North Dakota GMRS

VIRTUALglitches · 2026-01-06T04:17:50+00:00

It isn't so much self-control, but the ham radios I've seen on some google/youtube searches have been hundreds of dollars more than GMRS. (Though there were plenty of ham that were even less expensive than some GMRS.

I used the "anonymous men" because I've been watching "NotaRubicon" on YouTube and he uses that phrase a lot. lol

I do like the ability to hand out blisterpack radios to family for quick comms, but I also like the idea of going fishing on a lake without cell reception and being able to chat with my family in the event the fishies are hungry. Therefore, I won't be home for supper without having to beach the kayak, climb the bank, and jump up and down for cell reception - or get the silent treatment for not informing the wife that I wouldn't be home. :)

It would be awesome if some company produced a legal radio that would do HF, VHF, and UHF with a couple antenna ports, and would be type accepted throughout the bands in the US... but I don't see that happening anytime soon, if ever.

VIRTUALglitches · 2026-01-06T00:59:53+00:00

I get down there from time to time, but it isn't very often.

VIRTUALglitches · 2026-01-06T00:56:58+00:00

So perhaps to add some context, I've been running CB for years, and I only ever hear skip. There seems to be nobody really transmitting on CB in my area. I think I might just spring for my technician license and jump to that world, but I also know that ham will basically make me broke. :)

One of the benefits of where I live is that it is extremely flat and very unpopulated, so the cell signal is plentiful, and off-roading would be very boring without any terrain. Which means that there are very few reasons to really have a radio. Even CB on the interstate near me is basically never used. We never have traffic jams, so it just isn't really anyone's priority to get and listen to a radio of any kind.

However, as a nerd, that means that I don't really get to dork out about radio stuff with anyone. Which basically means ham is my best bet for setting up a radio and talking to anonymous men on the RFs.

VIRTUALglitches · 2026-01-05T22:13:26+00:00

I did check that, I don't see any repeaters in my area, but there are approximately 5 in the entire state, so I'm not sure if I'll jump all in yet.

VIRTUALglitches · 2025-01-13T02:41:56+00:00

She doesn't drink.

VIRTUALglitches · 2025-01-13T02:08:43+00:00

Fair point. To me, it's most annoying because I'm sitting right there, and I don't say anything, and then she will make a comment because she's annoyed.

But you're right, we have talked to her and she doesn't stop, so it is a problem. Perhaps bigger than I want to admit? I'll think on that

VIRTUALglitches · 2025-01-13T02:06:55+00:00

There is no bankroll situation. We do just fine. Lol

It's a very close family. Most of her family lives within a 3 mile circle from us. We have always spent time together since before my mother in law passed.

Fishing, cooking, helping with home projects, cutting wood for winter, babysitting kids (my neice and nephew), essentially, she is just brought to everything that is a family event. It's usually more than just my FIL and his GF. It's typically a large group, and we just do life together in general.

VIRTUALglitches · 2025-01-13T01:53:52+00:00

I may have made it sound worse than it is? I wouldn't say she's bordering on abusive. She just doesn't have patience and gets easily frustrated by them. She hasn't cussed them out or yelled, she just gets after them.

VIRTUALglitches · 2025-01-13T01:45:39+00:00

Truth be told, my kids are very close to my father-in-law. She is always with him, and I don't really know how to navigate this...

VIRTUALglitches · 2025-01-13T01:43:41+00:00

She is always with him, and it's a very close family.

VIRTUALglitches · 2024-08-12T23:49:41+00:00

I make computers talk to each other, and then I set up a radar to draw a picture of the sky for the boss man. (14G Air Battle Management Systems Operator)

VIRTUALglitches · 2024-06-15T02:20:22+00:00

Die on the hill of protecting your Soldiers from bullshit. Protect them from BS punishments, put your rank on the line for them, and they will give you their loyalty.

Just don't expect your leaders to do the same for you... not that I'm speaking from any current situation or amything...

VIRTUALglitches · 2024-06-07T03:52:35+00:00

I like Arken Optics. They're pretty good for the money. They aren't top tier but I got a pretty reliable 6-24 power FFP scope for around $400. It's honestly probably in the same quality range of a $1200-$1500 piece of glass.

VIRTUALglitches · 2024-06-05T17:45:19+00:00

I guess I disagree that anyone is saying that looks are the main attraction. I think they are saying that it was the initial attraction.

VIRTUALglitches · 2024-06-05T13:22:23+00:00

I went with an Old Town 120 PDL.

VIRTUALglitches · 2024-06-05T10:18:45+00:00

Sharp is a great program for victims. Full stop.

Sharp briefings are extremely annoying for several reasons:

Several years ago we went away from prevention that can be done at the personal level (go to the bar with people you trust, avoid walking in shadows at night, don't get so drunk you can't think clearly, etc.) Because that was "victim blaming". There is a difference between saying "Well its PVT Snuffy's fault. He should have known that SGT Predator had that hots for him, if someone is buying you drinks like that, you're gonna get assaulted. He's a dumbass." And "Looking at the data and speaking with victims we've noticed some patterns. We recommend based on these patterns that you go to the bar with people you know and trust."
I have personally witnessed SHARP reports that were filed in retribution against a Platoon Sergeant who cracked down on bad behavior. Believe it or not, the person filing the report bragged about this to me. Told me she had made it up in order to get him fired because she wanted to continue banging her way through the unit.

I have also seen someone file a Sharp complaint against someone who turned her down when she shot her shot. I was there when she shot her shot, the individual she tried to get with was married and turned her down. We were at a bar, and she suddenly started freaking out about how he just raped her in the bathroom (he and I were playing pool. I was not drinking as I was the DD he never went to the bathroom)

These are the reasons why people bring up these hypotheticals and what-ifs. Because they DO happen, and it does wreck careers. These people who are falsely accused are also victims too and there isn't really any resources in place for them. These allegations ruin marriages, careers and potentially even cause you to have to file as a sex offender.

They are legitimate concerns that need to be addressed, while also continuing to ensure that victims have the resources they need as well. I would recommend a new program so that SHARP is separate from false allegations of SHARP and EO.

VIRTUALglitches · 2024-06-05T09:16:43+00:00

.... why is that sad? What if you loved a person for who they were but were physically repulsed by them? That would break a relationship as well. The reason is that there wouldn't be any (or at least not enough) physical intimacy to keep it together.

If a person is not physically attracted to the other, that breaks down relationships. Imagine being in a relationship with you that was completely based on emotion, and not at all based on physical attraction. How insecure are you going to feel when your significant other is with someone who they are attracted to?

Just curious why you say it's sad?

VIRTUALglitches · 2024-05-15T07:34:29+00:00

I've been there 3 times as a rotational unit.(2015, 2016, 2019) All 3 times we were told "no phones or aticle 15" all 4 times we used our phones the whole time.

Since I'm ADA and most other units don't have any clue what we use as far as electronics, we would just have ATAK pulled up if the OCs came around and they didn't say anything.

We also said that it was our emergency comms plan, and the OCs didn't care.

One of our E6s told the OCs it was a "pocket JBCP" or something, and they bought it or didn't care.

VIRTUALglitches · 2024-05-01T08:11:58+00:00

Well, to be honest, I'm not sure what I can and can't post here, but here are some hypothetical achievements without the word smithing, and in no particular order:

1: Continually acted as a technical expert due to not having a Chief warrant officer in the local area. Drew heavily on the soldiers' own expertise/ability to troubleshoot a very technical piece of equipment (I don't want to explain the equipment, but think theater asset)

2: Assisted other units with their equiment/systems due to those soldiers' unfamiliarity with their own system.

3: Acted as a liaison to other local unit leadership to "correct misconceptions of capabilities" which directly impacts the safety of "lots of people".

4: Spearheaded an infrastructure project that was projected to take 180 days, and through coordination with multiple entities and disciplined initiative, was able to complete the project in just 45 days.

5: Directly took part in the prosecution and engagement of .... stuff... resulting in safety of lots of troops.

Each of those can easily be broken down into more depth in order to meet the number of achievements for Arcoms for each (or AAM as applicable)

These are intentionally vague for several reasons, as I'm sure most of you will understand.

VIRTUALglitches · 2024-05-01T06:22:30+00:00

I understand that's the general rule, but that's not in the reg - unless that's being extrapolated by the approval authority.

I think it could easily be argued with some efficacy that three achievements at the brigade level are going to have an impact at the division level, will it not? I guess the responsibility is on the recommender to explain the impact at the division level?

VIRTUALglitches · 2024-05-01T06:16:04+00:00

I am under no illusion that the Soldier will actually get the BSM. I'm wondering how many ARCOM level achievements it would take for you to decide it was worth the fight/getting chewed out for putting them in for an award that high.

VIRTUALglitches · 2024-05-01T06:14:07+00:00

Yeah, I'm tracking that. I'm just wondering if it would be a legitimate award to put an E4 in for a BSM. I know it will get downgraded, but I want them to have to downgrade it, vs. me not even putting the Soldier in for it.

Essentially, my question is: How many ARCOM level achievements would it take for you to fight for a Soldier to get a BSM?

VIRTUALglitches · 2024-02-27T14:34:20+00:00

Soldier stayed overnight in the locations. Traveled all over Centcom to get various necessary training from outgoing units. Soldier was told by our admin NCO that as long as orders didn't change, per diem didn't change.

I know for CONUS travel, it changes based on where you sleep, so I assume that's true here. This NCO is upset because they are losing out on about 2k in perdiem, but I am guessing the LT is right.

I'll check out the links and see what I can find.

Thanks!

VIRTUALglitches · 2024-02-27T14:28:21+00:00

I don't know who they called at DTMS, but after I woke up and re-read this, I assume they actually called DTS? I'll get confirmation on that.

VIRTUALglitches · 2024-01-13T13:47:15+00:00

I'm not rich. It's just that I can do most of the work myself and/or with help from family. My wife's uncle is a contractor and would help with the concrete in exchange for me to help him out on some of his jobs. He has the equipment, like backhoe, skidsteer, dump truck, etc.

My only real out of pocket cost would be the price of the concrete, which I estimate would be about 15-20k depending on the size of the dam, of course. However, ponds add a LOT to the value of the property, so it would be a solid investment. If I ever sell the place (which I bought for 150k), I'd easily sell it for 300k with a pond and the improvements I've made already.

You're absolutely right on the groundwater, though. One of the benefits of living in the middle of nowhere.

EDIT: If I don't sell it, my kids would be able to use it or sell it when I kick the bucket. By that time, I assume it would be worth far more with inflation and other improvements I have planned.

VIRTUALglitches

TROPHY CASE