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BletchleyPark

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Everything posted by BletchleyPark

  1. Several years ago during a particularly dry year, a local Northeast Ski Resort proposed using drainage water for its snow-making operation. Opponents of the proposal started a guerilla campaign, putting bumper stickers on the cars of the visitors to the ski resort which read: "{name of ski resort} - Where Affluence Meets Effluence" BP
  2. In a error of judgement, Wilson determines that he has an adequate supply of TUMS for the afternoon's hike.
  3. Last summer I was goecaching with my nephew (6 years old). We had stopped at the dollar store to get some trinkets to place in the caches for that day. On the trail, my nephew had second thoughts about the newly-purchased trinkets, having chosen stuff that he would have wanted himself. When we got to the first cache, he decided that we should put a dollar (in change) in the cache so the next kid could go to the dollar store and buy exactly what he/she wanted. He pulled out $0.73 and I covered the remainder. This was a significant contribution for my nephew and I found his toughts and actions quite interesting for a 6 year old. I guess what I am trying to say is that what may seem to be a "trade down" or perhaps a little insignificant to we adults may, in fact, be an act of great spirit and generosity from a kid. Thus, I regard McToys, change, and such as the welcomed participation of the younger crowd; and perhaps testimony to a day well-spent between a child and adult. My 2 sense, BP
  4. A suggestion... Would it be possible to create a vendor feedback area to collect positive/negative ratings from our geocacher's buying experiences with vendors? It could be organized by vendor name and have ratings entered similar to the "poll" process. It would be important to allow comments for those who care to elaborate on their experience with the vendor. I think this might be a good way to help folks sort out the myriad vendors competing for our purchases. Much like eBay, these responses would not represent the site-owners' endorsement of any particular vendor(s), but would instead reflect the members' positive/negative experiences in transacting business. BP
  5. quote:Originally posted by kevin917z:been looking and i see the nimh's are 1.2 volts, does this mean they wont last long in the gps or 2 way radios??? compared to 1.5 volts? I don't believe the 0.3 reduction in voltage reflects the duration of useable power. Instead it refers to the "peak" power output. Generally most of the dual AA cell stuff we power with nimhs will operate within the 2.4v to 3v range. However, I have found that my wireless remote temperature base station needs all 6.0 volts from 4 AA cells. In reading the spec sheet, it does indeed specify exactly 6.0 volts and not a voltage range. But wait a minute, my Garmin Vista specifies 2 1.5v cells and it operates just fine on nimhs. I have to call the base station's tech support line to learn of the 6.0v requirement. So...check the power requirements in the manual of the devices in which you will be using your nimhs and verify that they are in spec. Better yet, call the manufacturer and ask about the suitability of using 1.2v AA cells in the device. FWIW, BP
  6. N 33° 18' 54" E 44° 23' 31" Gentlepersons...start your guidance systems! Cheers, BP
  7. quote:Originally posted by inconsequentia: "i am but mad north-nothwest...when the wind is southerly, i know a hawk from a handsaw." Hamlet...if memory serves me. Seen on a SUV: "I'm Changing the Climate. Ask Me How." BP
  8. Thought I'd post a separate topic for this... There are a number of folks out there who have had very good and very bad experiences buying GPSr gear from online and brick & mortar vendors. It seems to me that it would be helpful to maintain some kind of "feedback" on experiences with these vendors to help our community avoid the cheesy joints and patronize the outstanding ones. Any ideas? BP
  9. I wonder if the site could list the major GPSr vendors and have us post our experiences in dealing with them? This might help guide folks away from the lees desireable outfits. My 2 sense, BP
  10. I would think that the dates previously stated would be quite agressive. I believe that NDBs started popping up in the 50s and they are still with us! It makes sense that VORs remain (to some degree) as GPSr navigation becomes the standard -- certainly for "backup" reasons. And until ILS based airports can invest ($$$$!) in and deploy LAAS on a wide scale, it seems likely that ILS will be around for a while too. What worries me about the wide-spread adoption of GPS enroute is the "confidence" it may give a less experienced or less cautious VFR pilot to "press-on" in marginal conditions. BP
  11. For aviation in the US, GPS will be replacing VOR/VORTAC navigation just as VORs replaced NDBs. If I remember correctly, NDBs will be decomissioned by 2005 and VORs by 2010. After 2010, GPS will be the only electronic system for enroute navigation. With the rapidly expanding use of GPSrs for general aviation today, it would seem that the FAA is very prudent in pushing development and deployment of additional WAAS birds. Just the other day I read a story about a GA pilot who encountered an emergency over an unfamiliar area. His panel mounted GPSr had a "nearest airport" function which, when selected, allowed him to immediately change and follow a course to land at the nearest airport. Simple GPSr function? Yes! Value of that "simple" function to the pilot? Priceless! BP
  12. if I am not mistaken, if you HAVE to equate it with distance...20ft should be considered the radius and not the diameter of the "confidence circle". Thus, you could be up to 40ft away. Correct me if I'm wrong, here. BP
  13. Definition: What you are awarded when you catch the biggest POS in the competition. s'wonderful...s'marvelous... Cheer's BP
  14. I've used the Peak Bagger with the wide-mouth bladder and am extremely happy. The Peak Bagger is one of the largest Camelbaks (for gear storage) so if you don't need a whole lot of room you may want to get a smaller model. The PB does the trick for weekend treks (say...2 nights) with enough storage and lash points to attach all the bring-alongs. My only niggly item is the waist belt. For heavier loads it would be nice to have a more substantial belt with padding. However, I believe the design of the PB was targeted for day-hikes or, at most, a light overnight. With the loads that I have carried, I have yet to find a seam rip or failure of any kind. I expect the military models to be virtually indestructable. Cheers, BP
  15. We often view the world in a "human" context; we easily relate to eachother, society and its bountiful creations derived from our intellectual efforts. Not so often do we really "grok" the expanse and diversity of nature, and how delicately it has all been woven together. We can easily admire the complex design of a modern suspension bridge spanning the width of a major river. It is less common to be awed by a spider's death-defying efforts in weaving a web between the boughs of two widely separated trees. For me, geocaching gets me deep into a natural environment were humans are but one small part of the majesty of life on Earth. I am constantly amazed by the balance that (hopefully) exisits among the Earth's life forms. Oh yeah...and geocaching is fun, too! BP
  16. To those contemplating an iPAQ PDA: The iPAQ uses an internal battery that is not removable. Charging must be done via adapter or cradle. This could present problems for extensive (multi-cache) searches since a simple batery change is not possible. I love my iPAQ except for this one drawback! BP
  17. Ya' know, I think that for maximum enjoyment a person needs to feel comfortable with the activities they are persuing. But even a quick walk in the park is not without *some* possible risk. Therefore, it seems to me that a person should take with them the items that make them feel the most comfortable in accepting any inherent risks associated with their activity. Of course there are some basic recommendations, but beyond those its up to the individual. If a person is under-equipped and ill-prepared to face a possible life threatening situation, it is a result of their choices and can ultimately result in (here come the flames) "Natural Selection". On the other hand, the person who is overly cautious and heavily-ladden with gear designed to reduce all possible risks may stand a better chance of survival...that is, if they don't have a coronary carrying the pack. The issue is...balance. I try to find the point at which being risk-averse does not interfere with the enjoyment of the activity. It is *my* decision; it is a "personal thing" and each person will have a different point of balance. Where I have a problem is when people undertake activities without informing themselves about the basics and the possible risks/hazards involved. Case in point: I was hiking a cliffside trail about 15 years ago and spotted a short, fat pine tree/shrub ahead of me waving back and forth. I was sure it was a large animal in the brush so I started singing (well, sort of) and clapping , searching for a spot with a better view while keeping an eye on the tree. Through my binoculars I could see that the movement was not caused by an animal but by some mysterious "force" pulling on the tree. It turned out to be someone to was "practicing" rappelling on the cliff. They had "secured" their rope to the base of this under six-inch pine prior to going over the 800-foot cliff. I was carrying about 30 feet of nylon rope and rigged it around a nearby rock point. My belt bridged the gap between the nylon rope and the tree. I'm not sure wether this would have held in a fall, but it made me feel better! After I received no response from yelling to the person, I left an note and hiked back to the ranger station with the approximate UTM coordinates. Finally, the person was "rescued" by rangers from below (after an appearence from a state police helicopter!). While this activity ended without harm it could have easily supported the process of Natural Selection. Carry what you want, but be informed of the risks and intelligently consider where your "point of balance" will occur. Never got my rope or belt back... Just my two "sense", BP
  18. It appears to me that by selling GPS "jammers", Russia has proven adept at marketing questionable products to a state hungry for the latest technology. In fact, a recent intelligence report noted the level to which Iraq has relied upon "unusual" combat gear from the international community. It appears that Sadam's elite troops have been given SASD units (sound activated switching device) to remotely trigger the firing of weapons. A simple clap of the hands is all that is needed to activate the system. Cheers! BP
  19. I haven't been keeping up on this lately. I'll do some research to see which (US) airports are running LAAS operations. I suppose that the LAAS avionics will cost a bundle of $$$ initially. BP
  20. quote:Originally posted by phantom4099:I think we could do with out GPS for a while. Aircraft do not use GPS for navagation because it is not reliable enough and does not give info about its health (this is what the are hoping WAAS will eventually do, and its in testing). The FAA has approved the use of GPSrs for reporting progress along airways detailed in a flight plan. In addition, GPSrs are very popular for "direct to" navigation in general aviation. In fact, most terminal approach charts usually have procedures for GPS approaches. Shutting off civilian GPS or reintroducing SA would now pose some level of difficulty (and/or convenience) to GA. Along with expanding the WAAS capability, LAAS (local area augmentation systems) are in development and testing for aproaches, landings and departures. Anyone have updated info on the development and testing of LAAS? I believe there was some formal testing in Canada ... anyone? BP BP
  21. ...to work on my PPL in a Cessna 172. Just a few hours and loving every minute of it. Hey...anyone tried flying a Katana DA-20? Interesting trainer! I also am addicted to FS2002 and find it a great tool to supplement my book time, ground school and flight time. BP
  22. Just visited Target today (in MA, USA) and found them on sale. Regular price was 11.99. Energizer 1850 mAh/4-pack was 12.99. FWIW, BP
  23. I just wanted to briefly thank all my fellow geocachers who are veterans for the service they have performed for all of us. Like many of you, I have lost some good friends and relatives over the years. That I have, by chance, been able to survive compels me to remember them to you in spirit. Thankyou! BP
  24. quote:Originally posted by Team Dragon:What is this "snow" that's being talked about? Albino Brain Chiggers. BP
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