GLF

How many of you have EPIRB's? Most of you probably already know that starting in February 2009, over-the-air television broadcasts will be going digital in the United States. This means that if you want to continue to receive free television reception, you must have a newer TV that has a digital tuner or you need to get a digital-to-analog converter box. But, did you know that there is a critical piece of life-saving equipment that will also be affected with a change from analog to digital transmissions? If you own or use an emergency distress beacon on a boat or on a plane, you should know that starting on February 1, 2009, the older beacons that transmit only an analog signal (121.5 or 243 MHz) will no longer be “heard†by search and rescue satellites. Just like checking your TV, you need to ensure that your distress beacon is capable of transmitting a digital signal (406 MHz) in order for it to be recognized. There are three types of emergency distress beacons: EPIRBs (Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacons) for use in the maritime community, ELTs (Emergency Locator Transmitters) found on aircraft and PLBs (Personal Locator Beacons) for individual use. Although PLBs have always been manufactured to transmit to satellites on the 406 MHz frequency, older models of EPIRBs and ELTs were made to transmit to satellites on the 121.5 and 243 MHz frequencies. It should be noted that all 406 MHz beacons in the U.S. also contain a low powered homing signal that transmits on 121.5 MHz. This signal doesn’t reach the satellites, but it allows search and rescue teams to home-in on the beacon once in close range. The decision to stop satellite processing of the 121.5 and 243 MHz frequency bands was made by the International Cospas-Sarsat Program with guidance from the United Nations. 406 MHz distress beacons have been used successfully for over 15 years now and they have proven to be more powerful, more accurate, and they are verifiable. Because of the digital nature of 406 MHz beacons, every beacon in the world has a unique ID encoded in its signal. As long as the beacon is registered (which is required by U.S. law), search and rescue forces can quickly confirm that the distress is real and have access to important information about the beacon owner. When a person in distress activates an EPIRB, ELT or PLB (or an EPIRB automatically activates when a vessel sinks or an ELT automatically activates when an aircraft crashes), a signal is transmitted to search and rescue satellites. This “alert†is then relayed to a network of ground stations on Earth. If the signal originates in the U.S. the alert is sent to the U.S. Mission Control Center (USMCC) operated by NOAA. The USMCC processes the alert then distributes it to a U.S. Coast Guard or U.S. Air Force Rescue Coordination Center depending on if the location is in a maritime or inland environment. In the past five years (2003-2007), 406 MHz beacons have directly contributed to the saving of 1,224 lives in the U.S. alone. Mariners should know that 121.5 MHz EPIRBs became prohibited for use in January 2007. Aircraft owners and operators should be aware that, although 121.5 or 243 MHz ELTs still meet FAA carriage requirements, the distress signal will not be automatically sent to search and rescue personnel. The only way an alert will be realized is if a radio in close proximity to the beacon is tuned to the 121.5 or 243 MHz frequency and the operator passes the alert information to proper authorities. Even if this takes place, without the amplifying information provided by 406 MHz beacons, the results of a successful search are greatly diminished. That being said, pilots and other aviation interests should increase their attention to monitoring the 121.5 MHz frequency any time they have the chance to do so. If you decide to replace an old 121.5 MHz EPIRB or ELT, please make sure you disable it by removing and properly disposing of the batteries. Also, remember to register your 406 MHz beacon at www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov. Registration is free, easy to do and mandatory. You can include and update important information anytime such as emergency contact numbers, a description of your boat or aircraft, a person’s medical condition, or even a simplified float or flight plan—anything to make it easier for us to find you! All beacon owners and users should check their beacons (just like those TV sets) before the switch to digital takes place in February 2009. Your life may well depend on it! This information is provided by the U.S. Coast Guard Office of Search and Rescue. LCDR Kathy Niles U.S. Coast Guard (CG-5342) Office of Search and Rescue Coast Guard Journal

The show you are referring to is a hunting show. This is at the Delta Plex, and runs from January 23-25, 2009. Here is the link to the show.

I am running the Lake Master in my Lowrance LCX-111C. One thing I have noticed, and I am not sure if its a setting on my unit, but the depth lines from around 100' and deeper show up in a lighter gray. I would prefer they are all the same color, as the gray lines are harder to see.

I turn the back light down on my fish finder when its dark out. It makes it easier to see out the window, because I am not blinded by the bright light of my big screen tv.

I have most of the shows listed in the calendar.

We went and visited B-Dog on New Years Eve. B-Dog is a male Golden Retriever, and will be coming home with us on 23 Jan. The boys, Cindy, and myself are excited about the new addition to our family. Wyatt and B-Dog Hunter and B-Dog My wife Cindy and B-Dog Me and B-Dog I took a some pictures of some of the other puppies while I was there. Did I mention that B-Dog's got bling?

Nice buck Jarod!

I peeked away from the computer this morning and looked out the window. It was a beautiful sunrise. So, I quickly grabbed the camera and went out onto the steps bare footed to get this shot before it was too late. Maybe this is an omen of good things to come in 2009.

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!

The further behind the ball you have it, the bigger the loop, and less rotations it will make. You have to watch how far behind the ball you run them, if you have flashers on two riggers next to each other. It is possible for them to tangle. I have problems with the last 10 - 20' of the wire line curling up on my wire divers. I am going to try the bead chains on them.

Jim is correct on the math, and you are correct on the battery time. But....in the cold a battery will not last as long as it would if it was not cold. Also......make sure they are wired in parrell like John said.

Every time I go fishing in the morning I try to start an hour before daylight. If you are going to spend the money on gas to go fishing, you might as well be there when the fishing is the best! I have a couple of 55w fog lights that I clamp onto the back of my top, and also I use a 1 million power spotlight.

Steve owns a discussion forums on Kayak fishing in the UK. www.kayakandshoreseafishing.co.nr Welcome aboard Steve! We have a member from Russia, and Scottland also. If you need anything, let out a yell! Mike

Nice video Rich. I agree with DJ needing some more practice with the net.

THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT READ! Most of you probably already know that starting in February 2009, over-the-air television broadcasts will be going digital in the United States. This means that if you want to continue to receive free television reception, you must have a newer TV that has a digital tuner or you need to get a digital-to-analog converter box. But, did you know that there is a critical piece of life-saving equipment that will also be affected with a change from analog to digital transmissions? If you own or use an emergency distress beacon on a boat or on a plane, you should know that starting on February 1, 2009, the older beacons that transmit only an analog signal (121.5 or 243 MHz) will no longer be “heard†by search and rescue satellites. Just like checking your TV, you need to ensure that your distress beacon is capable of transmitting a digital signal (406 MHz) in order for it to be recognized. There are three types of emergency distress beacons: EPIRBs (Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacons) for use in the maritime community, ELTs (Emergency Locator Transmitters) found on aircraft and PLBs (Personal Locator Beacons) for individual use. Although PLBs have always been manufactured to transmit to satellites on the 406 MHz frequency, older models of EPIRBs and ELTs were made to transmit to satellites on the 121.5 and 243 MHz frequencies. It should be noted that all 406 MHz beacons in the U.S. also contain a low powered homing signal that transmits on 121.5 MHz. This signal doesn’t reach the satellites, but it allows search and rescue teams to home-in on the beacon once in close range. The decision to stop satellite processing of the 121.5 and 243 MHz frequency bands was made by the International Cospas-Sarsat Program with guidance from the United Nations. 406 MHz distress beacons have been used successfully for over 15 years now and they have proven to be more powerful, more accurate, and they are verifiable. Because of the digital nature of 406 MHz beacons, every beacon in the world has a unique ID encoded in its signal. As long as the beacon is registered (which is required by U.S. law), search and rescue forces can quickly confirm that the distress is real and have access to important information about the beacon owner. When a person in distress activates an EPIRB, ELT or PLB (or an EPIRB automatically activates when a vessel sinks or an ELT automatically activates when an aircraft crashes), a signal is transmitted to search and rescue satellites. This “alert†is then relayed to a network of ground stations on Earth. If the signal originates in the U.S. the alert is sent to the U.S. Mission Control Center (USMCC) operated by NOAA. The USMCC processes the alert then distributes it to a U.S. Coast Guard or U.S. Air Force Rescue Coordination Center depending on if the location is in a maritime or inland environment. In the past five years (2003-2007), 406 MHz beacons have directly contributed to the saving of 1,224 lives in the U.S. alone. Mariners should know that 121.5 MHz EPIRBs became prohibited for use in January 2007. Aircraft owners and operators should be aware that, although 121.5 or 243 MHz ELTs still meet FAA carriage requirements, the distress signal will not be automatically sent to search and rescue personnel. The only way an alert will be realized is if a radio in close proximity to the beacon is tuned to the 121.5 or 243 MHz frequency and the operator passes the alert information to proper authorities. Even if this takes place, without the amplifying information provided by 406 MHz beacons, the results of a successful search are greatly diminished. That being said, pilots and other aviation interests should increase their attention to monitoring the 121.5 MHz frequency any time they have the chance to do so. If you decide to replace an old 121.5 MHz EPIRB or ELT, please make sure you disable it by removing and properly disposing of the batteries. Also, remember to register your 406 MHz beacon at www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov. Registration is free, easy to do and mandatory. You can include and update important information anytime such as emergency contact numbers, a description of your boat or aircraft, a person’s medical condition, or even a simplified float or flight plan—anything to make it easier for us to find you! All beacon owners and users should check their beacons (just like those TV sets) before the switch to digital takes place in February 2009. Your life may well depend on it! This information is provided by the U.S. Coast Guard Office of Search and Rescue. LCDR Kathy Niles U.S. Coast Guard (CG-5342) Office of Search and Rescue Coast Guard Journal

OK.....There was no bling at first. I played with photoshop and added some BLING! I changed out the first image to show off his BLING! Here is the same photo with B-Dog showing off his BLING!

Awesome Rich!

Nice picture Ken. Where did the frog go now thats it cold?

Almost.....It shows their temperature in farenheit instead of celcius. I am trying to figure out how to make it show celcius for postal codes and farenheit for US zips.

It was pointed out to me that it shows Canadian Postal Code weather in F instead of C. Looks like I have a little more work to do.

I now have this working for US ZIP Codes and Canadian Postal Codes! Here is a screen shot of the weather module with a Cambridge Postal Code entered in my profile.

Well it was a good thing I held off on doing the work. I lost power briefly during the maintenance time frame. I did the work and I believe the weather module is working for our Canadian members. Here is a screen shot with a Cambridge postal code entered in my profile.

This is on hold. We have a severe thunderstorm passing through this morning. I do not want to take a chance of loosing power in the middle of the work.

get-r-done Nick. And be glad you are going back to work!

The site will be down for about a hour on Saturday morning for some more maintenance. I will start some time between 6 -7am Saturday. After it is complete, I "hope" our members in Canada will be able to use their postal code with the weather module on the home page to see their local forecast. Sometime this weekend, I will also be adding a moon phase module to the home page. I had one on here before, but the host of the moon phase had constant server issues, and it caused problems with our home page not loading correctly. I found another moon phase hosted by google, that I think will be more reliable. We shall see......