license, so that a EE can pass with flying colors without studying.
Do they still require the person to be able to build their own transceiver? Or is it just a bunch of regulations entry level licenses require? If it's just regulations I wonder why they even bother. I'd need to review or study but I want to relearn, because of an accident my memory was damaged, how to build radios. I picked up an electronics learning lab for this, unfortunately all I could find was a digital lab, I didn't see any analogue labs. However I only went to local shops, if I look online such as at Jameco I probably would find analogue labs, but I'd rather be able to return it locally if it doesn't work. I used to like going to Skycraft in Orlando, FL, but I moved away and don't know of any places like it locally.
While I'd like fiber to the home, if not inside it, I'd prefer mobile wireless broadband with a range of at least a couple hundred miles. Without interefence.
We push hybrid cars that cost more to produce (in terms of money and environmental impact) than old regular cars, and the difference will never be made up during the life of the car.
Citation needed.
We want plugin electrics despite the fact that they'll put a huge strain on the already-fucked electrical grid, and will be ultimately be supplied by burning coal
We have rebate programs to replace your fridge that's been working for 40 years with a new one that will be nicer to the environment but need to be replaced in 3 years.
Citation needed.
We push shitty shitty light bulbs down your throat when there's not a damned thing wrong with the current ones.
And another citation needed.
Do you have any facts to back you up or are you trolling?
If we get to the point where we NEED HF communications, the interfering devices wouldn't be working and wouldn't interfere.
And what is the likelihood someone had the skills and working equipment? Just as many other skills practice is needed to maintain the skills for ham radio, but with interference it will be difficult to practice. And why would anyone want to?
Grouping up is the very last thing you'd want to do in order to survive.
More people will survive longer by teaming up than by going their own way. Not many people could farm, fish, gather, or hunt. Humans have gotten as far as they have because they cooperated. Even today groups or tribes of people survive by cooperating, including the lost tribes of Brazil, called that because they have not had contact with what's called the civilized world.
People are not to be trusted, especially not in an end-time scenario.
If I wanted to survive an end-time scenario I'd rather have someone to trust to watch my back while I watched their's and to share with than trust no one.
Ham's are pretty much self policing. The people that you get the most problem from are CB operators who have poorly tuned boosters.
I totally agree 1000%. I recall one person who lived across the street from me had a CB in his house. We could always tell when he talked on the radio because our toaster would start talking. We never had problems with hams, who also lived near us, though.
Back then I wanted to get my license but I had trouble with Morse Code.
If the power's out, isn't interference from power lines moot?
No, many ham radio operators have backup power. How do you think those in New Orleans helped after Hurricane Katrina? While power-line networking won't affect radio then, operators still need to practice and make sure their equipment will work.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but EMP does not just wipe out 'digital' circuits. I believe it will just as effectively destroy any circuitry, including the kind in ham radios.
Vacuum tubes are semi-tolerant of EMPs. I can hear the gasp, vacuum tubes? Yes, they are still being sold and used. Here's a "Make" video on making your own vacuum tubes.
You haven't taken into account GM's secret plan: recall all of the Volts after a year or two, crush them into cubes, and go back to selling 11MPG SUVs.
I know you're joking but that's basically what GM did with the EV1.
Alternative energy systems and nuclear plants require longer build times
Nuclear yes, but wind shouldn't take that long to build out. Erect 20 5 megawatt wind turbines a month and you'll add more than 1 gigawatt of generation capacity a year.
What about us poor shmucks who live in the Seattle area?
I know you say wind, but a wind farm near Goldendale, in Klickitat County transmits electricity to almost 10,000 customers in central California. Such waste, that energy can be used in Washington. Then there are probably NIMBYs in Seattle like the ones in Cape Cod, like Ted Kennedy, who oppose wind farms in Puget Sound. Right across the state line Oregon is good for solar power.
How about any other mass produced energy source (not solar).
Ah, disallow an energy source that can provide 69% of the US's electrical needs and 35% of it's total energy by 2050. Okay, let's use wind, which could supply 20% of the US's electricity by 2030.
Stack the deck against alternatives when nuclear power would not survive without subsidies.
It's been how long since we've built a new nuclear plant in the US? Coal is being attacked at every turn, solar and wind still being too expensive and too inefficient to meet current demands.
The CIA doesn't want fusion, the world economy would crash if there were free energy. They'll even level several Chicago city blocks in a hydrogen explosion and kidnap or kill scientists to prevent it from getting out.
I was thinking more along the lines of the electro-magnetic force being freakin strong.
Perhaps my reference didn't work well. I was jokingly referring to the movie "Chain Reaction".
If the car was ever made by Apple the battery would be integrated and after a year or two you'd have to send the car in to have the battery replaced and you'd have to rent a car from them (mandatory by contract) for 2 weeks while you wait for your car to get back with the new battery. The car would also only run on proprietary roads with proprietary electricity:-p
FUD, FUD, and more FUD. I am typing this on a MacBook Pro I've owned for 2 years. About every other week I swap the battery in it with another battery I got at the same tyme. In those 2 years I've only had to take it in for repair once, after I had it 16 months. A genus ran some tests then said the graphics had to be replaced. He checked then said he'd have to order the part but said I could take it home and he'd call me when it came in, so I did.
While in Apple stores I've seen others bring in iPods, iPhones, and other stuff and watched as a genus replaced the battery after testing. I even saw a genus setup an HP monitor, when Apple sells their own, for use with a Mac for someone.
I am also getting ready to install Ubuntu Studio on my Mac. Right now I've typing this in a Firefox tab and the only Apple software on it came installed on it. Most of the rest of my software is FOSS.
If Wind turbines are so economically viable, why are they not in place already? Can I make loads of money with them? Without government subsidies thank you.
Can you make loads of money from coal or nuclear power without subsidies? Nope. They both get subsidies, and they pass on external costs to others.
That's an excellent argument for rebuilding and making the grid smart, which will be needed for alternative as well as conventional energy sources. That's part of Obama's plan to create or save 2 million jobs, rebuilding the grid. I however disagree, in the short term it will not do this. It would long term but not short term.
Stating that battery's for a drill costs $10 was just intellectually dishonest.
No it is not. I walked into Sears with $10 and walked out without it but with a battery, and a receipt for it. No, that's not true. I walked in with $20 which I used to pay for a pack with two batteries and a charger.
too short of a range, too long of a commute, no (convenient) charging stations in between.
When cars with internal combustion engines, ICE, first came out they had the same problems. Look now, that's no longer true. What I find ironic is that people like you bring up these valid issues but before ICE came out cars were electric.
The companies would probably allow the first few electric cars to recharge, as it would let their green people claim "hey, we're a hip company and we support electric cars." Cheap marketing.
Then, once more people start showing up with their electric cars, and the electric bill grows (at which point to the company it feels more like freeloading), watch them change their mind.
Actually, this being CA, if I were boss I'd cover parking and put solar panels on the cover. I heard one employer is doing this, that's where I got the idea.
But a car that gets 40 MPG will weigh much less than a car/truck getting 20 MPG.
I had a pickup truck I got about 30 MPG, actually mileage not EPA rating, about the same as the newer car I have now.
Plus, the majority of road wear comes from heavy trucks.
So, have both a fuel tax and a mileage fee. Mt problem is that has it is now fuel taxes do not cover the costs of roads, building or maintaining them and I believe they should. You use, you pay. Those who use the roads, drivers, should pay. I see one problem with this, bike riders use the roads too but wouldn't pay, so how would they be made to pay? Perhaps a tax on tires?
Slashdot Mirror
Do you know Morse code?
Making sure enough people are trained in Morse is important because it can be used almost anywhere, not just the HF band.
Morse code isn't even needed for a license anymore. At least not in the US. So I doubt many new Hams learn it.
Falcon
No morse code required for any level of licensing anymore
Yea, I heard about that.
Falcon
license, so that a EE can pass with flying colors without studying.
Do they still require the person to be able to build their own transceiver? Or is it just a bunch of regulations entry level licenses require? If it's just regulations I wonder why they even bother. I'd need to review or study but I want to relearn, because of an accident my memory was damaged, how to build radios. I picked up an electronics learning lab for this, unfortunately all I could find was a digital lab, I didn't see any analogue labs. However I only went to local shops, if I look online such as at Jameco I probably would find analogue labs, but I'd rather be able to return it locally if it doesn't work. I used to like going to Skycraft in Orlando, FL, but I moved away and don't know of any places like it locally.
Falcon
Fiber Optic.
While I'd like fiber to the home, if not inside it, I'd prefer mobile wireless broadband with a range of at least a couple hundred miles. Without interefence.
Falcon
We push hybrid cars that cost more to produce (in terms of money and environmental impact) than old regular cars, and the difference will never be made up during the life of the car.
Citation needed.
We want plugin electrics despite the fact that they'll put a huge strain on the already-fucked electrical grid, and will be ultimately be supplied by burning coal
Ever hear of solar PVs, wind turbines, or the the smart grid?
We have rebate programs to replace your fridge that's been working for 40 years with a new one that will be nicer to the environment but need to be replaced in 3 years.
Citation needed.
We push shitty shitty light bulbs down your throat when there's not a damned thing wrong with the current ones.
And another citation needed.
Do you have any facts to back you up or are you trolling?
Falcon
If we get to the point where we NEED HF communications, the interfering devices wouldn't be working and wouldn't interfere.
And what is the likelihood someone had the skills and working equipment? Just as many other skills practice is needed to maintain the skills for ham radio, but with interference it will be difficult to practice. And why would anyone want to?
Falcon
Grouping up is the very last thing you'd want to do in order to survive.
More people will survive longer by teaming up than by going their own way. Not many people could farm, fish, gather, or hunt. Humans have gotten as far as they have because they cooperated. Even today groups or tribes of people survive by cooperating, including the lost tribes of Brazil, called that because they have not had contact with what's called the civilized world.
People are not to be trusted, especially not in an end-time scenario.
If I wanted to survive an end-time scenario I'd rather have someone to trust to watch my back while I watched their's and to share with than trust no one.
Falcon
Or, it may be possible to install filters so that the HF signal does not get outside your house
Except ham radio operators have computers and network too.
Falcon
it is truly frightening that the FCC has no one at a high level, or anyone listened to at high levels, who has ANY knowledge of how RF signals behave.
No, what's truly frightening is that the FCC exists. It was created for large broadcasting businesses.
Falcon
Ham's are pretty much self policing. The people that you get the most problem from are CB operators who have poorly tuned boosters.
I totally agree 1000%. I recall one person who lived across the street from me had a CB in his house. We could always tell when he talked on the radio because our toaster would start talking. We never had problems with hams, who also lived near us, though.
Back then I wanted to get my license but I had trouble with Morse Code.
Falcon
If the power's out, isn't interference from power lines moot?
No, many ham radio operators have backup power. How do you think those in New Orleans helped after Hurricane Katrina? While power-line networking won't affect radio then, operators still need to practice and make sure their equipment will work.
Falcon
Correct me if I'm wrong, but EMP does not just wipe out 'digital' circuits. I believe it will just as effectively destroy any circuitry, including the kind in ham radios.
Vacuum tubes are semi-tolerant of EMPs. I can hear the gasp, vacuum tubes? Yes, they are still being sold and used. Here's a "Make" video on making your own vacuum tubes.
Falcon
You haven't taken into account GM's secret plan: recall all of the Volts after a year or two, crush them into cubes, and go back to selling 11MPG SUVs.
I know you're joking but that's basically what GM did with the EV1.
Falcon
Alternative energy systems and nuclear plants require longer build times
Nuclear yes, but wind shouldn't take that long to build out. Erect 20 5 megawatt wind turbines a month and you'll add more than 1 gigawatt of generation capacity a year.
Falcon
What about us poor shmucks who live in the Seattle area?
I know you say wind, but a wind farm near Goldendale, in Klickitat County transmits electricity to almost 10,000 customers in central California. Such waste, that energy can be used in Washington. Then there are probably NIMBYs in Seattle like the ones in Cape Cod, like Ted Kennedy, who oppose wind farms in Puget Sound. Right across the state line Oregon is good for solar power.
Falcon
Distributed power generation anyone?
You're talking to the wrong crowd. All they care about are the massive nuclear power plants that are Hooked on Subsidies.
Falcon
Show me safe nuclear power.
How about any other mass produced energy source (not solar).
Ah, disallow an energy source that can provide 69% of the US's electrical needs and 35% of it's total energy by 2050. Okay, let's use wind, which could supply 20% of the US's electricity by 2030.
Stack the deck against alternatives when nuclear power would not survive without subsidies.
Falcon
It's been how long since we've built a new nuclear plant in the US? Coal is being attacked at every turn, solar and wind still being too expensive and too inefficient to meet current demands.
Remove subsides for coal and nuclear power and solar and wind are more competitive. If not for government businesses would not build nuclear power plants, the nuclear power industry is "Hooked on Subsidies". "Chevron agrees to lobby with Sierra Club to end coal subsidies".
Falcon
The CIA doesn't want fusion, the world economy would crash if there were free energy. They'll even level several Chicago city blocks in a hydrogen explosion and kidnap or kill scientists to prevent it from getting out.
I was thinking more along the lines of the electro-magnetic force being freakin strong.
Perhaps my reference didn't work well. I was jokingly referring to the movie "Chain Reaction".
Falcon
Obama is not saving anything but his @$$ but that is another discussion.
I never said otherwise. Or are you attributing to me things I didn't say?
Make money generating electricity without government involvement burning coal, you bet, no problem.
Coal does get subsidies. Here's a speech by Rep Edward Markey, "My Climate Bill 'Has Huge Subsidies For Clean Coal! Huge!'" detailing some of the subsidies, not just coal but other energy courses get. And "Chevron agrees to lobby with Sierra Club to end coal subsidies" The freemarket CATO Institute has more: The USDA provides low interest loans for coal fired power plants. Coal also gets subsidies for coal-to-liquids, synthetic fuels. The EIA [pdf] reports that in 1999 energy got subsides of $4 Billion. Of that oil got $312 Million, coal $489 Million, and natural gas $1.2 Billion. And all forms of alternative energy got $1.1 Billion.
If the drill answer is not intellectually dishonest, go trim a lawn with your drill, maybe even try driving it down the road.
Now I believe you are trolling and will not be responding anymore.
Falcon
If the car was ever made by Apple the battery would be integrated and after a year or two you'd have to send the car in to have the battery replaced and you'd have to rent a car from them (mandatory by contract) for 2 weeks while you wait for your car to get back with the new battery. The car would also only run on proprietary roads with proprietary electricity :-p
FUD, FUD, and more FUD. I am typing this on a MacBook Pro I've owned for 2 years. About every other week I swap the battery in it with another battery I got at the same tyme. In those 2 years I've only had to take it in for repair once, after I had it 16 months. A genus ran some tests then said the graphics had to be replaced. He checked then said he'd have to order the part but said I could take it home and he'd call me when it came in, so I did.
While in Apple stores I've seen others bring in iPods, iPhones, and other stuff and watched as a genus replaced the battery after testing. I even saw a genus setup an HP monitor, when Apple sells their own, for use with a Mac for someone.
I am also getting ready to install Ubuntu Studio on my Mac. Right now I've typing this in a Firefox tab and the only Apple software on it came installed on it. Most of the rest of my software is FOSS.
Falcon
If Wind turbines are so economically viable, why are they not in place already? Can I make loads of money with them? Without government subsidies thank you.
Can you make loads of money from coal or nuclear power without subsidies? Nope. They both get subsidies, and they pass on external costs to others.
That's an excellent argument for rebuilding and making the grid smart, which will be needed for alternative as well as conventional energy sources. That's part of Obama's plan to create or save 2 million jobs, rebuilding the grid. I however disagree, in the short term it will not do this. It would long term but not short term.
Stating that battery's for a drill costs $10 was just intellectually dishonest.
No it is not. I walked into Sears with $10 and walked out without it but with a battery, and a receipt for it. No, that's not true. I walked in with $20 which I used to pay for a pack with two batteries and a charger.
Falcon
too short of a range, too long of a commute, no (convenient) charging stations in between.
When cars with internal combustion engines, ICE, first came out they had the same problems. Look now, that's no longer true. What I find ironic is that people like you bring up these valid issues but before ICE came out cars were electric.
Falcon
The companies would probably allow the first few electric cars to recharge, as it would let their green people claim "hey, we're a hip company and we support electric cars." Cheap marketing.
Then, once more people start showing up with their electric cars, and the electric bill grows (at which point to the company it feels more like freeloading), watch them change their mind.
Actually, this being CA, if I were boss I'd cover parking and put solar panels on the cover. I heard one employer is doing this, that's where I got the idea.
Falcon
But a car that gets 40 MPG will weigh much less than a car/truck getting 20 MPG.
I had a pickup truck I got about 30 MPG, actually mileage not EPA rating, about the same as the newer car I have now.
Plus, the majority of road wear comes from heavy trucks.
So, have both a fuel tax and a mileage fee. Mt problem is that has it is now fuel taxes do not cover the costs of roads, building or maintaining them and I believe they should. You use, you pay. Those who use the roads, drivers, should pay. I see one problem with this, bike riders use the roads too but wouldn't pay, so how would they be made to pay? Perhaps a tax on tires?
Falcon