Сообщения

1

Основной раздел / Re: Ukraine updates in English

« : Апреля 08, 2026, 12:10:13 pm »

Hey Wlad,

I'm glad you have a strong focus for your company.  It will take up much of your otherwise "idle time."  The bonus is that is it something you begin to build, then, if you are lucky, continues to build after its birth.  I wish you a 1000x success in this endeavor!

I get very good insight on the war from a person called Anna from Ukraine -- I hope that is the correct spelling.  A local radio station DJ arranges to have Anna on her show, live.  Last week,  Anna gave a very good update.  When the show was over, I called the DJ and we talked for a few minutes.  I am going to mentor her once she earns her amateur radio license, but I called her about possibly having Anna on her show every week.  She told me that Anna is too busy, and that she is lucky to get her on about every six weeks.  I don't follow "social media" but I guess Anna is very busy on that and many other interviews around the world..   Anyway, I'm glad she can join the local radio show every six weeks -- her insights keep many of us informed about all that is happening in Ukraine, and she is very candid.

Our local idiot pseudo-king has managed to cause every US citizen to deal with massive cost increases for gasoline, diesel and heating fuels.  Our food bills are at least 25% higher, and more if you live in a rural area.  Rents have gone out of control.  The worst part is, he still opens his mouth and speaks, proving to all who are unfortunate enough to hear him, to realize how stupid and dangerous he is.

The nazis are doing their best to undo all the safe-guards The People put into place, especially after the Nixon crimes in the White House.  Now most of his cheer leaders refuse to talk about our situation -- they are finally realizing how big a mistake they made in the voting booths.

I do my level best to remain positive.  I feel lucky to be right where I am.  I have farmers growing good food and many good friends and neighbors.

Obi, the youngest cat, has continued to change and grow.  He loves to snuggle, and now he waits for his official OBI HUGS.  He just kind of melts when I pick him up and give him a hug.  I was so impressed when I checked my security camera yesterday.  Obi let a big dog walk by and he didn't attack it!   Now THAT is some serious personal growth! 

Stay well, be strong.

73
Jaye

2

Основной раздел / Re: Ukraine updates in English

« : Сентября 10, 2025, 07:02:58 am »

I am still always thinking of you Wlad & Eugene.

Tonight is first time I've had time and energy to read all the posts since my last visit.

I am full time caretaker of my friend.  I now control all of her finances, and all the responsibilities related to that.  I'm the least skilled person for this task.   I am also in charge of her caregivers and the medical appointments.  I am now a parent to a 75 year old who I refuse to let fall between the cracks and be forgotten.

My doctor recommended a pain specialist for me.  Now, after many weeks of adjusting, am at full dosage of new drug.  This drug has many side-effects, the primary one is lethargy.  When my morning alarm sounds, I feel so exhausted, like I need to go back to sleep.  The fatigue never stops.  Remaining awake has turned into some type of physical contest, I never know which will win, my will or the fatigue.

I love her and will continue my quest.  I am the great noise stirring up the dirt with her medical team.  Yet I have to be grateful, they now visit her twice a day, ensuring she is safe, fed, has her medications, and provide her transportation to various doctors and practitioners.

So I think about you guys, over there, and my fists clinch .....  My petty grievances compared to your world being bombed. 

Humbled. 

I can't understand a world like this.

The kittens are well.  They have all found safe, soft, comfortable places to slumber.  Their next adventures are just a few hours away, when my alarm sounds again at 6am.  They love the first bits of morning now, it's still DARK outside when I open the back door.  The whole pack of little tigers quickly exit and begin their individual perfect quests of the day.  Then one at a time, they come home and visit and enjoy a hug, a nibble of breakfast, then WHOOOSHHH, they are gone again in a silent moment.  This little family is my rock, and in some odd way, I couldn't imagine anything more fulfilling.

I'm not ready for any of this.  Yet here we are.

Stay safe, see you way through this insanity. 

I'm always thinking of you guys!

73
Jaye

3

Основной раздел / Re: Ukraine updates in English

« : Июня 22, 2025, 03:17:03 am »

Greetings Wlad et al,

I'm happy to hear of your visit with Maryna & Kate.  I hope you all learn what has happened with Kate!

The cats & myself are doing okay.  Yesterday was summer solstice and it's hard to fathom that half of 2025 is now in the past!

My friend has had many troubles.  The largest problem is rapid onset of dementia.  In something like 6 weeks she went for a normal mental state to being unable to figure out what day it is.  She can't figure out a TV remote, and has difficulty trying to use a land line telephone.

I am now taking over her finances and making sure bills/rent are paid.

There are three of us sharing her care duties, the other two, a married couple both work full time, so it has been difficult for all of us.

There's an organization called "Visiting Angels" who provide people to care for elderly/disabled.  It is expensive, but has been a huge help to her, and to us.  They now show up three times per week for several hours and do basic house chores, help her bath, shopping etc.

Next week, I will take her to her primary doctor for a cognitive test.  I hope this well lead to a referral to a medical psychiatrist.  From what I can find (and almost understand) this is very abnormal and it could be treatable.  I am keeping my fingers crossed we find the correct path to help for her.

There is very little to read about Ukraine here.  You're reports, though sad, are very informative.

My country is in deep trouble.  I hope history won't be repeated.

Stay strong om, 73

Jaye

4

Основной раздел / Re: Ukraine updates in English

« : Апреля 06, 2025, 11:55:11 pm »

Wlad,

Grateful to read your post this afternoon (6Apr2025) and know you are okay.  Too many days . .

The nazis are causing amazing destruction on/in my country.  There is no feeling of security and it's slowly dawning on most Americans that we are in great peril.

My slumlord has raised rent again and I now must try to figure out how/where I can afford to exist.

Cat's are all doing well and some day, I think the storms will finish with us for a while!

I wish you and your family well and will keep monitoring this thread.

73
Jaye

5

Основной раздел / Re: Ukraine updates in English

« : Января 06, 2025, 05:00:58 am »

Greetings and happy new year all,

It was a very wet, windy, and cool new year, but I was too busy to notice much as I was enjoying the ISS SSTV event that ended just today.  Many of the images were much better than the last ISS event.  My best images come when the ISS was far off onto the horizon with my high gain vertical.  I also used a lower gain vertical with my second radio and RPI3 which did a surprisingly good job of receiving good images when the ISS was directly over head.  It's fun to have more than one radio.

The last of the storms finished yesterday and the rain FINALLY stopped.  Cats played and all was good.  But stepping into the grass, you can hear the SQUISH SQUISH since the ground is so saturated.  We've now received 66cm of rain so far.  At least the temps are warm and no frost.

The last big wind storm caused my hex beam to park looking due south (180) .. shrug .. Yet I was able to work my friend Ken in Japan with 35w on 15m, and he was using 200w on 9el beam   I hope I can get my friend over soon and see if we can lower the hex and un-wrap all the coax off the mast and reset it again.  I bought new hardened stainless steal bolts which wait atop my table for this day to arrive. . .

I have retreated from our national news, especially politics.  I just don't have the stomach for it now.  I use the AP news feed and read what I feel is important, skipping the rest of the muck.

I keep an ear out about happenings in Ukraine, but wonder how worthy the information is.  So I especially appreciate your on going reports Wlad.

Glad your YL is back.  Hope you guys get all the medical stuff done.  Also hope you have some quiet evenings together to just enjoy each others company and love.

Cats are well.  Friday, the storms had stopped for a while and the sun had started peeking through.  Obi and Fritz were outside somewhere.  I used the bathroom and while I was in there, I heard my tower start clanking.  When I looked out the window, I could see the wind had quickly come up and all the trees were whipping about, then the rain just poured like fire hoses!  I came to the front room to look out the big window just in time for Obi to run under the covered front porch.  He looked up at me with big eyes and I think he wanted to know WHY? WHY!?  WHEN WILL THIS STOP???  He was soaked to the bone   Bless his little spirit.  He ran in and I toweled him off and gave him a big hug and made it all better again.

My little cousin from Idaho (very near Canada boarder) made her yearly voyage to my brother's home in Arizona.  There is no snow and ice covered roads in Arizona (just north of Mexico boarder) but lots of sunshine.  She loves it.  My brother and his wife love hosting her.  She is lucky she can work from anywhere with her job.

I have all the stuff ready for my radio shack computer replacement except the ambition to untangle the web of wires, cables, and coax to finish the project.  It's like watching an elderly person trying to push themselves up out of a chair -- takes a few tries before the ass finally departs the cushion!

Wishing you all the very best in 25

73
Jaye

6

Основной раздел / Re: Ukraine updates in English

« : Ноября 24, 2024, 06:19:59 am »

Wlad,

I read every post and digest the words. . .

I feel a sense, strongly.  I won't expand on what this sense is.  But in some way, I allow my spirit to float aloft, looking down, up, around, forward and backwards--and observe.  I think it's amazing that you mention dreaming about work.  We share so many traits that sometimes, it unnerves me. 

Many years ago, I was put in charge of running a complex military computer system.  For the first few weeks, I felt like a child in a nuclear plant.  Alarms would sound and I had to take immediate action.  I was so new, and so was this massive computer system.  I always felt like an interloper ....  Then I would retire and have dreams about it all.  When my morning alarm would chime, in my dream, I would be alerted to another emergency I had to handle.  In a way, I could not leave work, not even to sleep!  I hope this will soon pass for you, and you can escape in those hours of slumber and enjoy good rest.

The big bomb cyclone came ashore and unleashed it's power on my county.  Unlike the bomb cyclone of 2020, this one held wind only to the south.  It was predicted to last about 4 hours, but that isn't what happened.  It started very early, by 10AM local time.  By 2PM my youngest cat, Obi, came in and was the last to admit outside isn't fun now.  I closed the cat door and the storm grew into the night and on to the next morning.  The odd thing is that the rain didn't come with it, it waited, then fell and fell and fell.  Only thing that happened here was my HEX beam spun on the mast again and now only can point due south or west   Then the flooding started.  We were all very lucky in that we didn't take any chances.  The ranchers moved their livestock to higher ground, people evacuated to higher ground.  Now it is time for the water to find the rivers and go back to the sea.  We fared very well this time, here.

Two brides to worry about now.  Your wife and Brady's wife.  I think this is why we stay so grounded, connected to our loved ones.  Our happiness is their good health, our sorrow is . . .  I wish them the best in their recuperation. 

I have no ambitions on your nor mine political leadership.  I reiterate, I am floating, observing.

Happiness is a warm box.  The box that my computer equipment was shipped in is still on the floor.  Mr Boots thinks it is PURRRRRRRRFECT   Now I don't have any challenges to sit in my own chair!  Today I took all my recycle stuff and looked at the box on the floor......  It is still here, and Mr Boot's is now having a purfect cat nap in it.  Happiness is

Today I learned that Alice had died.  Alice was a friend of a musician who wrote a song about being arrested for throwing garbage over a cliff.  It became the most popular antiwar song about Vietnam.  She was a real person, the the events were also real and I doubt most Americans actually know that about that most famous song.  A song that has become so important here in USA, that it is now added to the library of congress:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice%27s_Restaurant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m57gzA2JCcM
This song has become a yearly pilgrimage for "Thanks Giving" in the USA, and likely, a lot of other countries too.  The sub-titles aren't perfect, but mostly work.
Thank god for that lady!

Wlad, Gene, and all, I do wish you all well.  In the mean time, I'm going to listen to Alice's Restaurant Massacree 

73
Jaye

7

Основной раздел / Re: Ukraine updates in English

« : Ноября 18, 2024, 10:18:34 pm »

Greetings Wlad,

I am glad you are busy.  Keeps your mind of bad news, or even worse news

Like so many, I am ignoring national news in the strictest sense.  Nominees that are monkeys .  .  I am so very disappointed, forced to endure it.

Had our first 0c morning yesterday.  The cold has become difficult for me to endure, even with multiple layers, I can't seem to get/stay warm.  The energy cost to warm my house is the highest in the country.  BUGGER!

Found a small frozen turkey at the grocery store, 2.5kg, so I will look forward to hour national day of Thanks Giving with a roasted bird, stuffed, and some wonderful vegetables and potatoes.  I'll have left-over food for two weeks and LOVE IT!

There is a huge storm aiming right at us.  Today I will put fuel into my generator, fill up the can and my car.  Wind will gust to 90km.  BUGGER!

On the good side, I ordered a mini PC, and small monitor, keyboard/mouse, USB hub.  Saturday night, I assembled everything.  The boxes provided absolute wonderful entertainment for cats!  The little PC only uses about 6-12 watts and all of it is native 12VDC, so it's perfect for my 100% solar powered radio station.  I will be retiring my trusty IBM x61 Thinkpad from 2005.  As I was installing Linux on it, I opened a web browser and watched a great video from some youtube guy who came to my town to talk with local musician/farmer and a Viet Nam vet who I've known and worked with for years.  I'll put the link to it if you want to see it, but also the link to the musicians music video of his latest album.  I really like the guys voice and music.

All week it will be storming and hard rain.  So I have to guard my recliner as the cats think it's only for them

In the mean time, I'll try to keep positive while the monkeys multiply.

73
Jaye


Bret's music video:
https://youtu.be/O1CdiRIHdvI

Humboldt documentary:
https://youtu.be/74OCcKg26EQ

8

Основной раздел / Re: Ukraine updates in English

« : Августа 22, 2024, 03:14:57 am »

Hey Gene,

Great to see you again OM.  Hope your family and cats are all well!

Wlad,

I know the job keeps you busy.  That is a good feeling for sure.

I certainly haven't forgotten the russian robots that kept creeping into the qrz forum.

I can't say the army breaking into russian territory is good.  I see it as very confusing and with that, so will the russians.  I am sure there is a well formulated plan in place now.  So now all I can do is hope that Ukraine forces prevail on all fronts.  I can't even imagine how difficult it all must be.

Glad you can work from comfort of your home.  That gives you time to rest during the day and keep your mind sharp.

Be well all, 73
Jaye

9

Основной раздел / Re: Ukraine updates in English

« : Августа 13, 2024, 06:31:54 pm »

Wlad,

The good news is most welcome to hear from you!  On all fronts too.

So glad you have productive work and income finally.  I think both are necessary to keep your mind from going crazy thinking and over-thinking aimlessly.  To have some money coming in also takes great strain off your worry list!

It must feel extraordinary to know your children are both in good schools and putting all their efforts into that work.  So much good news, so long over-due.

The ham club picnic is only days away.  Today I will get the Briquette for the BBQ and a new wire brush so I can clean the grates on the large BBQ pit.  https://www.w6ccn.us/

One of the hams will drive 900 miles (1500km) for this picnic!  Several will drive their motorcycles.  Since our radio net covers such vast distances, from Washington state to Arizona state and all states in between.  I only know their voices, so it will be very enjoyable to finally see them in person.  I'll bring my camera as I plan to take many pictures.

I'm concerned about enduring the pain from my body, but I will have plenty of help.

I'm wishing you and your family a wonderful, blessed week!

73
Jaye

10

Основной раздел / Re: Ukraine updates in English

« : Июля 30, 2024, 02:27:27 am »

That is a lot of good news Wlad!  I hope the job will be good for you!

I guess there has to be degrees of English.  I wonder where I would test at?

My fingers are crossed for me good news for you!

73
Jaye

11

Основной раздел / Re: Ukraine updates in English

« : Июля 26, 2024, 12:12:58 am »

“I heard and made QSO with Joe NJ1P when he operated W1AW. He was surprisingly loud. Therefore, today can be called a good day.”

I've worked quite a few visiting ops at W1AW.  Their signals are ALWAYS stellar.  One can only wish to have such an amazing complement of radios, towers, and antennas!


“Maybe I sound too pessimistic, but”

No one can blame you.  We all feel a similar pessimism at times.  With all our local political shit on every type of media, it's harder to find details about Ukraine.  There is a radio show on local FM broadcast once a week that transmit news from Ukraine in English.  But the same show features news from around Europe which also features information about Ukraine, and their struggles to fund or otherwise provide support to Ukraine.  He also plays a wonderful mix of European music in many different languages that I enjoy.  Don't fault yourself as you are only human.

Ukraine, which used the war as a pretext to limit the rights and freedoms of citizens, could become an example for democracies, it was confirmed in the words of Zaluzhny: "Society must agree to temporarily give up a range of freedoms for the sake of survival. Modern wars, unfortunately, are total. They require the efforts not only of the army, but also of society as a whole".

My own nation succumbed to a very similar reality during WWII.  The draft (forced to join the military) was in full force, yet most volunteered.  Many folks left behind found themselves working collectively in support rolls.  My grandparents we're lucky since they had land to grow food on, animals to eat or sell.  Travel was difficult, and driving your own car was rationed.  No Sunday joy rides for many years after.  And neighbors helped neighbors. 

My niece has been accepted into a youth challenge academy.  She can not speak for the next two weeks (like a military boot camp) and this is her first time away from home.  She is 17.  I'm extremely pleased that she is so determined to change her world for the better.  I write her daily so she will have mail from outside to help her with her home sickness.  She is also considering a military hitch after graduation which would serve her well the whole of her life.

I met with the surgeon who did surgery on me in January.  The surgery didn't get all the bad tissue and now tells me a second surgery will have to happen.  Now I wait for paperwork from our veterans administration.

Last week, a vehicle hit a power line and some 7500 homes were in the dark.  I rolled my generator out and turned the key and away it went, so quiet that when I came into the house, I couldn't hear it.  Honda generators are great.  Then I started thinking about you Wlad, and this generator would be useless there since it makes 120VAC not 240VAC like your grid.  I had put 10 hours of service on it over two days prior to this outage, but there was still ¼ tank of fuel left.  So from 6pm to 2:30am, it powered my home.  The street lights came on and I turned it off and went to bed.  So for 2.5 gallons of gas, this generator will power my home (and repeater) 18+ hours! 

Next day I finally did first oil change, and a new sparky plug and snuggled it back into it's nest for next time.

Western coast of US and much of Canada is on fire.  Lightning sparked another fire about 40km east of here, very near our highest repeater site.  Containment is starting to get better, but it's going to be a rough year for many due to wild land fires.  Then Tuesday, I heard about an aircraft crash.  It was a flight to bring in an aircraft mechanic to our firefighting helicopter base – two souls lost and sparked another fire.  Response was quick on the fire, but took a full day to recover the bodies down the steep terrain.

On the bright side, as August nears, I find I am excited about an up coming picnic we are planning for our regional radio club (w6ccn.)  Rented an entire park.  Folks will be coming in from several states.  Hope to make this an annual event!  Will be a lot of fun to see the faces of all the hams I have only heard from for last several years.

I worry about you and for you Wlad.  Guess I inherited the “worry gene” from my mum.  I'm naturally good at it!

73
Jaye

12

Основной раздел / Re: Ukraine updates in English

« : Июня 27, 2024, 12:45:09 am »

Glad your wife & daughter arrived safely Wlad.  Hopefully whatever kind of crud (sickness) will end and you feel better soon.

I had to research the word "lyceums" to learn what it is.  This isn't a word I have ever heard spoken nor written until today.  So keeping in tough with you always teaches me new things.

Today I met my friend in his town, not very far from my town.  We enjoyed breakfast and catching up on our situations.  We both agreed that money here has much less value than it did just five years ago.  He also believes in big foot and that makes me laugh.  I'm glad that he is my friend.  We raised a young lad together back in the 1990's.  The lad's father was a junky and his mother moved here to start a new life with her two little boys.  Now the lad is a father, great job, wonderful wife and a boy and girl.  I'm so proud of him!

After breakfast, I decided to go and look at the local golf course.  I've been here almost 40 years and never seen the place.  I parked my car and looked out over the greens.  Then I hear something, turn and see a bag of golf clubs moving all by itself...  ??  ..  Then a guy appears behind this self rolling thing.  Then another bag of clubs is following him too!  They are some kind of robot!  I guess that's the new thing in golf, no more human caddies.  huhhhh

I am so happy that your daughter has done so well.  Both your kids are lucky to have you and your bride's guidance.  Now if the war would end so you can be together again.

73
Jaye

13

Основной раздел / Re: Ukraine updates in English

« : Мая 28, 2024, 06:39:49 pm »

Good mornin' Wlad, Gene

Reading about your lovely mouse passing took me by surprise.  I certainly share the sorrow and loss of that beautiful little spirit.

I separated from the US Navy back in the 1980's.  While I was deployed, some thoughtful people back in Washington DC decided that sine the US no longer had "the draft" where individuals were selected at random to serve in the military, to a new Selective Service, where all kids were required to fill out paperwork with the military when they turned 18 years old.

I received a notice that stated that I had FAILED to file this paper with the government!  I made a copy of my military ID and sent it back! 

It is the day after Memorial Day.  Yesterday, I paid my respects to the fallen veterans at two cemeteries.  The little cemetery is just up the road from me and was abandoned by the city in the 1960's.  The city laid down all the head stones (to make mowing easier) and closed the gates.  It didn't take long before people started vandalizing everything inside the gates.  About 15 years ago, a group of volunteers began restoring the cemetery, righting & repairing head stones and markers.  Then they began the work of identifying all the dead veterans.  Once confirmed, they work with our military which then arranges a new, period correct head stone for each vet. 

It was a pleasure to see the new stones shining in the sunlight, flags flapping.

Thanks for the links you post Wlad.  They have helped me keep abreast with world craziness!

73
Jaye

14

Основной раздел / Re: Ukraine updates in English

« : Мая 13, 2024, 09:50:00 pm »

"There is no such thing as giving away four-fifths of the income just for a roof over your head anywhere in Europe."

I'm glad folks in Europe have better living conditions.  Here in my county, it is common that rent is more than a person earns for the month which means you have to have room mates to share the toxic rents being charged.  What is the worse, in my opinion, is that this land is where all the wood came from to build houses in California

"I don't think that congressmen are stupid people and believe in propaganda."

Our politics have become nightmarish over the last decade and a half.  Yes, there are representatives who believe the damnedest things! 

I listen to many viewpoints trying to find deeper meanings and common cause/remedy.  One day I listened to speaker who was talking about the russian invasion and over the course of an hour, it was as if russia had placed him before this audience.  A couple days later, I listened as a representative parroted the same misinformation, much of it word for word.

Wlad, I'm glad you got to see and talk with your son!  I'm impressed by your pride in his educational work.  Knowing many languages actually makes it easier for him in so many ways.  Just contemplating this brings joy to me.

The solar events have all but eliminated much of amateur radio over the last 4 days.  But this morning, I was able to have a regular QSO with my friends on the other side of the mountain on 75m at 7:30 local.  Tonight, we'll have an emergency net on 75m SSB, then I will run an emergency digital net on 80m.  This will be at 18:30 - 19:15 local time.  I think digital will work despite the harsh band, but the SSB net will be a challenge!

Last night, 75m perked up well.  By 21:00 local, I was hearing stations up to 600 miles (950km.)  I'll host our night net tonight and hope the band will continue to improve.

Obipuss just jumped on my lap, I think he's also wishing you well

73
Jaye

15

Основной раздел / Re: Ukraine updates in English

« : Мая 09, 2024, 07:44:38 am »

Hi Bob,

I agree with much of what you stated.  My only additional thoughts are these:

We (the USA) also used convicts in our military.  I served with half dozen who were offered prison OR military.  In my company, ALL of them passed the riggers of basic training and I think they actually thrived.  It was the first time they had enforced discipline and rewards for hard work.  I don't know if this still happens today, but back in the 1980's, it was a thing.

putin dug his hole and now his only option is to continue digging it.  His goal is to build/hold a his populace stance.  Thinking russians know what is happening and the blind followers will obviously follow until the fragile system ultimately reaches its collapse.

With renewed commitments by the European countries, and including the USA.  The pressure has been added.

So I will continue to worry about my Ukrainian friend's well being.  Praying they will see the light of freedom and peace--soon.

73

Jaye