Under new management, Alaska's HAARP facility open for business again

« on: September 08, 2015, 2353 UTC »

Perhaps they can sell air time to Brother Stair.

He might go for that, Chris.  It seems that he's been scorching the ionosphere for some time, HAARPing mercilessly on hapless listeners.   

124

General Radio Discussion / Re: Under new management, Alaska's HAARP facility open for business again

« on: September 08, 2015, 2142 UTC »

Life never ceases to amaze.  The same University types that have decided to sacrifice most forms of wealth creation in order to "save" the planet from carbon now want to start up an ionosphere-scorching program just to see what happens.  And I see from the article that it is completely funded with debt and high hopes... typical.  I'm sure the taxpayers will eventually be tapped to save them from going broke...

125

Huh? / Re: Black Sabbath announces final tour, 'The End,' with creepy video

« on: September 04, 2015, 2137 UTC »

Not a lot of people know about this, but I had a bit part in one of their videos. Look for me in the background:

Al, you're too modest.  It WAS a small part yes, but I was incredulous as I watched you walk up that brick wall and backflip off!  You DA Man!  BTW- Ozzy never sounded OR looked better than in that video - definitely produced at his peak.  Good stuff!

126

Huh? / Re: Black Sabbath announces final tour, 'The End,' with creepy video

« on: September 03, 2015, 2155 UTC »

Notable among those not listed as attending is Bill Ward, Sabbath's longtime drummer. One of the most influential metal pounders ever, Ward's absence in recent years has remained a major frustration among diehards hoping for one last shot at seeing the original quartet before it climbs into the coffin.

From what I've heard, Bill Ward has had some major health issues over the last 10 years or so.  Alcoholism took him out of the band back in the 80s, and his self abuse has come back to haunt him now that he's pushing 70.  I doubt he'll ever be healthy enough to tour again.  So I guess you've got your chance, Mr. Fansome.  Better polish up on your paradiddles...

127

General Radio Discussion / Re: Wheeler Cites Obstacles to Pirate Enforcement

« on: September 03, 2015, 1602 UTC »

Awfully hard to enforce, no?

+-RH

And maybe even harder to prosecute.  Unenforceable laws are only good for turning otherwise law-abiding citizens into de facto criminals, thereby opening them up for harassment, should the powers-that-be desire to harass them.  Unfortunately we have our share of unenforceable laws on this side of the pond too, Andrew... 

128

Huh? / Re: I started college today....

« on: September 02, 2015, 1854 UTC »

That 1:12 ratio sounds like my high school touch typing class.

Gee Lex - did you do more touching, or typing?    My high school typing class was about 50-50 gender-wise.  It's funny, most of us guys considered the class to be a waste of time and accorded it about that much effort.  Now decades later I find that it was one of the most important high school classes I ever took.    Back in the 70s... who knew?

129

Huh? / Re: I started college today....

« on: September 02, 2015, 1514 UTC »

A-train you dawg!  Just be careful with that dangling participle... 

130

Huh? / Re: Electric Avenue

« on: September 02, 2015, 1505 UTC »

Hey - Eddie Grant's neighborhood!

131

Huh? / Re: I spent the evening watching "Walker: Texas Ranger"

« on: August 28, 2015, 1351 UTC »

Back to Chuck, I didn't realize he wrote and performed the theme to "Walker"? Listening to it made me wonder how many concussions he had as stuntman?

Yeah, a virtuoso, he ain't.     And to add my normal irrelevance - being a radio nut from a very early age I would've killed to have William Conrad's voice.  I think I used to watch Cannon just to HEAR him talk.  God - my leg gets wet just thinking about that voice!

132

General Radio Discussion / Re: NEW Promo "HF Underground & Free Radio Cafe"

« on: August 20, 2015, 2331 UTC »

  You have been busy Andre!  Thank you for all your new production over the last few weeks.  Its nice to have some new stuff to use.  WAZU will continue to run these promos - thanks again!

133

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: OTR?

« on: August 17, 2015, 0250 UTC »

I heard it weakly at about 1500 this morning...

134

The RF Workbench / Re: LULU kits are available on EBAY

« on: August 17, 2015, 0248 UTC »

Great thread! I'm looking to transmit my show on my own and was put onto this thread. I've emailed him but I can't solder to save my life and with shakey hands it wouldn't be the beat idea to do.

I've asked if he can supply and build it up.

It would be great

I'm glad to hear that you're attempting to have Stretchy do the build for you.  I can't stress it enough that although high quality, Stretchy's kits are HARD to build - very compact.  If he will build it for you then your satisfaction is assured.  I have been mulling the idea of making Lulu kits available myself - easier to build kits - but having PCBs made is expensive and I need to see some real interest before I make an outlay.  Good luck with yours RNI!   

135

Huh? / Re: My new anthem "Better off without a wife"

« on: August 15, 2015, 1215 UTC »

Well, one thing is certain:

It's easier to acquire large amounts of radio equipment without one of those looking over your shoulder.

 Amen JP!