Hearts and radios

DSCF9036 stress catcherThis morning the community support worker took me in for one of those iodine heart CT-scans. I have had them before but the iodine and all the changes to the medication regime made pretty ill. This was another eye-rolling case of being some kind of unpleasantly stoned and having to get on with it anyway. They found some pretty serious issues and by the time I was home the cardiologist’s office was on the phone to me and then the hospital and whatever they are about to do to me is on its way here in snail mail. Bit scary!

Yesterday I rang “Metal by the Metre” at Erina and asked about a bit of 40ml galvanizedĀ  pipe to stand up outside the apartment and plant an antenna on. They had a 6.6m meter bit and another 1m bit that I could concrete into the ground and use as a spigot mount. The shop was just near the radiology clinic so we popped in there on the way back.

The guy was happy to see us and shook my hand. He took me out the back and introduced me to the pipe I was buying, checked that spigot would fit, made a bill out with delivery and had me out the door smiling like a fool in a few minutes. He questioned me about the project, thought deeply over my plans and discussed them fully and I walked out of there knowing I had all the facts and was making a good choice of materials. One of his guys arrived at my place with the delivery at about 1:30pm same day. Not shoddy at all. I would take a proper project to these guys and have confidence it would go well.

The final thing we did on the way home was to go to Jaycar. The worker who was taking me was worried as I almost toppled over a few times. Those heart CT scans really take the last energy. I could barely see but the guy at Jaycar had my order in his hand (just a few plugs for the coax) and had me out the door without a problem also. This was one day I needed people to work with me smoothly and they did and we made it home alright. DSCF9623 antenna

Channel three repeater is off air again. I think I will pull down the bazooka I made and dismantle it. The repeater is not on often enough to justify a permanent structure. I was very proud of that antenna. Al (Tuggerah Lakes 4) encouraged me to make it and took me into the world of antenna making and I enjoy it immensely. I do not need a 477 base though. The big dipole made of wire and bits of a plastic cutting board is hanging in the neighboring apartment’s tree. Although it is not very visible I went and had a chat with her and she agreed I could keep it there forever although I think I will just keep it up until the new Stationmaster is up. That seems fairer. I might rake the bit of her back garden in the gully when I am well enough. She cannot get there at all and I think it rankles to have to leave it.

The quality of the signals on this antenna compared to the wobbly one in the ceiling is marked and using the antenna switch I was able to test them against one another. This new one is a hundred percent stronger on the recieve and the transmission. Very satisfying. The method of getting the rope into the tree was to use a hand reel with a sinker and just fling it up until it went where I wanted. Easy although it took a while. You can just see the tree next to it to the right. That is the one behind my apartment and you can see the foliage that made it too difficult to use. Right now the huge chunk of wire hangs in the middle of her yard. It was very kind to let me try it there. I think she like the little adventure that came with my battle to overcome disability and memory loss and stuff to make my own things. I appreciate Al with that, and the community assistance, and all those guys who put their projects on web sites. That all sounds like a speech at the Oscars but I am happy. I won one. Thanks everyone!

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