oceanpriest
Member
Mixing liquid stuff, hope I won't put the wrong liquid 
Michael Markey
Veteran
Horses and daughter
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Which weapon?
I gave up at about 31 when I broke my ankle and rapidly put on too much weight to fit into my jacket (bought when I was 16).
Preferred weapons: foil (Italian grip) and epée. I always wanted to try (academic) broadsword... Bur NEVER electric, if I could avoid it.
Cheers,
R.
Dirk
Privatier
Music enjoyment (classical, jazz, blues, rock, blue grass, etc.), audio equipment (tube amps, radios and turntables), target shooting (WWII rifles), traveling (Mexico, Europe), working out and reading. That's all.
taskoni
Well-known
That's so cool, I am epee fencer myself or at least I was till last year...
Now I don't fit in to my fancy suit from Allstar in UK
Too much beer perhaps...
Touche
EdwardKaraa
Well-known
Nice shot! I'm an aikido practitioner as well.
Aikido, japanese martial art (well, not much recently, due to non-aikido injury).
More recently I took up (recreational) cycling. It matches quite well with photography, the world looks different compared to the usual view from a car.
raydm6
Yay! Cameras! 🙈🙉🙊┌( ಠ_ಠ)┘ [◉"]
Photography and...
And, right now, I am studying for my Amateur Ham Technician's License here in the states. My immediate goal is to have the ability to communicate on the 2m/70cm bands during emergencies (lots of Amateur Ham clubs and repeaters in my area) and delve a little deeper into the hobby (and perhaps upgrade to a General's license for more privileges).
I also find it stimulating to study this stuff and exercise my brain as I age. There’s so much to learn on the analog side and lots in the digital side as well.
Right now, I have programmed some local police/fire and other public service channels and repeaters into my radios: hand-held transceivers or HT’s - (Yaseu FT-60R and Baofeng UV-5R using CHIRP and RT Systems software) - and am enjoying listening for now.
We recently had some severe thunderstorms and Tornado warnings in my area and these radios gave me a sense of security as I was listening in to what was happening locally: downed tress, local flash floods, medical emergencies etc. and of course the automated weather channels.
I also look at it as a hedge in case of loss of power and downed cellular networks. At least I can stay informed and communicate with battery backup.
What is limiting me a bit in getting a nice base station set-up is HOA limitations on antennas (one of the most important aspects for ham radio). I am thinking of creative ways I can install several in my attic area
For now, I'll limit it to hand-held transceivers and see how things go. The new technology now on ham base transceivers is a bit mind-boggling. Example:
Not sure if there are other Hams on RFF. I didn't see any reference in this thread. 73's
- Music (listening to most genres)
- Playing Guitar (less so these days)
- practicing traditional Okinawan Karate-Do (Uechi-Ryu)
- practicing Yang-Style T'ai Chi Ch'uan - Tung Family Slow Set (Long Form)
- traveling - especially to Europe
I also find it stimulating to study this stuff and exercise my brain as I age. There’s so much to learn on the analog side and lots in the digital side as well.
Right now, I have programmed some local police/fire and other public service channels and repeaters into my radios: hand-held transceivers or HT’s - (Yaseu FT-60R and Baofeng UV-5R using CHIRP and RT Systems software) - and am enjoying listening for now.
We recently had some severe thunderstorms and Tornado warnings in my area and these radios gave me a sense of security as I was listening in to what was happening locally: downed tress, local flash floods, medical emergencies etc. and of course the automated weather channels.
I also look at it as a hedge in case of loss of power and downed cellular networks. At least I can stay informed and communicate with battery backup.
What is limiting me a bit in getting a nice base station set-up is HOA limitations on antennas (one of the most important aspects for ham radio). I am thinking of creative ways I can install several in my attic area
For now, I'll limit it to hand-held transceivers and see how things go. The new technology now on ham base transceivers is a bit mind-boggling. Example:
Not sure if there are other Hams on RFF. I didn't see any reference in this thread. 73's
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neal3k
Well-known
Reading and taking naps. (I'm 77)
peterm1
Veteran
Two additional hobbies - the first honored more in the breach than in the observance these days. For a number of years I practiced iaido - Japanese swordsmanship. I cannot do it anymore due to a back injury which left me with neuropathy which results in some limitations on my ability to exercise in certain ways, but at least I still enjoy working on Japanese swords and their "furniture" (i.e. fittings). I have always found solace in working with my hands. It was particularly so for someone like myself who has had a career involving research, reading brainwork, meetings etc. - I am sure you know the score.
The other hobby (which fits well with photography as it happens) is walking. I wear a fit-bit exercise tracker on my wrist and just yesterday went to the associated fit-bit website to check my exercise statistics. Since mid 2018 when I began recording my exercise regime seriously every day rather than just when I thought of it and felt like it, I have walked 10,500,000 steps - covering nearly 8,000 kilometers and climbed 5,000 stories (the equivalent of 50,000 feet given each story is the equivalent of 10 feet / 3 meters. Of that about 4,000,000 steps and over 3,000 kilometers were in just the past 15 months (before then medical treatment etc. held me back a bit so I can only surmise what my stats might have been had I been fully fit back then). n Not bad for an old fella. But boy I now know why I feel tired.
The other hobby (which fits well with photography as it happens) is walking. I wear a fit-bit exercise tracker on my wrist and just yesterday went to the associated fit-bit website to check my exercise statistics. Since mid 2018 when I began recording my exercise regime seriously every day rather than just when I thought of it and felt like it, I have walked 10,500,000 steps - covering nearly 8,000 kilometers and climbed 5,000 stories (the equivalent of 50,000 feet given each story is the equivalent of 10 feet / 3 meters. Of that about 4,000,000 steps and over 3,000 kilometers were in just the past 15 months (before then medical treatment etc. held me back a bit so I can only surmise what my stats might have been had I been fully fit back then). n Not bad for an old fella. But boy I now know why I feel tired.
wlewisiii
Just another hotel clerk
My primary one these days is attempting to play my PRS SE Standard 24. Much like my cameras, it's a much better tool than I am at using it.
raydm6
Yay! Cameras! 🙈🙉🙊┌( ಠ_ಠ)┘ [◉"]
^^ I always wanted a PRS. Something about the head-stock, neck, and body proportions, along with the design minimalism and apparent electronics simplicity just seems so balanced and beautiful. Enjoy!
Dogman
Veteran
Much the same here. Most of my hobbies fell away as time progressed and the body became unwilling (no matter how the mind and spirit pushed). Sometimes even photography becomes a chore...but it's always satisfying if successful.
Funny how that circle works. We start out basic and end up much the same.
wlewisiii
Just another hotel clerk
It's a beautiful instrument and it just sits wonderfully in my hands. I had several other guitars but none felt right like this one does. I love the birds on the fret board too
raydm6
Yay! Cameras! 🙈🙉🙊┌( ಠ_ಠ)┘ [◉"]
^^ Yes, I was going to mention them 🕊️ as they are so symbolic to the design.
Lovely story about them here:
prsguitars.com
Lovely story about them here:
The Story of the PRS Bird Inlays
The PRS bird inlays are one of the most recognizable trademarks of our brand, but you may be wondering, why birds? We chatted with Paul Reed Smith about…
prsguitars.com
markbono
Newbie
Hey Ray....quick question for you... what are you using to study for the Amateur Ham Technicians license? Love this stuff....hope to have this license/cert done by the end of August.Photography and...
And, right now, I am studying for my Amateur Ham Technician's License here in the states. My immediate goal is to have the ability to communicate on the 2m/70cm bands during emergencies (lots of Amateur Ham clubs and repeaters in my area) and delve a little deeper into the hobby (and perhaps upgrade to a General's license for more privileges).
- Music (listening to most genres)
- Playing Guitar (less so these days)
- practicing traditional Okinawan Karate-Do (Uechi-Ryu)
- practicing Yang-Style T'ai Chi Ch'uan - Tung Family Slow Set (Long Form)
- traveling - especially to Europe
I also find it stimulating to study this stuff and exercise my brain as I age. There’s so much to learn on the analog side and lots in the digital side as well.
Right now, I have programmed some local police/fire and other public service channels and repeaters into my radios: hand-held transceivers or HT’s - (Yaseu FT-60R and Baofeng UV-5R using CHIRP and RT Systems software) - and am enjoying listening for now.
We recently had some severe thunderstorms and Tornado warnings in my area and these radios gave me a sense of security as I was listening in to what was happening locally: downed tress, local flash floods, medical emergencies etc. and of course the automated weather channels.
I also look at it as a hedge in case of loss of power and downed cellular networks. At least I can stay informed and communicate with battery backup.
What is limiting me a bit in getting a nice base station set-up is HOA limitations on antennas (one of the most important aspects for ham radio). I am thinking of creative ways I can install several in my attic area
For now, I'll limit it to hand-held transceivers and see how things go. The new technology now on ham base transceivers is a bit mind-boggling. Example:
Not sure if there are other Hams on RFF. I didn't see any reference in this thread. 73's
Best,
Mark
brusby
Well-known
A little band pre-pandemic with a couple of good friends. We switched up on guitar, bass and/or keys. No drums so very low volume. But we tried to play only songs rarely played by other bands -- like Lies by the Knickerbockers and old Kinks songs -- so we could offer something sorta fresh.
NOT us haha
Poster whipped up for one gig by Dave Johnson
Area 66 poster by Brusby, on Flickr
NOT us haha
Poster whipped up for one gig by Dave Johnson
Area 66 poster by Brusby, on Flickr
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wlewisiii
Just another hotel clerk
Thank you for that link.^^ Yes, I was going to mention them 🕊️ as they are so symbolic to the design.
Lovely story about them here:
The Story of the PRS Bird Inlays
The PRS bird inlays are one of the most recognizable trademarks of our brand, but you may be wondering, why birds? We chatted with Paul Reed Smith about…
raydm6
Yay! Cameras! 🙈🙉🙊┌( ಠ_ಠ)┘ [◉"]
Hi @markbono, I bought the ARRL spiral book (ARRL Ham Radio License Manual 5th Edition for the Technician's License) but found it incredibly confusing.
So, on a recommendation from an experienced ham operator who I met in late-June during a local Ham-fest Field Day, he recommended the books by Gordon West. Here's his book and it is great (Amazon link)! His teaching style is right up my alley.
Once I finished Gordon's book, I went back to the ARRL spiral book and went through all 411 pool questions in the back and got them mostly all right. The only ones I have trouble with are in Subelement T5 - Electrical Principles: mainly, the math formulas, so I will boning up on those. Gordon has some great hints about those in his book (p. 148).
I have been practicing online and found the feedback very valuable (flash cards and practice exams) at:
Best of luck! Enjoy!!
Dabbling with electronic music making and drinking nice beers.
wlewisiii
Just another hotel clerk
Hi @markbono, I bought the ARRL spiral book (ARRL Ham Radio License Manual 5th Edition for the Technician's License) but found it incredibly confusing.
So, on a recommendation from an experienced ham operator who I met in late-June during a local Ham-fest Field Day, he recommended the books by Gordon West. Here's his book and it is great (Amazon link)! His teaching style is right up my alley.
Once I finished Gordon's book, I went back to the ARRL spiral book and went through all 411 pool questions in the back and got them mostly all right. The only ones I have trouble with are in Subelement T5 - Electrical Principles: mainly, the math formulas, so I will boning up on those. Gordon has some great hints about those in his book (p. 148).
I have been practicing online and found the feedback very valuable (flash cards and practice exams) at:
Best of luck! Enjoy!!
Oooh! Excellent to know. Not sure I'll ever follow that up but I have certainly considered that license more than once. Honestly, I'm more likley to get my C&R tag again but this is good to know about just in case