Space Shuttle Tracking

I talked to several of you who were looking for a way to track the ISS.
Here is another site to use.

TWO SPACESHIPS, ONE FLYBY: Space shuttle Discovery docked to the International Space Station on Sunday, August 30th, carrying a load of high-tech equipment to outfit the station's science labs. Joined together, the two massive spaceships outshine every star in the night sky. Check the Simple Satellite Tracker for flybys of your hometown.

Massive Calif. Wildfire

LOS ANGELES — Two Los Angeles County firefighters were killed when their vehicle rolled down a mountain side amid the intense flames of a wildfire that threatened 12,000 homes. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger urged those in the fire's path to get out as the blazes rained ash on cars as far away as downtown Los Angeles, spreading in all directions in dry conditions.

Things are not looking good in California.
The wildfires have now claimed the lives of 2 firemen.
I am hoping to hear from my friend W2WRX, and others who are involved with EMS.
For info I think is the best.
California Disasters

Field Exercise

This is the field exercise I participated in tonight. It was my first exercise since early 2006.
I miss Ham Radio. I hope to be involved as much as I can.
I am glad that I do not have to leave my room to participate.

E-Mails sent to me prior to the exercise.

All,
The Aug 23 exercise is coming together. Mark Strait, KD8BIG, is going to coordinate the exercise on the 82 repeater beginning at 7PM. He will make all participant assignments and direct traffic.

I have commitments for Field Stations for the following bands.

Amateur 2 meter - two stations (KD8FBY, W8LGP)
Amateur 70CM - one station (KC8PCJ)
FRS (Family Radio Service) - one station (N8YJT)
CB - one station. (KC8AZR)

There are two categories of stations. Participating Stations and Field Stations. The Field Stations are assigned (as indicated above). Participating Stations may check in to the net with KD8BIG beginning at 7PM on the 82 repeater. This will be an informal net for coordination of the exercise. At 7:30 PM the NCS will assign each Participating Station the job of contacting one of the Field Stations from the Hackley Park starting location. Participating Stations will be given the frequency. All Field Stations will be located within expected simplex range of Hackley Park. When the Field Station is contacted the Participating Station will be given the location of the Field Station. The Participating Station must travel to the Field Station Location and obtain their next assignment and frequency from the Field Station operator(s).

Note: all stations should be prepared to convert CB and FRS frequencies to channel numbers. Resources will be available for those who are not able to come prepared.

More later -

Tom, N8YJT

All,
This is a special invitation to participate in a fun exercise to be held tomorrow night, Aug 23, at Hackely Park in Muskegon. Net will start at 7PM on the 82 repeater (see below). Hope to see many of you there.
Tom, N8YJT

Here's a description

Operation on 2 meters, 70cm, CB and FRS.
5 simplex field stations set up prior to the exercise, about 7PM.
All participants meet at central location (Hackley Park)
All participants or teams receive a slip of paper with a frequency and callsign.
At 7:30PM participants or teams call the assigned field station
Assigned field station provides participant with location
Participants go to assigned field station and get another assignment
Repeat the process
Participants return to central location when they have completed assignments.
Awards ceremony about 8:45 followed by Coffee at Arbys
NCS on the 82 repeater

All,
Things to keep in mind.
1. It is planned that a participant at Hackley Park will be able to make contact with any of the Field Stations from that location. For example, if a participant is not able to make contact with FS5 from FS1, they should go to Hackley Park as the starting point. However, if Participant is able to make contact with FS5 from FS1 they can go directly to FS5.
2. Participants operate from mobiles or with HT.
3. Frequencies of Field Stations should be kept confidential until NCS assigns participants to FS. That will be difficult to do if the frequency is given over the 82 repeater. I need to come up with a work around.

More to come -

Hackley Park (Downtown)
Richards Park (Ottawa St) (KC8AZR)
Heritage Landing (Seventh St) (N8YJT)
Mullally Park (Horton Rd) (KD8FBY)
Quarter Oak Park (Corner of Quarterline and Oak) (KC8PCJ)
J C Beukema Play Field (Corner of Wesley and Roberts) (W8LGP)

Family Reunion today

Today is my Family Reunion. My wife and I have organize it every year now for the last 13 years. This year we have 30 pounds of Hamburger, 20 pounds of Chicken and 10 pounds of Hot Dogs to cook. Those attending will be bringing a dish to pass.
My brother who lives in Kansas will be home this weekend with his family also.
I hope the weather works with me. Looks like rain along the lakeshore, the local weathermen say we have a 30% chance of rain. It looks like a 85% chance of rain showers throughout the early to mid afternoon to me.
Then again, I'm no weather man. Just a weather nut......

My Mom

Today I found out my Mom has to have a major surgery and that her outcome doses not look good.
I have this hurt inside me that I have not had in years.
My Mom is my best friend next to my wife.
I wasn’t the typical son; I was always into trouble and stirring up trouble whenever I could.
The hardest thing for me while listening to my Mom explains all this was watching the reactions on my sons face.
While Mom talks about this I can see the hurt in my son, my daughter sat next to Mom playing with her and not understanding what is going on. That is going to be the really tough thing to deal with, trying to explain to my daughter what is going on when the end dose come.
Please pray for me and my family.
I’m gonna be a complete major disaster, yet so many are going to expect me to be the strong one.

Muggy Night

I just went outside to sit on the patio. Was out there for not even 2 minutes and started sweating in my summer time places. Way to hot and muggy. Yes, I very seldom leave the house for outdoors. Thank God for Central Air.

I should had looked at my home weather station.
It is showing;
Observation Time: Saturday, August 8 10:15 PM
Indoors;
Humidity 35%
Temp. 67º
Outdoors;
Humidity 83%
Temp.77º
Dew Point 72°F (22°C)
Visibility 7SM
Wind Speed Calm
Wind Direction VRB
Pressure 1013 mb (29.91 in)
Feels Like: 78°F (26°C)