WICHITA FALLS MAN

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02-14-2024 - I see hamfest listings still frequently show a "talk in" frequency. Are these used very often in the age of the cheap GPS receiver? Do I really need to know this? No, but it gave me something to write about!

02-14-2024 - There was a short exchange on the Air Evac Lifeteam frequency of 159.900 MHz this evening. Unknown what it was all about. UPDATE: I heard them about 15 minutes later and it sounds like they're out on another mission. Tune in with your scanner radio.

02-14-2024 - I made contact with K0CMH in Mastodon State Historic Site (US-3357) in Missouri on 20 meters (14 MHz) CW (Morse code) for the Parks on the Air® program.

02-14-2024 - I made contact with AB9CA in Ironwood Forest National Monument (US-4434) in Arizona on 20 meters (14 MHz) CW (Morse code) in the Amateur (ham) Radio Parks on the Air® program.

02-14-2024 - The 20-meter Amateur (ham) Radio band has been in poor shape this morning as I try to work some Parks on the Air®. I'll try again later in the day.

02-14-2024 - I'm hearing those guys chatting on 151.880 MHz again. This is a MURS frequency. Some say MURS - the Multi-Use Radio Service - is the best-kept secret in Hobby Radio communications. I would have to agree. It's license-free, and external antennas are authorized.

02-14-2024 - Let me remind folks that Wichita Falls is a radio-perfect town. What does that mean? First, I made up that term, but it means that since you can basically see from one side of town to the other, any radio service you choose - Ham, CB, GMRS, or MURS - will allow you to communicate city-wide with low to moderate power and an antenna 20 feet off the ground. Yes, local repeaters make it possible to do it with your pocket walkie-talkie with "rubber duck" antenna, but there's never a guarantee that a repeater will be functioning or that you'll be allowed to use it. Find Ham, CB, GMRS, or MURS radios at Amazon!

02-14-2024 - Recent headline: "Senegal cuts Internet again amid widening crackdown on dissent." Is there a better reason to get a two-way radio, either Amateur (ham) Radio, CB Radio, or even a GMRS radio? Maybe all three to make sure you're covered. Seriously, when "it" hits the fan, don't count on a door to door radio sales person to come to the rescue. Besides, you want to be up-to-speed on the operation of your choice of radios before you really need them.

02-14-2024 - NWS forecast - Today: Sunny, with a high near 68. South wind 8 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 43. South wind 8 to 13 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

02-14-2024 - Good morning and Happy Valentine's Day. I'm starting the day with Morse code on the 40-meter Amateur (ham) Radio band while my Folgers Black Silk Coffee is brewing. I'll probably try to snag one or more Parks on the Air® stations on 20 meters (14 MHz) CW (Morse code) later today. I hear one on 40 meters now, but I'm tuned up on 20 and I'm too lazy to twist a few knobs on the antenna tuner before transmitting.

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02-13-2024 – Skydivers have jumped into JayCee Park, now Lake Wichita Park, and Lamar Elementary School. Those are just two locations that I know about. The school was a demonstration and the park was just for fun. I did one demo at Sheppard AFB. My "fun" jump was a jump into the McDonald's just on the other side of the Walters tollgate. Kids came running out when we landed. We packed up our parachutes next to the restaurant and went in for a burger. Then it was the flight back to Grandfield. Two jumpers tried to share a Quarter Pounder in free fall. Burgers don't last long in a 100+ MPH wind!

02-13-2024 - The Clay County Amateur Radio Club conducts a weekly Skywarn practice net on Tuesdays at 8:00 PM on the club's 146.800 MHz repeater. All licensed Amateur Radio Operators are invited to check in. Scanner listeners are also welcome.

02-13-2024 - I made contact with WA5RR - a local ham - at Grand Bay Savanna Complex Wildlife Management Area in Alabama on 20 meters (14 MHz) CW (Morse code) in the Amateur (ham) Radio Parks on the Air® program.

02-13-2024 - NWS forecast - Today: Sunny, with a high near 63. South southwest wind 5 to 9 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 40. South southeast wind 7 to 10 mph.

02-13-2024 - Good Morning! I might drop by the 50 Plus Zone this morning. You know, that place for "older" folks above the Wichita Falls Public Library. Or, I might just stay home and entertain myself with Amateur (ham) Radio. For now, my Folgers Black Silk coffee is ready! The scanner radio is very active this morning with the Allred Unit (153.815 MHz) and the school buses (152.360 MHz) busier than usual. Let's see what the day brings.

02-12-2024 - From the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - In January 2024, the proportion of the population that is employed, known as the employment–population ratio, was 60.2 percent for people age 16 and older. The ratio has been between 59.9 percent and 60.4 percent since March 2022.

02-12-2024 - I'm listening to a local business - to remain un-named - on my scanner radio, where one employee is, or has been, a CB Radio operator. This person called out to another employee with "How 'bout it (name of employee)" When that one didn't answer he called for another with "How 'bout ya, (name)?" Having a scanner radio is cheap entertainment.

02-12-2024 - At 7:50 AM our local Air Evac Lifeteam is on the move. Before listening in on my scanner radio, I had no idea they were this busy. Tune in at 159.900 MHz.

02-12-2024 - Did you see some of those menu items at the Allegiant (Superbowl) Stadium? How about Surf and Turf Nachos for $58.58 or the Ultimate Seafood Stuffed Potato for $49.99? Or, maybe the "Sunday Sundae" Griddled Donut for a mere $19.99 is more your speed? I guess if you can afford a Superbowl ticket, these prices are meaningless.

02-12-2024 - I rode the exercise bike for 30 minutes while listening to CW (Morse code), not Country & Western, on the 40-meter Amateur (ham) Radio band. It looks like my work for the day is done! It's good to be retired! Wait, I still have to take out the trash.