Stormy Weather

Working for a local Utility Company and also being a Ham Radio operator always makes Me rather jumpy when thunderstorms pass thru the area. Will I be called in to work repairing storm damaged communication equipment and will My Ham station at home survive unscathed?
Just as I pulled in the driveway tonight at the end of the workday it started raining and by Suppertime the local Ham radio Weathernets were activated. Rain was falling by bucketful and it was really thundering and lightening out. Then came the hail, soon littering the lawn with leaves and branches. Even ripping several window screens.
As always before the storm had intensified, I unplugged the non-UPS protected equipment in the Ham shack. One Antenna feedline has no lightening protection so I disconnected that one. My open wire feedline is still unprotected so I turn my antenna tuners to the dummy load position and hope for the best! Unfortunately, working around Communication equipment all these Years, I realize the weakest link ,such as My unprotected feedline, will be the avenue where lightening will pass!
Another storm passes and luck is on My side-- I really do need to spend the money to finish protecting the shack. Its only a matter of time.......
73---Tim

Baudette Loran C

When I first started working in northern Minnesota, I occasionly would be in the vicinity of Baudette,Mn and drive past the Loran C station south of town. According to the website-- http://www.loran-history.info/baudette/baudette.htm this staion was first Transmitting in February 1980 and in February 2010 was decommisioned.
This week I was up in the Baudette area working and noticed when driving past the sign was already taken down and no Cars in the parking lot! Kind of sad!
73--Tim

New Homepage

Until recently I used the" ARRL.ORG "as My Homepage but with the redesign I just don't like it ! Slow to load and info is hard to find. I'll still need it for LOTW, but typically only go there after contests. I now use My blog- http://n0ujj.blogspot.com/ as my new homepage. Loads fast and it prompts Me to "post" to it more often.
Nothing new on the Ham Radio front-- can't even schedule a QSO, been very busy and now work demands My presence.
73--Tim

Chickens & Ham Radio

A little humor and an interesting fact-the above image was received on 6m SSTV! So the comic is Ham related and the bottom image is to remind Us all about the extrememes in temperature We all live thru!Both pictures also are significant because We have chickens. Bottom picture shows our coop during winter
Here's hoping everyone stays cool
73--Tim

July 4th Weekend

Tomorrow is July 4th- Independance Day! My Twin girls were born 12 years ago at 9:57 and 10:00 CST on the 4th. I always told them the fireworks were to celebrate their birthday, course now they know what its really about. Ah ,youth! For a good read about Our countrys' birth, look at this link-http://www.duniganreport.com/ Jack is writing a daily blog leading up to July 4th 1776. Each day has interesting facts and some opinion too.
Was hot yesterday and very hot today. Did most chores both Mornings,quit by noon before the heat and humidity became unbearable. No Ham projects to report except bands sound active lately-- thats good.
Enjoy Your holiday and always remember the sacrificies it has taken to get Us here.
73---Tim