Happy New Year to all my visitors.
This year will not be missed.
The last 2 weeks have been great. My kids had a great Christmas and my son had the BEST Birthday ever. He said that to my parents.
Not bad for being new to the Blogging world. I managed to get 20 posts since October and had 650 visitors. That is better than my count on QRZ.
Happy New Year all.
73.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Saturday after Christmas
We had a really great Christmas. I think we are one of the lucky parents whose kids slept in. The kids awoke around 9am. Once that happen my wife and I could hear them in the living room with excitement.
It took my wife and me forever to get organized before we handed out the presents.
The snow is almost gone. It has rained for the last 24 hours now. I was worried for awhile, we had a lot of snow on the roof and with the added warmth and rain the snow becomes very heavy.
Flood warnings have been posted throughout the state as the rain continues and the snow melts away.
My current conditions
Observation Time: Saturday, December 27 2:50 PM EST
Humidity ; 94%
Dew Point; 55°F (13°C)
Visibility; 4SM
Wind Speed; 16 MPH Gusts to 22
Wind Direction;South (180°)
Pressure;1003 mb (29.62 in)
Feels Like: 54°F (12°C) It's a Heat Wave
OvercastFog/Mist 57°F (14°C) Temp Trend:Steady
It took my wife and me forever to get organized before we handed out the presents.
The snow is almost gone. It has rained for the last 24 hours now. I was worried for awhile, we had a lot of snow on the roof and with the added warmth and rain the snow becomes very heavy.
Flood warnings have been posted throughout the state as the rain continues and the snow melts away.
My current conditions
Observation Time: Saturday, December 27 2:50 PM EST
Humidity ; 94%
Dew Point; 55°F (13°C)
Visibility; 4SM
Wind Speed; 16 MPH Gusts to 22
Wind Direction;South (180°)
Pressure;1003 mb (29.62 in)
Feels Like: 54°F (12°C) It's a Heat Wave
OvercastFog/Mist 57°F (14°C) Temp Trend:Steady
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas Eve
The snow just keeps on falling. We have had one storm after another the last 3 or 4 weeks it seems.
I have a 4 ft. fence in my front yard, see the pictures on my Dec. 14 post, anyway, the snow is 8” away from the top of the fence. The Candle in my picture is buried. Same with the snow man figure in my front yard.
This Saturday they are saying we will have rain, 40º temps and a thunderstorm late Saturday evening. Then the temperatures will start dropping to the 20’s on Sunday. Sounds like we may see lots of localized flooding, large puddles of water on roads, then slick roads as the water freezes. Forecast here
I know have recorded 56 inches of snow this season.
I have this link to Tracking Santa. Click Here
My daughter has been checking it out hourly. She is so very excited. Weren’t we all at that age?
I have a 4 ft. fence in my front yard, see the pictures on my Dec. 14 post, anyway, the snow is 8” away from the top of the fence. The Candle in my picture is buried. Same with the snow man figure in my front yard.
This Saturday they are saying we will have rain, 40º temps and a thunderstorm late Saturday evening. Then the temperatures will start dropping to the 20’s on Sunday. Sounds like we may see lots of localized flooding, large puddles of water on roads, then slick roads as the water freezes. Forecast here
I know have recorded 56 inches of snow this season.
I have this link to Tracking Santa. Click Here
My daughter has been checking it out hourly. She is so very excited. Weren’t we all at that age?
Monday, December 22, 2008
Storm Results
We had a really nice Snow Storm on Sunday. It got so bad the NWS issued Blizzard Warnings for West Michigan.
Here in Muskegon the County Road Commission pulled there Snow plows of the road because they could not keep up with the drifts.
We got 11.4 inches of snow from this event. I have not had a chance to add up my snow accumulations yet, my guess is around 50 inches.
I will gather my info and post it here as an update.
Muskegon Chronicle has story on our weather. Click Here
Sunday we had our family Christmas Party. Weather wise it was a bad day but almost everyone showed up, great time and more than enough food.
My wife was asking me several questions today about an HT I use to have. We had gone through the same round of questions a few weeks ago. I wonder if, maybe Santa might have a little something in my Stocking.
I had to sell all my Ham gear to pay bills. I was given a mobile unit with a power supply but I need an antenna. It is a 2 meter rig.
I might try a little harder to upgrade this year. I have lost interest to some extent in Ham Radio. Looking for the bug.
Here in Muskegon the County Road Commission pulled there Snow plows of the road because they could not keep up with the drifts.
We got 11.4 inches of snow from this event. I have not had a chance to add up my snow accumulations yet, my guess is around 50 inches.
I will gather my info and post it here as an update.
Muskegon Chronicle has story on our weather. Click Here
Sunday we had our family Christmas Party. Weather wise it was a bad day but almost everyone showed up, great time and more than enough food.
My wife was asking me several questions today about an HT I use to have. We had gone through the same round of questions a few weeks ago. I wonder if, maybe Santa might have a little something in my Stocking.
I had to sell all my Ham gear to pay bills. I was given a mobile unit with a power supply but I need an antenna. It is a 2 meter rig.
I might try a little harder to upgrade this year. I have lost interest to some extent in Ham Radio. Looking for the bug.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Storm update
It is 8:40 pm or 1:40 Sunday, December 21, 2008 UTC time.
It has now just started to snow. I have 3 snow boards here at my QTH and will take measurements and give the avg. as I have done so far this winter season. I figured my blog site would be a great place for this info vs. space on my PC.
My Weather Station is reporting;
Wind Speed: 10.48 kts (5.39 m/s)
Max Wind Speed: 15.32 kts (7.88 m/s)
Wind Direction: 103° (ESE)
Air Temperature: 17.4 °F (-8.1 °C)
Wind Chill: 4.4 °F (-15.3 °C)
Dew Point: 11.3 °F (-11.5 °C)
Relative Humidity: 76.4 %
Station Pressure: 29.23 in Hg. (990.00 mb)
Sea Level Pressure: 29.94 in Hg. (1013.93 mb)
It has now just started to snow. I have 3 snow boards here at my QTH and will take measurements and give the avg. as I have done so far this winter season. I figured my blog site would be a great place for this info vs. space on my PC.
My Weather Station is reporting;
Wind Speed: 10.48 kts (5.39 m/s)
Max Wind Speed: 15.32 kts (7.88 m/s)
Wind Direction: 103° (ESE)
Air Temperature: 17.4 °F (-8.1 °C)
Wind Chill: 4.4 °F (-15.3 °C)
Dew Point: 11.3 °F (-11.5 °C)
Relative Humidity: 76.4 %
Station Pressure: 29.23 in Hg. (990.00 mb)
Sea Level Pressure: 29.94 in Hg. (1013.93 mb)
Another Winter Storm
We have just cleared our driveway again this morning. Yesterday the snowplows had our street turned into a one way. Last night they completed the job leaving a 2ft high by 3 ft wide snow bank at the end of our driveway. That is the worst part of keeping the driveway cleaned.
Glad we have a 8hp snow thrower.
We have another storm on the way tonight.
Local media forecasters indicate that snow will be moving in from the west Saturday night and picking up in intensity through Sunday morning.
Accumulations will range from 3-6 inches, with the highest amounts to the northwest of Grand Rapids. Another facet to this storm is the wind, which will really be whipping during the day on Sunday. Gusts will be in the range of 30 to 40 miles per hour and with falling snow, this could create extremely low visibilities. Expect near blizzard conditions at times Sunday with temperatures only in the teens. Wind chills will be much lower.
Information from the National weather service cautioned that temperatures will be bitterly cold as a strong cold front comes into the region carrying a blast of extremely cold arctic air. Wind chills could drop as low as 15 to 25 degrees below zero.
Gotta love winter in Michigan.
Glad we have a 8hp snow thrower.
We have another storm on the way tonight.
Local media forecasters indicate that snow will be moving in from the west Saturday night and picking up in intensity through Sunday morning.
Accumulations will range from 3-6 inches, with the highest amounts to the northwest of Grand Rapids. Another facet to this storm is the wind, which will really be whipping during the day on Sunday. Gusts will be in the range of 30 to 40 miles per hour and with falling snow, this could create extremely low visibilities. Expect near blizzard conditions at times Sunday with temperatures only in the teens. Wind chills will be much lower.
Information from the National weather service cautioned that temperatures will be bitterly cold as a strong cold front comes into the region carrying a blast of extremely cold arctic air. Wind chills could drop as low as 15 to 25 degrees below zero.
Gotta love winter in Michigan.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Comet 8P/Tuttle
Got this from Space weather. For all you star gazers.
RADIO METEORS:
The Ursid meteor shower caused by Comet 8P/Tuttle peaks this year on Dec. 22nd. About a dozen meteors per hour will fly out of the Little Dipper (Ursa Minor) as Earth passes through the comet's debris stream. Watching these northern meteors can be a chilling experience, so why not stay inside and listen to them instead? Spaceweather.com is broadcasting live audio from the Air Force Space Surveillance Radar in Texas. When a meteor passes over the radar--"ping"--there is an echo. Give it a try; feedback is welcomed.
RADIO METEORS:
The Ursid meteor shower caused by Comet 8P/Tuttle peaks this year on Dec. 22nd. About a dozen meteors per hour will fly out of the Little Dipper (Ursa Minor) as Earth passes through the comet's debris stream. Watching these northern meteors can be a chilling experience, so why not stay inside and listen to them instead? Spaceweather.com is broadcasting live audio from the Air Force Space Surveillance Radar in Texas. When a meteor passes over the radar--"ping"--there is an echo. Give it a try; feedback is welcomed.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
A Blessed Surprise
Tonight my family and I received a blessed surprise.
The church that, well, my wife, kids and parents go too showed up at our door step singing Christmas Carols.
I/we have never had that happen before. I did not know how to act.
It was a very nice of the church to stop at our home. I wish I had warning though; I had just awoken from a nap not even a half hour before and was not feeling very well. I looked terrible and had bed head. If I had prior warning I would had a pot of hot coco prepared.
I think I am going to have to put more effort into going to church again. The church has been very good to us and it is hard to find such a church like ours.
Thanks Trinity for keeping us in your prayers and thoughts.
The church that, well, my wife, kids and parents go too showed up at our door step singing Christmas Carols.
I/we have never had that happen before. I did not know how to act.
It was a very nice of the church to stop at our home. I wish I had warning though; I had just awoken from a nap not even a half hour before and was not feeling very well. I looked terrible and had bed head. If I had prior warning I would had a pot of hot coco prepared.
I think I am going to have to put more effort into going to church again. The church has been very good to us and it is hard to find such a church like ours.
Thanks Trinity for keeping us in your prayers and thoughts.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Digital TV participation
To All Clubs and HamsFrom ARRL Headquarters and the Michigan Section Manager.Special attention: RADIO CLUBS
Earlier this week, the ARRL received a request from the FCC asking thatARRL members provide technical educational assistance to theircommunities concerning the FCC-mandated digital television (DTV)conversion scheduled for February 17, 2009.
According to ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts,W1AGP, Amateur Radio clubs across the country are being asked todevelop and implement plans to provide information throughout Januaryand February about the DTV conversion in their areas. The FCC isleaving it up to the clubs to decide how to do this, as local groupsunderstand the communities in ways that the FCC does not. Eachcommunity is a little different, Pitts said, so plans carried out bythe clubs will vary from community to community. Interested groupsshould contact their ARRL Section Manager.
Pitts stressed that hams should not make "house calls," sell anyequipment or do actual installations; the request is only to distributetechnical information and FCC materials. He commented: "As we all know,some folks just never get the message until too late. Materials forpresentations, education and many other activities are availableonline. Beginning early January, FCC staff will contact SectionManagers and leaders of interested clubs and, where possible, arrangeto meet to share even more information, audio, visual and printedmaterials, as well as and training aids, with the clubs involved thiseffort. We know the time is short, but your aid in this now will be appreciated.
"Now to the specifics for all Michigan ham clubs:
Please review the full announcement at: http://www.arrl. org/news/ stories/2008/ 12/10/10499/ ?nc=1
Discuss the implications for your club. This can be an excellent PRopportunity. Consider your available resources and assemble a team toevaluate your participation. Should your club desire to participate,please prepare the contact information and email it to me beforeDecember 27th. wa8efk@arrl. net
I will need the following contact information only: Club Name, Clublocation, Club Contact person's name, call, address, telephone number,and e-mail address. This will be loaded into a spreadsheet and sent tothe FCC.
The club will then be contacted by the FCC and set up to receive PRmaterial from the Commission along with handouts and training aids. Iwill also emphasize, at no time is anyone to enter someone's home orinstall equipment. That opens the door to too much liability.
This deadline is short, action is needed immediately.
73Dale WA8EFK
source
Earlier this week, the ARRL received a request from the FCC asking thatARRL members provide technical educational assistance to theircommunities concerning the FCC-mandated digital television (DTV)conversion scheduled for February 17, 2009.
According to ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts,W1AGP, Amateur Radio clubs across the country are being asked todevelop and implement plans to provide information throughout Januaryand February about the DTV conversion in their areas. The FCC isleaving it up to the clubs to decide how to do this, as local groupsunderstand the communities in ways that the FCC does not. Eachcommunity is a little different, Pitts said, so plans carried out bythe clubs will vary from community to community. Interested groupsshould contact their ARRL Section Manager.
Pitts stressed that hams should not make "house calls," sell anyequipment or do actual installations; the request is only to distributetechnical information and FCC materials. He commented: "As we all know,some folks just never get the message until too late. Materials forpresentations, education and many other activities are availableonline. Beginning early January, FCC staff will contact SectionManagers and leaders of interested clubs and, where possible, arrangeto meet to share even more information, audio, visual and printedmaterials, as well as and training aids, with the clubs involved thiseffort. We know the time is short, but your aid in this now will be appreciated.
"Now to the specifics for all Michigan ham clubs:
Please review the full announcement at: http://www.arrl. org/news/ stories/2008/ 12/10/10499/ ?nc=1
Discuss the implications for your club. This can be an excellent PRopportunity. Consider your available resources and assemble a team toevaluate your participation. Should your club desire to participate,please prepare the contact information and email it to me beforeDecember 27th. wa8efk@arrl. net
I will need the following contact information only: Club Name, Clublocation, Club Contact person's name, call, address, telephone number,and e-mail address. This will be loaded into a spreadsheet and sent tothe FCC.
The club will then be contacted by the FCC and set up to receive PRmaterial from the Commission along with handouts and training aids. Iwill also emphasize, at no time is anyone to enter someone's home orinstall equipment. That opens the door to too much liability.
This deadline is short, action is needed immediately.
73Dale WA8EFK
source
Ready for Christmas
Last night My Wife, Kids and I went out and got our Christmas tree. The place we usually go to get our tree turned out to be a disappointment. When we pulled in no one was there. Then 2 cars followed behind us and the owner went to help those folks first. Seemed to me he knew them. Not a big deal. After 20 minutes, the owner had still not even acknowledge us or even yelled out, “I’ll be with you in a minute”. Enough of that I said to the wife. So we left. We went to a tree farm and found an ugly tree. It is huge.
We cut about 14 inches off of it, got it decorated and we are now waiting for Christmas. The tree turned out to be the best tree we have ever had. My son was a great help in setting it up.
We decorated the outside of the house a few weeks ago. Again, my wife, son and daughter did most the work. I supervised. What an awesome job they had done.
Looks like we are in a meltdown here in Michigan, today the temperature made it to 36º. It started to rain about an hour ago. We had about 30 inches of snow on the ground as of this last Thursday.
I have felt pretty good the last 5 days. Better than I have in a long time. My wife and I even went to breakfast Friday and did some Christmas shopping. It felt good to get out.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Well, we did have snow the other night. Not much. I had about 3 inches at my QTH. Some Winter Storm!
The weather has been kinda weird.
Tonight, my family and I put up our Christmas Lights. It only took 4 hours this year. It was raining when we started and snowing when we called it a night. I will post some pictures of the outdoor lights this week.
Right now I am not feeling well so I am going to bed.
The weather has been kinda weird.
Tonight, my family and I put up our Christmas Lights. It only took 4 hours this year. It was raining when we started and snowing when we called it a night. I will post some pictures of the outdoor lights this week.
Right now I am not feeling well so I am going to bed.
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