AsktheBuilder.com News - May 22, 2022

Issue #1183 (I think...)

Dear ,

Summer is almost here and it's time to ease up on the newsletter throttle. I've got lots going on in my life right now, and perhaps you do too.

This time of year I try to spend as much time outdoors as possible because the summer WX in New Hampshire is incredible.

Dew points in the mid 50s F are common. We have maybe just a handful of days the mercury tops 90 F.

Lake Winnisquam water is crystal clear and warm. Kayaking is surreal in the morning. On many days, I'm the only person gliding across the water. It's just me, the loons, a few duck families, and the resident bald eagle may buzz over me looking for a tasty bass breakfast.

We've had an unusually cool spring but in just a few days, I'll be out in my orange kayak early each morning enjoying the solitude.

Here's what Lake Winnisquam looks like in the morning.

My Past Week

I did several fun phone consult calls. One was with Ed who lives in Cincinnati, OH. Oh how I wish he could have sent me a Skyline Chili 5-way through the phone line!!

He had a pesky leak in his garden window and once he sent me a specific photo, I solved the problem in seconds saving him huge money. Here's Ed's window:

I also accomplished a personal goal with the help of my amateur radio mentor, Jim Cluett.

A few days ago a once-a-year event was held. It's called Military Cross-Band Exercise. On this one day, amateur radio operators can talk with a member of the military over the radio waves.

It's important for you to realize the electromagnetic spectrum used for radio communications is like a massive layer cake. Only a very few ultra-thin layers of the cake are given to amateurs like me.

The rest of them are in use by government agencies at all levels, common things around your home including your cell phone, that cordless phone in your house, your garage door opener, free commercial bands like I used as a train conductor, commercial businesses that pay the government to use some frequencies and the remainder are for military and secret use. You may find this simplistic description about the radio spectrum useful.

When I made contact with the serviceman, keep in mind I'm not allowed to transmit on his military frequency because it's not for use by civilians. I can listen on the military frequency and then respond on a frequency that amateurs are allowed to use. He has his radio set to listen on the amateur frequency.

Radio operators call this split operation.

Here's a graphic table of the radio frequencies amateurs like me are permitted to use.

Go here if you want to see a readable version.

I made contact with NSS in Annapolis, Maryland on the 40-meter band. It was pretty darn cool even though the conversation lasted about 20 seconds.

Another wish I had from decades ago came true. I had always hoped that I could help build or work on the homes that my kids bought. Version 1.0 of that came to pass on frigid December days in 2018 and through the spring of 2019 when I helped build my daughter's home.

Just yesterday version 2.0 of that dream came true. I started to help paint half of the inside of my son's new house. It was a market home and the builder already had painted every room battleship gray before my son's offer was accepted. The only things missing in each room were giant 6-foot-tall white numbers you see on the bow of all US Navy ships.

Who in their right mind thinks gray is a great color to use on every room in a house? Holy tomato. I'll share two video walk throughs next week. One will be what I call the Gray Tour. The second will be once the rooms are finished. SPOILER ALERT: Be prepared for some bold colors. I warned him!

It's my intention to record a few helpful interior painting videos as the project unfolds.

CRAFTSMAN Celebration

CRAFTSMAN tools is celebrating its 95th anniversary with a bunch of giveaways. This is made for you. I'm not allowed to participate because I'm a member of the media.

Go here and enter and I wish you the BEST of luck. Lots of great stuff is being given away.

To celebrate the past, present and future of this iconic American tool brand, CRAFTSMAN will host four social media giveaways beginning this week leading up to the brand’s 95^th anniversary on May 20.

Giveaways and requirements for entry include:

• Day 1 - Vintage CRAFTSMAN T-Shirts: Share a photo of your oldest CRAFTSMAN tool and use #95YearsofBuildingPrideDay1 for the chance to win a vintage CRAFTSMAN t-shirt.
• Day 2 - Autographed CRAFTSMAN V-Series™ Tool Sets: Post a photo of your favorite project or job completed with CRAFTSMAN tools and use #95YearsofBuildingPrideDay2 to win a V-Series™ 3/8-In. Drive Metric 6-Point Tool Set signed by TV Host and auto enthusiast Cristy Lee.
• Day 3 - Commemorative 95th Anniversary CRAFTSMAN Sweatshirts: Show us your CRAFTSMAN red and use #95YearsofBuildingPrideDay3 for a chance to win a commemorative 95^th anniversary CRAFTSMAN sweatshirt.
• Day 4 – V20* BRUSHLESS RP™ 1/2-In. Hammer Drill and CRAFTSMAN Hats: Show us the latest addition to your CRAFTSMAN toolbox and include the #95YearsofBuildingPrideDay4 to be entered for a chance to win a V20* BRUSHLESS RP™ 1/2-In. Hammer Drill and CRAFTSMAN hat

Rocket Man

Does your wife think you're ready for intensive therapy? How about your friends? Do you have the Peter Pan syndrome as I do? Do you do things like this?

That's enough for a Sunday.

Tim Carter

Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com

HILTON HOTELS Uses - www.StainSolver.com

Military Cross-Bander - www.W3ATB.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

P.S. Do you live in the Southwest USA? Have you been paying attention to the water level in Lake Mead and Lake Powell?

Have you started to wonder about your source of electricity? Are you aware the entire generating capacity of the US electric grid is stretched tighter than a banjo string? It might be a good idea to wake up and figure out what you're going to do. Remember, it's all about self-sufficiency at the end of the day.