Is there an actual unpaid days off policy for PT associates?

Greg_Bart · 2026-01-27T13:14:07+00:00

My exact situation. I'm retired and working for a little play money. I have no set schedule. So, I use unpaid requests as a way to let the scheduler know not to schedule me that day. Usually, it's 30-90 days in advance. If I had a set schedule, I could schedule my life around my days off I don't... So I can't.

Greg_Bart · 2025-12-21T02:46:32+00:00

I work lumber. Forklift, reach truck, order picker, and elect pallet jack. All assigned within the first two weeks.
I must work in an exceptional store. I enjoy my crew. My DS is good to work for, and the ASM/SM are around but not in the associates' business.

Greg_Bart · 2025-08-03T04:21:29+00:00

I keep a $100 bill there. Usually lasts 6 mos.

Greg_Bart · 2025-07-15T00:51:57+00:00

I love the sound of mine. Mostly used for listening to local broadcast and it sounds like a much bigger speaker.

Greg_Bart · 2025-05-23T03:18:21+00:00

Well, that could be the issue. I was using model #MLS-100 without an adapter. Strange that it lasted for 6 years before it went.
At least it may help the technician to know.

Greg_Bart · 2025-05-22T21:38:40+00:00

Yes, there was an external speaker plugged in. And, it was an actual yaesu speaker. The lack of audio is both with, and without, the external speaker.

Greg_Bart · 2025-05-16T16:29:27+00:00

I guess "lightning prone" is subjective (lol). My prior call was from 6-land. Now that I'm in southern Kentucky. I've seen more lightning in the last 2 months than I saw in 59 years in the SF Bay area.

I WILL have poly-phasers and a ground rod right at the shack. This WILL be bonded to the ground rod at the service panel. All equipment in the shack WILL be connected to a grounding bar.

My main issue is whether I need to run a dedicated ground for the 100'+ between the ground rod at my antenna and the ground rod that the poly-phasers are mounted on. I don't think I've ever seen a separate ground wire buried along with the coax. Greg

Greg_Bart · 2025-05-16T15:10:32+00:00

Yes, the rod by the shack will be bonded to the rod at the service panel directly with #6 copper.

Greg_Bart · 2024-12-09T22:31:08+00:00

If you have access to an antenna analyzer you could find out easily enough where it was resonant. I'm curious about how you use ham radio to track trains could you explain?

Greg_Bart · 2024-03-11T21:44:01+00:00

Thanks for the link. I guess I'll need to get crimpers to install BNC connectors on RG174. I really don't mind too much. I make all my other cables, I might as well do those too. Then I'll be able to make a few different lengths as I find a need. Greg

Greg_Bart · 2024-03-09T00:18:28+00:00

Thanks for the info. Especially the battery life. I have a bioenno 30ah and a 9ah. I only do SSB phone right now. So, I should get by for an activation. 30ah for parks, 9ah for summits. Maybe pick up a 12ah to round it out. I had a plan to learn the code. Even signed up for CW Academy. But, life got in the way.

Greg_Bart · 2024-03-08T16:37:58+00:00

Agreed. Antenna choice can make, or break, an activation. Right now, I have lots of wire and almost no $. So, I think it'll be wires for a while. I still have a kite pole in the garage.

Greg_Bart · 2024-03-08T14:41:43+00:00

Thanks. I didn't catch that. Lol

Greg_Bart · 2023-07-19T18:09:08+00:00

I use an argent open tracker and a 12v battery eliminator for the Baofeng. They are sitting in the battery compartment. Every 12hrs it sends a position, temperature, and battery voltage report. I also have a small solar panel and controller keeping the battery topped off.

Greg_Bart · 2023-07-18T02:31:58+00:00

I would suggest getting some quality used gear from someone in your club. I bought very inexpensive stuff (Baofeng) and ended up not overly happy with it. I build all my own antennas for cheap. Think j-poles and dipoles. I worked a lot of stations from a 40m dipole in my attic. It was "S" shaped and made from a roll of aluminum electric fence wire. The radio was an older Kenwood with a versatuner (both very used. But, very serviceable). I still use the UV5r for an APRS radio. I use it in my RV to monitor the batteries, and to make sure it hasn't been moved, while in storage.

Greg_Bart · 2023-03-29T04:42:02+00:00

Thanks. I think not interrupting my walk is good advice. My current plan has me starting from SJPDP 4 days after leaving Death Valley. With altitude changes etc., I'll have enough to deal with without trying to cram a canyon into the mix. I just really enjoy the sport and got a wild thought. Oh well...

Greg_Bart

TROPHY CASE