Morse Code requirment is dead. R.I.P. 12-15-2006

The requirment for Hams to know Morse code is being dropped. Some people will be saying this is the death of amateur radio but I do not.

I think everyone is missing the point. I do not think we are losing anything. I feel we are going to gain a large group of new hams and hams upgrading their licenses. These will be people who will advance the hobby. Not all but some. I was a no code tech for a long time. I decided to buckle down and study the code and pass it. I got my 5wpm out of the way and 28 days later I was an Extra class license holder. Do I feel that the guys who will pass the test and upgrade without having to learn code are cheating or something? NOPE. I feel they have just as much right to use the frequencies as the rest of us. That is like saying that not having to parallel park on a driving test now means you are not a real driver. BS. You studied the question pool (or memorized it) and passed thats what counts. You hold a valid license and thats that.

Link to the article on the ARRL's website
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/12/15/104/?nc=1

SAVE YOUR OWN LIFE: Everybody needs one of these cards

As a Emergency Service person I strongly suggest that EVERYBODY SHOULD DO THIS. IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE.

Everybody should take the time to help save their own life by taking a few minutes to fill this out and get this free card. This is a FREE Emergency medical card from Blue Cross Blue Shield. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE BLUE CROSS AS YOU INSURANCE COMPANY. It does not matter who you insurance company is or even if you have any insurance at all. Here is a little information about what this is. You sign up for this card and fill out everything about your medical conditions and medications your are taking. It also has places for emergency contact person(s) and your Doctors info. Also you can go in at anytime and update it for free. Then if your ever in the position that Emergency Service Personal need to know you medical information all they have to do is log into the website with a number that is on your card (side note: this login does not allow them to have access to your account where they can change your information, just access to your information you entered.

PLEASE, PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO FILL THIS OUT.
After filling this out both myself and my wife got our car within 2 days.

https://www.myepi.net/

World Trade Center movie

We just watched the Movie World Trade Center with Nicolas Cage and I have to say this is the best movie I have seen in a really really long time. It will make you hurt for the people who lost their lives that day all over again. It is hard to believe that it has been over 5 years since the attack on the US by the low life terrorists. God Bless the Families of all who lost their lives in the attack that day and all of our soldiers whom have died since then.

Peter

I will miss you James Kim

I feel a loss for the tech community. James Kim senior editor for C-Net died this week after trying to walk out of the deep wood in Oregon. He and his wife and 2 kids got stuck right after Thanksgiving and were lost up there for 9 days. His wife and kids were found after nine days but James had left 2 days earlier to try and get help. There was a massive search for him for several days but he was not found for several more days. In this time he had died from the elements. I am saddened by the loss but I am proud of him for his attempt to do something to try and help his family. My thoughts will be with his whole family.

Peace be with you.

Peter

We need another Black Jack Pershing

First off let me say that I do not hate Muslims. I just hate extremist and their crazy ways.
CLICK HERE TO SEE WHY

The First Russian Space Shuttle

Did you know that there was a space shuttle built in Russia, which has made a few successful flights but then the research project was closed due to lack of funding after the collapse of Soviet Union?

LINK TO THE FULL STORY

Death after two-hour ER wait ruled homicide

I would have raised so much hell that they would have seen me or my mother just to shut me up and get me out of there. They should have to pay for this and pay big. My only question is where was the daughter and why didn't she notice that her mother was dead?

LINK TO THE ORIGINAL STORY

Widow rented rotary phone for 42 years

This is a story that will shock you. It is crazy how some people just hand over their money when presented a bill. No questions asked or do they even look over the charges.

LINK TO THE ORIGINAL STORY

Worlds Dumbest Hacker

This is a really funny story about the dumbest hacker in the world. This guy doesn't learn. He is really slow on the uptake.

link to original article

I heard of a guy one time who made a virus on his own, but he infected himself with it. LOL.

Peter

A new type of battery using plastic instead on metal

Brown Engineers Build a Better Battery – With Plastic

It’s thin, light, flexible – and plastic. Brown University engineers Hyun-Kon Song and Tayhas Palmore have created a prototype polymer-based battery that packs more power than a standard alkaline battery and more storage capacity than a double-layered capacitor. Their work, published in Advanced Materials, will be of interest to the energy, defense and aerospace industries, which are looking at more efficient ways to deliver electricity.

link to original article

My new toy

Well since I am going to be taking a trip soon I decided that I wanted to buy a new digital camera. I really like Nikon cameras and a friend of mine has the Nikon Coolpix 5600 and he has really liked it a lot. It is very small but has lots of features. Well I decided that I would look around and see what I can find one for since this is a model that has been out for a little while. Well the other day I went into a local Pawn shop and low and behold they had the higher up model the Nikon Coolpix 7600. It looks like new and they had a great price on it. This camera sells for $over 200.00 or more on the internet. I got it for $100.oo even with tax. WOW What a deal. It records video at 640 x 480 with audio. It has a large 1.8 inch screen that is super bright (this is a problem I have with my other digital cameras when used inside) I love how small it is. I carry it on my side and do not even know it is there. It came with a 256 meg storage card and I ordered a 2 gig card for it so I will not run out of space for a long time. I will post some links to pictures soon.

5 Years and it seems like yesterday

I remember September 11, 2001 like it was yesterday. I was stuck to the tv and could not get enough info about what happened and updates on survivors.

I have a friend who has a birthday on this day. I know that everyday is somebody's birthday but I thought it was kind of strange to know someone. I was woke up by a friend who heard about it on the radio and I don't think I got more then a few hours sleep the next 3 days total.

My prayers are with the families of all who died that sad day. On the ground and in the air. Except for those who hijacked the planes. May then burn in hell for such a horrendous thing.

SAD SAD DAY The Crocodile Hunter is dead

It is a sad sad day today The man known as the Crocodile Hunter is dead at the age of 44. He died doing a filming for a documentary called Ocean's Deadliest. My prayer's go out to his family and friends. He will truely be missed by the world. He was a great entertainer and teacher.

LINK TO THE FULL ARTICLE

Sorry, you can't have the internet... you're over 70

This is crazy but true. This store is telling folks that if your over 70 years old you will not be sold internet access. Read the full article below.

LINK TO THE ARTICLE

Software Delay Said to Cost IRS $318 Million in Overpaid Refunds

I found a interesting Associated Press article about the IRS and over payment of refunds.

Here is an excert:

The Internal Revenue Service gave away $318 million in improper refunds this year because a computer program that screens tax returns for fraud was not working, according to a report released yesterday.

LINK TO THE ARTICLE

Troops to test liquid armour

I found a very interesting article about troops to test liquid armour. Here is the basic idea.
SOLDIERS are to begin trialling a futuristic “liquid armour” that is worn like ordinary clothing but turns into a rigid shield as soon as it is hit by bullets or shrapnel.

The armour consists of material impregnated with liquid silica that has been modified using nanotechnology. It is designed as a flexible alternative to the current military armour, which consists of Kevlar material reinforced by heavyweight ceramic plates.

link to the article

quote

"Never argue with an idiot; they'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience."

Real serious about flight sim

Here is someone who is very serious about his flight sim video games.

Link to the Story

New blog for WLS folks

I am a member of a local support group for people whom have had WLS (Weight loss surgery) Gastric bypass. We have started a new blog for the support group. It is named H.O.W. Help Overcoming Weight. You can visit it by clicking here

So if you know somebody who has had WLS or is interested in finding out more info about it send them to this site.

Peter

man makes it onto to plane carrying a bomb 2 different times

So you think your safe on a plane now. Better think again. Read the story that I linked to below.

story link

this is a BAD BAD CAT

I dare you to reach into this cage. Go ahead.

video link

awesome street performer

This is a guy with some real talent. I hope you enjoy this.

video link

My favorite website for interesting articles

I find lots of the articles I will be posting here on a website call DIGG.COM. This site was started by a guy named Kevin Rose. If you ever watched Tech TV or G4 Tv in the past he was a host of a show called The Screen Savers. It is no longer on the air which is a real shame because it was really a great and informative show for geeks and nerds and even newbies to the world of electronics and computers. I have included a link to the site below.

link to DIGG.com

My wife's now blogging

I told Carolyn about blogging and she now started her on. I have included a link below.

link to CRC's Blog

Stealth Cell Towers

This is some interesting cell tower sites.

link to article

MY FIRST POST

Hello to all whom visit here. I am hoping to post interesting articles and items I find here for you to view. I hope you enjoy these and find some of them informative and entertaining. I will post stuff about computers, cars, ham radio, Volunteer Fire Fighting, Weight Loss Surgery, and general items I find interesting.

Peter - KF4QOE