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k4rs

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Everything posted by k4rs

  1. This will create a real traffic mess. The last I knew, RV's were prohibited from the tunnels. 695 around the west of Baltimore is quite a bit longer. I wonder if US-1 / US-40 is a viable alternative. Safe Travels...
  2. Our cats absolutely hate riding in the truck. On travel days all 3 get on the bed. Two get under the covers and the third on top. We have never had an issue with temperature. We typically travel during the summer months so don't have to be concerned with cold weather. We try to travel early in the morning arriving before the hottest part of the day. Safe Travels...
  3. I have experienced this same problem. I never determined the cause but found resetting the thermostat seemed to fix the issue. On mine, you press the mode button until it is off then press the mode and up buttons together until you see -- on the display. Safe Travels...
  4. I thought I would post an update. We have had T-Mobile home Internet for almost a year now and have been very satisfied. We brought it with us while traveling this summer. It has worked everywhere we have been except one location that was WAY out in the boonies and down in a valley. Speeds have varied quite a bit but was always adequate for web browsing, email, and video streaming. Most locations were slower than what we get at home but one spot was MUCH faster. I believe we made the correct choice getting T-Mobile rather than Starlink. It works well for us at a much lower cost. Safe Travels...
  5. k4rs

    CB Radio users ?

    No. CB operates at 27 MHz. FRS and GMRS is 462 - 467 MHz. Some antennas for the amateur 70cm band will work but the SWR will usually be on the high side. Safe Travels...
  6. k4rs

    CB Radio users ?

    Yes, in addition to being a ham, I also have a GMRS license. The loss of communications in Florida after Hurricane Ian really opened many eyes. There has been a large uptick in people who see the need to communicate without the infrastructure but do not want to get into amateur radio. The semi official travel channel for GMRS is 19, just like CB. We have heard people on this frequency while traveling and on other channels in campgrounds. Of course those are most likely FRS users. Safe Travels...
  7. k4rs

    CB Radio users ?

    I have not heard much activity on CB in years. GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) is really becoming more popular, especially off road'ers. Many truckers are switching from CB to GMRS, which may explain the decline of CB. These radios work on the same frequencies as FRS but can use more power, better antennas, and repeaters (similar to amateur radio 70cm). The advantages of FM on UHF band is better range and clear audio. GMRS requires a license but unlike amateur radio, no test is involved. The license costs $35 for 10 years but covers your entire family. Safe Travels...
  8. I had a portable AC unit to supplement the cooling in our 38 foot 5th wheel. It needed all the help it could get because the rig was poorly insulated and the single 13.5 rooftop AC struggled in the summer. I was able to remove an outside speaker, leaving the grill in place and hooked the exhaust hose to the hole. When we wanted to use the portable AC we simply opened the outside speaker hatch door and powered up the AC. We have not needed the extra cooling with our current rig. We learned our lesson and got upgraded insulation. I have a vent that should be usable in case we ever do need it in the future. While portable units are fairly easy to install, they are really not as efficient as the rooftop AC or window units as they draw in warm outside air rather than recycle the inside air. The convenience and low profile of a portable unit out weigh that negative for us. Safe Travels...
  9. If you have enough hose, you may want to create a small "U" before sticking out the grate. This allows a little water to accumulate like the P trap under the sink. This works better than the little holes to keep out insects and warm air. Safe Travels...
  10. I thought I was the last person still using Streets & Trips. I guess I was wrong. A few years ago I noticed that the accuracy of road info was getting worse and worse since it was no longer being updated. I finally gave up and started planning my trips using Google maps on the computer and then uploading it to my phone for in vehicle navigation. There have been a couple of oh $&^#t moments but I am slowly learning the finer nuances. I really like the real time traffic info. Safe Travels...
  11. I have been using an LTS version of Windows 10 that never gets feature upgrades, only security updates. I think this is a big plus rather than a negative. The fewer things Microsoft messes with, the fewer things to break making it a more stable system. Of course most of my computers run Linux. On the subject of upgrading Linux: Most of the time upgrading minor point versions are really easy (ie 19.2 to 19.3). In my opinion, upgrading major versions such as your Tina (19.2) to the current 21.2, it would be best to save your data and do a fresh install. Fortunately Mint is based on Ubuntu LTS versions so they come with 5 years of support. If doing a fresh install every 5 years is too much, there are rolling release distributions that install once and never worry about it again. Here is a list from Distrowatch.com: https://distrowatch.com/search.php?ostype=Linux&category=All&origin=All&basedon=All&notbasedon=None&desktop=Cinnamon&architecture=All&package=All&rolling=Rolling&isosize=All&netinstall=All&language=All&defaultinit=All&status=Active#simple Safe Travels...
  12. Living in Florida I wear shorts and t-shirt about 95 percent of the time. That makes it difficult to conceal carry but it can be done. After 28 years in law enforcement I don't feel fully dressed without a sidearm. It is like a fire extinguisher or seat belt. You hope you never need it, but if you do, you NEED IT NOW. Safe Travels...
  13. I know that this is an old thread, but I said I would post an update when something changed. Well, something has definitely changed! Previously I posted (in another thread) that when Windows 11 updated from 21H2 to 22H2 it deleted several of my applications and reset all configurations back to their default. It has happened again. This last Tuesday (patch Tuesday), as soon as I applied the updates, the laptop would not boot to the desktop. It would constantly boot loop. Even safe mode was useless. I was unable to roll back the update because I never got to the user interface. I was able to get to the command prompt. I could type things but nothing would run (WMIC, SFC, etc). As a last resort I did a reset. When it was done I could boot normally, but ALL of my applications were deleted and ALL configurations were back to default. This was the straw that broke the camel's back. I wiped the drive and installed Windows 10. The only reason I had Windows 11 was to be familiar enough with it to provide proper support. Later I learned that the problem with this faulty update was known by Microsoft for weeks and yet they still released it. Way to go Micro$haft! I intend to stay with Windows 10 and NEVER use Windows 11 again. I know that Windows 10 reaches end of life in 2025 but I only have a few programs that must be run on Windows (mostly for programming ham radios) and do not need to be online. For everything else there is the uber reliable Linux. Safe Travels...
  14. Hard disk encryption only provides protection from someone with physical access to the computer. It does nothing to protect from the much more common online threats. I recently had someone bring me a computer that was so infested with malware that it was basically unusable. It was VERY slow due to 100% CPU usage, constant lock-ups, and frequent unexpected reboots. I see this often so I proceeded as I usually do. Boot from a flash drive, backup user files, wipe the hard drive, then re-install the operating system / applications and restore the data files. In this case I discovered that the hard drive was encrypted with bitlocker. The owner had no idea what bitlocker was and certainly had not turned it on or backed up the recovery key. Fortunately I was able to get the computer to run stable enough to turn bitlocker off and proceed as usual. It was a long, slow process that was touch and go there for a while but was ultimately successful. I believe that the possibility of data loss due to bitlocker is far worse than any potential reduced attack surface. Safe Travels...
  15. In my experience, encryption by default is a BAD idea. First most people do not need it on their home computers. Second, I doubt if the typical user knows how important is is to back up the recovery key. Third, hard drives DO fail and most users do not backup their files regularly. Things are different in a business with a good IT team for support, but they are probably not running the home edition. Safe Travels...
  16. The Swab link require an account login. Safe Travels...
  17. Yes, we own lot 26. It is available next year. We have one person in the park who updates the listing but unfortunately not all owners keep her informed in a timely manner. One lot shows available even though it is permanently rented. Today has been very busy so I have not checked email since early this morning. I guess I better mosey into the office and reply. Safe Travels...
  18. T-Mobile home internet recently became available at our home base in Florida. We have been searching for better internet access for some time and immediately signed up. Our previous options were slow DSL or an even slower WISP at much higher price. Overall we are happy. The speeds are MUCH faster than our DSL (especially the upload speed), ping times are quite acceptable, and other than one glitch that tech support quickly resolved, has been reliable. We have found a couple of issues. One VoIP app and the video streaming service Hulu are not compatible. I have also been unable to remotely access my security video system. Getting back on topic, shortly after we started using T-Mobile home internet, they sent me a survey about our experience. Several of the questions dealt with using it in other locations away from home. This implies to me that while the official position is only at home, it may be possible to use while traveling. I certainly plan to try it the next time we go somewhere. Safe Travels and Happy New Year...
  19. Thanks Kirk, I was not aware of the exact definition of co-op, but this park is so similar to SKP co-op parks that I just think of it that way. Safe Travels and Happy New Year...
  20. Yes, this is my home base. We stay here about 7 - 8 months out of the year and travel during the summer. Renters are always very welcome here. They have full use of all of the amenities and activities. In fact, most who purchase a lot here start out as renters. The only event where renters are excluded is the annual HOA meeting where proposed rule changes are voted on and the election of the board. Safe Travels and Happy New Year...
  21. I believe that the co-op where I live meets your requirements. The only exception is the pickle ball and there is a court at the city park 2 blocks away. Due to the fact that more park models go in every year, the number of vacant lots available to rent is going down. We have also had some very large increases in utility fees and taxes. In spite of this, rents are currently in $700 to $800 range (prices are set by the individual lot owners). Most lots are rented a year in advance so it is probably too late to find something for this winter. https://www.avionpalms.org/?page_id=323 Safe Travels and Happy New Year...
  22. My father was in the Air Force. He participated in the Berlin Airlift and then served in the Korean conflict. My older brother also served in the Air Force with two tours in Viet Nam. My step father was Army and was KIA in Viet Nam. When I was old enough to enlist I decided to follow my step father into the Army. I joined the Military Police Corp in 1975 and served until 1987. I don't have many photos from my time in uniform but found one of me with my platoon sergeant taken at Fort Benning in 1976. Safe Travels...
  23. I have just learned that the new law does not apply to all insulin "Plans can’t charge you more than $35 for a one-month supply of each Medicare Part D-covered insulin you take, and can’t charge you a deductible for insulin." https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/insulin "Most Medicare drug plans (Medicare drug plans and Medicare Advantage Plans with prescription drug coverage) have their own list of what drugs are covered, called a formulary. The formulary might not include your specific drug. However, in most cases, a similar drug should be available." https://www.medicare.gov/drug-coverage-part-d/what-medicare-part-d-drug-plans-cover As an example, according to GoodRx, Lantus (a widely used insulin) is covered by 79% of medicare prescription plans. If you take this drug, be sure you do not choose one of the other 21% that do not cover it. https://www.goodrx.com/lantus/medicare-coverage Safe Travels...
  24. I was shocked when I learned that my Mutual of Omaha Part D plan premium was going up by almost 300% in 2023. I started looking at other plans and thought I had found a suitable replacement. After talking it over with my insurance agent, I discovered that one of my (expensive) medications was not covered on that plan. It turns out that Mutual of Omaha has a new plan that fits my needs well. It covers all of my medications and has a lower premium than I am currently paying. The frustrating thing is the conflicting information that makes it difficult to accurately compare plans. Fortunately, the advice of a professional was able to prevent me from making en expensive mistake. Safe Travels...
  25. Starlink Sets High-Speed Data Cap at 1TB Per Month, Lowers Advertised Speeds https://www.pcmag.com/news/starlink-sets-high-speed-data-cap-at-1tb-per-month-lowers-advertised-speeds To add insult to injury: The same document also notes residential Starlink customers will receive the Priority Access tier, but not subscribers of Starlink RV and the Starlink Best Effort plans. These users will have to settle for the slower speeds. Safe Travels...
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