Today I setup my old linksys wifi box so the laptop and tablets can get on the internet. The hughesnet had funny ip info, but it all worked out just fine.
Cranked up the mower with the electric starter and hand mowed some grass in tight p[laces. Then had my brothers help in unsticking the rider. Mowed grass with it till the main belt finally gave out. It was 2 years old and starting to go, so no surprise. Emina drove the tractor back to garage.
Rerouted 10 meter vertical coax to travel trailer and got the 10 meter radio on the air with some temp connections. Must work on 20 meters over the weeekend to the Icom.
The chickens wanted to go on another field trip, so they were out wandering for several hours.
Really must start taking more pictures.
And then there are the garden plants. Some plants are doing great, like tomatoes, peppers, scallions and garlic. Then there are the others, whats up with that. Most likely to much rain and cold weather. Must get a shelter (carport type) up for next year for sure. Time will tell.
Friday, June 13, 2014
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Nice day, but...
This morning I jumped in the truck and headed north to Des Moines. Todays project is to finish painint the insode of the house on Williams Street. Except for a few small spots to be touched up with a brush, it is all done. Finally!!
In the afternoon, the MIL came by with a new list of things to do on the house. She also suggested getting a hold someone else that doesn't live 2-1/2 hours away to do some of the work and I agreed. Otherwise, this Friday I will be back to install the Tub and Shower enclosure. At that point I will be able to measure how much space is left to put in a small sink and then build a custom vanity below it.
From there I stopped by Home Depot and picked up 15 stepping stones as all the rain down at the house is turning the temporary walkway into squishy mud.
Dropped in on my brother who had picked up 2 like new storm doors and then it was head for home. Got back to the house around 8:15 or so.
In the afternoon, the MIL came by with a new list of things to do on the house. She also suggested getting a hold someone else that doesn't live 2-1/2 hours away to do some of the work and I agreed. Otherwise, this Friday I will be back to install the Tub and Shower enclosure. At that point I will be able to measure how much space is left to put in a small sink and then build a custom vanity below it.
From there I stopped by Home Depot and picked up 15 stepping stones as all the rain down at the house is turning the temporary walkway into squishy mud.
Dropped in on my brother who had picked up 2 like new storm doors and then it was head for home. Got back to the house around 8:15 or so.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Another rainy day
Well, it rained or drizzled most of the day today. In the middle of all that the 2 guys showed up to install DirecTV and HughesNet. By the time they were done all 3 of us were muddy and wet. So now I have DirecTV on 2 TVs and HughesNet satelite internet service to my desktop. Late afternoon, the bedroom receiver came up with a 771 error code saying it couldn't find a satelitte. Odd thing is, there is only 1 LNA on the dish feeding both receivers and the first one in the living room is working fine.
Its wet and its late, so that enough.
Its wet and its late, so that enough.
Monday, June 9, 2014
Monday - Monday
First project of the day is the assembly of a 33ft vertical antenna to be used witha tuner on 10-12-15-17-20 meters. It went to gether more or less like I had planned althought the middle section of EMT already had a slight bow in it. The bottom section is a short section of fence pipe which just slips over the 1 inch EMT bottom section. The bottom section then slips down into a chunk of 1-1/4 sched 40 PVC pipe, which for now I have mounted in a 3 ft TV antenna tripod. Looks good, now to cut and make some radials out of some old Cat 5.
Then it was off to town to get a treated 4x4 post to be used for mounting the satelite dishes on Tuesday. Also picked up an 80 lb bag of concrete mix.
Back home I lowered the post hole digger down into the previously dug hole that the rain from Saturday filled to the brim. It had gone down some, but not much. The water that is doesn't soak into clay dirt very fast. The hole is around 43-44 inches deep and didn't want to distrub the sides anymore than I had. Dropped in post and then started just pouring the concrete mix into the water around hole. Remember the hole was full of water. Surprisingly it took the whole bag of mix and a little extra I had on hand already. Went back and checked it a few hours later and it seems as solid as can be. Yes, I used my 4 ft level to make sure it was darned close to straight up and down.
After lunch I opened the main chicken gate to let them out to roam the whole yard around the house. They went around twice and then back into their pen. After having observed them in their coop for quite a while now, I am convinced that I either need to build another bigger coop or remodel this one so it is twice as wide, i.e. 8 ft insted of 4 ft. They just donw;t seem to have enough room.
Then it was off to town to get a treated 4x4 post to be used for mounting the satelite dishes on Tuesday. Also picked up an 80 lb bag of concrete mix.
Back home I lowered the post hole digger down into the previously dug hole that the rain from Saturday filled to the brim. It had gone down some, but not much. The water that is doesn't soak into clay dirt very fast. The hole is around 43-44 inches deep and didn't want to distrub the sides anymore than I had. Dropped in post and then started just pouring the concrete mix into the water around hole. Remember the hole was full of water. Surprisingly it took the whole bag of mix and a little extra I had on hand already. Went back and checked it a few hours later and it seems as solid as can be. Yes, I used my 4 ft level to make sure it was darned close to straight up and down.
After lunch I opened the main chicken gate to let them out to roam the whole yard around the house. They went around twice and then back into their pen. After having observed them in their coop for quite a while now, I am convinced that I either need to build another bigger coop or remodel this one so it is twice as wide, i.e. 8 ft insted of 4 ft. They just donw;t seem to have enough room.
The Lords Day
Looks like I forgot to post this out Sunday evening, so am doing so on Monday Evening. It was a quiet easy day with not a hole lot going on. Sunday afternoon, I did go to a NEMO Ham Radio Club meeting at the Kirksville Fire Department building. It was an interesting meeting with several discussions. The antenna for the repeater is back on hold for several reasons. Concluding the meeting there was a short ARES meeting with mostly emails gathered and not much else.
On the way back to the house, I made several stops and got home with most of my items I was supposed to get. Always something seems to be forgotten.
On the way back to the house, I made several stops and got home with most of my items I was supposed to get. Always something seems to be forgotten.
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Rainy Day
Yes, once again we have flash flood warnings out for the area. Must have gotten around 3+ inches of rain today and I note that some ot the weep holes in pplant pots are not weeping fast enough. Had to poke them to get going, but they all drained back down.
Went down to chek on the little dike I had put around the hole where I am attempting to put in a well for watering the plants and other things. Bottom line, the dike failed and the hole was refilled. Thats all right becuase after spending several hours on the net searching and reading, I think I have a better plan for putting in a well. More on this subject at a later date.
My Bluetooth mouse showed up, but no instructions on how to put it into 'Find Me" mode.. After teading the instructions I finally figured it out as the instruction on the internet were wrong. Anyways a little mouse arrow now shows up on the tablet screen and function lke a regular mouse.
Not much else from the old homestead, but will try and pick up the pace tomorrow.
Went down to chek on the little dike I had put around the hole where I am attempting to put in a well for watering the plants and other things. Bottom line, the dike failed and the hole was refilled. Thats all right becuase after spending several hours on the net searching and reading, I think I have a better plan for putting in a well. More on this subject at a later date.
My Bluetooth mouse showed up, but no instructions on how to put it into 'Find Me" mode.. After teading the instructions I finally figured it out as the instruction on the internet were wrong. Anyways a little mouse arrow now shows up on the tablet screen and function lke a regular mouse.
Not much else from the old homestead, but will try and pick up the pace tomorrow.
TGIF
Off to Des Moines this morning and paint interior walls on the Williams St house. Added a couple more gallons of paint to the bucket and darned if the overall color isn't slightly darker. Now I have to paint everything a second coat for sure. Loaded up the power roller and start paining. Unlike using a regular roller and pan, now you just roll until your arm gives out and then you switch hands and keep rolling. Made super great progress and can hopefully finish next tuesday.
Stopped at the base to see some friends and check on a program. Updated 1 program in hte system and had user test out OK. Works fine and then had discussion on recent meeting to get this program out to everyone.
Then the long drive home and arrived at dusk. I am tired and this is actually getting posted out Saturday morning.
Stopped at the base to see some friends and check on a program. Updated 1 program in hte system and had user test out OK. Works fine and then had discussion on recent meeting to get this program out to everyone.
Then the long drive home and arrived at dusk. I am tired and this is actually getting posted out Saturday morning.
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Nice Thursday
Woke to a nice cool breeze through the window with a few birds starting to sing in the background. While there was a large cloud mass over western borthern Missouri, it all slid southward as the day wore on. In fact by evening it was almost totally clear and only 70 degrees.
I opened the main chicken pen gate wide and invited all 7 of them to go for a stroll around the yard. It sure seemed to me they enjoyed their little field trip around the yard. Finally got tired of watching them so shooed them back in the general direction of the gate and they all went in abd back to their normal chicken stuff.
It was so much fun, I repeated the chicken field trip only this time, they went a different direction and ended up under a huge bush. Instead of fighting with them, I just walked away and checked on them again an hour later. They had come out and contimued their tour in their own good time. Walked away again for another hour and when I came back the second time, they were all back in their own yard, so closed the gate.
Finished picking up mess in front of garage and am about ready now to start paining the eves in preparation to putting up rain gutters. Then setup a barrel or 2 to capture rain water and I will be doing good.
Cleaned up the old work bench and added some screw to the legs for additional stability. Then moved it into the front of the old travel trailer as a work desk where the couch was located. Looks good, except to high at 36 inches. Look online and average desktop is around 28-29 inches. Took 2 legs off and cut 6 inches off and then did the other end, Looks good and then started sorting and consolidating boxes of stuff. Measured out to buikd 2 more shelbes where the drivers side bunk bed is located. I have mentioned that the whole idea is to turn the old trailer into a solar powered ham radio and electronics shop. Next week I will be pulling the trailer to the east side of the house with the tongue facing south. Incidentally the desk is on the south side and will have a pretty nice view.
By 8 PM there was almost no breeze, so it seemed like a good time to burn some brush/garbage, both in the burn barrel and a pile on the ground. About that time, I also chased the last chicken (Rockie) into the coop and secured the door for the night. I could hear them squabbling around a bit, but all quieted down OK, Only 3 eggs today as compared to the normal 4. Not sure which hen is not laying, but for sure 4 of themare as the brown eggs are all a shade of brown different.
Checked the grow pots and there are several little tomatoes started and at least 1 green pepper. Supposed to be hot on Friday, so things should start growing at a faster rate.
I opened the main chicken pen gate wide and invited all 7 of them to go for a stroll around the yard. It sure seemed to me they enjoyed their little field trip around the yard. Finally got tired of watching them so shooed them back in the general direction of the gate and they all went in abd back to their normal chicken stuff.
It was so much fun, I repeated the chicken field trip only this time, they went a different direction and ended up under a huge bush. Instead of fighting with them, I just walked away and checked on them again an hour later. They had come out and contimued their tour in their own good time. Walked away again for another hour and when I came back the second time, they were all back in their own yard, so closed the gate.
Finished picking up mess in front of garage and am about ready now to start paining the eves in preparation to putting up rain gutters. Then setup a barrel or 2 to capture rain water and I will be doing good.
Cleaned up the old work bench and added some screw to the legs for additional stability. Then moved it into the front of the old travel trailer as a work desk where the couch was located. Looks good, except to high at 36 inches. Look online and average desktop is around 28-29 inches. Took 2 legs off and cut 6 inches off and then did the other end, Looks good and then started sorting and consolidating boxes of stuff. Measured out to buikd 2 more shelbes where the drivers side bunk bed is located. I have mentioned that the whole idea is to turn the old trailer into a solar powered ham radio and electronics shop. Next week I will be pulling the trailer to the east side of the house with the tongue facing south. Incidentally the desk is on the south side and will have a pretty nice view.
By 8 PM there was almost no breeze, so it seemed like a good time to burn some brush/garbage, both in the burn barrel and a pile on the ground. About that time, I also chased the last chicken (Rockie) into the coop and secured the door for the night. I could hear them squabbling around a bit, but all quieted down OK, Only 3 eggs today as compared to the normal 4. Not sure which hen is not laying, but for sure 4 of themare as the brown eggs are all a shade of brown different.
Checked the grow pots and there are several little tomatoes started and at least 1 green pepper. Supposed to be hot on Friday, so things should start growing at a faster rate.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Hump day
Wow, what a storm with an unoffical rainfall in the 5.23 inch area over night. Things were down right soggy this mornig to say the least. The wind blew a couple of chairs around and it and the soggy ground managed to collapse one of my pallet garden tables on to the ground. The half dozen pots on top, which weren't doing much survived OK, so I picked them back up and planted new bean seeds in them. This time I used regular bush bean seeds and 2 per pot on opposite sides.
Here is a shot of the fllor of my new deck/3 season porch. Next to do is get stuff for roof and then start measuring/building the wall that goes against the house. From there the rest should be easy.
Still fighting a losing battle with getting TV receprion and tonight I tossed in the towel and ordered DirecTV. It is scheduled to be installed nest Tuesday morning. Will hopefully keep the wife off the warpath as she is tired of the 1 good channel.
Here is a shot of the fllor of my new deck/3 season porch. Next to do is get stuff for roof and then start measuring/building the wall that goes against the house. From there the rest should be easy.
Still fighting a losing battle with getting TV receprion and tonight I tossed in the towel and ordered DirecTV. It is scheduled to be installed nest Tuesday morning. Will hopefully keep the wife off the warpath as she is tired of the 1 good channel.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Tuesday the 3rd of June
Dusk is falling after another busy day. Finished up on all the decking this morning and now sitting here watching a storm roll in from the west. They have been talking about this storm for the past 24 hours, but fortunately most of it is going past us to the north.
Just tried to insert a picture, but that didn't work and failed for some unknown reason. Hopefully, I can figure that out as it would be great to insert pictures as needed from Dropbox.
In summary, I finished the floor to the deck. Then I built a 16 inch by 8 foot long grow bed and put 3 foot legs on it. Fired up the mower and went over and trimmed down the grass in both chicken coop areas. Then I took an old piece of fencing, threw some weight on it and dragged it around the yard for an hour or so. It slowly started leveling out some of the ruts and high spots.
Needless to say, I also went out to Google and setup this blog thing, which I am filling out on my android tablet using a bluetooth keyboard. Checked in with eBay a while ago and ordered a bluetooth mouse for use on android tablets. Should be a complete system then. By the way this is a generic 10.1 inch tablet off of eBay for $139.
Internet is kind of slow today, but did get all my email read and will be posting this blog entry shortly. Right now internet is via my cell phone and an app called PDANet which is set into WiFi hotspot mode.
Second post
Looks like this is where the body gets typed out. This post entry is being done on my tablet with a bluetooth keyboard. More later today.
First post
Well, lets start this blog off and see if we can get back in to the hang of things. This morning is starting off nice with mostly blue skies and upper 60s for temps. Went out and fed the dog and opened the chicken coops up already to let the birds out into their yards. Forgot to water my bucket garden yesterday evening, so took care of that this morning.
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