The Big Apple (Applejack Manhattan or Marconi Wireless)

On this 4th of July, I've spent time studying Laird's Applejack and how important this spirit was to the American Revolution. Some troops, especially, in New Jersey, were paid in the currency of Applejack. Applejack is a blend of 50% apple brandy and 50% neutral whiskey.

The reason this post is made here is my discovery of the cocktail called the "Marconi Wireless." Here is the recipe:

2 oz Applejack (or calvados)
1 oz Sweet vermouth
2 ds Orange bitters
 Stir, Straight Up

Enjoy!

REFERENCES:

1. http://leftcoastbonvivant.blogspot.com/2010/07/patriotic-libations-applejack-and.html
2. http://www.mybrilliantmistakes.com/tag/applejack/
3. http://tastylibations.com/2009/01/applejack/
4. http://imbibemagazine.com/Elements-Applejack

Notable QSO - N6 DIQ Charles, Paso Robles, CA

Why notable? This is the first real "rag chew" QSO. It was challenging, interesting, and rewarding all at the same time.

Details: 

06/13/13 0400Z 7046 KHz CW (using Kent Twin Paddle)
Charles was calling CW and I bit. Nice QSO. He was using a Chinese Army K5 key with a modified soft spring from a local hardware store. For a straight key, his fist was very stable and easily copied. We discussed magnetic keys and I had to admit ignorance on my part but said that I felt magnetic keys might be very efficient. IDEA: Go try one!

In any event, Charles and I chewed the rag for forty minutes. That is quite long for me and I appreciate the chance to do that -- to let my hair down as it were!

In any case, TNX to Charles - a FB QSO.

Ubuntu Linux - an alternative to Microsoft and Mr. Bill Gates (May He Be Blessed)

Tonight, I attended a local ham radio meeting. At one point, I commented that I used Linux rather than Windows in my daily operations.
A comment was made that went something like "Yes, it is free, for the stuff you get free." .... or something like that.
I interpreted the comment as implying that, to really get anything of value, you needed to pay $.
In my usual curmudgeon way, I said, "Not true, my crusty OM!"
I run Ubuntu Linux and have made a vow to shy away from commercial operating systems that I have to pay $ to use.
In the last few months, I've discovered ( http://www.libreoffice.org/ ), an open source free application that rivals Microsoft Office.

I knew it had the equivalent of Microsoft Word but, later, discovered that it has Microsoft Excel. But, what really blew me away was that it, also, has the equivalent of Microsoft PowerPoint!!!!!!!!

Being the paranoid prepper anti-government anarchist that I am, I like to be "off-the-grid" as much as I can. To that end, I have stopped using Google Drive (cloud storage) in favor of storing locally. When the Internet craps out, I'll still have all my stuff, thank you very much!

There is a free application called WINE that enables one to port many Windows apps into a Linux environment It works fairly well. For example, I run Airmail (a PACTOR/PACKET) based TNC interface that is Windows-based under Linux with no problems.

So, the bottom line for me is:

1. I think Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office are great products and, for a business, I think worth the investment.
2. However....
   Having reached the ripe young age of 63, I have decided that I will no longer, on an annual basis, face north west and kneel on one knee, to send tithing to Mr. William Gates (may He be blessed).

Joking aside, I run Ubuntu Linux in the shack and for my business 95% of the time. The only time I need to revert back to the True Gospel is when I need to run Quickbooks for business or do software development for my Windows-based server product (where I get my bread). I do this by running a dual-boot machine - easy as pi.

See:
a. http://www.libreoffice.org/
b. http://www.ubuntu.com/

Unless bent upon the rack, I shall no longer pay Mr. Bill Gates (may He be blessed) any more money!

International Morse Code: Hand Sending pt1-2 1966 US Army Training Film

This video made me chuckle but, if you can get past that, this series has some really good advice.

The Technique of Hand Sending

REFERENCES:

1. http://archive.org/details/gov.dod.dimoc.23735 

The Richard Meiss - WB9LPU - Telegraph Keys

In the world of Amateur Radio, there are many hobbyists that combine their love for radio with a love for fine machinery. Here is one example of that combination. Richard Meiss, WB9LPU, has been designing and making home brew keys since 1998.

The RotoTwin key, shown in the video below, is one of the most unique. But, his skill does not stop there. Check out the links below the video.

 

REFERENCES:

1. WB9LPU YouTube Videos (it will make you weep!)
2. WB9LPU's Key Corner
3. W1TP Museum of Telegraphy (Richard Meiss Keys)

Mechanical Morse Keyer

For those CW operators on a tight budget:

Last Night of KPH

Having just acquired a mint-condition 63 year old Vibroplex Presentation Bug for my 63rd birthday, I thought it might be appropriate to show how a professional uses one. Thanks to Dick Leining (W7DML) for putting me onto this fascinating bit of history. This video is the last night at KPH - the Night of Nights. The last message was sent at 19:59 hours EST on July 12, 1999 by Denise (Denice) Stoops. KPH was a public coast radio station on the West Coast of the United States. For most of the 20th century, it provided ship to shore communications including telegrams (using Morse code) and marine telex service (using radioteletype).

Birthday Present From Vibroplex

I got very lucky the other day and happened upon a Vibroplex Bug on eBay that dates back to 1950 - the year I was born. Even more exciting is that it was placed online as a Buy It Now and I found it, probably, within a hour of the posting

The price was right and I pulled the trigger. Today, the key arrived and my goal is to be able to make QSOs with it before my birthday in February. On that day, the key and I will share a fine Jack Daniels Single Barrel Whiskey to celebrate 63 years of life.