CoCoRaHS - "Because Every Drop Counts"

ABOUT COCORAHS
CoCoRaHS is a grassroots volunteer network of backyard weather observers of all ages and backgrounds working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail and snow) in their local communities. By using low-cost measurement tools, stressing training and education, and utilizing an interactive Web-site, our aim is to provide the highest quality data for natural resource, education and research applications. The only requirements to join are an enthusiasm for watching and reporting weather conditions and a desire to learn more about how weather can effect and impact our lives.  (CoCoRaHS.org)

For as little as 5 minutes a day, you can get involved.

Here is my data from the storm of the morning of April 4^th, 2008:

Barnesville, Georgia Antenna Party

Here are some pictures of the antenna party at W8JI in Barnesville, GA on 9-15-07.

Near Vertical Incidence Skywave (NVIS) Presentation

This PDF presentation was given at the October 2007 club meeting and provides useful information with regard to NVIS: Near Vertical Incidence Skywave

This file is 400 Kb and should download quickly for most folks depending on your connection speed.

Here is the latest version of the VOACAP parsing tool: Parsing Tool.

73!

Homebrew Go-Kit Long Burn Candle

I’m lazy. I’ll admit it.  I’m also cheap.  I decided to make my own GO-KIT Candle.  I wanted one that was in a watertight container, inexpensive and would have a long burn time.  Naturally it had to be made from easily obtainable and low cost parts. 

My solution fills this list of requirements.  In addition, it has enough storage space inside for both a box of matches AND a small lighter.  I prefer the “Belt AND Suspenders” approach.

List of components:

1        half-pint KERR© canning jar
10      ‘tea light’ candles
1        wick sized for this larger candle
1        small box of “strike here’ Diamond© matches, 32 count
1        tiny BIC© lighter

The "Demise" of Ham Radio?

Stephen Hicks N5AC brought a Florida Sun-Sentinel article entitled "HAM RADIO USERS REFUSE TO SIGN OFF OLD TECHNOLOGY QUIETLY..." to our attention and we (that's the editorial "we") were moved to post a contrasting view: