HAMVENTION !!!

I always go to Hamvention. I have a secret parking spot I always use in an nearby neighborhood and hoof it to the show. This proves difficult when I purchase something like, say, a Heathkit SB-102 with power supply. :-) SO - this year, I pulled a Sturgis (Trailered the electric bike close to the show and rode in triumphantly) and got a great parking spot next to the Porta-Potties! :-) It was another great show - unfortunately, upon my arrival, I keyed my Yeasu VX-5R and lost all output (Dead Finals) :-( My Kenwood is still chuggin away though) --> See Sidebar over there on the right column.

JUMP THE SHARK!!!

I attended the 2010 "Jump the Shark" Scooter rally in Cincinnati recently - here is a picture and a link for more info - It was a great time - I was unable to ride the whole 70 miles this year - maybe next year after I upgrade my batteries and solar!!:

http://scoot.net/gallery/2010/04/wkrp/

Project Triumph TR-156v

Repairing a BMW via Ebay

First tip - stay out of the way of people who are late to work.

Second tip - find a parts car on Ebay that is the same year and color. :-)

Monitoring for Haiti Traffic on the Emergency Nets

I have moved my shack out of the bedroom and into the office. I am running 2 antennas - a longwire at about 20 feet strung up N/S and a G5RV jr. dipole at 20 ft going NNE/SSW. I seem to have a pipeline to Maine and Texas :-) This week, I have spent a lot of time listening for any traffic coming out of Haiti. I haven't heard any personally, but understand they have made contact with a few hams down there. I am hearing reports that they are so desperate that some aid groups have had to pull back their crews after getting attacked. The situation is pretty bad from what I'm hearing. I have been monitoring 3.720, 7.045, 7.265, 14.265 and 14.300MHZ.

MMMM Electric Snow Doughnuts!!!!

Since I'm not allowed to commute until the ice is off the street (by order of the boss), I decided to run amok the other day doing Electric Snow Doughnuts in the driveway and running through the yard. Afterward, I realized that the lawn may not have been as frozen as I thought and that I may be making a resodding entry in the Spring. :-)

DirtWorthiness testing weekend

I wanted to see how the bike would do on dirt and in the mud - but was fearful after my earlier motor failure that i would kill the motor so i built a shroud out of a rubbermaid storage bin and zip ties and I tested the dirtworthiness of dirtbike II electric boogaloo this last weekend at New Vienna Motosports Park. They were awesome and took a genuine interest in the bike and wanted to know about it - so did many other riders who were there. I achieved 55 minute trail riding time including hills, 3 creek crossings, and some flat open terrain. I was almost ready for a break anyway when I sensed I was about at 85% discharged. I put it on charge at 15 AMPS and about 25 minutes later, a guy wanted to ride it - said he was gonna take it around a loop - which meant to him, a loop around the whole park :-) he jumped it - went 50mph - found some mud, and made it back in one piece - and I put it on charge again. I gave it about another 40 min. before taking it back out myself and riding for 10 or 15 minutes or so - it never acted like it went empty. I drew a crowd at the end of the day trying to get the bike off the ground on a less than agreeable bump on the kiddie trail as my brother filmed me. :-) Thanks to the owners of New Vienna and to all the interested folks we met - I would have liked to have talked to you guys all day. :-)