December 18, 2025 – This was our last meeting before Christmas, but we will try to gather on Christmas morning depending on who is available. Richard – WA4IWD has a new EMF detector so he is now equipped to provide reports on radon, EMF, and ionizing radiation for us. One of the more interesting discussions was about the Buster Brown X-ray machines from the 1930s to around 1960. These shoe-fitting fluoroscopes were somewhat of a gimmick in the stores that allowed customers to see the bones of their feet in their new shoes via X-rays ostensibly ensuring a “perfect fit”. But the fact that they emitted significant and dangerous radiation was not well known at that time.

December 11, 2025 – We had good attendance again today, but a few had to leave early for other chores. One topic was protection of outdoor faucets. John – NK4N has frost proof hydrants on his home. Dale – WA4CQG relies on the Styrofoam attachments. But the temperatures in Lee County haven’t been so cold as to pose a freezing problem so far this year. The Freeze Miser is one innovative solution that some are employing. We touched on the hole that exists in the New Safe Confinement shield at Chernobyl. This was the result of a Russian drone strike in February of this year. It damaged the outer layer and caused some internal fires. The IAEA says that it has lost its primary confinement function and that repairs will have to be made. John also reports the appearance of a bear in Gatlinburg at the Christmas parade. This must have generated some excitement!

December 4, 2025 – The hiring of a new football coach for Auburn was an important part of our discussion today. Coach Alex Golesh has taken over the team under the terms of a largely incentive based contract. Auburn’s basketball team continues to win under first year Coach Steven Pearl including a win over North Carolina State last evening. John – NK4N participated in the World-Wide CW contest this past weekend with some success! We discussed DX Clusters and SA9PIE, VE7CC, and DX Summit all got honorable mention. Gail – N4RS reported 2 degrees and snow on the ground in Elmo, MO. There was a discussion of the drunken raccoon in Hanover County Virginia. The animal became gruntled after breaking into a local liquor store there and helping himself to the wares. The results can be seen HERE. Do any of you read these Tidbits? If so, let kx***@***oo.com know and we will continue to record those on our website weekly after our Zoom meetings.

November 27, 2025 – We had great attendance at our meeting this morning!  And it’s Thanksgiving Day.  We all considered how thankful we are for our blessings and for each other.  Richard – WA4IWD is on the beach for the holiday and reported a radon level there of only of 0.18 pCi/L. Bob – KD4PK pointed out that high levels of radon are often associated with areas underlain by granite rock which is not common near the beach. Gail – KB4JAA read one of her wonderful poems to us.  It was a Thanksgiving poem and it reminded us of our younger days at home on Thanksgiving with our families. Thanks to Mike – KI4TWB for sharing our wonderful turkey background.  And also Mike thanks for reminding us for that popular old ballad so commonly remembered for its Thanksgiving talking blues song,, “Alice’s Restaurant” by Arlo Guthrie. 

LINK TO OLDER TIDBITS