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11-22-2023 - I usually start the mornings with the CB Radio on "scan", listening for local traffic. When it starts stopping on Channel 6, it's time to take it off "scan" because the band is coming alive and soon will be wide open for business! Well, if you're into DX (long-distance) contacts, that is. Also, some of you might not know that the 155-mile limit on contacts was removed by the FCC about 5 years ago. Power output restrictions remain. I keep my radio at about 4 watts output. Yes, you can work DX at that power level when conditions are good.

11-22-2023 - From my law enforcement consultant - Is a dog truly man's best friend? That's usually the case, unless you die on your patio, in the summer, and you're not found for a day or two, and your dog is out there with you, and the dog has run out of food. Then, the dog, best buddy or not, might start to chew on you! Yes, this has happened at least once in Wichita Falls.

11-22-2023 - According to news reports, Wichita Falls police are investigating the deaths of two people, both at different residences, and the deaths appear to be connected. No cause of death has been released at this time and no reason given for the suspicion that the deaths are connected. I guess we'll find out soon. UPDATE: The finding was a murder-suicide.

11-22-2023 - Good Morning! President John F. Kennedy was assassinated 60 years ago on this day. I was in the 6th grade. That's how old I am. I have yet to drive over the "X" on Elm Street in Dallas, though I've been within two blocks of the spot several times. I'll start the coffee while I fire up the scanner, CB Radio, and ham radios.

11-21-2023 - The Clay County (Texas) Amateur Radio Club weekly Skywarn practice net is on the air (8 PM) on the club's 146.680 MHz repeater. Check in if you're a ham, or listen in on your scanner.

11-21-2023 - From the U.S. Federal Trade Commission - FTC, California Obtain Order Against DNA Testing Firm over Charges it Made a Myriad of Misrepresentations to Consumers to Entice Them to Buy Ancestry Reports - CRI Genetics will halt deceptive conduct, pay civil penalty, and give consumers a right to delete biometric information to settle the agencies' charges California-based CRI Genetics, LLC (CRI) will pay a $700,000 civil penalty and will be barred from a wide range of deceptive practices to settle charges from the Federal Trade Commission and the California Attorney General that the company deceived users about the accuracy of its DNA reports.

11-21-2023 - In the mid-1990s, I was selling a graphical ebook unrelated to Hobby Radio. Someone in an AOL "chat room" using a Mac, asked if I had a version for the "better" computer. I politely offered the idea that if he had the better computer, he wouldn't have to ask such a question. Of course, no sale.

11-21-2023 - From my corrections consultant - I was working in 10-Building, the Infirmary. I made my way to the back of the building to the area that actually serves as a hospital. As I poured a cup of coffee, an offender in one of the "psych" holding cells said, "Boss Man, sit yo ass down. You done had enough coffee!" All I could do was bust up laughing, careful not to spill my coffee.

11-21-2023 - Good Morning. It's coffee time! I think I'll add some Morse code on the Yaesu 857D as a sweetener. In the 1977 Wichita Falls City Directory, there are 147 listings under the heading of "Oil Producers and Shippers". How many are there today? Did you ever shop at Noble Hardware at 915 Indiana, Buchanan Stationery at 816 Scott Ave, or L.O. Nelson Office Supply at 917 Scott Ave? They're all long-gone.

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11-20-2023 - At 2125 hours, our local Air Evac Lifeteam was dispatched on a transfer. You can get the details of their flights at 159.900 MHz on your scanner.

11-20-2023 - Remembering O'Phelan's bar, at Taft & Midwestern Parkway, back in the early 1980s. For some reason, the Monday night "three for one" happy hour stands out. A district court judge, now passed on, was present on a few of those Mondays. The food was pretty good, too.

11-20-2023 - I'm hearing the regular one-sided conversation on 151.880 MHz again this morning. This is a frequency in the Multi-Use Radio Service. There's little MURS use around town with Walmart being the biggest user. The MURS frequencies are 151.820, 151.880, 151.940, 154.570, and 154.600 MHz. Plug them into your scanner. You might hear activity that I'm not hearing.

11-20-2023 - From the U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Generator Safety - Generators can be helpful when the power goes out. It is important to know how use them safely to prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and other hazards. Generators and fuel should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and attached garages. Install working carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can kill you, your family and pets. Keep the generator dry and protected from rain or flooding. Touching a wet generator or devices connected to one can cause electrical shock. Always connect the generator to appliances with heavy-duty extension cords. Let the generator cool before refueling. Fuel spilled on hot engine parts can ignite. Follow manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

11-20-2023 - From my corrections consultant - It was weekend visitation and visitors to the General Population side of the unit were being processed at 13-Building. A man set off the walk-thru metal detector. The officer used a wand to zero in on the area of the body causing the alarm. It happened to be the man's crotch. This is nothing unusual as it's one place where people hide contraband. The officer asked the man what metallic object was he concealing. The man looked around and, in a low voice said, "It's the pump. My girlfriend made me get it." A supervisor was called and a more detailed search in the men's room revealed that the visitor was truthful.

11-19-2023 - From my Allred Consultant: In GP (General Population) Central Control - the Allred Unit's main control center - was a box containing cans of chemical agents. These were not used on a day-to-day basis, but each can had to be counted and weighed by each shift. It's not like Central Control officers didn't already have enough to do. No one of any horsepower considered putting a security seal on the box and setting it aside. But they did come up with the insane idea of putting labels on all pieces of Central Control office equipment. Yes, a label with "STAPLER" was put on the stapler, and so on. And you thought cover sheets on your TPS reports was bad!

11-19-2023 - As you might know, Wichita Falls is home to "The World's Littlest Skyscraper", located at 7th and Lasalle Streets. We might also be home to one of the world's smallest city parks. Check out these parks on Google Maps / Earth and see what you think: Belair - Opal & Lesley, Bud Daniel - 9th & Ohio, Conoco - 1200 N. Eastside Dr., Front & Indiana, Front & Indiana Streets, Grant Street - Grant & Avenue L, Indian Heights - 2004 Indian Heights, Jarratt - 3715 Cumberland, and Lincoln - Roosevelt & Homes.

11-19-2023 - Good Morning! It's coffee time again. I put the CB Radio on 40-channel scan and picked up what sounds like a little convoy coming through town on CB Radio Channel 5. I hear at least three people. They sound like truckers, but I could be wrong. The scan function reveals more traffic than one might expect. Get a CB Radio if you don't have one. There's a lot of online talk about "Internet shutdowns" these days. Could it happen? Anything is possible and it never hurts to be prepared.