Tuesday, December 16, 2014

See world class photograph collection

Video Series Walks Through the Major Photographic Processes Used Throughout History
The discovery of these processes have forever changed our understanding of time. For the first time in history we could see what our ancestors looked like. Take a look behind the scenes into our world class photograph collection from within our vaults.
See the page

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Geminid meteor shower December 14th, 2014

The Geminid meteor shower will be most visible in the night sky over the weekend
Geminids are debris from an extinct comet called 3200 Phaethon
The meteor shower can be seen more easily from a dark area, away from city lights
The Geminid meteor shower has been visible in the night sky this week, with the best opportunities for viewing to come on Saturday night.
Geminids are debris from an extinct comet called 3200 Phaethon, which was previously believed to be an asteroid, according to NASA.
"Basically it is the rocky skeleton of a comet that lost its ice after too many close encounters with the sun," NASA said on its website.
The light show comes around annually in mid-December, when the Earth encounters detrius from 3200 Phaethon, "causing meteors to fly from the constellation Gemini."
Space enthusiasts consider the light show to be one of the clearest and best to watch.

From CNN - read MORE

Friday, December 12, 2014

Frank Sinatra 1915–1998

Happy Birthday Frank Dec. 12th
Frank Sinatra was one of the most popular entertainers of the 20th century, forging a career as an award-winning singer and film actor.
Read more

Saturday, December 06, 2014

Pearl Harbor Day Dec. 7th


The Presidential Address to Congress on December 8, 1941. Known as the Infamy Speech, it was delivered at 12:30 p.m. that day to a Joint Session of Congress by United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt, one day after the Empire of Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Hawaii. Roosevelt famously describes the previous day as "a date which will live in infamy."


On the morning of December 7, 1941, Japanese planes thundered over Hawaii, dropping bombs in an unprovoked act of war against the United States.The attack claimed the lives of more than 2,400 Americans.It nearly destroyed our Pacific Fleet, but it could not shake our resolve.While battleships smoldered in the harbor, patriots from across our country enlisted in our Armed Forces, volunteering to take up the fight for freedom and security for which their brothers and sisters made the ultimate sacrifice.On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we pay tribute to the souls lost 73 years ago, we salute those who responded with strength and courage in service of our Nation, and we renew our dedication to the ideals for which they so valiantly fought.
Read More
http://tinyurl.com/q94sufm

Friday, December 05, 2014

Radio Station WB9OTX Upgrade

To keep the interest up you ad a few new pieces of equipment ever now and then. For my beacon station I have added a new keyer for the transmitter, a new keyer kit was built for CW operating, and finally a Kenwood TS-120 transceiver. The 120 is a very old (like 25 yrs) radio that I owned in the past.; It will be used for portable operation away from home.
Click to enlarge 

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Do you Need 5 Volts ?

I needed 3 volts to power my newly acquired memory keyer that keys CW into the propagation beacon. The keyer came stock out of the box running on a 3 volt watch battery and if you use the keyer as it was intended for the battery would last over a year or even longer. My beacon transmits 24/7 and draws current 100% of the time. At first I soldered two AA batteries together (don't try that at home) to get the 3 volts and this worked perfect, but looked like sh** with the wires hanging out from the very small keyer case to the AA cells. A nice battery holder from Radio Shack would look slightly better but the wires still would be hanging out and looking sloppy. I slept on it and the next morning while looking in a few cigar boxes for a connector I seen the answer to my voltage nightmare,  It was a USB charging adapter. I really did not know the exact output voltage but the voltmeter was used and it stated it was 4.8 volts. I think these things are rated at 5 volts but this one is slightly shy of that. OK you say, I thought you needed 3 volts ? I wipped out the ol' soldering iron and dug out a resister and diode and in short time they were installed. A nice connector was installed on the case and low and behold my beacon is on the air and even looks good. ..... Listen on 28.299.5

Friday, November 28, 2014

Nobody knows Morse Code do they

Click to  Enlarge
It started out with a old ID-O-Matic that I was using to key CW into my beacon transmitter. This unit went crazy and could not be repaired. I found that the ID-O-Matic was out of production, so what now. I needed a memory keyer that would repeat what was programmed in memory. A question was posted to a propagation beacon forum and in short time the answer came. It was the Ultra PicoKeyer. An order was placed and in just a few days it arrived. It comes in kit form, but it only took me 1/2 hour to complete the asimally. It took longer to program the beacon message into it than it did to build it. This was a deal that you must read and follow the directions to the letter. It is ready to go on the air just as soon as I can find a battery  holder for 2 AA cells. If you have a transmitter that has no built in keyer you may find the Ultra PicoKeyer is for you. It also serves as a very good code trainer. See the web page here.
http://tinyurl.com/k8uc5fc

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Thanks Giving 2014

What a great day, I woke early about 5AM why ? I'm nuts I guess. I turned on the cop radio and made coffee. I thought 40 meters may be open on JT9 for DX, but after working a few state side QSOs and no DX I switched the Kenwood TS-590 on and called CQ with 100 watts SSB. I had a couple of rag chews with some guys in N.Carolina and Pennsylvania. Now I made anough noise to wake the wife and she made a very nice bacon and egg breakfast. A little later lunch was put in the oven and I went back to Radio Central down the hall. A few more QRP JT9 QSOs were had on 10 meters into Europe. 10 was not too good today unlike a few days ago but still you can make a few contacts. It was cold and a few snow flakes were falling outside. I had a few things to do outside but you know how it is, I did not do them. While waiting for lunch I watched a movie on TV and just as it was over lunch was on. After a great lunch with just my wife and I  I pushed back in my ol' easy chair and well, my eyes closed for over an hour. Betty and I watched another movie togeather. After the movie I made a few more state side contacts on SSB and again a few QRP JT9. This days activity may sound very ho hum but to me it couldn't have been better. Thanks Giving 2014 was great.... Back to the grind tomorrow .... Jack

Monday, November 24, 2014

Riley Hollingsworth on Ham Radio Now

A Pep Talk from Riley Hollingsworth on HamRadioNow

Thanks to my good friend Jerry KC9HYL for alerting me to this video.
It is about one hour in length so wait to watch when you can listen/see all of it. Several points that Riley made sure hit home with me. Click the below link and enjoy.
http://tinyurl.com/ltevsfs

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Just thinking back

A few years ago A very good friend James Furiya and myself took a trip inside the Jefferson Proving Grown, now called Big Oaks. James (Jimmy) has now passed away but not forgotten, He loved as I do taking photos. He would email one of his favorites to see if I would approve. Sometimes I would crop or lighten then return it for him to approve. I miss him. Here is a photo from his collection.











This is one that I took on our Big Oak outing:








See all of my and some of his in my public photos HERE

Friday, November 14, 2014

Avast Free Antivirus 2014

This is a very bad company to deal with.
Just trust me - never deal with Avast.
There Web Page

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

CPL. JOHN C. BISHOP Comes Home

Veterans Day 2014


Cpl. John C. Bishop Still Photos

Cpl. John C. Bishop Video Tribute

Saturday, November 08, 2014

The Edmund Fitzgerald 6/8/58 - 11/10/75

The SS Edmund Fitzgerald was an American Great Lakes freighter that sank in a Lake Superior storm on November 10, 1975, with the loss of the entire crew of 29. When launched on June 8, 1958, she was the largest ship on North America's Great Lakes, and she remains the largest to have sunk there.
Read More

Gordon Lightfoot Sings - Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Monday, November 03, 2014

Tuesday, November 11 Veteran's day 2014

If you have served in the military no matter what branch or when you are invited to South Ripley High School Versailles, In. Wednesday November 12th at 8AM for breakfast and program.

I have attended this program for the past several years, all I can say, "Don't Miss It".
 ............ Jack

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veterans_Day

Sunday, November 02, 2014

I'm Old School

Post Deleted -
Only one view of this post and because of so many typos and mis-spellings I have deleted it. Thank you to the single person that read it.

Photo from:
http://www.telliquah.com/schoolhouse.htm

Thursday, October 30, 2014

giant spot on the sun




There’s a giant spot on the sun, and it’s acting weird
Read all about it



BY JENNY MARDER  

8 Things You Didn’t Know About Nikola Tesla




Click HERE to find the answers



BY REBECCA JACOBSON 

Monday, October 27, 2014

Pinko / Commie

Pinko is a slang term coined in 1925 in the United States to describe a person regarded as being sympathetic to communism, though not necessarily a Communist Party member. It has since come to be used, derogatorily, to describe anyone perceived to have leftist or socialist sympathies.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinko

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Kenwood TS-130V QRP

I have had this radio about a year but the VFO was defective. I bought a VFO but it was for a 120 and would not work. Months went by before I found another one and this one was for a 130. I installed it and it now tunes like it should. Another problem was the dial light was out and after reading in a 130  forum I learned where to order a replacement LED. It arrived and the radio was disassembled and the LED inserted where the condesant one was. The covers were put on, the power switch flipped, and we now have a light green dial light. This weekend was the CQ magazine's world wide SSB contest and the bands were wide open. I worked several countries all over Europe with only 10 watts of power. Tons of QRM but all stations heard were contacted. Yes I did have to call some of them 3 or 4 times. I used 10 and 20 meters with my triband beam antenna. This radio has a grate receiver and good out going audio. I guess its a keeper.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Apple iPod - October 23, 2001

Various iPod models, all
of which have been
discontinued or updated
The iPod is a line of portable media players designed and marketed by Apple Inc. The first line was released on October 23, 2001, about 8½ months after iTunes (Macintosh version) was released. iTunes is a media player, media library, and mobile device management application. The most recent iPod redesigns were announced on September 12, 2012. There are three current versions of the iPod: the ultra-compact iPod Shuffle, the compact iPod Nano and the touchscreen iPod Touch.Like other digital music players, iPods can serve as external data storage devices. Storage capacity varies by model, ranging from 2 GB for the iPod Shuffle to 160 GB for the iPod Classic. The devices are controlled by the Samsung ARM and the Apple A5 CPUs.
Read MORE


Wednesday, October 22, 2014

The year is 1910

 What a difference a  century makes!
Here  are some statistics for the Year 1910:
***********************************
The  average life expectancy for men was 47 years.
Fuel  for this car was sold in drug stores only.
Only  14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.
Only  8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
There  were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles of paved  roads.
The  maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
The  tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower !
The  average US wage in 1910 was 22 cents per hour.
The  average US worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
A  competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year, a dentist  $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year,  and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
More  than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME.
Ninety  percent of all Doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION!
Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press AND the government as 'substandard.'
Sugar  cost four cents a pound.
Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
Coffee  was fifteen cents a pound.
Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used Borax or egg  yolks for shampoo.
There was no such thing as under arm deodorant or tooth paste.
Canada   passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country for any reason.
The  five leading causes of death were:
    1.  Pneumonia and influenza
    2,  Tuberculosis
    3.  Diarrhea
    4.  Heart disease
    5.  Stroke
  The  American flag had 45 stars.
The  population of Las Vegas Nevada was only 30!
Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea hadn't been invented yet.
There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.
Two out of every 10 adults couldn't read or write and only 6 percent of  all Americans had graduated from high school.
Eighteen  percent of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help.
There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE  U.S.A. !

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Hacked again

Three of my domains were hacked Friday night. The hacker was very good at what he does as he inserted HTML code into the normal code of the page. The code he inserted brought pop-up windows with advertising. I would guess if someone clicked on the pop-up he would get paid a few cents. The code was very hard to find and remove so I decided to just overwrite the index files from my backups. A real pain in the butt taking about an hour to fix the damage he caused. Now I ask you, what kind of a jerk hacks into a funeral home page ?


Thursday, October 16, 2014

The Public Radio - The Single Station FM Radio

The Public Radio is a single station pre-tuned FM radio in a Mason jar.
Your station. Always there.
See Their Web Page

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

All good thing must come to an end

REMC turned my electric off for about 5 seconds and when it came back on my video on the mother board was fried. The operating system was XP and the new computer has Winows 7. Lots of the programs that ran perfect on XP will not run at all on Windows 7. That said, no more scanner audio and the Web cam will drop to one image. Oh did i say I have to buy a new laser printer because HP will not code a driver for Windows 7. My Ham Radio logging program will run but I lost an ARRL signature file. I had to reinstall about 2500 records. As I type this I am waiting on the copy of the old C drive to the new D drive. I have several other programs to install yet. I have a torn mussel in my back and shoulder and can only work for just a few minutes at a time. I guess it will all work out, it will just take lots of time... Jack
Update
I have installed 2 new uninterrupted power sours (UPS) - they will protect from power spikes and outages in the future.

Wednesday, October 08, 2014

The Club


I would not belong to any organization that would have me as a member.
Groucho Marks

Tuesday, October 07, 2014

The Holocaust six million were killed

The Holocaust also known as Shoah was a genocide in which approximately six million Jews were killed by the Nazi regime, under the command of Adolf Hitler, and its collaborators. Killings took place throughout Nazi Germany and German-occupied territories.
Read more

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sunday, October 05, 2014

Holocaust

If all the Jews had a weapon such as a pistol, rifle, or shotgun how do you think the Holocaust would have turned out ? Join the NRA today and buy a gun - you may need it.

Wednesday, October 01, 2014

Camera added to Versailles Web Cam Page

I have added a 2nd camera to my Web Cam page.
One updates at 90 seconds the other at one minute.
Below the security cams still update at one minute.
Click HERE to see the page
The sun has damaged one of the cameras but the image is still viewable.

http://webcam.wb9otx.com/cam/

Monday, September 29, 2014

Staples closing 140 stores this year

Staples will close 140 of its underperforming North America stores this year as it faces stiff competition from mass retailers such as Wal-Mart and Amazon. Staples warned its sales could fall in the current quarter during a Wednesday sales call.
Read the full story

Good by ol' friend.
 I shopped at Staples in Madison and Greensburg, In. for printer ink, CDs, DVDs, paper, and tons of other computer supplies I used in my home based business. I hate to see them go ....... Jack

Sunday, September 28, 2014

SpaceX - a Private company

Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, or SpaceX, is a space transport services company headquartered in Hawthorne, California. It was founded in 2002 by former PayPal entrepreneur and Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk. SpaceX was founded with the goal of reducing space transportation costs and enabling the colonization of Mars. It has developed the Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 launch vehicles, both of which were designed from conception to eventually become reusable. SpaceX also developed the Dragon spacecraft, which are flown into orbit by the Falcon 9 launch vehicle, initially transporting cargo and later planned to carry humans to the International Space Station and other destinations.
Read MORE

from wikipedia.org

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Yaesu 817 and I'm having a terrible time

All, OK, OK,  I confess,
I am new to ham and purchased a yaesu 817nd and I'm having a terrible time using it and getting set up. (I wanted a portable Ham radio to be used for emergencies and camping) Any one know of a good web site or video series to help me set this baby up and to get it going?  I have computer interface and simple don't know all the input categories and guidelines to use specifically. Yep, I keep reading books and learning, but after weeks into it, some guidance would be great besides my trial and error methods. I feel like I am trying to learn a musical instrument from scratch with no sense of rhythm.  Any guidance would be appreciated.  Surely someone can relate.  Maybe I am being impatient and it takes years to make one single contact?
Thanks all in advance,
Kf5zbo......

...................................................................

The radio will work right out of the box with the default settings and mic. I would say you may need a better antenna. Only call very strong stations and don't waste your time calling CQ. Use the highest band that is open if you have the antennas for different bands. If not make a good antenna for 20 meters and use it. Try checking into a net like Mid-Cars on 7258 but only if the net control is very strong. As I said I think you need a better antenna, but if you can not improve that buy an antenna tuner like the Z-817. One other note: use an external 12 volt battery or power supply. The internal battery will default to 2.5 watts, with external power you can run the full 5 watts. You will do much better using CW rather than SSB. I use JT9 and work the world with 5 watts. Don't give up. ...... WB9OTX
....................................................................
Thank you for your response.
Currently I have a z817 and it says everything is tuned. I don't really understand what a 'net is... See how new I am?  I have the unit plugged in the wall so I would think it would be putting out a full 5 volts but not certain.  The way I understand it is, you can always have a better antenna. :) 
I would like to learn CW, but one step at a time I suppose...
Thanks for your response, 
Kf5zbo...
..............................................................................
You know you can't make this stuff up !
This is a perfect example why the FCC should have never removed the code requirement for obtaining a Ham radio license. .......................... WB9OTX

Monday, September 22, 2014

Bobby Plump - Milan High School 1954

Click to enlarge 
Bobby Gene Plump (born September 9, 1936) was a member of the Milan High School basketball team that won the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) State Tournament in 1954. Plump was selected Indiana's coveted "Mr. Basketball" in 1954, the award bestowed upon Indiana's most outstanding senior basketball player as voted on by the press. Plump was also named one of the most noteworthy Hoosiers of the 20th century by Indianapolis Monthly Magazine. He was also one of the 50 greatest sports figures from Indiana in the 20th century, according to Sports Illustrated.
Read MORE 1

Read MORE 2

See a VIDEO

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus - 9/21/1897

Virginia O'Hanlon

The New York Sun, a prominent New York City newspaper, published an editorial by Francis Pharcellus Church stating, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus", that has become a part of popular Christmas lore in the United States.
Read the full story



From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Saturday, September 20, 2014

QRP = Very low power for Ham Radio


Yaesu FT-817 and  LDG Tuner
Every day for the past month or so I have been using a very small low power radio (Yaesu FT-817)  to contact other Hams all over the world. The output (RF watts) comes in 5, 2.5, 1, and; 500 milawatts. My antennas are very good and this is a must for QRP operating. You will not need the LDG tuner if your antennas are resinate  I have made several CW (Morris code) contacts, but the most fun I've had is using an operating mode called JT9. JT9 is a digital mode and is relatively new. It's creator is K1JT and not only has he made JT9 but also JT65 and others. I used JT65B to work all continents on the 144 Mhz.(2 meter) band via the moon (EME). The radio must be interfaced with a computer to use these digital modes and I use the products from West Mountain,
West Mountain, plug and Play

 but there are many other companies producing sound card computer interfaces. The computer can be about anything, old or new. The software is free from K1JT's web page. The radio that I use is a Yaesu FT-817 but you can use about any radio that the power can be turned down on. I'm sure this mode of operation is not for everyone, but if you are tired of using SSB or CW try JT65 or JT9. You can talk to the world with just a very few watts..... Jack WB9OTX

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Learn Morris Code

Yes I know, you don't need CW to get a Ham ticket anymore. But wouldn't it be nice to know what the IDer says on the repeater or you could build and use a CW QRP transmitter in just a few hours. The FCC has set aside lots of spectrum  just for CW, is it going to waste ? . So all you Belt Clippers out there take a few lessons to get to at least 5 words per minute.
http://lcwo.net/

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Do you carry a knife

If you carry a knife you need to click this link
kniferights.org


Tuesday, September 16, 2014

F-16 Fighting Falcon

The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force. Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,500 aircraft have been built since production was approved in 1976. Its features include a frameless bubble canopy, side-mounted control stick, and relaxed static stability/fly-by-wire flight control.
Read More

Photo: Andy Dunaway, United States Air Force

50s - 60s Juke Box



You have to be an ol' coot like me to still love the music we grew up to. Here is one of the best sites I have found for that old time rock n' roll.
http://www.1959bhsmustangs.com/VideoJukebox.htm

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Theodore Roosevelt became President 9/13/1901

Theodore Roosevelt became President of the United States at age 42, the youngest person ever to do so, eight days after William McKinley was fatally wounded in Buffalo, New York.



Friday, September 12, 2014

The Rock

Alcatraz Island, commonly referred to as "The Rock", is a maximum security federal prison located in the San Francisco Bay. Alcatraz Island is also credited as the first US military Fort on the west coast, the first lighthouse on the west coast, a bird sanctuary, and botanical garden.

Web Page 1

Web Page 2

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Weather Satellites & Images I have received

Hurricane Esther was the first tropical cyclone to be discovered by satellite imagery. The fifth tropical cyclone, fifth named storm, and fifth hurricane of 1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Esther developed from an area of disturbed weather hundreds of miles west-southwest of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands on September 10. Moving northwestward, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Esther on September 11, before reaching hurricane intensity on the following day
Read more about Hurricane Esther

Katrrina received by WB9OTX
A few years ago I gathered the equipment, most home brew but some commercial to receive weather satellites. I built a experimental folded loop dipole antenna with a lower reflector made from discarded FM radio antennas. Peamp and low loss feedline were used. With much experimentation and time perfect images were received. This was one of the many highlights of my Ham Rado carrier.
See just a few of the images that I received HERE

Read about Satellite_imagery

Tuesday, September 09, 2014

New Coffee Shop on the Versailles Square

G.H. Coffee Company
Today I had the pleasure of stopping for a nice peaceful cup of coffee under an umbrella on the West side of the Versailles, Indiana town square. This shop just opened a few days ago and it looks like a keeper for the almost deserted town square. A few small businesses are filtering back, I hope it continues. Here are a few photos I took while there. Click the images to enlarge.  See their Web Page HERE




National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association

Fall Shoot September 13-21, 2014

Mission Statement
The National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association exists to promote, support, nurture, and preserve NMLRA’s and our nation’s rich historical heritage in the sport of muzzleloading through recreational, educational, historical, and cultural venues such as match competition, hunting, gun making and safety, historical re-enactments, exhibits, museums, libraries, and other related programs
See Their Web Page


Saturday, September 06, 2014

Stratton - Karsteter Funeral Home established 9/5/2002


Local business Stratton - Karsteter Funeral Home was established Sept 5th 2002 in Versailles, Indiana.
I have been proud to be their web master from the day they opened the door.
They have had over one half million visitors to the web page and this number increases daily.
See the page at: www.skfuneralhome.com 

Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home is a local, independent funeral 
home. Our staff is committed to the needs of the Versailles area 
by providing the finest funeral services and facilities with a 
comfortable homelike atmosphere.
Mike, Eric, and Bill