Courage Center Handiham System

Pat Tice has certainly done a tremendous job on the new design of the Handiham web site. I really like the simple theme that he chose, and I'm considering "borrowing" it for a family of ham-related sites I maintain for the Eastern Mass. ARRL section.

Drupal is such a joy to work with. I'm constantly amazed at the new functionality and software "modules" that developers are introducing daily. There's even one to highlight ham activity authored by WT6X. You can see it in action over at his web site, http://www.wt6x.com/ham/.

Dear Elmer,

Our VE team and radio club have been trying to help a candidate with short-term memory loss. What can be done to help him succeed? It is hard for him to remember what he has studied.

Signed,
Concerned VE

Dear VE,

I am a ham operator and I have the IRLP and I know you broadcast on a IRLP reflector as I have heard you but I can't find the reflector number on your site. All I see is EchoLink. Can you please tell me what IRLP reflector you use. Thanks, Susi

Susi,

I just called Don to get the info. He said all the info is on QRZ.com under his N0BVE call sign, too.

IRLP # is 3590
WIRES 2 # is 1427

And of course the EchoLink node number for the daily Handiham net is 89680. The net meets Monday through Saturday at 11:00 AM United States Central Time. Everyone is welcome.

A reader writes:

"Can you please answer my questions about setting up EchoLink?"

Elmer says:

You know, I wish I could, but there are so many individual differences in routers and computer setups that I wouldn't be much help to you. What works for me will probably not apply to your station and computer setup, because you will likely have a different Internet service provider, a different computer with unique software, and all sorts of other equipment that I don't have.

While at a Convention & Hamfest last weekend, I saw a really neat flagpole antenna. It was a "Force 12" 15 and a half foot tall vertical made from really solid-looking aluminum of a diameter that made it look like a real flagpole. Heck, it is a flagpole! You can hoist a flag up on this thing and it would take the wind without folding over. It looked darned good, too - nice, shiny aluminum, not some cheesy plastic pipe with a conductor hidden inside. The base insulator was some solid material, but it looked sturdy enough.

Many of our loyal Handiham e-letter subscribers and podcast listeners know me from my occasional comments in those fine publications. Now I have been given my own blog, whatever that might turn out to be, on the Handiham website. I will be able to stand high on my soapbox and pontificate loudly about anything and everything regarding ham radio. Whoopee.