Blackberry REACT September 2009 NewsletterQuick ClicksNew Motorola Cell phonePromoted as safe for use in explosive atmospheres and drop-proof, this phone looks like a handheld radio, but costs more. A lot more: Two grand. Take a ride in a U-2If you’ve never seen “Top Gear,” a cable TV show from Great Britain, you miss some occasionally riotous reviews of cars, planes, and other high-end stuff. The YouTube page I’ve linked to has clips of several of their reviews of gear. Here, James May reviews the U-2 by climbing aboard and taking a ride to the edge of space. He discovers you can’t scratch your nose in a space suit. And some other stuff, too. (Of course, Mr. May does not yet know that his gastrin-releasing peptide receptor had been triggered. Scientists have now discovered the distinct neurons that produce itch instead of pain.) New theory on sun’s hot surfaceJapanese have a new theory on why the sun’s atmosphere is millions of degrees, much hotter than the surface: there are “nanoflares” which create coronal loops of ultrahot plasma in the corona. Now if we could only figure out how to create sunspots for radio amateurs. Locally made FM transmittersThese guys from Accra Polytechnic have made an FM radio station from available parts – very low power with a range of maybe a mile. They made their own power inverters, antennas, and the whole shebang. Locally made transmitters, part 2This is a small transmitter made in prison and put in the guards’ room to listen in on what the guards are going to do. You listen in on your regular radio. Why don’t my lunches look this good?Oh, right – I make them myself. Dozens of photos of captivating bento lunches. sigh. More gorgeous lunches. First Responders Guide to HazMatTriggers the download of a 2.4MB pdf file. This guidebook is from the US DOT and is geared toward first responders who are on the scene of a hazardous materials spill first. Best advice: when you see an accident, don’t rush in. Check first to see if there’s a placard identifying the transportation of hazardous stuff. If so, stay safely upwind and call in the experts. The pamphlet has color photos of placards for hazardous cargo, but some of it is not obvious to me (Oxidizer?) and the ID codes are even more obscure: 20 is an asphyxiant gas. There’s more material here than I can absorb, so to speak. More portable boxes for your radiosExpensive containers for your even more expensive radios. Two styles, one with a built-in speaker and cigar plug, one without. Each box can contain two radios or one radio and batteries, headsets, and gear. $230 with the speaker, $160 without. Simulated Emergency TestThe national SET is set for the first weekend in October – the third and fourth. Local agencies may have different dates. It rained alreadyIt seemed a little early, but we had rain this month. Time to consider what you have in your go bag for weather-related clothing. Lighter summer clothes and jackets might give way to warmer, waterproof items. Glove Guards – not just for glovesGlove guard and utility guard are double-ended clips. Clip one end to your belt or belt-loop and the other end to your gloves, mesh bag, eyeglass case – whatever you need handy and accessible. The clips are break-away, so if you snag one on the car door as it drives away, the clip fails instead of dragging you. Other uses: if you’re using a backpack style water carrier, clip the hose where you want it; keep your spare batteries attached to your radio holster; keep your headset and mic cords out of your way; clip a frequently-used tool somewhere handy so you don’t have to keep reaching in your pocket. Etc. Events
UpdatesRefreshments – Howard Zolty ProgramsOctober – Louise and Phil will review a radio and Burning Man *November – New officer nominations *December – Annual dinner |
