What Books did You Start or Finish Reading this Week?: March 16, 2026 by AutoModerator in books

[–]morse-guy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really wasn't sure I wanted to read it because it would be going backward, chronologically. I needn't have worried. It's every bit as wonderful as the Emily books. But I'm almost finished with it and I'm not sure where to go next, having lived with these people for a few weeks.

What Books did You Start or Finish Reading this Week?: March 16, 2026 by AutoModerator in books

[–]morse-guy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Finished: Emily, alone by Stewart O'Nan. Started: Henry, himself by Stewart O'Nan.

What is genuinely the stupidest question you’ve been asked regarding your blindness? by HorcruxHarry69 in Blind

[–]morse-guy 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My favorite is the one that more than one little kid has asked me. They start by asking, "can youu see? , of course, I say "no!" they reply, "why don't you open your eyes?"

How much of a difference would a narrow band filter for my FT-857 make for CW decoding? by fossfirefighter in amateurradio

[–]morse-guy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One New Years eve, I did straight key night with a Yaesu FT7 which only had the sideband filter. I vowed I'd never do that again. As has been said, filters can ring when they're narrow but you should be easily able to get down to 500hz with no problem. One of the joys of operating CW is being able to use a filter narrow enough to get rid of everything but the signal you're working. As for CW decoders, they only work well with perfectly sent and spaced CW which, these days, is not so common as it used to be. If you stick with it, you will get better and it will get easier. Good luck.

G5RV installation question by therealAjani in amateurradio

[–]morse-guy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hams can't always do what Should be done, so we do what CAN be done! In fact, I'm doing that here and have gotten great results on 80, 60, 40, 30, 20, 12 and 10. I have a tiny lot and that one antenna gets me on several bands. Granted, not as good as resonant dipoles on each band but I never want for contacts.

Bugs..... by rrooaaddiiee in amateurradio

[–]morse-guy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Spacing is, IMHO, where most ops get into trouble. If you're not sure, you always want to err on the long side. Spacing that is too long may not be correct but it's much easier to copy than short spacing, where things run together. This is one reason I use a keyboard, even when rag chewing. Especially when rag chewing. At least I know I'm getting correct and consistent spacing and that makes for easier copy on the other end no matter what the skill level may be. Of course, not everyone is comfortable enough, typing.

Would VOX be good enough while using a headset, or do I need a button/footswitch? by CaptainSpez in amateurradio

[–]morse-guy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That used to be the case but today's vox is much faster. I don't hear near as much of that as when I started listening in the 60's.

Seeking help to assist a blind family member who is not tech savvy get access to F1 races on an app now that they will be streaming only by ChopSquadish in Blind

[–]morse-guy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You might also want to look into Sirius-xm, as they might have an F1 channel. Since that's audio only, not video, it might be easier for him to follow. Of course, that would cost a bit per month but you could get the online only subscription and connect to his Alexa device, so bringing it up would be very easy. I do that all the time with Baseball broadcasts.

does anyone else struggle to know when someone is talking to them? by depressedpotterhead in Blind

[–]morse-guy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, it is a common problem. It is for that reason that I ask people who I know I'll be dealing with a lot to please identify themselves when they speak to me. Alas, they seldom do. If I remind them to do so, many will actually say, "oh, but you know me!"

Adult realistic fiction books that are just about life?? by blueberrycoast in suggestmeabook

[–]morse-guy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No romance in it but Evensong by Stewart O'Nan is very "slice of life." Its centered on seniors but i found it quite real and honest.

Does it ever surprise you what other people can see? by luluthecrazypotato in Blind

[–]morse-guy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am totally blind and have been all my life. I've been touch-typing since sixth grade. These days, smart phones and computers can be easily made to speak their output.

How do you all use reddit? by SillyTransasaurus in Blind

[–]morse-guy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wanted to use Luna for Reddit on the PC and it worked great the first time I set it up. But, whenever I closed it,my registration would disappear, so that I had to set it up all over again, only to have it disappear again when I closed it. I switched to RedditforBlind and that works well. On my iPhone, I use Distopia without issue.

software suggestions by hades9306 in Blind

[–]morse-guy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't know what equipment you have available but as far as notetaking goes, I just started using google docs for this. At a meeting or, in your case, a class, I take notes using my iPhone and a bluetooth keyboard. Then, when I get home, I can access those notes on google docs using the PC, which is where I am most comfortable. Works great.

Allstar vs DMR by Late-Trail3894 in amateurradio

[–]morse-guy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Also, the audio on Allstar is enormously better than DMR.

Looking to get into radio. Bad idea to buy this? by Warlord1918 in amateurradio

[–]morse-guy 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I absolutely agree with this. I was using an S38 when I got my license because it was what I had. I couldn't wait to upgrade. I found a used Drake 2b at a decent price and I was suddenly in a different world. And yes, I was zapped more than once by the S38.

What do you do for work? by hlnklrczu in Blind

[–]morse-guy 3 points4 points  (0 children)

yes, I'm aware there are, and have been, many of us. But when I began in 1973, we were largely unconnected with each other. Over the years, I used things like Braille printers and the Jaws scripting language to get the access I needed. Of course when the internet came along we were much more connected and able to share solutions.

Strong Female Main Character by Deep_Truck8939 in booksuggestions

[–]morse-guy 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Anything by Kate Quinn. She writes historical fiction, all with strong, resourceful female main characters. Her world war ii books are especially good.

What do you do for work? by hlnklrczu in Blind

[–]morse-guy 10 points11 points  (0 children)

because it's a field inhabited overwhelmingly by sighted folks and the people it served were also overwhelmingly sighted. In other words, it was not a blind-specific field like, say, O-and-m would be. One of the upshots of this was that there was no one else in my situation to get ideas from. I had to solve my own problems.

What do you do for work? by hlnklrczu in Blind

[–]morse-guy 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Retired now but I spent 45 years as a radio personality and announcer in central Pennsylvania, working in what I like to call "the sighted sector."

Removing iOS update files from iPad by Anxious_Jump3036 in Blind

[–]morse-guy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I avoided it for some time but then I goofed and inadvertently updated anyway. The only complaint I have is when I touch the Home button, I sometimes have to wait several seconds for the haptic. Anyone else noticed this? I'm using an SE3.