My Life’s Status

I haven’t posted a blog in awhile, so I figured I should say something, in case I actually have people who are reading this blog.

I have been working oddball hours, alternating between 1st and 2nd shift for the last few weeks, which has disrupted my schedule.  Usually this means I have no time for theological reflection, or to pursue my hobbies.  I’m hoping things will be back to normal, but with my employer, just about anything is possible.

Here’s where I’m at with my current interests:

1)  Amateur Radio:  Progress continues to be made with my UROnode.  I’m now running on 2 meters and 70 centimeters, in addition to linking via the internet with the Kentucky Packet Network.  I had some issues hearing the flexnet network on 2 meters, but this was due to a beam antenna on the other end being pointed in the wrong direction.  Now that we are both using vertical antennas, the signals are much stronger, and I’ve reduced my output to 25 watts.  This system now bridges the two large packet networks in CT.  I’m starting to see some interest in packet radio from new people, which is encouraging.  This is what I was hoping for, drawing new people into using packet radio, especially for NTS message handling.  I still am interested in experimenting with TCP/IP, so if you are interested and you live in CT, drop me a line and let’s get set up.

2)  Paging:  I was trying out USA Mobility’s two-way service, and found the coverage in my area wasn’t as good as the two-way offered by American Messaging/Skytel.  However, I have found that USA Mobility’s regional frequency, 929.6125, is working much better than the 929.9375 national frequency from American Messaging.   One disappointing thing I found is that American Messaging’s one-way national frequency is not as predicted in Maine.  There were definitely coverage gaps that were not indicated on the map.   I suppose this is due to towers getting shut down.  That’s why I test these things.  I will be traveling again across the eastern coast this summer (from  Maine to Pennsylvania), so we will see how good the USA Mobility regional frequency is.  So far, using a scanner, it looks like it will meet my needs.

3)  Theology:  Haven’t had much time for reflection, study, or anything else.   My fundamental Baptist background sometimes gets me feeling guilty about not having regular “devotional” times, but I then remind myself that God gives us grace, and as humans we can only do so much.  As my schedule returns to normal, things should get better on this front.  I have jury duty coming up, and if I end up having to report to the court, I’ll be taking along some books I’ve been meaning to read.  Maybe I can post a report on them after.