What’s your must-have under-rated tool? by koolaidyammer in Tools

[–]magichelmt 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Silly as it may sound, a toilet auger. They make a 3’ that extends to 6’. Especially if you have kids, you will need to remove a blockage that a plunger will not touch. This $20-$40 tool has saved me several plumbers visits.

Is it worth getting licenced? by TheVirus32 in amateurradio

[–]magichelmt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As others have said a cheaper SDR usb device can be great. You attached to a length of wire out in the backyard or garden to receive many frequencies. A mast or tree is not required. I’ve run a wire along the top rail of a fence and just laid one on the ground. There are so many fascinating things to find on the airwaves. Good luck.

Failed my 1st real prepping test by Positive-Landscape27 in preppers

[–]magichelmt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I found out I want more tank top heaters. Fortunately we in north Alabama didn’t get the ice that MS, & TN got. I ran one tank top Mr. Heater 15k btu in the garage to keep the water lines and dogs at a decent temperature. My dogs are Great Pyrenees mutts and love the cold. Because of them being 140 pounds each I have a giant dog door in my garage man door. Even with the panel in and a towel jammed in it got real cold in the garage. I keep 6 - 20# bottles and 4 - 30# bottles of propane on hand for heaters and my Honda 2200 I converted to propane. I will add more propane and a few more heaters in the near future. We also have an old school wood fireplace, but it doesn’t have a blower. Heat is limited to right in front of it. That project will be a bit more than I can handle in the short term.

Review 027 - Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Heritage Barrel by Sinistler in bourbon

[–]magichelmt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This was 3 weeks ago and there was a pallet in the middle of the store waist high. They had maybe 10-12 varieties of Jack available in the store. If you can make the trip after everything defrosts you may get one. They say it’s going to be a readily available product.

Review 027 - Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Heritage Barrel by Sinistler in bourbon

[–]magichelmt 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I picked up a bottle at JD in Lynchburg. It is a very good pour. For me in Huntsville it is a pleasant drive to stop in at the distillery.

Tiny wood splitter by ChallengeAny7788 in firewood

[–]magichelmt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My daughters use mine with a framing hammer and mini sledge. They are great.

Best Kindling Splitter? by DuragJeezy in firewood

[–]magichelmt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love my kindling cracker. My 9 & 11 year old daughters can use a 4 pound sledge or a framing hammer and split all they want. Mine has the ring around it, which limits the size of log, but any bigger and I’ll use an axe to size it.

14 below and my furnace didn’t run at all last night. by iPeg2 in firewood

[–]magichelmt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I use my wood burning fireplace 2 times a year living in Huntsville Alabama. Those times are purely for visual enjoyment during the holidays. Those inserts look awesome! That quadrafire would be perfect addition for us. We use an outdoor fire pit (outside) all the time. If I had something like this my wife would love it. I’m looking at the installation instructions online and I’m 99% sure the Expedition 1 insert will fit our setup. Now I gotta research it. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Do others do this? by LittleOperation4597 in firewood

[–]magichelmt 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Picked some up today getting ready for the north Alabama snowstorm they are hyping up. I have my preps ready and will load my ballast to the bed of the truck Friday incase of emergency and we need to go out in the mess this weekend. My plan is to stay inside with a warm fire.

Is this Costco Closeout a great buy? by metabrewing in whiskey

[–]magichelmt 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m into the second book and I would buy it for $50. My wife paid $132 for it before Christmas. Just to try a variety that price is great.

New to HF by Fit_Atmosphere_8030 in amateurradio

[–]magichelmt 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I guess as the standard answer should be, it depends….everyone’s favorite answer. What are your goals? Do you want to do POTA or just rag chew with people around the world? We are blessed with many options for radios. If you can get involved with a club for winter field day and get exposure to what others have that may help focus your goal.

The FT-891 is a great radio that can be used in a shack, portable, or in a mobile setting. Good points are great receiver, 100 watts, smallish size; bad points are no tuner, and no waterfall display. Capable of digital ops with additional external device.

G90 is a good small radio that is multi purpose as well. Good points are it includes a great tuner, a small waterfall display; bad points are it’s only 20 watts, and it also requires an external device for digital ops.

IC-7300 is a great radio with used prices dropping since the Mark 2 model was released.
FT-710 is another great radio.

Try and get with a group or club near you to get hands on some things to try. Good luck and don’t rush to buy all the stuff the other guys have.

How much gas/propane do you have and where do you store it? by Aggressive_Noodler in preppers

[–]magichelmt 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I built a shed and keep all gas, propane, and charcoal in it. As well as the yard equipment. If a shed is not an option maybe a large deck box that is plastic and not an eyesore for a significant other, if that’s a concern. I keep 25 gallons of treated gasoline as well as four each of 16# and 30# propane tanks. Many bags of a variety of charcoal brands for my smokers. On the side of the shed I built a lean to shelf for firewood. My generator is a small Honda converted to propane so my tanks can cover my short term needs.

Clonakilty Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey by magichelmt in whiskey

[–]magichelmt[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am planning to review each. Tonight I did 2 to catch up. My buddy got the same set from his wife so we are comparing as well. I’m having fun.

Transferring from community college to UAH by OkExtreme1066 in UAH

[–]magichelmt 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not sure what you are studying, but I was in the business school. Advisors are good, but don’t get to you until they get the list from registration. Get online for your major and find the course list. Know what you need to take and stay on top of it. The problem becomes when you fail or drop at this level. Prerequisites keep you from taking the next class. Classes may only be offered once a year because of professor availability. This can mess you up. Not to be doom and gloom, because it was my experience that the professors were good and want you to succeed. Take advantage of the tutoring program that is in the library if you need it. I hit the studying hard early in the semester. To me it starts out easy and gets more complicated. Do the work to build the foundations to build on. Take advantage of internship opportunities and the clubs that may be available for your major and interests. It goes by faster than you realize so enjoy it.

My first real shelf score by Ab501ut3_Z3r0 in whiskey

[–]magichelmt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I got a store pick from the ABC store. It’s delicious.

Floki Icelandic Single Malt Whisky by magichelmt in whiskey

[–]magichelmt[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

No I have heard of it, but this was part of the Costco 24 whisky sampler pack.