My trip to the emergency room

Emergency Room (ER) Visit

By Mark Gibson (N4MQU)

Sometimes things don’t go well for humans medically. This happened to me in mid July of 2021. I enjoyed a nice dinner of left over Chinese take out order and just dished out some butter pecan ice cream. I started noticing a real bad dizziness and it didn’t get better when I closed my eyes. I rushed thru my ice cream and laid down but that didn’t help. I started thinking about going to the Emergency Room (ER) but decided to see if I got better. That was about 7 PM. By 8:15 PM it wasn’t better and based on an experience in the past decided to take an ambulance versus having someone carry you there. (20 years ago) Seems like they were quicker to treat you. I also started vomiting. I had my wife call 911 and after she completed the call started to stumble around to the front porch to wait. I had another vomiting episode and was still dizzy. I had the vomiting before but not the dizziness. The ambulance arrived and I wanted to take a picture but didn’t. I looked up to see the crescent moon and noticed the sky getting clearer. I wanted to take a picture. They did what ever they did as I was sitting in the chair and when they completed it asked me to walk over with them to the stretcher. I got on the stretcher and they wheeled me to the ambulance. I thanked the two crew members and they secured me in the vehicle. My wife said the ambulance was there a long time before they left. They were checking my blood pressure temperature and sugar level. I guess they were seeing if I had a stroke or heart attack. They finally started moving. I didn’t hear any sirens and couldn’t really tell how fast they got to the hospital but finally did and had me stand up and get into the wheelchair. They wheeled me into the er waiting room and the ambulance attendant left me and shortly after I heard my name but didn’t know what to do but finally someone got me and checked me in the er. I was not feeling any better and thoughts were going thru my head is this the end for me? I wasn’t worried about my salvation because I had been studying the Bible with my friends at The Passage Church . By faith we are saved not by works. Confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus is lord you will be save. I know all that as fact. The only thing I was worried about was my family and friends Did I need to give any instructions to my family how will my friends know that I was gone does it really matter? By faith I know that my household is saved. I just don’t know about my friends. Have I witnessed to enough of them to give them the knowledge of Jesus Christ? We had a speaker come and mentioned the millions of people that have never heard of Jesus Christ. Did all those people that helped me in the ER know Jesus? I should have asked them. In my dad’s hometown Rockingham, NC there was a guy Preacher Davis. It’s been told to me that everyone he came in contact with he asks them if they know Jesus. I want to me more like Preacher Davis. On your trip to the ER will you be as confident as I was about your destiny? You can be. See John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Please sure to visit My Testimony page

I will be needing to go see some doctors about the diagnosis of Vertigo. Also found a narrow artery in my neck nothing to do with my condition I was experiencing but they found it on my MRI.

Thanks to all the EMS people and all the staff that handled the patient. All of them were wonderful to me. I tried to thank everyone as I was progressing but know I missed I some. I also thank the IT and other people the patient does not see.
Thanks for reading.

What treat do we get?

My Testimony

By:Mark Gibson (N4MQU)

Recently I volunteered to be a K9 decoy at the airport. They hid whatever it was they wanted the K9 to detect on me and had me walk thru the line like a normal passenger would going for a flight. I did this several times and the handler hid a toy under his armpit so the K9 would not see it. When the K9 detected the item on me they would release the toy and the K9 would get to play with the toy while they led me out of the line.

I got to thinking what do we get when we accept Jesus as our savior?

John 3:16 For God so loved the world,fn that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Mathew 3:11 I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

This world seems to be all backwards with the evil people getting released from prison and the righteous people being forced to serve people they don’t agree with. I invite you to ask Jesus into your heart and be saved. Feel free to let me know you did this email me markgibson6822@gmail.com. Be sure to see My Testimony page.

W4CEC Amateur Radio Technician Class at Camp Durant

Amateur Radio, Camping, Scouting

By Mark Gibson(N4MQU)

Alternative title are my camping days numbered due to allergies? Thanks to the Occoneechee Council of BSA. We had great weather for camping without any rain that is but at the same time the officials at the camp said no camp fires. Unfortunately my allergies really made me uncomfortable and have awfully red and irritated eyes. We still had fun with the knowledge of the three other instructors at W4CEC technician class at Camp Durant all 8 students passed their exam and one of them made it to General. Thanks to the VE team of W4CEC WW4TCH, W2CK, W4CEC, N4MQU, WB4SMS, KB4KAC Our youngest applicant was 18 and our oldest was 85. The class was a three session class starting Friday night continuing to Saturday with a wrap up Sunday with last minute questions and the free exam on Sunday afternoon. For W4CEC next class and exam visit W4CEC . For the free amateur radio exam nearest you please visit Laurel VEC

Instructors KB4KAC, WB4SMS, W4CEC. Photo by N4MQU

W4CEC explaining take off angles

Our shelter at camp

Exam day

85 year old KO4QOC

Icom-7100 amateur radio setup

N4MQU demonstration of how to boil water at camp.

KB4KAC assured me I would not starve.

Waxing Gibbous moon made astronomy not a priority on this trip.

They already had tents set up for us. Reminded me of the times I was in the scoutsvback in the 60’s

My first night at the Johnny Horne observatory

Astronomy, Astrophotography

By:Mark Gibson(N4MQU)

Back in 2020 I had seen a post on Facebook from my friend Johnny Horne announcing they still had space available for his Digital Photography Fundamentals class at Fayetteville Tech In Fayetteville. I’ve known Johnny for several years thru our common interest in astronomy and we are both members of Raleigh Astronomy Club. I was very aware of his accomplishments in photography thru his employment as a reporter and his consultant work with various astronomy publications. The course started and we had met for several sessions when the pandemic hit and we had to take a break before the course was completed due to the pandemic. Johnny had promised me a trip to his observatory. The college finally opened back up and we were able to complete the class but I hadn’t got the trip to the observatory. Early in May 2021 our schedules and clear sky finally cooperated. Johnny was able to make my camera do things I didn’t know was possible. Maybe I knew it was possible but I didn’t know how to do it. Johnny gave my camera and computer a work out. My camera is a Cannon T5i it is a 18.0 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor. I had also purchased the program Backyard EOS to use. He was able to give it the commands required to take the various images we chose for the night. His results allowed me to gain confidence in my camera and computer. I had tried earlier this year to take some Afocal photography with my Celestron 8 Edge HD telescope but the program seem to want to take pictures randomly. He was able to set up the camera and computer to do the things it was capable of doing.
Johnny’s work included these front cover photographs from Sky and Telescope magazine. These are displayed on his walls at his astronomers quarters.

Sky and Telescope February 1994 November’s Stunning Lunar Eclipse

Back to back front cover photographs from Sky and Telescope May and June 1996

Continue reading →

A visit from the section manager

Amateur Radio

By: Mark Gibson (N4MQU)

We had a visit from the ARRL North Carolina Section Manager Marvin Hoffman (WA4NC) at the test session May 1. He presented the FCVET with the SUGAR award. Supporting Upgrading Growing Amateur Radio. The certificate reads in part “Recognizes The Five County Amateur Radio Enthusiasts for their superior efforts involved in organizing Volunteer Examiner Sessions During the COVID-19 Pandemic.”

Thank you For coming Marv. We also welcome Marv to the FCVET. Several times during the year when COVID news got bad I had asked the team to make sure they were still willing to conduct the exams and never got one to say no.
For those unfamiliar with amateur radio ARRL is the largest group supporting the amateur radio activities.

Improving our curb appeal

Yard

Thanks to Kelvin Blackwell and Sons of Knightdale. I asked him to come and clean up our yard. I doubt I could have done this kind of job ever. I’ve been using Kelvin Blackwell and Sons for over 30 years. He cuts my grass and does all my yard work as I need it. Every once in a while I think about getting my own lawn mower and doing it and my wife talks me out of it. My allergies appreciate his service. What would take me weeks to do it he does it in several hours.

Before tree removal

After tree removal

Kelvin Blackwell and Sons, Knightdale, NC

Why Amateur Radio?

Amateur Radio, Rescue

By: Mark Gibson (N4MQU)

Stories where amateur radio works when everything else fails.

That old standby, A ham radio saves the day in the backcountry Colorado US

Ham radio aids rescue operations in Pettimudi India

Hiker Safe with help of ham radio Washington State US

Interested in registering for the Preppernet class, click on the link.

Preppers should not only get a radio they should also get their technician class license at the minimum. Its one thing to have a radio to use in an emergency but you should get your license and learn how the radio operates. The stories linked above are examples of amateur radio being the only ones available for that emergency to get to the authorities.

Readers should be aware that the FCC will be collecting $35 license fees but it is not expected to start before the summer see the ARRL article.

Preppers interested in getting their amateur radio license has a couple of options for studying. The preferred method I suggest is a book 2018-2022 Technician Class by Gordon West available from Amazon. Amazon may have an ad for a newer of this item is available but that is not true. You want to make sure you study for the Technician Class license for the dates between 2018-2022. You may find other ads but just purchase books for the questions between 2018-2022. If you are on a budget a free option is available. You may download the free PDF Version of No Nonsense Technician Study GuideThis will have all the questions you will have on the exam. Many people have passed their exam just by memorization of the questions. Register a user name at eham.net. You will not need a call sign at this point just a suitable user name. You will use this website to check your progress of study questions at Technician Exam.Hamstudy.org is another good study resource. Study for the Technician Exam here. As you get above 80% scores you may be ready to take your exam. Register for the exam at the FCVET site. Register on the closest date that is indicated or select other and indicate your day of week and time preference in the comments. You will need your FRN at this point so if you need instructions see Five County Steps to tech website.

Taking a class is another option but studying ahead of time by the methods listed is suggested. W4CEC has a class on July 10, 17 & 24. At the American Legion Post 187 in Wake Forest, NC. You must register for his class at W4CEC.COM. The exam will be on the last day of the class. W4CEC’s class and exam are free but you must register.

I hope this helps preppers and others navigate the amateur radio licensing process. Thank you for reading.

Astronomy Go Box

Astronomy, Equipment

The table has all the equipment I may need. I think my new case will eliminate three cases. I will have to carry it along with my camera, and eyepiece case.

Amateur radio and astronomy has many things in common but one thing is the many things you you have to carry with you. I have been trying to get all my astronomy stuff together in one place. I think It will be impossible but I made a dent. At least I have a box for all the equipment that I need to operate my telescope with. I decided to purchase an Apache 4800 case from Harbor Freight. I didn’t have confidence that I would be able to make a neat and organized inside of the case with that foam but I did a reasonable job. I guess I have too much stuff. I decided to keep the 1.25″ diagonal and the 2″ diagonal because I use some of the camera accessories with the 1.25″ diagonal. I purchased an exacto knife thinking I would have to cut the foam but turns out they already figured that out and you just have to pull out the amount of foam the object needs. This case includes the starsense and the finderscope and a red flashlight. I have another case for the eyepieces.

Objects I needed to put in the case before I pulled the foam.

The After foam pull.

Astronomy Go Box First Field Use

202103 Astronomy Merit Badge Weekend

Astronomy, Camping, Fishing, Moon, Scouting, Weather

This was suppose to be an astronomy fishing merit badge weekend. It turned out to be a weekend to get increased confidence in staying dry in my Eureka Copper Canyon 4 Person Tent. The heavy rain came and inside the tent and occupant stayed dried all weekend. Unfortunately I see this tent is no longer being sold. Anyway we had a great weekend even with the severe thunderstorms we had. We did have some great views of the Waxing Gibbous Moon Friday Night. I really enjoyed the views the blue filter gave us. The details the terminator were fantastic. I had intended to get pictures on Saturday night but thunderstorms moved in. Maybe next time.

I will be using the Astronomy Merit Badge worksheet. Scouts should try to complete everything they can before we meet in person but especially the following:

Determine what time the moon will be visible at your location. I use Timeanddate.com

As you can see the moon may be visible early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

6. Do the following:

1. Sketch the face of the moon and indicate at least five seas and five craters. Label these landmarks.
2. Sketch the phase and the daily position of the Moon at the same hour and place, for four nights within a one week period. Include landmarks on the horizon such as hills, trees, and buildings. Explain the changes you observe.
3. List the factors that keep the Moon in orbit around Earth.
4. With the aid of diagrams, explain the relative positions of the Sun, Earth, and the Moon at the times of lunar and solar eclipses, and at the times of new, first-quarter, full, and last-quarter phases of the Moon.