May 23, 2012
Amazing what a trend towards normal can do---this makes three NEWS AND
VIEWS columns in 3 months. We are starting to get focused on getting
Global Communications back into prominent view, and just made a major step
last week by retrieving two 48-foot containers from Minnesota. This
includes a mix that was heavily weighted towards inventory, spare parts,
and things that I could not afford to throw away at the time. All
transported to multiple storage locations over 400 miles away over a
period of about 2-1/2 years, and now finally returning to roost in
southwestern Wisconsin.
It's almost like
Christmas, because when things have been boxed up this long, you sometimes
forget what you had. This makes for pleasant surprises, as the
realization that I have 3 and maybe 4 new-in-the-box AJAK Patriot
horizon-to-horizon motors. I also have a few others that have been
used, but mostly in good condition, and will use them to rebuild our
satellite monitoring station over the next few weeks and months.
This means that we have some bargains that you cannot buy anywhere else,
in addition to some super reasonable prices on some offset dishes, mounts,
and Primestar parts. I will post them in our bargains section as
they are inventoried (it's going to take weeks to find everything and
organize it). The AJAK Patriot motors were originally designed for
six and seven-foot mesh antennas. They have great potential for the
experimenter that wants to use one in a motorized Ku-band system with a 4
foot or larger offset Ku-band antenna. Just needs some angle
material, fasteners, and some threaded rod to fabricate a suitable
interface to deal with the 22 to 25 degree typical lower elevation angle
of an offset dish. You can motorize the AJAK Patriot with a V-Box,
so it has great potential.
Here is what I have so
far-----AJAK Patriot
H-to-H motor with mast head for 3 inch OD mounting pipe.
129.00 each plus
shipping First come, first
served
Click HERE for a link to more
instructions and specifications
(sorry, pictures are missing)
Siamese cable...one
RG-6, one motor (2 16-AWG motor and 2 22-AWG sensor wires)
RG-6 connector installed on each
end.
75 foot length 35.00 plus shipping
100 foot length 45.00 plus
shipping
125 foot length 55.00 plus shipping
180 cm (6-foot)
offset Prodelin fiberglass antennas
Used condition, with 3.5 inch OD mounting head
CUSTOM multifeed assemblies available, with LNBFs
Pickup only at Plain,
Wisconsin Tell us what you want to receive and we
will quote and/or design.
More will be available in coming weeks, and added to the BARGAINS section
as soon as possible.
Keep checking our website!
We are getting closer yet to having the 90 cm and other offset antennas
(NEW and FRESHLY BAKED in our Michigan facility) available for
shipment. Mesh antennas will follow. Please continue to be
patient; if you only knew the difficulties and almost soap-opera
details behind what has had to be done to get this far, you would truly
appreciate what we are trying to re-establish. It will definitely be
worth the wait in the end!
Laurel continues to amaze, with her recovery after hip replacement surgery
two months ago. A cancer patient, with serious damage and weakening
of her hip area from the cancer itself. A new hip was literally
glued into place, and she was discharged from the hospital 3 days later,
for what turned out to be 2 weeks in rehabilitation. She was walking
around the nursing home right away, using a wheeled walker unassisted for
distances of 300 feet and more. Within 6 weeks of the operation, she
felt strong enough to put away the walker and use a cane when
necessary. Now it's only a couple of weeks later, and she only needs
the cane as a backup---but normally does not use it at all. Laurel
was actually doing some gardening last week---a task she had found
impossible to do over a year and a half ago. If this does not count
as at least a minor set of miracles, I do not know what is. Cancer
treatment continues, with weekly chemotherapy to treat the remaining
cancer. At this point, we are very optimistic about her situation,
which seemed so impossible a year ago. Laurel literally had to break
her hip to get better, and it has been progress ever since. We both
cannot say thank you enough to everyone that has supported and encouraged
her since cancer was diagnosed 1-1/2 years ago. Your prayers and
good wishes have done a lot to reverse what appeared to be an almost
hopeless situation.
The past year has been a struggle to get through, but thanks to
Wisconsin's BadgerCare and other medical safety nets that Laurel was
fortunate enough to find, her medical care has been taken care of.
Otherwise we would have been bankrupt months ago, and out in the
street. All because of the unfortunate fate of getting cancer.
Without sounding preachy, I would like anyone reading this blog to
consider this year's election, and the performance of Congress now and
afterwards. There is something wrong with any country that can waste
as much money as we do---and yet be the lone holdout in the prosperous
group of "western" countries that does not have universal health
care. We were lucky enough to find emergency care, but what if this
situation happened to you without warning? Would you get the care
you need? What are your politicians doing to change the health care
crisis for the better? Denying reality and giving tax credits does
not cure terminal diseases. Going to Washington to vote NO on
anything our President wants to do is not a solution, it is part of the
problem, which keeps compounding the longer it is not addressed.
America desperately needs teamwork from all political stripes bound
together to solve common problems. Think very carefully about who we
send to Washington, D.C., because our future depends upon solutions.
One other thing...if you
have any suggestions on topics to discuss on our weekly SatTalk show on
satellite radio, please call or Email me with your input. We know
there are thousands of listeners out there that are off the radar with
regard to being "counted", but you are definitely
listening. If you feel too shy to call us on the toll-free line, I
am happy to take your input via Emails and phone calls. We are here
to assist and educate the world on how to better enjoy the fruits of
satellite technology.
Until next time,
MIKE |