One of my favourite websites The Onion published an article interviewing the new CEO of Radio Shack. Comments by the CEO regarding Ham Radio caused quite an uproar in the Online world of Ham Radio. From the article:
”Even the name ‘RadioShack’—can you imagine two less appealing words placed next to one another?” Day said. “What is that, some kind of World War II terminology? Are ham radio operators still around, even? Aren’t we in the digital age?”
The only problem? The Onion not only a parody newspaper, it’s currently the most popular satire-based periodical, being in print since the 80′s and launching it’s popular online version soon after Al Gore invented the internet. There aren’t many people who aren’t aware of The Onion or what it’s about, but remember: we’re talking about Hams here, and if you aren’t aware they aren’t the hippest people on the block.
So, depsite the fact it’s The Onion, and the article is so laughably false that it shouldn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that it’s satirical, sadly our nation’s hams fell for it hook, line and yagi.
Here are some of the reactions from angry hams ready to start boycotting Radio Shack:
eHam
Da Zed
Yes, even our own Hamsexy Forums
Sunday I went to the Hudson valley’s ‘premier’ hamfest, organized and sponsored by the Mount Beacon amateur radio club, it was a fairly good spread.. the weather was outstanding and there was quite a turn out. Sadly there were no hamabouts for me to photographically document, but alas there were some really good examples of vehicular whackerdom:
Subaru Impreza WRX Sti: With a collection of wonderful trunk mounted antennas.. but wait.. look at the amber light.. uber sexy!
Another shot of the same car taken later in the morning..I think there was some thievery happening there, one of his pride and joys is gone!
This guy exceeded his hamfest excitement quota, poor guy..tuckered out
They had assloads of Maxtracs.
…and XTS5000 Model 2 cases…a piece of Bristol PD memorabilia !
You tell me.. its an 11 meter whip. *yikes*
Over on the forums, Pimpala03 has done some work on his Impala, Dorothy. Toys include,
Vehicle is a 2003 Chevy Impala setup for volunteer fire use.
Whelen CSP690 Hide-a-way strobe kit (2 front corners, rear brake)
Whelen dual Talon (ballast) above the RVM
Whelen UHF2150B plug and play headlight flasher (wig wags)
Whelen UBF5150B plug and play tailight flasher
Whelen LIN3s on Havis brack on rear license plate
Lightning X Products Xtreme09s on rear deck
Federal Signal Unitrol Omega 8001 Siren/switchbox
Whelen SA341P siren speaker mounted behind the grille
Havis Shields Consolidator Angled series console
Motorola M1225 UHF radio (antenna – Larsen? NMO drilled center of roof)
Motorola Radius VHF radio (antenna – Larsen trunk mount driver’s side)
Radio Shack Pro-2067 scanner (Motorola? antenna – trunk mount passenger side)
Here is the link to youtube with a video of all the chaos.
And here are some pictures of Dorothy. As allways clickie for biggie.
Well, we had a short net tonight, but we enjoyed it. Thanks to the following hamsexuals that checked in.
KE4NOY Matt
KC0RBC Harlend
VE3HBD Bryan
VE6PWT Robert
KI4LCH Greg
KI4CTB Ian
73s and see you all next week!
Well, another net has come and gone, checkins include
VE6PWT Robert
KE4NOY Matt
KI4LCH Gregg
WO0KEE Tedd
KC2LLT Carl
VE3ESC
N4BSA Chris
VE7HPS Jeff
AB9JV Lenny
K3BM Bob
See you all next week!
Since we didn’t have a Net Controller for tonight’s net, I went ahead and stepped in to cover. We also simulcasted the net over at the WARP Radio Network. Here’s the list of check ins:
KE4NOY – Matt (Net Control)
W8JUZ – Laura – Michigan
WO0KEE – Tedd – Wisconsin
VE6PWT – Robert – Calgary
N4BSA – Chris – Florida
KU4MY – Tom – South Carolina
KC2LLT – Carl – New York
Thanks to those who checked in! See ye next week!
I’ve seen this sexy beast many many times in and around Queens.
Last Friday, after locking my keys in my Jeep (don’t ask) and waiting for a tow truck, I spotted the elusive target in the same lot. He didn’t escape the cameraphone this time!
Notice the custom “RESCUE 7″ license plate, clearly a reference to the FDNY Rescue Squads… I don’t even think there’s a Rescue 7… there isn’t, I just checked. There are only 5. I guess this uber whacker thinks he’s an unofficial Rescue Squad of his own.
There are tons of rear facing lights, and no whacker-mobile would be complete without some really terrible vinyl lettering stuck on the bumper… D.W.I. Hunter, indeed!
The inside is, of course, a total shit pile, full of papers and junk. It’s clear the owner of this P.O.S. doesn’t have a significant other, as the passenger seat has a really crappy mobile office thing covering the seat. Either that, or his wife wouldn’t be caught dead in this eyesore.
I didn’t get pics of the inside or the front, as it was a snap and run (the urban wannabe can be a very hostile species, don’t cha know?)… but next time I see him, I’ll be sure to snap a few more.
Click on the thumbnail for a large version.
