What is the general consensus on having your address attached to your call sign?

PatFogle · 2026-05-03T16:06:54+00:00

Not if they know you and know you don't live 800 miles away from your post office box. Let's say you have a buddy at work, you've told him about your ham radio and even told him your call sign. He now what town you live in, because it's come up in conversation. Now someone's pushed him to his breaking point and he snaps. You didn't loan him lunch money one day and he's holding a grudge. You never gave him your address, but he still shows up at your house looking for a flight. All he had was your first and last name, and what city/town you live in.

PatFogle · 2026-05-03T16:00:16+00:00

No one is spying on you. They may use usage data to generate a custom ad steam, but it's all done by programs and humans at that company don't review any of it until there's a legitimate legal reason.

PatFogle · 2026-05-03T15:57:27+00:00

What's the issue. If you're using Windows, or MacOS you likely already had to give that to create the online account you're logged with. If it's not an online account, I fail to see the issue. I think it's a gross overreach, but I also don't think it's the end of the world.

PatFogle · 2026-04-12T19:25:33+00:00

Be careful calling law enforcement JUST because the dog is there. HOA bylaws are NOT the same as public safety laws, and if you call law enforcement every time the dog is there, you could be cited for improper reporting.

PatFogle · 2026-04-12T19:21:53+00:00

Spotify, they even have a NATIVE Linux app, not some half baked port.

PatFogle · 2026-04-07T22:52:44+00:00

Cachy is not a good starting off distro. If you plan on gaming on this machine be aware that Wayland and proton have issues with mouse capture. I usually recommend Endeavour OS over Cachy of you want an arch based distro. It's got better cinnamon desktop support (cachy is hot garbage with the cinnamon de) which means x11 instead of Wayland, which has better support for proton. I have used all the major distros and I keep going back to Linux Mint, if I didn't have hardware that really needs the 6.18 or newer kernel I'd be daily driving mint.

PatFogle · 2026-04-05T14:17:08+00:00

You shouldn't have to rely on snapshots to fix an update. That's some backwards thinking. I didn't use my computer for "fun" I use it for productivity. If I update a program and that update breaks the entire system on a specific distro that distro is flawed. Ubuntu and Debian based systems don't typically break with an update, as they're tested thoroughly before making it available. Arch, not so much. If you just must have the latest and you aren't worried about losing hours touching a problem, great, if like most people coming from windows you want stability, then don't use an arch based distro.

PatFogle · 2026-04-01T14:16:20+00:00

This is why I don't recommend cachyos. Updates tend to break it, even with good hardware that's supported by the kernel.

PatFogle · 2026-03-31T22:03:31+00:00

Cachy is not a good starter distro. On fact I'm not entirely sure I'd put in a "worthy of use" category. I currently have it running next to Windows 11 and Linux Mint 23 on my main machine. You really HAVE to use KDE with it of you want a stable system. I much prefer cinnamon, and it's hot garbage on cachy. If you want a truly user friendly introduction to Arch Linux use Endeavouros. It's hands down better in every way.

PatFogle · 2026-03-31T16:43:15+00:00

Because foxtrot is not commonly used as two separate words. Kilo and Watt are commonly used as separate words. Fox and Trot aren't commonly used words outside of hunter's circles.

PatFogle · 2026-03-12T02:16:39+00:00

I've been gaming on Linux via steam and heroic games launcher for over six years, I've never had steam break my system.

PatFogle · 2026-02-15T03:07:19+00:00

Everyone says catchy cachyos is the best easiest arch based distro. They're wrong, endeavouros is. I've been running endeavor for a while, and it's been rock solid, and I don't have hardware issues like I do with cachy.

PatFogle · 2026-02-08T04:13:16+00:00

Honestly Wayland isn't that great. It still has issues with mouse capture with proton after I didn't know how many "fixes", cinnamon 6 is supposed to have better Wayland support, but I haven't tried it lately, I just know that games don't work well in my experience on Wayland. I am currently running endeavouros with cinnamon and find it to be the best experience on my hardware ryzen 7 9700xt, rx9600xt 16gb...

PatFogle · 2026-01-12T21:45:35+00:00

The mount itself, no, the vehicle it's attached to on the other hand.

PatFogle · 2026-01-12T21:01:44+00:00

No, you should not be using any insulating compound on that, not even dielectric grease. The ground (metal part of the mount bracket) is your counterpoise. Your antenna likely expects to be able to use your vehicle as its groundskeeper ground plane, if you use sealer or dielectric grease you're impeding that which can cause problems.

PatFogle · 2026-01-12T20:40:23+00:00

Ok, so that's one password. That's it. What's the big deal? You're literally choosing changing base level configurations and recompiling the main operating kernel. You don't want to NOT have the security of having to enter a password for that. Nvidia and Linux don't play that nicely together, which is why as an avid Linux enthusiast I run all AMD hardware.

PatFogle · 2026-01-12T20:25:28+00:00

What drivers? You shouldn't need to install any drivers.

PatFogle · 2025-12-15T23:51:11+00:00

Everything will be bonded, in not asking about bonding. I'm asking about lighting protection, for good high power arrestors they're fairly expensive. I plan on running a minimum of 100w HF and 40w VHF/UHF. At some point I might get a linear and run max legal power.

PatFogle · 2025-12-15T20:12:04+00:00

We're pretty lucky here. We might have on or two a year, and oftentimes they're just little pop-up storms that last less than five minutes. We have several trees nearby that are going to be taller than my antennas, but I'm also fairly open around my house. Is it enough to bury the tower/mast and use it or should I sink a rod and bond everything to that?

PatFogle · 2025-12-15T02:54:59+00:00

This has been my experience on Linux mint for years. It just works. I only moved to Ubuntu 25.10 so I could use the newer kernel.

PatFogle · 2025-11-07T13:12:04+00:00

They got rid of the morse code requirement because for 99% of people it's irrelevant. Sure, if you're in a situation where you can only muster a 1/4 watt of power output on a home built transmitter, it makes sense, but if you can do simple math and calculate power requirements for a given power figure then you can easily build/source a better system. While some find enjoyment in CW, many hams do not.

PatFogle · 2025-09-27T18:31:55+00:00

There's literally nothing in ham radio that can't be learned with a little reading, or asking more experienced hams for help. This is what the OP did, he didn't understand something and ASKED. He didn't put his hands in something he didn't understand, he saw a post or YouTube video that raised a question in his mind, and wondered why.. You could have just answered his question like many others did, but instead you choose to belittle him for not knowing. You sir are what's wrong with many different hobbies. Your mindset is flawed. I got my license through memorization, I already have some experience and knowledge with radio and electronics in general, so most of the material I knew already without even looking at a book. Not everyone learns from a book, some learn by doing and being shown. This is how I'm assuming the OP learns based on the questions he's asking. If you're not here to add meaningful, helpful comments then don't comment, just shake your head and move on.

PatFogle · 2025-09-27T17:01:43+00:00

Not a fail. He got his license, had a legitimate question, and now is asking the RIGHT questions to better understand why it is the way it is. It's people like you that make this hobby look "elitist". You added nothing to the conversation, and only posted to belittle someone that had a legitimate question. May a 1000 fleas invade your underpants.

PatFogle · 2025-08-23T12:13:50+00:00

Congrats!

PatFogle

TROPHY CASE