ShopTalk Sunday: Dead Bands, Heat’s a-coming

by

I was really impressed with the first-hand observer report from New Mexico, on the Northern Lights filed by reader NM Mike in the Comments section Saturday.  Seems the solar activity is putting some real points on the board.

Out west, reader Hank reported the 40-meter inter-island ham radio net was up and down, catch-as-catch-can.  And no wonder.  As you know I like to sneak in the occasional high-speed Morse chit-chat on the lower end of 20-meters, but with the band conditions Saturday?  Wasn’t much “good fishin’ for signals” anywhere to be found.

Still, having a big sunspot run like this is useful.  Because it’s a preview of how a minimal HF (and other) radio services could be impacted by, oh, nuclear weapons use.  Which would wreck DXing (*the radiosport of talking with people impossibly far away) for a week to 10-dys. We grew up with such disruptions until the advent of the partial nuclear test ban treaty in 1963.

Radio Will be Back

While listening to all that HF has to offer (digital services, voice, propagation reports, ham radio, and more) its dicey this weekend, so it’s a good time to clear out the ham shack.

For me, this involves paring down a quarter century of ham radio gear to “just the essentials.”  There is an old-school tube CW (Morse) transmitter (Heathkit DX-60 and HG-10 VFO). It’s complimented by a Drake 2B-2BQ which continues to be a competitive radio even now.

The rest?  Well, with the bands flaky it was time to sort-by-box.  The big units are simple: Receiver this, transmitter that, antenna tuner, amplifier, and so on. The millions of cables sort by function into boxes.

Small box (left) is coax connectors, then audio cable, then RF cable, then…well, you get the idea. File by pile and then weed to needs.

Radio Intelligence

When the Sun quiets down again, it will be back to AM radio listening with a high level of seriousness.  Since, in the event of Nuke War Lite, we could face a position where part of the U.S. has lights on, while other areas will be HGD (hard grid down)/

For this, you will need a good AM radio – and at my consigliere’s suggestion, a cheapo *under $10* radio like this one will provide extremely good reception.

This week, reader William of the Radio Ranch resent us his list of clear channel radio stations which you can read here:

AM broadcasters

Or, use this version (sorted by regions) (from my consigliere) here:

North American AM Radio Stations (full power) full size_000356

One of the fellows in the local ham club shared with me a data file (compatible with SDR-Uno) which has everything in North America (including Mexico, Canada, El Salvadore, etc.) in a big data file.

MW North America (data file with SDRUno data)

One of the fellows in the local ham club (whose first initial is Jeff, lol) has an SDR radio with additional programming so that when he tunes in a frequency, software will populate a list of all possible stations that he may be hearing at any moment on a particular frequency.  Way and very cool.

Now we can get some serious listening done – as time permits and the Sun allows.

If you don’t have SDRUno click over to SDRuno – SDRplay

And if you need an SDR Radio, click over RSP1A – SDRplay and you can find an affordable radio that will USB into many operating systems and then all you will need is an antenna.

“What’s the intelligence part?  So far, I’m just spending money…”

Well, begin by turning off all the other media in your home, dim the lights (or run with a flashlight) and take these frequency lists and pick a city 500 miles away.  Just throw a dart.

Now, with one hour of “operating time” see what kind of data you can learn from the closest all-news radio station(s).  Big cities, like San Francisco or Los Angeles (out West) or NYC and Washington of Bean Town on the east coast are great targets.  In the Midwest, zoom your ears into Chicago or Ohio…Texas is good, too and we quite regularly listen to Coast-To-Coast with George Noory on WOAI out of San Antonio.

This is a simple way to build for you (and family members) a high level of skill in using inexpensive coms gear to “paint a distant picture” which – one of these days – could be an incredibly high-value skillset to have nailed.

Picture Story

Years back, I did some pictures and have updated now and then on the lean-to greenhouse son George II and I put up in a single day basically.

Came out very nicely, but it was hot as holy hell in the summertime.  That’s when I put in a swamp cooler.  Over this winter, when I went to fire it up, though, the fan was locked.  So, I ripped it out – to recycle after repairs – into the other greenhouse where Chillerponics are being designed.

Thing is, after a couple of seasons, it was grody and covered with mildew!  This after running the ozone machine regularly, too.

Never fear! Ure has backups for backups.  This is how the prudent person lives – ready for all storms.

Out came an 8000 BTU on sale (last November) Prime Day deal.  An environmentally responsible portable air conditioning unit. Because the big swamp cooler was not keeping the plants cool enough to put out good fruiting – the greenhouse was just too damn hot.

Now that I have it in, working, and did the functional testing yesterday, the only thing remaining will be the white 50 percent shade cloth which is on orderr and should be here momentarily.

I got to thinking about the (black) shade cloth we had on the previous two seasons, and I got to thinking “I am stupid.”  (crickets)  “Why didn’t I get a white shade cloth in the first place because it shouldn’t head up like black shade cloth and might be cooler.”

Well, sonofagun, right again.  Go read this article on black versus aluminized, versus white shade cloth and now you won’t have to make one of my mistakes.  (I have a ton of others, if you find yourself running low, by the way!)

Is one shade cloth better than another? (ludvigsvensson.com)

Granted, this is a manufacturer’s site, but they claim up to 7-degrees F cooler with white shade cloth compared with black and 4-F compared with aluminized.  Similar shading levels. Turned into an easy choice from that point on.

Around the Yard:  Yucca Yuks

Means the magnolias ought to bloom pretty quick now. God knows, with all the rain so far this year, no watering required.

Going Deeper – Grid Wimps Out

Among the many stories about EVs going away (or at least more in the sensible hybrid direction) we would point you over at the story There’s Not Enough Power for America’s High-Tech Ambitions. With a new nuclear power plant coming on line recently, Georgia has power – for now.

It also strikes us, since son G2 is building server farms up in WA (the state) right down by the Columbia River.  There, the big Gates software giant is building server farms because of some of the most reliable and lowest cost power in the nation is “dam local.”

Our point?  Axioms about personal power, power use, and the need for growing some of your own food – and all the rest – come into focus as:

  1. Insulation is cheaper than heating and cooling in any construction, remodeling, or rework projects you might be planning.
  2. LED is the only low-cost lighting option anymore.
  3. Consider adding still more used solar panels if you already have solar.
  4. If you don’t, l0ook into microinverters.  These are small, sell-when-sunny devices and make sure you get “anti-islanding” features.  These can prevent backfeeding down your off-site power grid and injuring or killing linemen working repairs.
  5. 0-60 was a great way to pick out a muscle car but now we are eyeing lower performance greater persistence personal transportation.  You want to own vehicles that have more than 400 (and 500 is better) mile range to ’em.

World is changing – 8-billion fellow travelers is a lot of competition.  Survival will at some level involve that thing between the ears. Of all the work you can do, that’s where the highest payoff ratios are found.

That’s the most important thing you can invest in – knowledge, situational awareness, and then selecting wisely from a long list of optional responses.

Write when you get rich,

George@Ure.net ac7x

48 thoughts on “ShopTalk Sunday: Dead Bands, Heat’s a-coming”

    • He’s got a good channel. Usually watch at 1.25-1.5x speed. I’ve got one of those fancy new scopes with all the measurements and stuff; I find myself mostly using my old 20 mhz analog for most things.

  2. Kinda funny last night, no AM broadcast reception, and relying on XM radio and internet AS BACKUPS!

    The scope mentioned above has sort of a Phosphor screen. I don’t have it, just noticed it.

    • I’m sitting here watching Jeremy Clarkson raising pigs and I read your post Andy. Funny.

      All your talk about spirals has me craving cinnamon swirls.

  4. So it appears that HAARP was running at the same time as the CME’s were striking earth and it is believed was the primary reason for the auras…..

  5. ATL: still pushing through summer prep though … at the pace of a 69 YO it’s more nudge / less push. It’s chill enough the (water) furnace is running as I type. For those OTG that means my utility bill goes up :0/

    Though low 40s now our forecast suggests 77 H today, which will be welcome. I have some wading and boat lift repairs to look after before taking Mrs. E for a pontoon boat toodle later (post filets and shrimp on the barbe / pre aurora).

    Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms out there.
    And you Muthers too.
    Egor

  6. “I stumble into town
    just like a sacred cow
    visions of swastikas in my head.”

    https://youtu.be/NEl6BBLwSa0?si=thgJWox3x9t3lS_B

    Is that a Ascending Triangle ? WTF ? Im seeing triangles EVERYWHERE…arggggggghhhhhhh! More F-ing TRIANGLES all my screens, what gives Chief Greenshades?

    Enbridge – triangles..ascending triangles.
    Why Endbridge BCN?
    Cause my little chickens, dem DIVIDENDS at 7 % are Tax Free distributions-wootwoot!

    Oh it gets better – theres more triangles…you see Kinross Gold Corp (KGC) oh mygoodness..divvy only 1.5% but Tax Free nonetheless. How about BT Gold Corp – another ascending triangle forming, and this badboy sports a 5.78% dividend..Tax Free. Thats the Hallelujah Choir signing there homegamers.

    How is it Tax Free Dividends youse might wonder ??? Dont forget Reinvestment Plans (at a Discount) to Ure Tax Free payouts.3woots! Who knows the answer to the Tax Free riddle on Canadian domiciled corps paying out TAX FREE divvy’s ? The ROTH IRA. dinding – give that Women a Prize.
    If not in one now, know it cost $$ to convert frm Regular to Roth – gotz to pay the Man(taxesupfront) to get into new plan. ? becomes ? of tax Brackets now and in future.

    One small step in Plan to Write.

    Keeping in mind, being Rich aint all preludes and cream – truly pain in ass just trying to bee “comfortable”. Attached below is typical BS letter to “shareholders” regards their “shares” and how shareholders are abusing the investment. Can you believe the following ? The gall, audacity ? what a PITA..
    “Dear Naia Home and Lot Owners,
    I am writing today to broach an issue that is near and dear to many of you, and I can only hope that those of you who are pet owners, particularly dog owners, will understand. While Naia Resort and Spa has never officially accepted pets in our restaurants, in the past we have made exceptions and allowed homeowners to bring dogs in that had an agreeable temperament (I am referring specifically to the Beach Bar and Grill, as we have never let any animals into 1981). As the number of home and lot owners with dogs increases we find ourselves in a situation where more and more people are bringing their dogs to the beach bar and grill and surrounding pool area. There are various reasons why having domestic animals in a place where people consume food and drink is a bad idea, but the one that most concerns us is the annoyance that the presence of pets in the restaurant has caused our diners. As such, effective immediately, domestic pets such as dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, rodents (guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, etc.), reptiles and birds are officially barred from the Beach Bar and Grill, 1981, and the pool area. Please note that this includes service dogs, the sole exception being seeing-eye dogs for visually impaired individuals.
    Kind Regards,”

    ** Sunburned frm cultivating Vitamin D yesterday at the Steeplechase Races. Ears still ringing a bit – I keep doing “Closings” so manageable. Russel races were a hoot, very kaotic, but a blast. Pony races were short, but exhilarating, kids looked great in their racing silks. Tons of Dogs, on Leash at the Races. Kids were given free Stick Horses (basically a colored stuffed material in Horse head shape, with googly eyes glued on, taped to yard stick) courtesy of Nemours Childrens Health – they had miniature horse(authentic) jumps set up for the Kids and their stick horses.. too much fun for the kiddlettes. Took GrandDaughter on test drives of new BMW’s on display- slow grass track- test drive around tailgate sites. At 21 months age, she is already diggin German luxury vroom vrooms – Guess GrandPa is a bad influence..https://youtu.be/q4Qlk7sfZfQ?si=4KfJ9E8GZmb_M58I

    • re: Horsefeathers & Rules
      feat: non-binary code

      BCN,

      Get in the game, ‘Bro. Perhaps your local broadcaster will pick up replays of Eurovision 2024 to enable rectification of any bios programming deficits in the young ‘uns.

      Hold onto your mickey. Millions have already downloaded the rap-opera of the non-binary Swiss competitor, Nemo. They/them won with “The Code”.

      Meanwhile, media crews continue to fan brush fires flaring up in the euro-conflicted rearguard. Irish pro-Palestinian queer witch performer Bambie Thug is outraged that their entry placed after that of the Israeli one.

      Let’s amble over to the Texas outback as DJ George sets up the chainsaw to cut to the chase. Rev those turntable rpm’s and unleash the lions, here we go with Bambi Thug and –
      “Doomsday Blue”!
      (viewer caution: the Euro vision is going to hell in a handbasket as the saying goes.)

      https://youtu.be/UMq8ofCstMQ

  7. AM radio news talkers change all the time. No chart can be up to date for long, but it IS a good hunting starting point.

    Car radios often have superior performance.

    Night is best.

    Plain Old AM is still pretty interesting and somewhat localized and local-relevent. You WILL find George Noory on lots of them. “Red-Eye Radio” is a syndicated conservative trucker-oriented program on a few stations. News On-The-Hour is always local-content useful.

    A digital (numeric) frequency dial is VERY useful for knowing exactly where you are on the band…

  9. OH MY GOD.. what a day yesterday.. the grand daughter got married.. at a winery.. I had a blast.. so did everyone else.. there must have been five hundred people there.. it was great.. what is hilarious is.. I always kid the kids.. if your at a dance get up there and dance.. make some moves… everyone on the brides side was up dancing.. when an old man got tired and just wanted to sit.. they were coming to get me to get my butt up on the floor.. I am not a singer or play a musical instrument I always say.. I am the master of playing the Kazoo.. does it matter where the music comes from.. god gave us music that is why our hearts have beats.. LOL LOL.. so a few of the dance numbers were play along with KAZOO’s.. LOL LOL LOL.. I know they did that just for me.. since that is one thing I give all the kids for a musical instrument when they are young.. a kazoo.. LOL LOL LOL.. there must have been thirty people up playing the kazoo serenade..and dancing.. they handed out light sabers to everyone to ket the little tots up dancing to.. it was amazing.. so much fun..
    And I got to share recipes and visit with the vintner I gave him some of the really ancient recipes that I have acquired he in turn shared a few of his recipes with me.. it was a good time.. … take a tour and see how a big wine operation is done.. the theme of the wedding was grow give and be patient and caring.. there was people from just about every ethnic background and social class background….
    I almost went to tears to.. seems I didn’t know everyone knew the GRANDPA DANCE LOL LOL LOL.. the five I couldn’t get up there.. said they didn’t want to look stupid.. I said hell I can help you with that.. I will get up there with you and everyone won’t even notice how you look because there isn’t anyone that would look more stupid than I do.. LOL it about having a nice relaxing evening.. enjoying everyones company.. and I am a hugger.. always.. everyone was huggers yesterday.. my motto is no one leaves with out a hug and an I will miss you drive safe.. what a day.. what an evening.. it was magical.. I do have to find where they got the Jade tree.. I am a real jade lover.. and that is what they planted.. a jade tree.. for love and longevity..

    • Ahhhh, well-done, LOOB.

      Congrats, another celebration of a Man and Woman joining their hearts, minds, and souls together in holy matrimony.

      All the best to the lovely couple.

      • thank you very much.. they are really good kids..
        I knew they would be a forever couple a few years ago.. he smashed his finger really bad working on a piece of heavy equipment.. how she dealt with it told me exactly that they were going to be forever one..She wanted to wait till she had gotten her phd and a carrier going before making the plunge.. got that done last year..

  10. Here is a full review of the updated XHDATA D219 you mentioned:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EzmEfNfsf0
    Exceptional little pocket radio. I bought another one for the storage can, because I keep the first out on the table unshielded most of the time. XHDATA also has a little wire antenna that is cheaper than the Others.

    Thank you, William and company for the radio lists you posted. The one in the text file required me to use the “Other tools” menu pick in the browser to download. These lists are candidates for a hard copy print-out.

    For the animal lovers: My roof has the rubberized hail-resistant shingles, and the vultures love to sun on it. I ran them off a couple of times last week. Yesterday I came home, and a couple of them were waiting at my gate, perched on the steel fence top rail. It wasn’t until this morning I noticed they had a left me a present: a large picked-over carp head. I’m not sure whether it was meant to be a piece offering delicacy, or a vulture insult. Given that the turkey vultures are more like big black lab puppies covered with flesh-eating bacteria and feathers than apex predators, I’ll call it a gift. I’m still going to run their @sses off my roof if I hear them up there skittering around up there again.

  11. Four years ago I had the lowest electrical rate in the entire country. Then my local PUD made a “spectacular deal” with microsoft and their server farms. The PUD customers only found out about this “spectacular deal” – by complete accident. Three months after they were literally forced to disclose this “spectacular deal” – of which virtually no numbers were released [ meaning we don’t know the deal they made with Microsoft for the power] the customers of the PUD were informed that our electrical must go up – and up they went. Two years ago we were informed that our rate must go up .., again.., this time our rates will go up yearly for the next three years.
    We are now forth in the nation for electrical rates., and by the end of next year we will be fifth.
    – Ergo? My opinion on the server farms being built in my remote county is far different than yours – G2 not withstanding.

    • I just ran the numbers this past week and my electrical rate went up 38% in the last 12 months … with another 20% increase filed for and on tap to come around the end of the year.

      Rounded we went up from $.165/kwh to $.235/kwh (all in including distribution fees). Just 3 years or so ago we were UNDER $.11/kwh (including distribution fees). With the additional increase that is coming our “all in” rate by mid next winter is going to be about $.28/kwh. (so in 4 years it will have gone from under $.11/kwh to over $28/kwh .. yep, NO INFLATION there, for sure). MORE TO COME too … as they rewire the grid and build more capacity so as to “serve” all the electric cars that people are going to be required to buy.

      Yeah … this “All Electric Future” isn’t looking so hot from where I sit, and the more eco friendly production they bring on line the higher our rates go … and now the eco nuts want to ban the use of Natural Gas for home use? OMG, they really want to drive all of the lower middle class into bankruptcy!! (while giving illegal immigrants oodles of FREE GOODIES)

      • Pish.. send some of that cheap electricity out here, wouldja? Before the Russian oil embargo we were at &0.37/kWh. My last grid bill worked out to $0.46/kWh on ‘Indonesian Oil’ now

    • Yup.. they said a few years ago that the rates had to increase over 500 percent in the near future even if there wasn’t any greater demand.
      build solar towers.. hand out solar grid tie kits to anyone willing to have one installed..
      its the cheaper alternative would strengthen the national security of the grid.. but doesn’t fit the business model..they need to keep increasing it.. discouraging solar wind etc.

  12. LooB – this is very close to the hand cultivator that I was considering for the raised beds. The one I was looking at had a solid ash handle – but the “head” looks nearly identical.
    This one is on Amazon., their number one selling “cultivator”. Fiskers makes pretty good stuff – though I personally don’t own any.

    https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-60-Inch-Telescoping-Rotary-Cultivator/dp/B007WQBELE/ref=sr_1_6?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6bLFFeE83ulx_rjQNG_RoauVD9nByx3EuTo3wZKA1hGo_l4ivzueknTz1k4HbAzww2-v_93Y5ahGd-z7p8f03XDENcqHgbDXwwxay4cdhvKBmPGcKwj3DT8oEXupJDnSJKdtt3E-0cMYkZXVeRzSAwakkXszzg8kskoD8EWvLd1-fix-AxyH3aEiXzwRWY5v21bJhwj5tkBrf6v011ElDOjzEiSaDxNKRW1Fzoz4pz7VPBQ_l7Jyl8hPH9dz0RkfjZA7Ls7iUOA7-e1mGy85NMRRf1FhblWVQBXh0fadbXs.dlFTyPSw2RX8PwAto8xA2tWqHIU79dzRpSaJDFWHSEM&dib_tag=se&keywords=hand%2Btiller&qid=1715530749&sr=8-6&th=1

    • Both you guys should know I bought one of the add-on tdools for the cordless drill and it flew dirt all over the place (including on me).
      Maybe because I’m a DOM (dirty old man)? n Similar to one of the4se: https://amzn.to/3WFrIpW
      Run the drill on the lowest possible speed and it was a bear to make work in the raised bed. Face full of dirty to prove…uh…something.

        • (“Our solution gets to the same place but with less iron.
          Hydroponics!”)

          I will let you know how the hydroponic potatoes goes this year.. going to make a small one for the neighbor kids that moved in.. nothing to big.. he took an old couch and turned it into a pretty good looking strawberry planter.. and we had a long visit on hydroponics.. I showed him how I would like to see garden setups for people living in high rise apartments.. part of my decades old rant.. on greenscaping the cities.. he wants to build one and see.. I can get seventy two plants in a three foot by three foot hydroponic system.. that was great.. the problem I had was BEE’s they use GMO seeds around here and the bee guy won’t drop any hives because it kills his bee’s.. I buy mason bees and bumble bees.. you have to get them every year but it sure does make a difference..

      • For the garden – if it is electrical., I don’t want it. All hand tools – shovels – rakes – buckets – etc.., etc. Nothing powered.
        If it all goes down the drain and nothing works – the garden is still the same – nothing lost.

        • (CULTIVATOR DEAL OF THE YEAR)

          wow Mike.. that is a great deal. I have a smaller sunny joe and it is the bomb when it comes to tilling.. had it for years got it used.. someone used it and then didn’t want it sold it at their yearly junk sale for twenty bucks..
          Last year the little woman is not scoop shovel able to use so I bought her a sunny joe snow broom.. that thing is just like that little tiller.. an awesome tool to sweep light snow in front of the door..I tried it in eight inch snow and dam if it didn’t throw that better than the cub..its not made for throwing a lot of snow I am sure that is why they call it a snow broom..

      • update.. new tool arrived yesterday.. dam is that thing nice.. got it on the zon…. thanks for letting me know about it.. I do appreciate that..

  14. Just an observation on the AM radio lists:

    William’s list which he lists as “Clear Channel” actually appears to be the FULL POWER stations … since there are only 18 Clear Channel Stations in North America (NO other radio station on the frequency) and he lists many more than the 18.

    There is a big difference between a “Clear Channel”, which has NO other radio station on it’s frequency in North America and a “Full Power” station, which may share that channel with at least one other radio station, often 2 others or more (the additional stations on frequency usually broadcast at lower power and may reduce power further at night)

    fwiw in North America (US & Canada) Full Power stations and Clear Channel stations both broadcast at 50,000 watts (since WLW the last remaining high powered station in the US/Canada reduced it’s power to 50,000 watts) but at least two of the Mexican Stations still broadcast at more than 50,000 watts at night, maybe more (but NO Mexican station is a Clear Channel station).

      • Wolfman Jack at night came via the Mexican station right across the border which was running 1,000,000 watts at night!! No wonder he came in so clear!! (probably could hear him in Tokyo too!! LOL)

        The ad rates for his show that the Mexican Station collected had to be TREMENDOUS!!

    • Up in the northern tier it was KAAY-Little Rock for heavy metal, underground, acid rock that the local stations would not touch. “B-B-BLEAKER STREET”

  15. BTW LOOB:

    Rocklin Rotary Cultivator Tool

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SX6W99F

    Made in USA from American bits — hardened stainless with a steel handle & head (fork) and steel/aluminum thumbscrews.
    ===

    Garden Weasel

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C3FZZMSF

    Assembled in USA from Taiwan bits — Head is plastic and tines are aluminum.
    ===

    Cottage Craft Works

    https://cottagecraftworks.com/back-to-basics-farm-garden/garden-orchard-farming/american-garden-tools

    Made in America garden tools still made the old fashioned way. Quality gardening tools reminiscent of the early to mid 1900s.

    I don’t even suggest these. I’m just forwarding the URL because I’d never heard of Cottage Craft before, and it’s a really neat site featuring Amish products.

    • Late night tool slut porn viewing ?

      Those are some fine looking hoes, not cheap, but high end Hoes never are.

      Still have both sides of Fam. garden tools(only one who wanted that stuff). Cant find quality made tools like that anymore, so have em repaired (welded) as needed over the years. Rakes, Hoes, Shears, Clippers..quality wood handles (oak/hickory/maple) – no pine, quality hardened steel, takes repeated sharpening year after year. We Use both electric and handheld shears for Prunerizing the shrubbery around the BCN Arboretum (yard). Its an annual war, BCN vs Shrubs and Bushes. Hollies and Climbing Roses being the toughest backbiters in the arboretum..

      • Very nice.

        Looks and sounds like we have a lot of garden ‘buffs’ here.

        I can definitely learn from ya’ll.

    • wow thanks for the link Ray.. love it.. they have a garden wagon just like the one the wife is wanting for her flower bed…along with a few tools that I would love to have..

      • Right?

        I’ve been dropping in on Lehman’s for 25 years — even went there in person, once — but because the Amish are always talking about it, it never occurred to me that there were other Amish stores with a national presence. I got the impression surfing through the site that Cottage Craft is selling a lot of stuff that comes out of an Amish family forge or barn workshop in PA, OH, IN.

        BTW, I was in Berne, Indiana, a month or two back. Berne and Geneva are German/Swiss towns in Eastern Indiana, with a heavy Amish population. Berne is known for handmade Amish furniture and advertises itself as the “furniture capital of Indiana” (I always thought that was “Tell City,” but what do I know…) Since the last time I was in Berne (probably a year ago), they have gained two Amish furniture factories and three furniture stores. (It’s not every day you see a town of 4000 people with SIX furniture stores!) They’ve also gained two markets, a leatherworker/farrier, a cheese factory, a commercial barn-builder, and a meatlocker/butcher that specializes in field-raised Amish meat.

        This was just what I noticed during a drive-through (with a stop at McDonalds to visit the potty and the buggies-only parking lot at the rear of the place. {Bring carrots and watch your step!}) There’s likely more. Berne’s economy was perfectly adequate to supply the entire county with everything but specialized motor vehicles (no Rolls or Humvee dealership but I think you can find them one county north or south.)

    • update.. new tool arrived yesterday.. dam is that thing nice.. got it on the zon…. thanks for letting me know about it.. I do appreciate that..

  16. (“I got to thinking about the (black) shade cloth we had on the previous two seasons, and I got to thinking “I am stupid.” (crickets) “Why didn’t I get a white shade cloth in the first place because it shouldn’t head up like black shade cloth and might be cooler.”)

    I got thinking about that G…why not silage cover.. its what seven miles thick ..white on one side black on the other..
    and several years worth for about the same cost of a regular cover..

    https://farmplasticsupply.com/8m-skrim-Silage-56wide?

    https://www.amazon.com/AccuSharp-Outdoor-Camping-Sheeting-Replacement/dp/B000SOLELW/ref=asc_df_B000SOLELW/?

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