When we came to Florida way back after our Grenada trip the discussions always came round to the same thing, the trip was ok, quite a learning curve, saw a lot of stuff, boat needs this and that or would be nice to have this and that etc but the thing we both agreed upon was that we needed a reliable source for weather any where we may be so we know if we should be leaving or snuggling down where we are to ride out a storm. It seemed the answer was an SSB radio which is like a ham radio on steriods, meaning that it does all the ham radio channels and marine and weather channels as well, seemed like the answer indeed. I began a search and had the discussion with another boat at the Cocoa Village Marina where we tied up at the time which was just shortly after our return to civilization having traversed the West Indies from Grenada. The fellow on this boat commented that he was never going offshore again so I could buy his if I wanted for a real reasonable price. He and his wife took Traci out shopping while I was away on a job and he gave me a ride to the rental car company, seemed like a nice guy. I got his email address and phone number and stayed in touch for the next 6 months at which time I called him and he drove for 2 hours to meet us half way and we exchanged the radio and tuner for $1000.00 and he explained that he couldn't get the antenna apart due to corrosion so I'd have to get one or use a stay on the boat as one, all good. Here's where the Karma comes in. I commented to Traci after first meeting him that he had so much hair on his ears that it looked like he was wearing earmuffs, the poor man. She hadn't noticed at first but shared the same sentiments after next she saw him. Afterwards when we were talking of the radio or install and his name didn't come to me quickly I refered to him as "Fuzzy Ears" and she knew without question who I spoke of. Now, 3 years later as I look in the mirror to shave after a shower, I notice the small forest growing on my own ears and turning darker and becoming more noticeable by the hour, the hair in my nose seems to grow 4 times faster than the hair on my head ever did and hair seems to be growing in places you don't need any while slowing growth in places you want it. I've frequently commented to Traci how sorry I was I ever called her attention to his own hair dilemma and called him Fuzzy Ears, and to top it off, 3 years later I get around to putting a new antenna on and hooking up this life saving radio and the damn thing doesn't seem to work! I'M SORRY ALL READY!
A couple years ago I hooked the radio to what is called a dipole antenna and a ground in the boat that goes through to water and expected I should hear something but didn't. I quickly wrote this off to not having a proper antenna and counterpoise which is sorta a fancy term for a ground that balances or counter acts the frequency you're going to transmit on and uses the surroundings to reflect your signal for round the world type reception. I bought an antenna and radial counterpoise, had Steel Services bend me up some stainless to mount the antenna, got her all hooked up and turned it on like it was Christmas morning and haven't gotten a peep out of it yet. I'm going to send it to Tallahassee and see whats wrong with it. Fuzzy Ears' revenge I guess.
Not really bending the water with my mind, this is how crooked our floating house in Canada was with the water being so low when we were home last fall. The sand sculpture was from the contest in Fort Myers. A drunk guy on a plane told me in some midwest state they have a butter carving contest? Sara and John's boat as we see it out our door and Crew in their house rooting through an open drawer.
Later,
Dave
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