If you have a Nook book reader or if you have installed the Nook software on your PC and set up a (free) account through Barnes & Noble. There is a book you should know about.
I've never talked about anything on here that was not related to Ham Radio or Emergency Preparedness, but this is a well deserved exception.
The book is called OXYGEN by John Olson and Randy Ingermanson. It is available at Barnes & Noble as a hardback, paperback or as a NOOK Book (eBook).
The story follows 4 astronauts as they travel to Mars. It is one of the greatest WhoDoneIt's I have ever read! The first sentence in the book has the main character fighting for life and it never lets up. As soon as one disaster is ALMOST under control, here comes a worse one! Half way in you will suspect all the main characters of being a saboteur. Further in you will suspect all NASA employees. The ending is a twist you could not possibly see coming. Well written, believable characters you identify with. I stayed up late every night until I finished this book. I kept thinking that their situation couldn't possibly get any worse. It got 10 times worse. Again and again and again and ... Just read the book, you'll see what I mean.
Read the appendix, the authors have web sites with more info. By the way, every device mentioned in the book exists. Every process mentioned is real and is done on the Space Station. The book is technically, medically, and scientifically correct. You won't notice all that, though, you'll just wonder how anybody could get out of the fix the astronauts are in. And then the next fix is even more severe. This is like Job in the Old Testament. While he is being informed of one disaster someone runs up and tells him of another even worse disaster.
OXYGEN is only $2.99 in the Nook version.
When you finish that, try Michael Crichton's novel "Prey". An enemy so small it is invisible to the naked eye, travels in giant swarms, is programmed to kill off the human race and has no natural enemies. Super tiny flying robot "bugs" with wings and feet that can slice through flesh like it was warm butter. Oh, by the way, they have the ability to build more of themselves and to repair each other. They are also super smart and have the ability to learn and improvise. Good luck surviving the swarm! This is another "can't put it down" book.
Enjoy!
-O. D.- N7OZH
Friday, December 23, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Balloon with APRS sails from California to Algeirs!
A ham in California launched a balloon with APRS station K6RPT on board. It was tracked all across the USA, departed the East Coast and went over the ocean where it was tracked by various ships, islands and other stations. Last traced just north of Algeria (in Africa). Altitude had dropped from 100K feet to 14K feet - the balloon has probably popped and is very likey in the drink by now.
When you go to the web page, go to the right side of the page and click to view 3 days of data. Then you can see the entire track. Pretty impressive.
(Click the title to view the APRS page at aprs.fi)
Read about it on QRZ.com here.
===================================
Reverse-911 system fails to notify all residents - system being replaced.
This little county in Oregon has only 26,000 residents in the entire county and the Reverse-911 system was not up to calling all of them. Salt Lake County is a LOT bigger than that and we have a Reverse-911 system. Please share this with every emergency planner you know.
http://www.thenewsguard.com/news/article_d579f4ce-0fe1-11e1-8313-001cc4c03286.html
For a definition and explanation of a Reverse-911 system, you can visit this WikiPedia page. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_911
===================================
Cheapest fire starter -
metal scrubbing pads - like Brillo. Touch the pad to the + and - terminals
of a D size battery or a 9 Volt battery and prepare for FLAMES. You should
be holding/positioning the scrubbing pad over the intended target BEFORE
applying the battery.
==================================
Preparedness Expo and Ham Radio
Info KE7ORB - slcfoothillnet.blogspot.com Take a look at Dave's blog. Lots
and Lots of useful information on there!
==================================
RESCUE TAPE - Great stuff for sealing outdoor antenna/cable connections. Can be used to repair leaks in car radiator hoses. Withstands temps to 1500 degrees and
pressures up to 750 PSI. Where to get it - RV SHOW - SPORTSMANS SHOW -
STATE TRAILER SUPPLY - TRUCK STOPS, etc.
==================================
Radio Features for disaster Prep. These are a MUST in a disaster.
1. Ability to punch in a VFO simplex frequency
2. Ability to punch in a VFO repeater frequency with offset and tone.
3. Ability to enable/disable Squelch Codes.
(CTCSS & DCS = Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System & Digital Coded Squelch)
CTCSS is a sub-audible tone of a particular frequency. 42 freqs from 67.0 to 254.1. numbered 1 to 42.
DCS is a sub-audible tone that represents a 3 digit octal number (0 thru 7). There are 104 predefined sets from 023 to 754
ODD OFFSET RPTR - HOW TO DO IT
NUM OF FREQ - CHEAT CARD FOR FREQS
DOWNLOAD RADIO MANUAL
===================================
Some Emergency Prep Info:
http://www.equipped.com/earthqk.htm
http://www.ARPSE.ORG
For earthquake preparedness, this equipment and these supplies should be stored in waterproof, or at the least, water resistant containers in a SECURE location on the property AWAY FROM THE HOUSE or any likely damage or loss from falling structures, if possible. Use combination locks (all with the same combination) to secure supplies, keys can be lost. Make sure all household members have the combination memorized.
Keep the existence of these supplies a secret from all others. Loose lips can result in stolen or pilfered supplies. When you need them, they may not be there.
If you have a scanner and a CD burner, another strategy is to scan all critical papers and records and place them on a CD. This CD can also be sent to another responsible party for safekeeping.
===================================
Great Handouts and Ideas at these two locations.
http://www.ke7hlr.com/emcomm/ecw08/personal_go-kit_handout.pdf
http://www.fabulousrocketeers.com/WA4DQS_Go_Kit_Ideas.htm
===================================
Excellent way to store water at home.
www.waterbob.com - Food Grade Plastic - Funnel On Top - Ciphon On Bottom -
Holds 100 Gal Buy 4 - Get One Free. Search On Google - Some Sites
Resell These For 1/2 The Listed Price.
======================================
N7OZH
When you go to the web page, go to the right side of the page and click to view 3 days of data. Then you can see the entire track. Pretty impressive.
(Click the title to view the APRS page at aprs.fi)
Read about it on QRZ.com here.
===================================
Reverse-911 system fails to notify all residents - system being replaced.
This little county in Oregon has only 26,000 residents in the entire county and the Reverse-911 system was not up to calling all of them. Salt Lake County is a LOT bigger than that and we have a Reverse-911 system. Please share this with every emergency planner you know.
http://www.thenewsguard.com/news/article_d579f4ce-0fe1-11e1-8313-001cc4c03286.html
For a definition and explanation of a Reverse-911 system, you can visit this WikiPedia page. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_911
===================================
Cheapest fire starter -
metal scrubbing pads - like Brillo. Touch the pad to the + and - terminals
of a D size battery or a 9 Volt battery and prepare for FLAMES. You should
be holding/positioning the scrubbing pad over the intended target BEFORE
applying the battery.
==================================
Preparedness Expo and Ham Radio
Info KE7ORB - slcfoothillnet.blogspot.com Take a look at Dave's blog. Lots
and Lots of useful information on there!
==================================
RESCUE TAPE - Great stuff for sealing outdoor antenna/cable connections. Can be used to repair leaks in car radiator hoses. Withstands temps to 1500 degrees and
pressures up to 750 PSI. Where to get it - RV SHOW - SPORTSMANS SHOW -
STATE TRAILER SUPPLY - TRUCK STOPS, etc.
==================================
Radio Features for disaster Prep. These are a MUST in a disaster.
1. Ability to punch in a VFO simplex frequency
2. Ability to punch in a VFO repeater frequency with offset and tone.
3. Ability to enable/disable Squelch Codes.
(CTCSS & DCS = Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System & Digital Coded Squelch)
CTCSS is a sub-audible tone of a particular frequency. 42 freqs from 67.0 to 254.1. numbered 1 to 42.
DCS is a sub-audible tone that represents a 3 digit octal number (0 thru 7). There are 104 predefined sets from 023 to 754
ODD OFFSET RPTR - HOW TO DO IT
NUM OF FREQ - CHEAT CARD FOR FREQS
DOWNLOAD RADIO MANUAL
===================================
Some Emergency Prep Info:
http://www.equipped.com/earthqk.htm
http://www.ARPSE.ORG
For earthquake preparedness, this equipment and these supplies should be stored in waterproof, or at the least, water resistant containers in a SECURE location on the property AWAY FROM THE HOUSE or any likely damage or loss from falling structures, if possible. Use combination locks (all with the same combination) to secure supplies, keys can be lost. Make sure all household members have the combination memorized.
Keep the existence of these supplies a secret from all others. Loose lips can result in stolen or pilfered supplies. When you need them, they may not be there.
If you have a scanner and a CD burner, another strategy is to scan all critical papers and records and place them on a CD. This CD can also be sent to another responsible party for safekeeping.
===================================
Great Handouts and Ideas at these two locations.
http://www.ke7hlr.com/emcomm/ecw08/personal_go-kit_handout.pdf
http://www.fabulousrocketeers.com/WA4DQS_Go_Kit_Ideas.htm
===================================
Excellent way to store water at home.
www.waterbob.com - Food Grade Plastic - Funnel On Top - Ciphon On Bottom -
Holds 100 Gal Buy 4 - Get One Free. Search On Google - Some Sites
Resell These For 1/2 The Listed Price.
======================================
N7OZH
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