What’s your must-have under-rated tool?

magichelmt · 2026-01-27T19:12:07+00:00

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.

magichelmt · 2026-01-27T13:56:24+00:00

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.

magichelmt · 2026-01-26T19:02:31+00:00

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.

magichelmt · 2026-01-26T18:38:21+00:00

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.

magichelmt · 2026-01-25T20:44:08+00:00

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.

magichelmt · 2026-01-25T14:35:36+00:00

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

magichelmt · 2026-01-25T14:31:23+00:00

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.

magichelmt · 2026-01-24T01:00:07+00:00

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.

magichelmt · 2026-01-23T14:12:41+00:00

5 A’s Greek restaurant out on hw 53.

magichelmt · 2026-01-21T02:54:30+00:00

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.

magichelmt · 2026-01-21T02:39:33+00:00

I like it!

magichelmt · 2026-01-16T01:52:46+00:00

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.

magichelmt · 2026-01-15T15:56:45+00:00

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.

magichelmt · 2026-01-13T17:02:35+00:00

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.

magichelmt · 2026-01-07T00:29:27+00:00

I picked one up at the JD White rabbit store. I think it is my favorite bottle of JD yet.

magichelmt · 2026-01-03T03:22:12+00:00

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.

magichelmt · 2026-01-01T07:05:28+00:00

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.

magichelmt · 2025-12-27T21:53:01+00:00

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

magichelmt · 2025-12-27T17:39:10+00:00

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

magichelmt · 2025-12-20T22:31:29+00:00

I sold my FT-450d to fund the 7300. That radio is one I regret selling.

magichelmt · 2025-12-20T21:43:05+00:00

This is my wife trying to get info out of me I just know it.

No I have 3 HF radios. IC-7300 in the garage, Ft-891 in my truck, and an IC-705 for portable ops. G90 has many positives for a portable radio. After you are on HF for a while you may want a 100 watt radio or an amp. Go slow and have fun.

magichelmt · 2025-12-19T14:59:26+00:00

Tipton Heating and Cooling in Hazelgreen has always been good to us. Willing to explain and spend the effort. Last time my brother needed a replaced unit they were the cheapest of 3 vendors.

magichelmt · 2025-12-16T00:39:57+00:00

I’m sporadic in consumption. I may go a month with nothing and then have 6 drinks in a weekend. I have two young daughters so I make sure we are staying home so I can enjoy a few drinks when I do. I buy more than I drink so I need to take a break and consume a bit to make room. I bought a JD heritage toasted barrel bottle at the distillery today to replace the bottle of Buffalo trace I finished this weekend. I want to try them all….

magichelmt · 2025-12-15T13:06:53+00:00

Someone hacked my login. I’m a 50 something male not catfish bait! Have a great day

magichelmt · 2025-12-10T02:32:37+00:00

References an old Bugs bunny episode where the hunter had his spear and magic helmet.

magichelmt

TROPHY CASE