Hello, list -
This thread has reached its conclusion, but just to summarize and clear
things up a bit, we do have audio lectures in MP3 format for all the
licensing levels. They are a member service, but a pretty good deal as a
Handiham membership is only $12/year. If we run into folks who don't have
Internet access, we are usually able to make MP3 compact disks or even
4-track tapes by special order at low cost. In addition, we have taken over
the management of the W4MQ remote base software and hope to make it more
accessible, although it is quite usable now. It is mainly the installation
process that is the most challenging for blind users. Also available to
members are the two internet remote base stations W0EQO and W0ZSW. They are
both Kenwood TS-480's with VGS1 modules. Access to them 24/7 for transmit
and receive is part of the $12 membership. By comparison, the W7DXX remote
base is an independent Internet remote base station with an annual
membership fee of $100. Admittedly our stations are not that same quality
level for DX, but they are still good services and not a bad deal for
$12/year. Even at $100, the W7DXX station is a very reasonable service, but
$12? For two stations? Wow! We also offer our members magazine digests -
lots of audio for our blind members at about the same time print readers are
getting the same magazines in the mail instead of months later via NLS.
Then there is the Manuals directory, where audio tutorials help you learn
your radio.
Of course times do change, and we do sometimes hear complaints about the
lack of tape study materials. Several years ago I decided that investing in
digital on line delivery was a better bet because tape cassette use has been
declining past the point of critical mass to keep production running. It
can cost over $500 to rehab a single worn tape duplicator, so this is really
a no-brainer. But I do admit that a person who does not use a computer may
not realize as much value to a Handiham membership as they once might have
before the Internet. Even as the budget has tightened, we have still
managed to deliver more audio than ever, faster, with better overall
quality, and vastly cheaper than we ever could with tapes. The Internet has
also made it much easier to interact with members and non-members who need
questions answered. This very list is often the go-to place for my
research!
We still offer the Radio Camp, too.
So it isn't so much that *only* Gordo's CD's are available - they are, of
course, and many people love them. It's just that we deliver a lot more on
line than we used to and that is where the main user value lies. It's just
crazy the way I have turned into an IT guy over the 20+ years I've been
working for the Handihams. When I started, our files were note cards in
wooden drawers and our highest tech gadget was an IBM Selectric. Now I have
to know Drupal and be able to edit HTML. It really is a new world, and we
have to adapt.
Check out a few resources:
1. The Handiham daily net, Echolink node 494492, IRLP 9008, or WIRES 1427.
11:00 AM CST daily.
2. The W4MQ Remote Base software pages:
http://handiham.org/local/blind/w4mq_remote_base_software.htm
3. Control W0EQO for receive via Echolink. Look for W0EQO-L and connect.
Use the text box to change mode and frequency. (Disabled for text box
control when a control op is running it via the W4MQ software, and you can't
hear any audio when the control op transmits, of course.)
4. Learn about the Kenwood TS480 from Joe, N3AIN. Feel free to check out
the other offerings:
http://handiham.org/manuals/Kenwood/TS480/ts480_n3ain/
Happy holidays, everyone!
73,
Pat
Regards,
Patrick Tice
[log in to unmask]
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Howard, W A 9 Y B W
Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2011 1:26 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: How about a step back and a deep breath
Hi Michael,
The lectures are not available to just the casual visitor to the Handi-Ham
website, like your genius friend. You have to be a MEMBER of Handi-Hams to
gain access to them.
73's
Howard #3
----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael Thurman" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2011 11:35 AM
Subject: Re: How about a step back and a deep breath
> unfortunatelythe only oos around here that I know of are redneck loosers =
> and hang out on the only repeater that worthless twit is welcome on... =
> the same OO that sent me a note bitching because he didn't like the fact =
> that I was using a mbile radio and didn't have it at full power when i =
> lived a mile from the repeater and 5w and an ourdoor antenna was already =
> full quieting. he said I asn't using full jars power because he couldn't =
> hear me on the input 10 miles away wit his handheld. this is the same =
> guy who showed up to the club meting with his pants and underwear slid =
> down so far he gave plumbers a good reputation for dress code. some =
> "oficial observer" who complainsbecause you follow the fcc rules and =
> don't run 50w to talk a mile to the repeater on a 2000 ft tower you are =
> line of sight with. and yes visual line of sight with the repeater =
> antennas as cinformed by my girlfriend who is a ham and used binoculars =
> while standing in the yard :) these are the kind that become an OO? my =
> how the standards have fallen. not to mentionthat I'e been licensed =
> longer than he's been out of grade school!
> pthetic
> hand I'm very glad o hear that the audio lectures are there. I am not a =
> member anymore, but my friend who is and does tech support for a living =
> didn't see the lectures when he looked. and I'm sure he is capable of =
> navigating a webpage considering he writes html and does tech support, =
> not to mention all his certs which i can't remember. Perhpas the =
> lectures weren't up then due to an update or a problem with the site
>
> On Dec 17, 2011, at 10:10 AM, Gary Tillinghast wrote:
>
>> Find your local OO and turn in the fellow. Send around a=20=
>
>> petition and send it to the FCC.
>> ----- Original Message -----=20
>> From: "Michael Thurman" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2011 7:06 AM
>> Subject: Re: How about a step back and a deep breath
>>=20
>>=20
>> tel you what.. you come experience what a prick this loser asshole is =
> =3D
>> and see how muc you like what has happened want proof of hat a =3D
>> worthless op he is I'll e happy to collect calsigns of people who =
> would =3D
>> be more than happy to go into great detail about this supposed general =
> =3D
>> class licensee who can't even figure out that 40 meters is hf=3D20
>> he actually was stupid enough to ay well I'l ge tmy 2m handheld =3D
>> modified to work 40 meters shakes my head =3D20
>>=20
>> On Dec 16, 2011, at 4:43 PM, Gary Tillinghast wrote:
>>=20
>>> prove it. put up or shut up!
>>> ----- Original Message -----=3D20
>>> From: "Michael Thurman" <[log in to unmask]>
>>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>> Sent: Friday, December 16, 2011 2:21 PM
>>> Subject: Re: How about a step back and a deep breath
>>> =3D20
>>> =3D20
>>> it isn't defaming if it's true
>>> On Dec 16, 2011, at 2:15 PM, Pat Byrne wrote:
>>> =3D20
>>>> In the past twenty-four hours I've heard ARRL bashed, Handihams=3D20
>>>> ripped and a couple of individuals defamed. I checked just to be=3D20=
>
>>>> sure and it is no longer full moon. All of us have things that =
> get=3D20=3D
>>=20
>>>> us PO.ed but lets consider the venue. This is hardly a place for=3D20=
>
>>>> that kind of stuff.
>>>> Were all adults, aren't we.
>>>> Thanks.
>>>> Pat Byrne, K9JAU=20
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