Roadwolf's Blog

Yes it is true! Ontario has finally banned cell phones while driving.  Drivers may wear earpieces or use in car speakerphone technology, however they can no longer text, dial or hold a phone to their ear while driving. Drivers are also banned from being able to view ANY display screen while driving.  The only exceptions are ‘equipted’ GPS units, and screens which are built in to the vehicle to monitor or control functions of the vehicle.

This basically means that Laptop computers, DVD players and other such devices can not be mounted in view of the front seats.

A note of interest to HAM Radio operators, is that “The use of hand-held radios by amateur radio operators (who provide assistance, especially in emergency situations such as severe storms and blackouts) will be phased out within three years, to allow hands-free technologies to be developed.”

Now, the way I read that, is that the law specifically applies to hand held radios, and mobile radios with hand held microphones are exempt.  Most savvy HAM’s have mobile radios anyhow.  And most new portable (or hand held) radios have a VOX mode for a headset.

The problem that I see happening with the VOX for HAM’s is that it is very possible to inadvertently swear over the air, as Toronto traffic often makes people swear.  This also will likely cause a lot more dead keying, as traffic noise or broadcast radio noise (music) causes the radio to open up without the operator knowing.  The airwaves are noisy and busy enough in the Toronto area to have to deal with dead keying, or someone sitting on their microphone, or someone swearing at traffic.  All of which would be violations of the HAM Operating rules.

Sure HAM’s will likely come up with solutions for this problem.  A few years back, I had designed a in vehicle VOX / Communication system for my Van.  Which would require all passengers to wear headphones (the driver wearing a half headset) and allow any passenger to key up any radio at the press of a button at their seat.  And also use the intercom to talk between the rear and front of the van.  But this is an expensive and very geeky solution.

While I agree that cell phones are bad, I disagree that HAM radio operators should be targeted.  While yes, some hand held radios are way too big to be holding while you drive, I believe that if someone was using them in such a way as to be operating the vehicle in an un-safe manner, they should just be charged with dangerous driving.  There are many small hand held radios which fit comfortable in your hand while driving.  And the thing with radios is that you do not have to hold them to your ear, so you can keep your eyes in-front of you while you talk and listen.  Not to mention you can usually hold and key a small portable radio while still having both hands on the steering wheel.

The creation of this law likely causes more problems for HAM operators then what it is worth.

Tags: Canadian Life, Ham Radio, News, Roadwolf's Rants by Roadwolf
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Just finished reprogramming my FT-857D which is in my Jeep.   Of course I don’t have the computer program for it, nor do I have a DTMF keypad.  But I still find the FT-857 to be very user friendly and the operation of the radio is fairly straight forward.  I wouldn’t suggest trying to program it while driving – but if you are a responsible driver, you shouldn’t be programming any radio (or sending text messages over a radio) while driving.

I also included a few new Tactical channels. Tactical channels are frequencies I would use with my friends, which are coded in such a way so that other HAM radio operators can’t interrupt us.  We used to use P-25 digital.  But I sold my ASTRO Spectra, so I can’t do P-25 anymore.

Strangely enough, I have been sitting beside a popular park in Buffalo all night sitting in my car, and for a while I had my back hatch opened with my giant oldschool Army Jeep HF Antenna sticking out of it – while I tried to do some DXing on 20 meters.  All the while I only saw one other person in the park, and no one paid any attention to me.  A cop even drove by and didn’t stop to ask WTF I was doing… 

I would really like to make friends with a local HAM – or someone interested in learning about Radios and stuff, so we could do some ‘Whacking’ (see post below) or HamSexiness together.

All in all, I am enjoying the cooler days and nights.  I love this time of year, and wish I could go camping before the snow comes.

I also, am still looking for a job in the Buffalo, NY area.  I have been looking for almost a year now, and only a few nibbles.  I really hate this…  Please, if you know someone who may have a job that you think I might be qualified for, let me know!  I am obviously good with radios, emergency response work, technical stuff, computers, safety, electrical systems troubleshooting, automotive work, automotive graphics and general maintnance.

On another note, I am getting the hang of the Volunteer Fire gig.  While I still must work on my endurance and strength a bit (and try to get to the gym twice a week), I am doing better then I thought I would.  I was also assigned as driver last drill.  Which ment that I had to drive one of the fire trucks!!!   That was highly unexpected…  But very cool.   I think I did well – in the end, it is just like driving a car – except it is heavier, and you have to take turns wider.  Because I am a safe driver to begin with, I had no issues with it at all.

Incidentally, I think that driving the mobile satellite truck at the radio station, was actually more difficult then driving the fire truck.

Tags: Buffalo Life, Ham Radio, Hobbies, Volunteer Work by Roadwolf
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“Whacking” (verb) or “Whackers” (noun) is a slang term used mainly in the HAM Radio community.  Whackers are typically people who like to deck their cars out with emergency equipment, in order to satisfy a carnal need to feel powerful.  In most cases, Whackers are people who actually have no power at all, and are not actually affiliated with any official group.

Many people I know are whackers, and indeed I myself was one at one point.  We all (or most of us at least) grow up eventually and either become official, or move on.  In my case,while I agree that originally in my early years, I did it for the feeling of power, there was also a huge incentive to help people.  The good feeling I got for making someone bad day, a little more bearable, was something that kept me going in rough times.  And I am sure many whackers feel the same way (some of the ones i know however – cough – RESPOND – cough – do not seem to follow that same methodology).

As I grew older I became more interested in just being there to help.  And the more dangerous situations I made safer,and the more lives I possibly saved, in addition to the adrenaline rush that comes with the line of work made it almost addictive.

These days, I am much more laid back.  I generally won’t rush to a call unless I was specifically dispatched, or I basically saw it happen ahead of me.  That being said, I still enjoy going out at night on a weekend, and monitoring every emergency channel under the sun, in the area – while either driving around ‘patrolling’ or ’staging’ at a strategic ’safe’ spot.

Technically this would be called ‘Whacking’.  But to me, it is entertaining.  I get to hang out with a friend,  have an excuse to just drive around and get out of the house, and listen to all the entertaining shit that happens on the radios.  If we happen to come across something, we will take whatever action we deem to be safest in that situation.  If we hear something nearby that sounds interesting, we will ‘take a ride’ over to check it out.  All the while keeping our eyes opened for people matching descriptions of possible suspects or whatever.

Due to the fact that I am now a Volly firefighter in Training, my friend “Frank” is a Military Police Officer, and my friend Mike is a Volunteer Paramedic, and Peace Officer; we are technically I suppose no longer whackers.  But the activity still entertains us.  I would much rather drive around looking for stuff to happen, then sit in a bar and drink beer.  Call me strange, believe me I am used to it    But that is what I enjoy.

Tags: Buffalo Life, Ham Radio, Hobbies, Roadwolf's Rants, Volunteer Work by Roadwolf
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So I am working on fixing up the Jeep, as it is now a response vehicle.  I currently have 2 LX4 LED modules bolted onto the front grill which flash blue/blue.  I also have my LED Arrowstick in the back window, and some Whelen Vertex HAW LED lights in the rear tail lights.  To control these lights I have hardwired some switches in the dash.

Items I still have to install, but haven’t had the time to install yet, are my PA300 Siren (for the E-Airhorn), a 400 Watt Inverter, a UHF MaxTrac, and a built in power supply for my laptop.  I also have some LED Strip Lights, for the interior which I need to install with hot glue.  I also have 2 spotlights, which I hope to use as Ditch Lights, which need to be mounted in the rear passenger window frames somehow.  Fuse system installed.

Items I still need:

• LIN6 or TIR3 LED Lights (Blue/Blue)for the front fender corners.  $50
• LIN6 or similar linear LED light (Red/Amber, or Blue/Amber) for the rear – To be mounted around the license plate, on the roof rack, or inside the window.  $80
• Or Ideally a full Blue LED Lightbar.  $1000
• A Speaker horn for the siren.
• A floor switch for the E-Horn.
• A Laptop Mount.  Ideally this one: http://www.jottodesk.com/Comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=472
• An HF Antenna Solution.
• A few terminal strips, and 16 and 18 gauge wire.

So really, barring a LED Lightbar (which is completely optional – and will likely wait until I have a job), there isn’t much more that I have to spend on.  Just a lot of work to do before winter.

I would also like to get Dueler A/T D693 tires for the Jeep before winter, and get the bearing fixed.

Tags: Buffalo Life, Ham Radio, Volunteer Work by Roadwolf
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So I went out to enjoy the wonderful weather today.  I didn’t know what to do, so I decided to try to watch some trains.  Having never watched trains in the Buffalo area before, it was a bit of a learning experience trying to find the best places to watch.  I am still looking for good places to watch, but I found a few alright crossings to sit at.

While on the way to watch trains, I came across 2 stranded motorists on the highway.  I stopped for both.  One of them was off to the shoulder, so I put a few flares out for him while he changed his tire.  The other was on a ramp, in the live lane.  Again…  They were out of gas.   This particular situation was causing a dangerous backup of traffic which extended onto the highway.  Cars were stopped on the highway itself as they waited to turn right in the right turn lane, which was blocked.  Of course motorists being..  motorists..  They were not really paying attention to a vehicle that wasn’t moving infront of them with hazard lights on.  Once I got on scene however, with my pylons deployed and my directional arrowstick functioning, the ramp cleared up nicely and traffic flowed properly.

After clearing that scene, I took a drive past a house on Goering Drive which I was interested in purchasing.  Sadly it has been sold, and it looks like a young guy about my age, who likes working on trucks lives there now, and is utilizing the many garages and workshop space the house has to offer.

Continuing on, I ended up stopping at Sheldon Ave to watch 2 CSX trains pass.  One was a Intermodal / Trailer / Container train heading Westbound on the South track.  The other was on the North track, and was a mixed consist train, heading Eastbound.  While watching trains, I saw a police officer chase a speeding car across the tracks.  I took a video of it, and you can see it here.

Look at all that ’snap-track’.  Have they heard of a device called a welder?

On the drive home, I monitored WA2JPQ and ended up talking to VE3WRD in Burlington.  I learnt that WA2JPQ is actually a very nice repeater located in Arkwright, NY on the WNYB Tower.  VE3WRD was able to key up the repeater in Burlington, Ontario, with almost full quieting using only a portable radio.  I am quite impressed with its coverage.

Tags: Buffalo Life, Ham Radio, Hobbies, Photography, Train Spotting, Volunteer Work by Roadwolf
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Nightbird and I decided to go up and visit everyone this past weekend.  On Saturday we drove up to Toronto in a refreshing rain storm.  We ended up driving up to Dixon Road and picking up my friend ‘Skelly’ who had come in from Oregon to spend a few days in Toronto.  So we picked him up and then headed down to ‘Avatar-X’s loft to hang out for a bit.  Richard was there and we all sat around and watched some videos for a bit until it was time to head to a Toronto UE meet!

I haven’t been to a UE meet in years let alone a Toronto one.  Back in the day, I used to host the Roadwolf Meets in Toronto and we often did very crazy things.  i.e.  Accidentally gaining entry and getting a team of about 14 people inside an ACTIVE factory which we thought was abandoned….   I don’t think I ever hosted a boring UE meet (except maybe the ones in Buffalo).

Shiroi showed up at the UE meet wearing a dog costume…  for some reason he was the only person Skelly took pics of at the UE meet…  lol

It was nice to see some old familiar faces, and a lot of new faces.  There was a large turnout at this meet, about 32 people or so.  We had lunch, and then headed out to the first location.  After a bit of troubleshooting between Richard and I regarding our radios, we were on the road.

Shiroi and I hang out under the Hogs Hallow.

The first location was the Hogs Hallow Bridge in Toronto.  This is located on the 401 just west of Yonge Street.   The ‘location’ itself is under the bridge.  Catwalks and construction platforms were set up in order to preform bridge work.  So we hung out under the bridge for a while.  I ended up getting soaked and covered in mud.  Which is fine if I was to continue with exploration, but I had planned to meet my mother that evening for dinner as it was her birthday the week prior.

Shiroi attempts to climb a fence…

So once we cleared out of there, I said my goodbyes and headed up to Aurora/Newmarket to visit my mom.  The first thing I did when I got there was have a shower as I was covered in mud…  Then we ended up ordering pizza and enjoying coversation and TV shows.  We ordered pizza nova of course.  Actually interesting story.  I have written about how Pizza Nova is the best pizza in my opinion in the past.  Well as it turns out, it has a bit of history in my family.

The guy who ran the original Pizza Nova used to be located in Scarbrough.  My mother had never had pizza before, and I believe she said she was in high school when she had her first slice.  No one believed her that she had never had it.  So they went to Pizza Nova and got a pizza and my mom loved it.  Every week when I was a little kid growing up, I can remember my mom ordering a pizza from Pizza Nova every Friday.  Pepperoni, Mushroom and Green Pepper!

Perhaps this is why I think this is the best pizza…  I grew up with it, therefore it is what I feel pizza should taste like and feel like…  but I still think the Buffalo pizza is way too greasy.

Anyhow, Nightbird got a message from Avatar-X saying they were ready to meet up again for the evening and we left my moms and headed back into Toronto.  We met at Av’s place and ended up sitting around for a good hour or two trying to figure out how to spend the evening.  We called Caesium in Vancouver and I chatted with him for a while.  It was very nice to hear from him and catch up on things.  Him and I took many adventures together when he lived in Aurora near me.

el_nerdo plays with Av’s ‘muff’ and gives it the shocker.

We ended up getting a list of Beck Taxi frequencies and going out for a drive.   We listened to eck Taxi and impersonated a cab a few times on the radio, resulting in many laughs.  Then we headed to a hackers pad.  A rented out apartment which was shared by a community of hackers.  A place where they can come and work on things.  It had a nice little work bench and some neat tools for making things with.  It was protected by a key card access system and was actually very high tech as you would assume a hackers pad would be.

We then headed back to Av’s place and watched Bruce Almighty until about 2 am.  Nightbird and I were going to stay at Skellies hotel room, since he had an extra bed.  So we headed back up to Dixon Road and it wasn’t long before we were all asleep.  It was a long day!

Sunday I woke up early and did some surfing while the other two slept.  Skelly then got up and said he was planning on going foaming (chasing trains / rail fanning, and photographing them) in a bit with someone, so we got Nightbird up and got on the road.  After dropping Skelly off at Union Station, we decided to head up to Ikea.  But first I wanted to get some brekfast.  We stopped near my old workplace at Yonge and St. Clair and had breakfast at the Fox and the Fiddle.  It wasn’t much or impressive, but it worked.

Yonge Street was active on this sunny Sunday.  Everyone was out,  the streets were packed.  It was a nice drive up Yonge Street, as I have mentioned before.  This was real traffic!  Not this crappy Buffalo ‘traffic’.  Anyhow, we got to Ikea and enjoyed our tour of the place.   I must say that Ikea is one of the best stores I know of.  Its cheap, well laid out and it is fun!   The kitchen sets there were actually really nice.  We ended up getting a few items and then headed up to TigerDirect.  But first, we stopped at my old house in Thornhill.  I gave Nightbird a tour of the neighbourhood I grew up in.  Showed her what all used to be farmland and how quickly things grew.  A field which I remember used to be a horse pasture, was now a townhouse / highrise apartment complex.  Toronto and area has grown so much over the past 20 years, it is amazing.  Then you look at a city like Buffalo and you wonder how the hell Buffalo failed.  But we all know why Buffalo failed.  The Welland Canal, NAFTA, White Flight, and Politics.

TigerDirect was busy as usual, but full of decent prices.  Except their printers were kind of expensive.  I saw that the motherboard I purchased for my computer project was still there and was still the same great price too!  A TigerDirect sales person saw me looking at it, and asked if I needed any help.  I told him I already had one, and he said oh yes, they are very good.  They havent had many complaints or returns from it.

We then headed up to my fathers place in Aurora.  It was nice to sit and chat with him for a few hours before company showed up.  It was my dads birthday as well as Fathers Day, so we had a bit of a party with family.  It was great seeing everyone, and everyone was so very social.  Even though my dad’s side of the family is notably older then Nightbird and I, it is interesting to note that as young people, we never feel awkward or out of place with them.  Jane (my aunt) especially is very cool, and open minded.  We can talk about pretty much anything with them.

I mentioned to my father that I would like to go up north and go fishing on some remote lake with him some weekend and maybe catch some real fish!  I don’t know if we will, but I hope so.

After the party Nightbird and I returned home, to Buffalo.  All in all, it was a great weekend.     Wish I could find some local friends to hang out in Buffalo, and have the same kind of fun that we had in Toronto.

I thank Skelly for the photos.  As my camera wasn’t working.  His website can be found here: ke7jff.net

Tags: Buffalo Life, Canadian Life, General, Ham Radio, Urban Exploration by Roadwolf
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