Seasonal flu shots and H1N1 Stir Concern

Seasonal flu shots and H1N1 stir concern - Canadian researchers reportedly have found as-yet-unpublished evidence that people who had a seasonal flu shot last year incurred a higher risk of H1N1 infection, but US and World Health Organization officials say they are not aware of any similar findings elsewhere. A series of studies in British Columbia, Quebec, and Ontario seem to suggest that people who received a seasonal flu shot last year were about twice as likely to contract the pandemic H1N1 virus. The findings are spurring an effort by some Canadian public health officials to delay, reduce, or cancel seasonal flu vaccination campaigns this fall. "Investigators in other countries have looked at their own data and whether they could find similar observations, and none of the other countries have been able to find anything like that." The findings could be real or could be the result of a study bias or other methodologic problems. Many years of experience with seasonal flu immunizations have yielded no other evidence that they cause this type of problem, but the report warrants investigation. Several infectious disease experts said that British and Australian researchers have not seen the phenomenon observed by the Canadian authors, either. One of the experts called the lack of confirmation elsewhere a "red flag."

WATER ON THE MOON

How much water can you squeeze out of a ton of moondust? About 32 ounces, according to NASA. In a press conference yesterday, the space agency announced that three spacecraft have found signs of water molecules mixed in lunar topsoil. This bodes well for future lunar explorers who could use H₂O to drink--or O₂ to breathe--or H₂ for rocket fuel to get back to Earth! Science@NASA has the full story.

Mom Update

Mom is now home, she is in a lot of pain yet. Dad will have his work cut out for him the next several days. Mom should be able to get better rest at home. She had way to many distractions/ disturbances while at the hospital. I think this will be eas...ier on dad also. Thank you all for your continued prayers.

Mom Update

Just got mom home she needs to get some rest will update more later.

Mom Update 4

Went to see my Mom yesterday afternoon. She was 100% better than she was on Saturday. She had life in her and was up and around. I was there when the doctor was and he is thinking of letting Mom come home "today" ! Just hope Dad is up to the task. Thanks for all your continued prayers.

H1N1 flu in London U.K.

Tens of thousands of Londoners will be hit by a second wave of swine flu within three weeks, it was claimed Friday. Experts warned that the pandemic is likely to be "at its peak" in the capital between the beginning of October and the end of November. Last week the Chief Medical Officer predicted that the next phase of the virus could kill 19,000. Over the next two months, Londoners will be tracked on www.flusurvey.org.uk to try to contain the virus and obtain more accurate figures. "About 15 per cent of the population will be ill."

Precautionary Measures Advised in Fiji Islands

FIJI ISLANDS - People living in the low-lying areas were advised to take all precautionary measures as a trough affecting the group is expected to bring in more rain over the group particularly on Viti Levu. The Naqali Bridge in Naitasiri was reported to be underwater Friday morning. “Overall we still expecting flooding of low line areas and ...even the rivers came up pretty high... to expect that kind of situation in the dry season month of September I would say is RARE - so we have a VERY PECULIAR WEATHER PATTERN, we got the signal about this heavy rain a few days back.”

Mom Update 3

No change with Mom today. She is in a lot of pain. The doctors did change her medications some to help with the pain. She is still not eating and has not been able to work her bowels. They had to remove some damage bowel so they need something to hap...pen. Please continue to keep my Mom and Dad in your prayers.

New Rig Question

I am taking my upgrade test in 2 weeks.
My wife told me that if I could answer 50 questions without missing one I could order my 897-D.
Well, I am ordering my radio in the morning.
Question that I have is from where to order. I have purchased things in the past from AES and HRO, never any type of issues with either supplier.
However, R & L Electronics has the 897-D about 30 dollars cheaper. Anyone ever dealt with R & L?
Also, any suggestions for the purchase of the 897 would be appreciated.
Thanks,

Mom Update 2

On my way to see my Mom. I talked t omy Dad last night, he told me that Mom had been up walking, WOW.... The doctors really did a great job, they had us very concerned. Thank you all for your continued prayers. I did get some good sleep last night,... sorry for the missed phone calls and delay on e-mail replies.

Just got home from seeing Mom, she is in a lot of pain. I am going to take a nap. Not feeling to well at the moment.

Mom Update/ 9/17/09

I'm home now, Dad is still up at the hospital. I had to come home and take my meds and get something to eat. Thank you all for your prayers. Mom will be there for the next 5-8 days.

Thu at 12:12pm via Mobile Texts
Doctor said surgery went very well. Thnx. 4 your prayers
Thu at 11:56am via Mobile Texts
Mom is in recovery. Waiting to hear from the doctor.
Thu at 10:37am via Mobile Texts
Mom is still in surgery, no word yet. Thanks 4 the prayers.

My Mom has Surgery Today

I’m not ready for today. My Mom goes into surgery at 8am. The doctors have not been very encouraging on the out come. Please keep her in your prayers. Next to my wife, my Mom is my best friend.

Swine Flu Vaccine Warning

I’m not a doctor!
I’m not a nurse!
I’m not even medically trained!
This is just my opinion!
However, from what I have heard, read and have been told by Physicians I will not take the swine flu vaccine.
I even heard that county in health departments across the country will push the vaccine because they stand to benefit with the purchase of new equipment.
So, before you take this vaccine, do some research?

This is what I have found;
Risks of the Swine Flu Vaccine
Swine Flu Vaccine Should Not Be Given to Children in Schools
Lies, half truths and media hype of swine flu (Article)
Nationwide Revolt Against Mass Swine Flu Vaccination Accelerates
Warning: Swine Flu Shot Linked to Killer Nerve Disease
Makers Of Vaccination Refuse To Take H1N1
DID SHE SAY CODE RED???
Video: Early study on H1N1 deaths KXAN.com
Video: Friends Remember Local H1N1 Victim KETV TV

Remember that "you catch the virus" which is literally true. Shaking hands is a deadly exercise in this setting. Door knobs, railings, utensils used by an infected person, kissing someone with the virus, close contact with infected people who are incubating the virus, table tops etc carry the virus even up to 48 long hours. Indian system of Namaste is very healthy practice.

Your best bet is to meticulously clean your hands with simple soap and water (not chemical detergent soaps) as frequently as is possible or, at least, before touching your nose, eyes and mouth. During travel or hospital visits one does well to carry a bottle of alcohol hand cleaners for use where soap and water are scarce. They are very effective.

VHF QSO Party

The ARRL Sept. VHF QSO Party which runs from 2pm on Sat. the 12th until 11pm on Sun. the 13th. There's a lot of Midwestern activity and we're always looking for newcomers or the curious. Here's the link to the ARRL rules:
http://www.arrl. org/contests/ rules/2009/ sepvhf.html

What follows is a 5-minute primer on how to get started in VHF Contesting.

Remember to get on and have some fun this weekend with the ARRL VHF QSO Party. All bands from 6m, 2m and on up are in play. Operate as much or as little as you like. USB mode is what 80-90% of the contesters use, with horizontally- polarized antennas.

Even modest horizontal loops will work stations out 50-150 miles. I know this because in my first contest (Sept. 2003) I had only horizontal loops for 6 and 2m, and I worked some stations as far away as 300 miles, without any special enhancement. Using headphones and keeping the squelch low is essential for digging out those distant, light signals. You'll be amazed how far some of those S1 signals will travel, if you listen carefully. Also be aware that on VHF/UHF bands, propagation is usually better after sunset and well into the morning hours. If I only had a few hours to spend, I'd operate from about 7-11pm, and then again from about 7-11am.

Those with beams and/or higher antennas (above trees and obstructions) can get out farther. Bread and butter VHF bands are 6 and 2 meters. At least 90% of us have one or both of those bands.

The basic contest exchange is callsign and grid square. Log the callsign of the station you worked, what band it was on, their grid square and the time of the QSO within a minute or two. Most QSO's are voice mode, but there is plenty of CW activity, as well. Each year, more and more ops benefit from using the various digital modes.

On 6m, you operate from 50.125 up to about 50.175 or so. If there's a good band opening, activity can spread above 50.200.
On 2m, the call freq. is 144.200, but tune around and call CQ between about 144.150-144. 250. Maybe more like 144.170-144. 230 if the band isn't that busy.
Avoid the temptation to use 144.200 too much. Far better to tune around and find some elbow room.
On 70cm, the SSB call freq. is 432.100 MHz. Hardly anyone calls CQ on 70cm because of the pointyness of horizontal beams. Standard practice is to do your CQ'ing on either 6 and/or 2 meters, and then "work up the bands" with the station you've contacted. Experienced hams will be happy to help you get your feet wet. VHF/UHF contests are far more casual than HF, and we can always use newcomers.

If you are limited to FM gear, then you'll find the most activity on 146.550, followed by 223.500 on the 1.25cm band. You may also find some activity on the 6m FM call freq. of 52.525 and the 70cm call freq. of 446.000. On FM, use vertical polarization.

VHF/UHF contesting levels in the entire Midwest have really improved the past year. 2010 should see continued improvement.

A Really Good Day

What a great day. Even though things fell through with my daughter, My daughter was to undergo several procedures today for possible future brain surgery. After I logged off the computer this morning I went out to the living room to find Shelby eating a sandwich. She was not to eat due to having to be sedated. We called the Hospital and they said we need to reschedule, to risky if she has food in her system. Looking at 9/25/09 now.
I got my MFJ-1796 this morning. What a nice looking antenna.
My wife and I took my parents out to lunch. What a great time we had. I hope my Mom will still be with us next week at this time. She has a major surgery on 9/17/9. Please keep her in your prayers. Next to my wife, my Mom is my best friend.