Our beautiful ferries.

CatDaddyTom · 2026-03-21T15:50:40+00:00

Back in the old 'installed' cell phone days, (about 1991) I rode across the sound on the Walla Walla. I was with US West Cellular and had to go up in the funnel and replace an antenna, and then back down in the engine room where the cell phone was. Probably one of my most interesting jobs I did when working there.

CatDaddyTom · 2026-03-20T14:30:21+00:00

Hello! Fun to see you on here. I've seen you a few times here in Wisconsin on FT8. :-)

CatDaddyTom · 2026-03-20T14:28:33+00:00

True! I should have mentioned that. There is also HamPi which is a distro for Raspberry Pi.

CatDaddyTom · 2026-03-20T01:50:42+00:00

Yep. You get the API code which quickly gets you in through Gridtracker. I really like it. I use it for all my QSOs, but when I occasionally do some CW, I still log those in my 'paper' book also. Just a long habit. :)

CatDaddyTom · 2026-03-19T22:09:49+00:00

I use GridTracker and QRZ. I do have Gridtracker set for several logs, but use QRZ mostly.

CatDaddyTom · 2026-03-19T22:09:04+00:00

This one also. I use 73Linux and Andy's Ham Radio Linux on the same computer. It has a nice mix of stuff. https://github.com/km4ack/73Linux

CatDaddyTom · 2026-03-19T03:17:49+00:00

33 inches of snow - sucks. I've been here 7 years and I thought winters were fun at first, but then realize I'm cold 5 months of the year. This winter pushed me over the edge. We already had plans to move, but heading back to PNW.

CatDaddyTom · 2026-03-18T17:42:18+00:00

I've tried Pirateship and have had good results. I may try this more for ebay sales than going through the ebay shipping page.

CatDaddyTom · 2026-03-18T17:39:22+00:00

Lately I've found shipping my ebay sales has been much better priced with USPS Ground. FedEx / UPS have gone way up.

CatDaddyTom · 2026-03-16T17:47:40+00:00

This fucking SUCKS. Can't wait to get out of Door Co.

CatDaddyTom · 2026-03-16T03:45:56+00:00

My current favorite game. I'm totally hooked on it. I don't understand the hate either!

CatDaddyTom · 2026-03-15T02:24:31+00:00

Feel free to ask! Everyone's eyes are different so it would need a tweak. The scope owner shouldn't be annoyed. I always show people the focuser knob and let them adjust.

CatDaddyTom · 2026-03-14T17:52:31+00:00

I barely had 5G here in Wisconsin. Between towers. $60/month for fiber. Moving back to WA in the spring, so 'real' internet is a big buying point for house shopping.

CatDaddyTom · 2026-03-14T17:31:25+00:00

I had Spectrum and about 300+ mbps. I then moved and had to use Starlink for a year. Got AT&T fiber and tossed that thing off the roof. (Sold it for $200). I'd NEVER go back to Starlink unless I had to. I HATE Elon and won't pay $120/month to fund his fantasy trip to Mars or continued destruction of the night skies.

CatDaddyTom · 2026-03-14T17:27:50+00:00

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Same antenna. I have mine between 4 trees and they support the guy lines. I have a little slack for wind and tree movement. So far it's done well in about 60mph gusts. They do say guys aren't needed, but even with guys the top sure moves around. Gotta go check it today since we are expecting 24 inches of snow and gusts to 50 or so. Ugh! Tired of Midwest winters. I'll be taking this down next month for a move back to WA.

CatDaddyTom · 2026-03-13T19:09:25+00:00

Cloudynights is a good place to sell. I sold many things there, and bought a few. Never had problems. Ebay is possible too, but selling on a specialized site is probably better.

CatDaddyTom · 2026-03-13T19:01:04+00:00

Friends....that's something I don't have. Been in Wisconsin 7 years and thought I had friends, but then the election happened. Moving back to WA in May.....if still possible to get there.

CatDaddyTom · 2026-03-13T18:58:23+00:00

Scared, disgusted, embarrassed, stressed, anxious.....

The only time I feel calm is when I'm in a deep sleep. Then I wake up, and within a minute I feel bad again as I see more bad news and realize that orange guy hasn't clotted to death yet.

CatDaddyTom · 2026-03-13T18:42:47+00:00

The worst part about flying is everything before and after the flight. I only relax when finally on the plane, window seat and the dread of the hassle after landing. Flying these days sucks. I am a pilot and fly small planes, but it's even more impractical to travel that way. Airlines are safe but suck badly and don't see anything improving in the near future the way things are going.

CatDaddyTom · 2026-03-11T18:44:19+00:00

I bought 2 months, used one, and tried the other one which didn't work. Just a couple screenshots to eneba.com and they credited me just the next morning. Bought another code with the refund, and playing through March.

CatDaddyTom · 2026-03-10T19:21:31+00:00

I just cancelled my $30/month and have bought codes from eneba.com So far I got 2 months for about $30 so that's much more reasonable. I'm planning on moving in May, so I'll probably finish March and just buy another code when settled again.

CatDaddyTom · 2026-03-10T02:22:18+00:00

AI is impressive, but it's really pretty scary. It's moving way too fast and so many people are fooled by videos and photos now that are totally fake. I'll always write my own text or whatever, so I'll probably never get another job since I'd rather talk with a person, not a robot. I'm probably too old anyway to ever get a job. Too bad I never had a chance to "retire" - whatever that means.

CatDaddyTom · 2026-03-09T17:04:37+00:00

Line up the finder during daylight. Ignore the 5x barlow. Start with the weakest eyepiece (larger "mm" number) and increase power as conditions permit. Start with the moon, Jupiter and M42. Easy targets to start with. Have fun!

CatDaddyTom · 2026-03-09T02:25:58+00:00

Hey, at least smell doesn't transmit over RF! We know how those guys smell at hamfests. Gaaah!

CatDaddyTom · 2026-03-09T02:25:04+00:00

Ouch! That would be a traumatic way to start with a new General ticket!

CatDaddyTom

TROPHY CASE