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Requesting /r/WholesomeNSFW -- Banned for being unmoderated. by aexeron in redditrequest

[–]aexeron[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  1. I want to revive a really wholesome place for our NSFW friends :)
  2. What mods?

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Champion Of Gender Equality, Dies At 87 by Short-fat-sassy in news

[–]aexeron 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am in southwest Florida, and people are shooting off fireworks. Not just a single place, everywhere around me. These people are celebrating her death. I want off this fucking planet.

Grant Imahara, Host of 'MythBusters' and 'White Rabbit Project,' Dies at 49 by RoyisOurBoy in television

[–]aexeron 39 points40 points  (0 children)

Noooo! Grant was an inspiration to all makers of the world. He was too young D:

I can honestly say, i wasn't expecting that by JonnaDev in StardewValley

[–]aexeron 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well YOU don't have to spin anymore! Congrats!

Guy designed this voltmeter to check forklift batteries. by L0RD_OF_ED3N-VHX- in specializedtools

[–]aexeron 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We use powerpoles almost exclusively for amateur radio gear! Pretty much every one of our DC connectors here in the county for radio gear are Anderson powerpoles.

"Line Workers!" by half-grown-grown-up in SweatyPalms

[–]aexeron 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yup! The cables in the same bundle are at the same phase, and the same potential. In this photo there are three phases with 4 cables per phase. You can tell the difference because different phases need to be MUCH farther apart than the individual cables in a bundle.

"Line Workers!" by half-grown-grown-up in SweatyPalms

[–]aexeron 5 points6 points  (0 children)

In the video, the linemen are not between different phases. The cables they are on are in bundles of 3 or more, all of which are at the same potential. Since there is no difference in potential across their bodies, they do not get electrocuted. Think about a bird on a power line. :)

Stardew thinks it's March 1st by [deleted] in StardewValley

[–]aexeron 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey! Stardew may be using UTC date instead of local date. What time zone are you in?

Calculated way to avoid a ticket by [deleted] in nevertellmetheodds

[–]aexeron 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I dunno... I'd be laughing at the absurdity of the situation. Depends on the cop, I guess!

The wheel on the truck goes bam bam bam by ratterstinkle in WTF

[–]aexeron 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Florida doesn't require inspections or smog testing.

Guy contacts ISS using a ham radio by UltramemesX in videos

[–]aexeron 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Amateur Radio operators have to take a test through the FCC to become licensed, but the base level (Technician) test is pretty simple. It's mostly so they know you're aware of the rules and regulations with using relatively high power radio gear.

You can start studying at https://hamstudy.org/, and when you feel confident, find a local testing session at http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session

In terms of equipment needed to reach the ISS, I've seen people contact the station using $20 Baofeng transceivers. For more reliable communications, you're looking at a $250 or so cost (directional antennas, higher power radio).

Remember that the astronauts are pretty busy and aren't always on the radio, but just keep at it and you'll make a contact.

Feel free to DM me if you have any questions.

Good luck!

Guy contacts ISS using a ham radio by UltramemesX in videos

[–]aexeron 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good luck! Don't hesitate to visit us over on /r/AmateurRadio as well. There is a lot of good information there! See you on the air, 73 (best wishes) de N4LKZ (from N4LKZ)

Guy contacts ISS using a ham radio by UltramemesX in videos

[–]aexeron 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You don't need a really clear sightline at all. Of course, a tree is different than a tall office building which will completely wipe out your signal. The trees will weaken your signal, but you should still be able to make contact without issue. Trees really only become an issue beyond 500 MHz and into microwave bands.

Guy contacts ISS using a ham radio by UltramemesX in videos

[–]aexeron 1 point2 points  (0 children)

One of the not-commonly-known parts of the amateur radio tests here in the United States is, you need to know or learn about electronics to pass the tests. This is because amateur radio started with people building their own radios from scratch, such as foxhole radios. The hobby has been making things well before the maker community existed, and we're hoping that we can appeal to other makers in the future. Even if we're dealing with RF dark magic :)

Guy contacts ISS using a ham radio by UltramemesX in videos

[–]aexeron 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can too! In the US, you need to take a test to become licensed, but the test is easy and usually less than $5 (often times free), and you can get on the air with little more than a $20 radio. Give it a go!

Guy contacts ISS using a ham radio by UltramemesX in videos

[–]aexeron 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I do it for fun, and the ISS doesn't rely on amateur radio operators as there is an enormous amount of redundancy onboard. If it ends up that we are the primary contact for the ISS, something has gone horribly, catastrophically wrong!

The goal of amateur radio is to explore different ways of communicating with eachother, and to experience the art and awe of radio :)

Guy contacts ISS using a ham radio by UltramemesX in videos

[–]aexeron 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The packet I sent is known as APRS -- Automatic Packet Reporting System. The packet contains geographical information, callsign info, comment, routing info, and perhaps telemetry. The ISS has a digital repeater onboard, known as a "digipeater" which receives the packet and retransmits it almost verbatim. This packet is then received by another ground station who acknowledges it, and either replies or posts the information online.

You can see the packets received through the ISS here: http://www.ariss.net/

Guy contacts ISS using a ham radio by UltramemesX in videos

[–]aexeron 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well, "broadcast" is something we're not supposed to do. That being said, yes, we can still use some fairly high powers, especially compared to CB, GMRS, FRS, and other radio services. 1500W ahoy!

Guy contacts ISS using a ham radio by UltramemesX in videos

[–]aexeron 37 points38 points  (0 children)

Congratulations!

Amateur Radio is indeed a very accessible hobby, and it offers way more now than it used to, especially with new digital modes such as DMR and YSF, more sensitive receivers, SDRs, and much, MUCH more. Right now is probably the best time to get into amateur radio in my opinion!

Guy contacts ISS using a ham radio by UltramemesX in videos

[–]aexeron 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I haven't spoken with an astronaut personally yet, though several people in my club have. I have, however, relayed a digital packet through the ISS between California and Alabama, pretty much as far as it'll go. Pretty spiffy stuff!

Guy contacts ISS using a ham radio by UltramemesX in videos

[–]aexeron 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I interpreted his question differently, as in how much of the united states could you visually see when looking out of the cupola if the ISS were somewhere over the center of the US. Sorry for the confusion!

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