Well prepared, in true OKIE fashion #2A #Oklahoma

 From Mark, K5MRK ... Merry Christmas

 

You may have heard on the news about a Southern California man who was put under 72-hour psychiatric observation

when it was found he owned 100 guns and allegedly had 100,000 rounds of ammunition stored in his home.

The house also featured a secret escape tunnel.

By Southern California standards, someone owning 100,000 rounds is considered "mentally unstable.

BUT…

In Michigan, he'd be called "the last white guy still living in Detroit."

In Arizona, he'd be called "an avid gun collector.

In Arkansas, he'd be called "a novice gun collector."

In Utah, he'd be called "moderately well prepared," but they'd probably reserve judgment until they made sure that he had a corresponding quantity of stored food.

In Kansas, he'd be "A guy down the road you would want to have for a friend."

In Montana, he'd be called "The neighborhood 'Go-To' guy."

In Idaho, he'd be called "a likely gubernatorial candidate."

In Georgia, he'd be called "an eligible bachelor."

In North Carolina, Virginia, WV, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina and Minnesota he would be called "a deer hunting buddy."

AND,OF COURSE,

In Oklahoma , he'd just be "a guy who's a little short on Ammo."

 

 

Blind Hams Network #hamradio

Our friends at the Blind Hams Network are doing a great job with networked radios.

Allstar, Echolink, Hamshack Hotline, DMR, Dstar, and a bunch of others are available for use.  

With something (including HF)  EVERY day of the week, there's no need to miss out.  

You can listen on Alexa and follow on Twitter. 

Check them out.

There are THREE repeater guides #ARRL #hamradio

 ... and they are all wrong.

Why?  Because repeater trustees and users don't update ... any ... of them.

They are ArtsciPub also known as RFsearch,  RFinder, and RepeaterBook.

ArtsciPub has been around for years.  They print a paper issue.  It's outdated the minute the ink is dry.  Why?  BECAUSE REPEATER TRUSTEES AND USERS DON'T UPDATE their listings.

RFINDER has its users because they sell radios.  The Android and IOS apps are available.   This services offers a "Search Along Route" capability using point to point.  The information is exportable in a number of products.  Like ArtsciPub, the information currently available is outdated for the same reason mentioned above.  Users that register are required to pay a fee.  This is an American Radio Relay League supported effort.  As the publisher notes, RFINDER provides the information to ARRL.  IF it's wrong (and it will be), users are to report the correct information to RFINDER (but they don't).

RepeaterBook also has a travel mode.  It allows for searching by highway.  While this is good, a zip code to zip code search may be more advantageous to users.  As with RFINDER, the data can be flawed because trustees and users don't update the information.  Some trustees don't want their repeater used by travelers.  Those can choose to hide their listing or not public access tones or codes. Because their are Android and IOS apps, RepeaterBook does not print a paper document because it won't be accurate after the ink dries.  Unlike RFINDER, there is no charge for registering.  RepeaterBook has a new feature of allowing Hotspot users to update their listings.  After a year, with no changes,  the listing is deleted.  RepeaterBook also allows export of data in a variety of manners.

The author received a "complaint" from a number of trustees and users who felt RFINDER was being privileged by the ARRL, an endorsement, if you will.  The issue came up during a division official election.  Nothing came of the comment.  

Are you seeing a pattern yet?  Why put all the work into three guides that don't have accurate data because you won't keep your information current?  How hard is it to log on and review your information?  There are plenty of users who would love it, if you would.

The hobby is only as good as the helpers.  Help the helpers.

Mr. Oklahoma Will Rogers