Friday, March 25, 2011
Friday, October 29, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
If your looking for stuff to get guys or gals this Christmas following is a list of things that I have found over the last couple of years that I think are great and would make some fabulous gifts.
1 - ExOfficio Boxers and Briefs - These are the best I have ever found and come highly reommended. I dumped everything I had one I found these. They are not cheap but you get what you pay for. Charcoal or black please.
http://www.exofficio.com/product_details.aspx?item_cd=1241-0016&key=fbeeef5c-ca14-42c6-896b-916f827df8a02 - Petzl Tikka XP2 - I have last years version and this new model looks to be great. They make some cheaper models but this one is the best function and value.
http://petzl.com/en/outdoor/tikka-zipka-series/tikka-xp
3 - Nalgene Narrow-Mouth Loop-Top Water Bottle - 32 fl. oz and 16 fl. oz. - I like the 16 oz. model and keep them in the frig instead of buying bottled water. Also like the new old-style canteen.
http://www.nalgene-outdoor.com/store/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=69
http://www.nalgene-outdoor.com/store/detail.aspx?ID=1262
4 - Thermos beverage can Insulator - These are great and I buy them a case at a time to give as gifts.
http://www.thermos.com/Product_detail.aspx?CatCode=PART&SubcategoryID=36&ProductID=283
More to come.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Slim Jim 2 Meter Antenna Project
E-mail me if you want a copy of his pdf for a project of your own.
Here is the finished product with the exterior cover on.
Here is the top cap with nylon screw and loop for hanging the antenna up.
Here is a view of the underside of the top cap.Picture of the bottom cap with the pigtail sticking out. The pipe clamp is used to hold the cap on while providing an easy way to remove the internal antenna from the outer casing if needed.Close-up of the bottom cap with slot cut for cable exit.This is the internal PVC carrier with the antenna wire wrapped around it and the pigtail goes up through the bottom and comes out at the cutout futher up the pipe.This is a shot of the cutout and the showing the connection of the pigtail to the antenna wire. The wire goes through the 3/4 pvc pipe via drilled holes. Wire is bare 12g copper wire. Close-up of attachment to antenna wire.
Friday, June 19, 2009
2009 Fishing Trip to Lake Barkley!
This one was just over 2 pounds.This one was around 2.5 pounds.This one weighted 5 pounds 4 ounces!!
Pictures from recent amature radio tower antanna repairs at HCA.
This picture show our 4 antennas on the roof. The big beam antenna is easy to spot but there is also a folded dipole, a G5RV wire, and a 2 meter/70 cm UHF/VHF just below the beam.
Assembling the crew.Getting ready to lower the tower onto the ladder to replace the balun.The culprit! Quite fried. Yikes!!Implementing the lightning arrestor box. Nice work Jack KA4OTB.
- HCA Maintenance Crew - Thanks Guys!!
- Williamson County ARES Members - Jack Cox (KA4OTB), Dave Matthews (KI4PSR), Hilton Dean (W4GHD ), Randy Paulson ( )
- HCA Amature Radio Crew Members - Rick Froggat (KI4RQV), David Gatewood (N2DAG), and myself, Keith Walker (K1KRW)
- Also thanks to HCA for supporting our volunteer efforts to man this station for disaster communications with great backing.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Niterider Digital Pro-12 E Bicycle Light Battery Rebuild
The Niterider Digital Pro-12 E bicycle light battery is pretty simple and no electronics "in" the battery so the light head itself has all the electronics in it. Therefore if you can supply it with an agreeable current it will work. This is not the case with the next generation lite from Niterider called the Niterider Digital Pro-12 LCD which came with a "Smart" battery with electronics and a control board in the battery so you cannot just drop in a battery pack, soder it up and be in business.
The pack I found is a 14.8 volt 4400 mill amp Li-Ion battery back that is already pre-assembled with a PCB control board that these new batteries require. These also require a new charger but it a reasonable cost item. The original battery was a 13.2 volt but the light is capable of handling the higher voltage and it makes the light a little brighter. I am in the process of buying a 13.2 volt regulator and will update when it is installed.
Here is the link for the battery:
http://www.all-battery.com/li-ion18650148v4400mahpcbpreotectedrechargeablebatterywithbareleads.aspx
Here is the link for the charger:
http://www.all-battery.com/universalfastsmarttlp3000chargerforli-ionli-polymerbatterypack148v4cells.aspx
Basically all you do is:
1 - break open the battery by jabbing and working around a thin metal piece at the junction of the top cap and battery case bottom to break the glue bond
2 - Twist the top off to expose the old battery.
3 - Cut the two leads close to the old battery connections
4 - Take out the old batteries and the spray foam used to hold them in place.
5 - Slide in the new battery pack - It will ovalize the base a little but will be corrected enough when you screw back on the top cap.
6 - Put some shrink rap on the leads and then soder them black to black and the red to the white.
7 - Slide the Shrink wrap down and heat with a flame.
8 - Twist the cap back on.
9 - Cut the old charger connector off and connect it to a removable lead supplied with the charger. (You will not be using the old charger any more.
10 - Select the 14.4 volt level on the charger and plug it in to charge the battery.
11 - Enjoy.
Niterider Digital Pro-12 E Bicycle Light
New Bicycle Light Mount Post
This is a Minoura "Besso" which is primarily designed for mounting on your fork and has a broad range of size adjustment and works great on this handlebar application. Rock steady and the attachment process is great.
Vendors marketing info:
Minoura Besso LH-50 Fork Mount for Headlights. Minoura's Bésso LH50 fork mount clamps to either side of your front fork, provides a good spot to mount your headlight. Mounting your headlight well below eye level helps you see potholes and other road hazards, because they'll cast visible shadows. It can also be used to attach various accessories to your handlebar, stem or frame tubes. Adjustable clamp band fits around things from 19-35 mm (3/4" to 1 3/8") in diameter.