AI features are crowding into Google search, Gmail, iPhones, Windows laptops, and other products. If you're suffering from AI overload, these settings can help.
If you live in a major city, you’ve probably seen a street performer with some variety of slapophone. It’s a simple musical instrument that typically uses different lengths of PVC pipe …
Local school district to open Safe Sleep Lot as homelessness grows
Cincinnati Public Schools are opening a designated parking lot for homeless students and their families, allowing them to sleep in their cars while they seek housing. This initiative, part of a program called Project Connect, aims to provide a safe space and support for those experiencing homelessness. Being homeless has become illegal.
WTH has happened to this country when schools have to provide sanctuary for the homeless?
Not a huge percentage of our readers probably get their heat from diesel fuel, but it’s not uncommon in remote areas where other fuels are hard to come-by. If you’re in one of those are…
The NanoVNA comes with attenuators, test/calibration loads, and a couple of (admittedly poor quality) cables. Adding to that, SWR+power meters are pretty important (I have both the HF and VHF versions of these for that).
I'd also recommend learning how to make your own cables and obtaining the equipment to do so. Aside from the much better quality and durability you'll gain, it'll also let you build any cables you need (good for getting away from adapters).
I usually stick with old-fashioned UHF connectors, but the NanoVNA forced me to become comfortable with SMA connectors. (More recently, I'm starting to explore N connectors instead of BNC.)
@deepfryed Butting in a bit, sorry: the most important advice of all is implicit in the original post: know your gear and how to self-check it. Be skeptical of cables (especially inexpensive ones), because they're what get the most wear.
Speaking of wear, get "port savers" for any SMA test gear. They're just a consumable male/female "adapter" that goes on the port once and take all the wear. Decent ones aren't cheap, but you _will_ wear out the SMAs on cheap test gear after a few years.
Al and I were talking on the podcast about the Home Assistant home automation hub software. In particular, about how devilishly well designed it is for extensibility. It’s designed to be added on t…
As technology marches on, gear that once required expensive lab equipment is now showing up in devices you can buy for less than a nice dinner. A case in point: those tiny displays originally sold …
Not only are pianos beautiful musical instruments that have stood the test of many centuries of time, they’re also incredible machines. Unfortunately, all machines wear out over time, which m…
Back in the mid 1990s, the release of Microsoft’s Windows 95 operating system cemented the Redmond software company’s dominance over most of the desktop operating system space. Apple we…
After you have written the code for some awesome application, you of course want other people to be able to use it. Although simply directing them to the source code on GitHub or similar is an opti…
As annoying as the stranded center conductors of cables like this LL240 are, I really appreciate the flexibility and how it reduces loading on the connectors.
Wild Waves Theme Park in Federal Way, Washington, announced that the 2026 operating season will be its final year of operation. The park will open as planned on May 23, 2026, and close to the public on November 1, 2026.
“We are thankful for our guests, team members, and the community of Federal Way for supporting Wild Waves and creating so many thrills and great memories with families and friends,” said Kieran Burke, President and Owner of Premier Parks. “Unfortunately, the rising cost of ongoing operations since reopening after the COVID shutdown has generated millions in losses, which forces us to discontinue operations at the end of our 2026 season.”
Wild Waves is operated by Premier Parks, LLC, headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and the land is owned by Jeff Stock of EPI Realty Holdings, Inc.
Since opening its gates in 1977, Wild Waves has welcomed millions of guests across the Pacific Northwest region, offering a unique combination of theme park thrills and refreshing waterpark fun.
Wild Waves employs approximately 35 full-time and 800 seasonal team members. All previously purchased 2026 group events, season passes, and ticket packages will be fully honored for the 2026 season.
Despite the forthcoming closure, Wild Waves plans to deliver a full and vibrant 2026 season.
“Wild Waves will be open for business beginning in May with our thrilling rides, refreshing waterpark fun throughout the summer, and our popular Fright Fest Halloween celebration, concluding with the park closing on November 1, 2026,” Burke continued. “In its final year of operation, the park will celebrate the memories, nostalgia, and family fun with themed events, and special promotions.”
Jeff Stock, owner of the property and longtime partner of Premier Parks, shared his appreciation for the park’s legacy and the collaboration behind its final season. “I am grateful for my longstanding partnership with Premier Parks and appreciate their dedication to delivering a full and successful final season for our guests and community.”
“We recognize the deep history and emotional connection many residents have with the park, and we are committed to ensuring a respectful transition while planning a project that will bring meaningful, lasting benefits to the area,” Stock added. “Plans for the site are currently in preliminary stages, with goals beneficial to the city and surrounding areas. Additional details will be released as the project moves through planning and community review processes.”
Out nonbinary candidate wins seat in Ohio town by just 13 votes
May thought, at most, they would raise awareness for the Wadsworth Democratic Party in the majority-Republican Medina County district and help voters recognize an alternative to voting Republican. But by the end of Election Day, Wadsworth voters had chosen May over the incumbent, Republican David Parish.
Neil E. Hodges
in reply to Neil E. Hodges • •Me. 😅