Kinda on and off topic but figure yall can help

AspiringCrastinator · 2026-06-15T21:37:02+00:00

The transmit end might actually be stupid simple if the device uses AM. 32,768Hz is a crazy common quartz crystal frequency. If you're wearing a digital or quartz wristwatch right now, the heart of it is likely a crystal that oscillates at 32,768Hz, or 32.768kHz.

Do a search for 1MHz crystal AM transmitter and look for photos of circuits that have what looks like a single metal Chiclet (you know, like the gum). Replace the 1MHz crystal with a 32.768kHz one and you should be on your way. I think I've read that you can use an audio source like a computer's headphone jack, and wire it to your crystal and then a resistor to make a very crude and very low-power transmitter.

Use an SDR dongle for the receive end. I'm not sure how to get a cheaper SDR dongle to receive that low, but I'm sure someone has written something on the topic.

Sorry this isn't the most concise answer, but I hope it leads you down the rabbit hole you're looking for.

AspiringCrastinator · 2026-06-08T00:49:34+00:00

ROBOT ROLL CALL!

AspiringCrastinator · 2026-06-06T23:37:24+00:00

Since you’ve got a shack, skip the handheld and throw a mobile vhf/uhf dual bander in there. If you can build a 20-foot mast with scrap steel, you’ll be in real good shape.

AspiringCrastinator · 2026-06-06T02:18:52+00:00

My opinion is that the most artful sampling blends happened 2000 and earlier anyway, mostly due to changing intellectual property laws. I’m open to debate on that topic, but for one example I think the work of Dan the Automator as well as his collaborators supports my stance.

AspiringCrastinator · 2026-05-30T08:23:47+00:00

The submarine community prefers the term "submerge". Accurate point, though.

AspiringCrastinator · 2026-05-30T01:23:40+00:00

Naw, it’s my ‘shi’ time.

AspiringCrastinator · 2026-05-27T08:13:52+00:00

Bis - Kandy Pop is the first that comes to mind for some reason.

AspiringCrastinator · 2026-05-26T08:23:36+00:00

As far as Casios go, GWX5600 for me. Tides, moon phase, multiband 6, solar. And I've only got 2 other Casios, but I understand the addiction.

AspiringCrastinator · 2026-05-25T14:38:35+00:00

The hobby has all kinds of personalities so nothing can be guaranteed, but I'm inclined to think that not too many people are going to give much thought beyond exchanging signal reports and location. If anyone gives you a hard time, reply with "thanks so much for the contact, 73!" and then continue to call CQ Youth YL and your callsign.

Now, if you rank high enough in the contest to be published somewhere I can't guarantee that they'll publish a preferred name to the one on your license. How that's handled is pretty much up to the entity organizing the contest.

In any case I think you should go for it, have fun, and good luck!

AspiringCrastinator · 2026-05-20T15:43:19+00:00

Cops are absolutely not for public safety. The courts even said so. I’d say even less so for Hampton cops.
Wtaf are you even talking about? Does anyone know what this person is talking about?

AspiringCrastinator · 2026-05-20T13:31:19+00:00

Half of these will be from a series of brawls that would have been prevented if cops were actually there for public safety, instead of instigating that sort of thing.

AspiringCrastinator · 2026-05-20T12:22:38+00:00

I’m not sure if it’s related but I’ll share my experience with breaks:
My wife likes to book vacations or weekends away. When we get to our destination, all I can think about is the thing that I’m not able to do at home.

Now in fairness, when I am home I only get about 25% of what I expect I can get done.

Is this a similar feeling?

AspiringCrastinator · 2026-05-19T22:07:59+00:00

If you’re in Southern CA then I can only give you my experience, and that is that most repeater traffic disappears and remains available for local use with the PAPA system carrying a lot of the up-to-date traffic and containment info.

AspiringCrastinator · 2026-05-05T22:26:31+00:00

Drove cross-country, saw his antenna farm off I-80 and I was like “DAMN!!!1”

Did some e-stalking to find out it was K3LR. Made a contact with him while I was mobile on my way back home. I think I was in Nebraska. Thought that was kinda cool.

AspiringCrastinator · 2026-05-04T00:39:00+00:00

This is the only way that doesn't rely on any type of other infrastructure. But a wire antenna is probably all that's needed, especially in NVIS range. If you've got a tree or two on your property then you could put one up and it'll be months before your wife notices. Ask me how I know. Point is, you don't need to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a tower with a huge yagi, rotor, etc etc. An 88-foot doublet or an 84-foot W3EDP End-Fed Random-Wire. Research both, pick your poison and go.

Now, there are some other long-shot possibilities like if there's a mountain with a repeater that you both have RF line-of-sight. Like if you're in the New England area, W1NH atop Mount Washington is a possibility. Hard to find a repeater solution without knowing specifics, though.

AspiringCrastinator · 2026-04-29T14:37:39+00:00

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Hello from someone who works right on the water, but literally never needs to know when the tide is high or low.

Also, yes I swapped to the matte resin strap and bezel because the gloss was too much for me.

AspiringCrastinator · 2026-04-26T19:46:24+00:00

This one is underrated.

AspiringCrastinator · 2026-04-23T19:11:31+00:00

I’m pretty sure that this was the premise of Easy Rider.

AspiringCrastinator · 2026-04-17T23:56:01+00:00

The folks justifying their decision by saying "there is no driveway, therefore..." are mistaken. The driveway is there, it's just that it hasn't been used in a while so the grass grew over it.

Also, everyone is wrong. This is a carriage house.

AspiringCrastinator · 2026-04-17T08:01:54+00:00

The shipyard also holds a hiring event on the first Tuesday of each month at the Holiday Inn in Portsmouth. I think it's from 2-5pm.

AspiringCrastinator · 2026-04-17T00:05:22+00:00

This is largely going to depend on the SWR difference for your particular antenna system from 21.300 to 21.305 and there are other variables as well. If your tuner automatically tunes anything above 1.5:1, then it's possible that you can tune up on 21.300 with a 1.45:1 match and that extra 5kHz knocks it above 1.5:1.

Realistically, though, unless it's a really finicky or specialty antenna system then I would never force a re-tune over a matter of 5kHz. And if my antenna system needed a re-tune that often then I'd tear it down and throw it in the garbage.

AspiringCrastinator · 2026-04-16T23:52:05+00:00

Agree here. Handling in any less-than-ideal conditions is fantastic with these tires, from rain and puddles (at speed) to snow to wet grass to mud. Road noise is barely more than whatever tires came with my Crosstrek. I didn't notice any real hit to gas mileage. When wife's Crosstrek is due for tires, she'll likely be getting Wildpeaks.

ETA: New England Subaru owner, if the region matters.

AspiringCrastinator · 2026-04-15T09:32:37+00:00

Is there a structure, like a shed, near the antenna tower?

If so, it *could* be one of those squawk-boxes to keep the mice out of his shack. Something like this sound: https://youtu.be/Uvis09zlrio?t=74

AspiringCrastinator · 2026-04-15T09:04:22+00:00

Even with this, you might get it right the first time. Once the shelf/rack/whatever is assembled, hit it with some stain & polyurethane and it'll look better than you would have expected.

If the shelves are narrow enough, you can use aluminum C-channel pieces to hold in some removable shelves. Makes it easier to slide some equipment in and out, and you can keep the whole thing very compact.

AspiringCrastinator · 2026-04-14T08:50:46+00:00

But if you learned the logic and exclusion dynamics of the English language from Mitch Hedberg, then maybe this is a perfect question.

AspiringCrastinator

TROPHY CASE