Daily Archives: June 24, 2012

I Am No Like America

My name or country is no important to you. You would probably no be able to find my country on map without help – you may no even spell it. I know some English, but I’m guess you couldn’t speak mine language even to say “Hello.”

I only know America from the internet. I heard things about America from my parents, but what I see no match what they say. Here what I know about America.

Big news is about sports coach who do unmentionable things to boys. It in news every day. In my country we be ashamed and not talk about it but America think very news worthy and important. It take headlines over everything else.

Celebrities like move actors more important than people who make or build things. This I do not understand. I see pictures of Lindsay Lohan who is very pretty with makeup but not pretty without and in a lot of trouble all the time.

News always has information about money and sports. These must be very important to have this every day. I like sports. I understand business very important but no understand why more important than other things.

In my country political leaders fight all the time. Most fights are just for attention. I guess same for you.

I am hear many things about America with freedom and such, but have hard time seeing these thing on internet. Seem like much on movie stars, sports and business. Maybe you explain?

In meantime, I sorry America and I not much alike.

Field Day

Just a quick note about amateur radio’s field day – which is today.

In the event of a disaster or emergency, the usual communications systems often become overloaded. Everyone wants to check on everyone. People are calling the authorities to report problems or to ask what’s happening. In some cases the disaster takes the telephone or the cellular system down. In other cases the authorities systems become too busy to handle. Amateur radio exists, by law, to assist in such situations.

On field day, ham radio operators set up temporary stations in parks or such and power them with generators, solar power, or other systems that would be necessary in an emergency. Antennas are strung up in the trees – high enough that either a bow and arrow or a potato gun is necessary to reach the height. Everything must be set up within the 24 hours before field day and removed after field day.

Starting at 2:00 PM EST, stations try to contact as many other stations as they can. Extra points are given for the type of power (generator, solar, etc.) and if there is a “GOTA” station – that’s an abbreviation for “Get On The Air”. These stations are specifically intended to let potential hams try out the hobby with experienced hams helping out.

Usually besides being a test of emergency capabilities and a contest, it also becomes a big party with lots of food. Many hams who talk with one another on the air quite frequently get a chance to see what the other ham actually looks like!

The kids and I spent some time at the field day site for the Chesapeake Amateur Radio Service (our local club) and a good time was had by all.