ReconRat

Having kicked out sideways several times in weather like this, I'm a bit leery of trying to get out from this soggy wet area on a cold morning. Basically if there is frost or ice on the motorcycle cover, it's probably a bad idea for me. But Wednesday morning will be fine. And several more days also. I've also noticed that cold wet tires can ice up from wind chill, when they start turning, before they start warming up from starts and stops. A surprise on the first turn or two. So it can be as warm as 36-38F, and the tires might freeze up and slip a bit (or a lot) if wet, for a first few hundred yards. edit: Which is why I wish I had a liddle two fiddy dual sport for the Winter...

Casper bumped into this with another thread. A range manual for the NAS Widbey. (PACNORWEST TRCM) http://publicintelligence.net/u-s-navy-pacific-northwest-training-range-complex-manual/ http://info.publicintelligence.net/PACNORWEST_TRCM.pdf I also noticed that the USS Reagan aircraft carrier was in the area for exercises. That's not a launch platform as such, but it sure is an excellent high class observation platform for high ranking observers. edit: The USS Reagan was diverted to help with the stranded cruise liner off shore near Mexico. Not that it couldn't have done both, the supplies were delivered by helicopter.

A fully charged battery is ok outside down to very low temperatures, but a discharged battery is not. Without a charge on the battery, it can be damaged by cold temperatures. Which is why most are taken indoors, or left on a slow charger in the garage during the Winter.

I did the same thing.

Nothing... as long as you follow the rules. People build flying vehicles all the time. And the rules are pretty flexible. Especially for small aircraft or home built aircraft. But they don't land and take off from roads, parking lots, backyards, etc. They can, but generally have to get a one time or full time permit to do so. The most flexible rules would be 60%+ built and flown by the pilot, vehicle under 750 pounds, never fly over 500 feet above the ground, never fly at night or bad weather, and stay away from major airports and restricted airspace. (Which would include most city limits and populated areas.) As best as I can remember anyway. And the rules are often changing on this class of aircraft. I once watched a OSHP try to signal an ultra light down for flying too close over traffic on a freeway. The ultralight was following the freeway for navigation. It was quite amusing...

So basically there's only 141 of us that actually read this stuff, or vote. (And own a bike.)

Yup, they aren't really saying much. The Navy closed the weapons testing range corridor for a day, and tested something. It didn't go very high up, (max 39,000 feet) so it was either terminated early, or it wasn't what we'd think of as a ballistic missile. Probably terminated before it left the testing area. I checked the FAA website to see if this was real. It is. Of interest, is that it was released from Palmdale (KZLA). Which is essentially an area known for testing of military aircraft, not missiles. But that might be the standard place to release info for that testing area.

Kzla los angeles (artcc)palmdale, ca. A2832/10 notamn a) kzla b) 1011092000 c) 1011100100 e) the following restrictions are required due to naval air warfare center weapons division activation of w537. In the interest of safety, all non-participating pilots are advised to avoid w537. Ifr traffic under atc jurisdiction should anticipate clearance around w537 and cae 1176. Cae 1155 will not be available for oceanic transition. Cae 1316 & cae 1318 will not be available for oceanic transition. Cae 1177 will be available for oceanic transition. W537 active, cae 1176 closed. F) surface g) fl390

Very few military aircraft can climb at that rate or angle, which is nearly straight up. And they wouldn't leave a trail of smoke. It's ballistic. Long range ballistic. Perhaps a super secret rocket aircraft, but I doubt it would be launched there and like that.

Bolts and machine screws shouldn't be used more than 4 times. They stretch and break. Or break too easily when under load, or give false torque readings, etc.

Whoever, it's clear they wanted it to be seen. Or there was something somewhere that just had to be destroyed immediately. More interesting, that it can't be seen on radar. That's either true or false, but now has people guessing. If true, it's a major big deal. Stealth ICBM. (SLBM) Since it wasn't announced, the launch could not be monitored by foreign powers. They always monitor and collect data. With this launch, they have nothing. Yeah, it's a message to somebody somewhere. I'll go with submarine launch (SLBM). Or there would have been various records of sea traffic in that area at the time. It looks like a Trident D5. Whatever it is, it appears to be big. Good luck finding where it landed. It has a 7000 mile range. Trident D5 has an epoxy composite structure, I'm not sure it would be much on ordinary radar. You'd have to find it with a targeting radar scan. Maybe. Image of a Trident D5 launch from a submarine: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Wr6lbpw_n7998E7Zkt6pPQ

I've noticed a reduction in quality also. I've finally broken one of my old original 3/8" ratchets. Argh. Still works though, just crunchy one way and not the other. Might just need cleaning.

The first show is available for viewing on line. At the official website. First Episode (and previews trailers etc)

2 cents here... I was told many times not to buy Craftsman for aircraft tool use. I was told Craftsman didn't meet the specifications. So being a smartass, I got the mil-spec for hand tools, open end wrench, and took micrometer measurements of Mac, Proto, SnapOn, and Craftsman, etc. The Craftsman were the most accurately made tools from the bunch. Proto was a close second. Some of the others were out of specification. I know why they told us that about tools, but that's yet another discussion and I shall not hijack a hijack. I have two nice and accurate Craftsman torque wrenches. All torque wrenches should be calibrated or replaced on a regular basis.

HD jumping into the Indian market mostly because the Japanese and Korean and Euro manufacturers are making inroads there. The difference is, everyone else is selling scooters, basically of max displacement 250cc. I think India currently has a limit of 500cc for two wheelers (Enfield). Not sure how HD is dealing with that. I expect the optional plan is simply to assemble them there and export them. Made from parts from all over the world other than the US. Same as the plant in Brazil. If you don't already realize, basically only the engine is made in the USA. And some of those smaller engine parts aren't made in the USA. And yes, that's now happening to everything we buy. Welcome to the global market. edit: Plus, like I've said before, India is expected to surpass China in manufacturing and export volume rather soon.

You might have better luck with Chrysler on a "goodwill warranty" towards at least parts. Component Description: 6. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Bulletin Number: 35 Bulletin Date: Aug 2006 Vehicle: 2,006 Chrysler Pacifica Summary: ENGINE CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS MIGHT HAVE SAND LIKE DEBRIS. THIS COULD CAUSE EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE ROD BEARINGS OR COULD RESULT IN ENGINE FAILURE. ( NHTSA ITEM NUMBER - 10020669 ) Component Description: 8. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Bulletin Number: 06025 Bulletin Date: Jul 2006 Vehicle: 2,006 Chrysler Pacifica Summary: 3.5L #2 ROD BEARING AND CRANKSHAFT JOURNAL INSPECTION FOR CONTAMINATION. ( NHTSA ITEM NUMBER - 10020192 ) Independent engine shops will generally rebuild your motor for 1000-1500 plus parts.

Cities tend to have restrictions on VTOL within city limits. Columbus requires a permit in advance. I saw a privately operated helicopter pilot arrested for that. For landing on private property. Apparently it doesn't apply to Med Flights. FAA takes a dim view of landing anything on public roadways.

There are cases where the responsible party is expected to remain employed in order to make restitution to the injured party. But an over riding expectation of most courts, is for the accused to honestly show remorse, to avoid jail time. Otherwise, the streets are full of remorseless SOBs that will do it again. So I don't care what level of infraction he is charged with, but it should be acceptable to the injured party. And he should be financially responsible for damages. And I still think he should spend his weekends in the county lockup.

No justice here. The courts smell cash, and are going after it.

Unsalted cooking oil from the grocery store. Over in Germany, the grocery stores couldn't figure out why their parking lots were littered with dozens of empty cooking oil containers. Until they saw people pouring it into their fuel tanks on their diesel cars. Apparently it's cheaper in the grocery than in the gas stations in Germany. edit: I have doubts it would run straight cooking oil. Some sort of mix would have to be done.

reeee post.... but I enjoyed reading it twice... err, actually it was a response to a thread... http://www.ohio-riders.com/showpost.php?p=567444&postcount=5

error, posted wrong thread, duh...

cheapest I see is Magtech 158g SJSP $20.15/50 plus shipping and Federal American Eagle 158g JSP $20.37/50 plus shipping both at Praire Arms But sportsmansguide.com and cheaperthandirt.com are both cheaper. Shipping is expensive, it's heavy. Get your ammo at Goodmans gunshows, it's always cheapest and more fun. edit: that $11.95/50 38spl is minimum 1000 round purchase (20 boxes)

CalSci - Airbags Are Evil

IT'S A CONSPIRACY! (gets tin foil hat...)