CarlFacer.com

There seems to be a problem with a primary user on the MySQL server, which subsequently does not allow the pages here to be opened. I have changes a few user names and everything seems to be operational at this point. From the looks of it, the gallery was flooded by a spambot via the comments section. As such, an image verification system has been installed and now requires users to interpret a picture before commenting, so we should be all set to go!

If you notice anything out of the ordinary (besides me) or happen to get any error messages, please send me an email at cfacer <at> gmail (*) com.

-Carl

EDIT:   All the comments (approx 5,000) were deleted out of the gallery, so I apologize to anyone who left comments in there. The “TRUNCATE” table button was too tempting to pass up.

Quick update for everyone:

Last night that platform was finished (with the exception of the rotor mount, eyebolts to hold the dish and outrigger pipes) and the previous night the battery box was installed. Thanks to Todd (KB1EKZ), Cyrus (KC2RLP), and Jared (KB1PFK) for the help over the past week. Here is what we have left to finish for the contest:

• Run the 4 ga. auxiliary battery cable (hood to trunk)
• Find solid ground point for aux battery and run cable
• Mount rotator for log periodic antenna
• Add out rigger pipes to platform (need clamps first)
• Fabricate cross-mast section to hold mast for the 4′ dish
• Get 6 meter antenna
• Pickup 144/220/432 radio in Albany (en route to Greylock next week)
• Confirm all feed lines have been acquired (and build more if necessary)
• Make plexiglass insert for window to pass coax through

I am aiming to get this done on Saturday so I can test the equipment on Sunday with Greg. I might be able to fudge a few things (ie battery cables, plexiglass, etc) so I can at least try the equipment out before the contest. Another thing I’d like to do is put my TinkTraker in the car for running APRS if I want to. After all of the buzz on the VHFcontesting email reflector I don’t know if it’s allowed, but I’ll have to read the rules a little closer.

Pictures will be forth coming as soon as I get a second to transfer them over from the camera. That’s all for now!

-Carl (a tired rover)

Well, thanks to Dennis, N2LBT, I have the equipment for all bands between 903MHz and 5GHz in the car now. This also includes the 4ft satellite dish and paddle feeds for conveying said frequencies. What is this all for you ask? Well, I’m a ham! Further, I am a microwave contester with MGEF (Mt. Greylock Expeditionary Force) also known as W2SZ/1 and I am a rover. This means that I drive very long distances to setup the equipment (almost always in remote locations) and operate on the various allocated microwave bands.

I’ll fill everyone in on what it entails, where I am going, and what goes on the car to do it. In the mean time, you can visit this page on my gallery and see what I went roving in for the June VHF contest. I filled in for KB1EKZ after an injured knee left him unable to operate from the back of the truck. Steve, KB1ITX and I started in Maine and worked our way into Massachusetts, ending up on Mt. Wachusett for the end of the contest.

Stay tuned for further progress reports on the car, only here at carlfacer.com!

So I’ve gotten the chance to play around with a piece of software called Gawker which allows me to make time lapse movies using the MacBook. Today’s project was to paint a total of 5 tables in the basement, so it provided a great opportunity for me to try it out. Here’s the video of me painting the first three.

So today brings on some sort of sinus cold / sickly thing that is just about doing me in. Just had to share that with you.  In other news, the full server migration has been completed and this page (as well as the gallery) are snug in their new home somewhere in a California data center. The legacy server will be running PRN at the house to serve any domestic needs as I see fit. It might end up hosting the POCSAG to SMS gateway that I have been talking about for a few years, but it’s still a way off due to a shortage of time. More information will be dispersed as it becomes available. 

The move is now officially complete! The nearly 3 gigs of pictures have been uploaded to the site and should be fully functional as of this moment. Please take a moment to check it out! I will also be working on embedding the gallery into this wordpress page, but that will have to wait for a bit. Now I have to go look at engagement rings and go to an appointment to have my eyes checked.