The Usual Idiots

Hurray antenna build! This isn't my first, but it was the smallest. The other antennas I've built have been for CB, 11 meters. This one was for frequencies on the 2 meter band. I found some directions here . They served me very well and I had the foresight to take photos as I made the thing. I've been planning to make a larger 2m J-pole antenna out of 1/2" copper pipe for awhile now. This is not that. I was wanting a better antenna for chatting on the 2m net in my area. Last week I had to drop out because my little handheld just wasn't getting out like it needed to. The J-Pole I want to build will be larger, about 8' tall. When that goes up I want it to be in a more permanent way. So something for the intermediate, ahh yes I have a bunch of 450ohm ladder line in the garage! Some quick googling and reading in my new antenna building book and boom a design is ready to try. See the earlier link. Behold! Ladder line Step one I stripped the...

I've participated twice now in a net that is held on a local repeater. First one I had better signal, not sure what was the issue this time around. I know an antenna outside the house would help out. Also being able to output more than 5 watts would be grand. That'll be the next radio though. I've considered a VHF amp for this one, but I'd rather just wait a bit longer for a shiny new radio. All that stated here are some of my notes from the net though. Start time 7:00 on the WCARL's 146.820 repeater . Net Control: KE9ZM Gary Other check ins: KA9SPL Steve N9HLG Rick KD9MDO Mike (me) KD9HUK Jeff Topics bounced around a bit, main thing I learned about and am looking forward too is a hamfest coming up on the 20th. I'm looking forward to checking out all the gear and etc. I should start studying up too if I want to pass the general test by the end of Jan. Of course that'll mean I need another radio. Darn.

Full in, all out, all about, and so on. No idea why I wrote that sentence that way, it was fun though. I all in to this radio hobby though. It started with a small handheld CB and now I've got another CB a 10m radio and a small dual band handheld for analog and digital VHF/UHF. I'm on the air call sign and all. No super long distance contacts made yet, but the possibility is there. This digital radio thing is taking me a minute to wrap my head around. There are several competing modes for digital at the moment. Each coming from different manufacturers. My handheld is currently capable of working the DMR networks. I'll update more as I learn it. The basic idea of digital radio is that you can have multiple conversations on the same frequency without hearing each other. You can even have private conversations with singular users. So here is another thing that I'll be posting updates about. Also a means to make the international lounge truly international.

Holy shit it's about time I got these photos up! Come on, that shit is clever. The talismans of our past, We'll get a post together later detailing their origins. Where I got my first pipe, and where we used to get our cigars.  We were not able to make a visit this time around. The picture is a bit blurry because it was dark out and I had my flash off. I made a choice early in the trip that I was going to put forth some effort to photo document this weekend. I didn't want to go selfie crazy, this wasn't for instagram or any of that shit. So when I snapped the first photo of the evening in a bar I quickly decided to turn the flash off. Nobody wants that bright fucking light in their face, and I don't want to announce to the bar "LOOK AT ME, I'M TAKING PICTURES!" Start of the evening Scotch and Cigars Scott shares with us his winnings. The plan was, give him a dollar each. Then he'll take that to the slot machine ...

We had a meet up of Idiots this last weekend and it was grand. Spencer, Chad, Reginald IV, and Todd all hit up the wine trails. Bottles drank, laughs had, business deals struck. Video on the way. You can also expect some photos from the weekend  to be shared by Mikey. Also plans for a weekly podcast adventure. Stay foolish, The Idiots

Hope we don't get sued! Here it is the intro to the podcast about..... ummm, should have figured this out first. Too late now though! Episode 0

Well I wasn't the first, but I was one of the early ones. To mow my lawn this year that is. It's finally nice out. Managed some yard work today and just sat out and enjoyed the lovely weather. Got my Menards card today too. Was expecting more of a credit card looking thing. This is more of a cross between a gift card and a Costco membership card. Dinner with the brother and folks later today, should be a fine time. Found some new podcasting stuff, hope to be trying it out soon. With luck I'll be able to record something on the Carbondale trip. Beer in hand, Blog online Mikey

Fear not, I've just slacked lately. I have not once again forgotten about the blog I'm trying to keep updating. It is my hope to have more contributors as well so if you want in on this shit, let me know. So, along with the last haul of cigars received I had also signed up for a monthly deal. 8 cigars of 4 different types. Something to help me explore new cigars and expand my tastes. What I didn't expect wast that the first order would catch me up on what I missed over the last few months. That is to say, not only was April received but so was March, February, January, and even a bonus December Caldwell sampler. Now, there are many good looking cigars here and I'm excited to try them. I was not anticipating having to make quite so much room in the humidor though. In other news it seems summer is finally here. We decided to give spring a miss I guess. As we came to the end of a menopausal April where it went from 30 to 50 and back to 20 with a mix of rain, snow, both...

The hell do I use facebook for? Fights, of the internet variety. I choose to argue with people I might run into sometime in the next year. That way I can spit on their windshields. It usually does not come to that however. Most of the time I can avoid the shit, because that is really all arguing on the internet is, shit. More often than not it is the same fallacy laden arguments rehashed. That gets fucking tiring. This isn't a statement against one side either. Both are quite equally guilty of it. I'm thinking that debate class might need to be a mandatory credit for high school graduation. A key thing to remember is, you're talking to a person. A real flesh and blood human being. Unless it's a bot, in which case you're an idiot for arguing with the AI. (You know they will rise up and remember you right?) That person has thoughts, feelings, and experiences of their own. Take the time to listen, you will learn something. An individual's opinion will never be ch...

No Domestic Bears The holidays of St. Patrick's, Cinco de Mayo, and Oktoberfest will be celebrated continuously The 4th of July will not be celebrated, as to not offend our English patrons Do you need any Co-Ax? Despite what the song may say, we will continue to play the wild rover Diplomacy is an art; be an artist Any mounting is strictly a dominance thing Interviews may be conducted in the lounge No parking It's an international thing

Stories, I love listening to stories and I aspire to be a great story teller. I want to write a book even, though I have no idea about what. I had a thought that I should just start typing and see where the words took me. It makes sense. I'm not going to get anywhere if I'm not putting something down. I have a lot of thoughts about things I want to create. I've contemplated poetry, painting, charcoal, learning instruments. The excuse is really time. Though I once read I should try switching up the phrase "don't have the time" with "it's not a priority." I like this idea, and honestly it seems about right in this case. I'm making the time to blog now, suggesting that I'm making it a priority to create now. Words to paper (text to screen, whatever) is likely the easiest creative outlet for me. Easiest in this case meaning most accessible. I have a computer I can sit at for 15-20min and just let my fingers dance. I'm quite content wi...

First, I will state that this is not entirely a cigar blog. "This is not entirely a cigar blog." Stated Mikey There now that I've stated it I'll get on to the topic I wish to talk about. A cigar. I've been smoking cigars on and off since I was 18 years old. I picked up a pipe about the same time too. My first cigar was a strawberry white owl that I shared with a friend on a golf course, because he wouldn't splurge to get a second. Who could blame him, it was like a whole dollar for one of these dry chemically flavored sticks. That stated I did eventually move on to much better cigars, especially now. I'm not saying I've spent as much as $30 on one cigar... well yes I am. It was damn good too. That is not the smoke I'm here to talk about though. Yesterday I shared an Arturo Fuente with The Pretty Lady. Specifically it was a Queen B. If you haven't tried it I highly recommend you track one down. It was mild and smoked easy, held an even bur...

It would be scotch and cigars with out cigars, then it'd just be scotch which is fine too. At any rate the Half Acre Warren has received a large shipment of cigars. Large enough that I declared I wont be buying any new ones for at least six months. "Well what all did you get Mikey?" you may be asking, and even if you're not that is the question I'm about to answer. Kick it of with a box of Ave Marias. This have become a warren favorite, so much so that we got a box of 'em. They have been declared the House Cigar as it were. The size we got is called "Knights Templar" as those of you who are more literate may have already noted from the picture. Basically they are the Knights of the Warren, our Owsla to continue with the Richard Adams theme. Ah yes The Liga 9. A tasty stalk cut. The above is the box in whence they came and below on the right is their placement in the humidor. Full bodied and oily cigars are a favorite 'round th...

Hello and welcome. I'm going to try this again, a site based around myself and the people I love in my life that I call the Usual Idiots. What can you hope and expect to see in this space? Stories, reviews, pictures! All the fun shit. Also cursing. I think the next big post will be this Thursday, I am expecting quite the cigar haul, very exciting. Other upcoming things, a reunion of the college crew down south somewhere, a graduation party for a cousin out West. A wedding and more! Also rants, I'm going to take a shot at putting out some quality rants. That's all for now, Mikey