All Arc, All the Time

Why ham radio?

Posted: December 10, 2022 in Green Eggs & HAM

Amateur radio, also known as ham radio, is a valuable tool for emergency communication. In times of crisis, when regular communication channels may be disrupted or overwhelmed, ham radio operators are often able to provide vital information and support to emergency responders and affected communities.

Amateur radio is a critical component of our emergency communication capabilities. In the event of a disaster, ham radio operators can provide critical information and support to first responders and affected communities.

One of the key advantages of amateur radio is that it operates on independent, non-commercial frequencies. This means that it is not reliant on infrastructure such as cell towers or the internet, which can be damaged or overwhelmed during an emergency. Ham radio operators are able to set up their own equipment and communicate directly with each other as well as served agencies, providing a valuable backup to regular communication channels.

In a disaster situation, when other communication methods may be unavailable or unreliable, amateur radio provides a vital link. Ham radio operators are trained to handle emergency communication, and they can provide valuable information and support to emergency responders and the public.

In addition to their role in emergency communication, ham radio operators also provide important public service by supporting events such as marathons and parades, and by participating in drills and exercises to test and improve emergency response plans.

Overall, amateur radio plays a crucial role in emergency communication, and the skills and dedication of ham radio operators are essential for maintaining the safety and well-being of our communities.

Back Again

Posted: June 1, 2022 in Insights

Well unfortunately life has been incredibly busy over the last few years between my full-time job and volunteer positions, so I haven’t had an opportunity to write much and keep my website up to date. I’m getting ready to embark on some new adventures so thought I’d take a moment to update on those things as I do them.

As far as general life updates, a global pandemic happened in 2020 and turned life upside down. During that time I lost my mom, an aunt and uncle, and one of our 4 legged babies (Sophie.) It has been an incredibly challenging time but I’m still here and will make it somehow.

If the pandemic and all these loses taught us anything, it’s that life is short and it’s time to live. My wife and I are taking as many opportunities as we can to get away together, even if it’s just for the weekend. All we have left when we leave is our memories and we’re trying to make sure we have enough of those for a lifetime.

In June of 2020 I was appointed as the Santa Rosa County ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) Emergency Coordinator. In this role I ensure that Santa Rosa County Emergency Management has the support it needs from us should normal communications methods, such as cellular and internet, fail from a natural disaster or other issue.

As of December 2021, I was additionally appointed as the Section ARES Emergency Coordinator for Northern Florida. In this role, I help ensure that all of our section county ARES teams have the resources they need to support themselves locally and develop training and exercise activities to move us forward.

Lots of things on the horizon and hopefully I’ll have time to write about them all.

January 2018 Tech Tip

Posted: January 7, 2018 in Technology

One thing is for sure, even though it is a new year, cyber security threats aren’t going away. One of our first lines of defense against a cyber security threat is you!

Most recent cyber security attacks start with a simple e-mail known as a phishing message. These messages are intended to look like an email from someone or a company that you may possibly know. It may even appear as if it’s the name of a person you know within your company. Most of these suspicious messages will have either an attachment that you are asked to open or a link to a website.

If you receive an unexpected message with a link or attachment, take a moment before proceeding to act on the message to see if there’s anything that “just doesn’t look right”. Make sure the email address is the actual address of the sender. One of the easiest ways to verify a message is legitimate is to call or email the person whom sent you the message and verify they sent it (if it is a person you know).

January 2018 Healthy Living Tip

Posted: January 7, 2018 in Healthy Living

New year, new you. We hear that phrase all the time but did you know that with just a little dedication and work on your part, it can be true? Healthy living starts with one simple thing, a decision to change your life. For a lot of people, it takes a life changing event, such as a health problem, to start making better healthy choices but making that choice before something goes wrong puts you at least one step ahead of everyone else.

Here are just a few tips to help you get started on your journey this year:

Start small, little changes can make a huge difference
- Say bye to sugar filled sodas and drinks. Most soft drinks provide a diet or “no sugar” option that have a very similar taste. I personally started with Coke Zero. Try half regular and half no calorie until you adjust.
- Turn that smoke break into a walk break. Even if it’s cold outside, take a few minutes to get up and walk the halls of your building. Any activity level increase can and will make a difference.
- Look at the calorie counts of your food. Most restaurants now list the number of calories in your meal. Start adding them up, it may make the way you order totally different.
Stay committed
- Any activity that you want to remain constant in your life must be repeated. Stay committed to living healthy. It won’t all be easy but the end results are worth the small challenges.
- Partner up! Having an accountability partner can make a huge difference in your success. Talk to each other at least once a week and use that time to encourage or challenge your partner in their healthy living walk.

2017 Kids Christmas Lighting Work

Posted: December 23, 2017 in Media Guy

Just sharing some of my lighting work for Pace Assembly. Always enjoy doing lighting design, it’s probably one of the things I am the most passionate about.

2017 Ham’s of the Year

Posted: December 23, 2017 in Green Eggs & HAM

Very humbled to have been chosen as “Ham of the Year” for 2017.

What’s really safe to put online?

Posted: July 30, 2017 in Technology

I’m often asked, “What information is ok to put online?”. Well, the truth of the matter is, a lot of your information already is online. Public record laws have allowed for much of what you and I would consider “private” information to be placed online in searchable formats. Having a Facebook or Twitter account isn’t going to compromise your identity anymore than saying hello to someone at the grocery store. There are some tips though that you can follow to ensure that you don’t get taken advantage of.

Lock it down – Both Facebook and Twitter (along with most other forms of social media) allow you to restrict your posts/profile to “Friends or followers” only. This is a must. By default, your posts are public so make sure you check your security settings and don’t share your posts with the world.
Don’t post your job info – Posting where you work makes it easier for the “bad guys” to find you, combine that with a little more information about your life and it could put you in a compromising position.
Avoid vacation announcements – So you’re going on vacation, great! Don’t tell everyone about it until you get back. As long as you trust everyone you know on your “friends” list, it’s probably ok, but, if you’re not sure you have you profile locked down correctly this is a definite no no.

Summer 2017 Healthy Living Tip

Posted: July 30, 2017 in Healthy Living

One of the hardest parts of healthy living is “sticking with it”. Many times, we succeed at major weight loss but then fall back into our old habits and routines, regaining much of the weight we worked so hard to lose. Here are just a few tips to help you stay on track with healthier living.

It’s a lifestyle, not a diet – Don’t treat eating healthy as a “diet”. Dieting makes it seem like a chore and you are less likely to stay on track. Living and eating healthy really is about changing your mindset and moving to a new lifestyle of making better choices about the foods we eat and the activities we participate in.
Have a positive attitude – Dreading the gym or going on a walk isn’t going to help. Think of your exercise time as a chance to break away from your day to day stresses and relax your mind. Look at your times of exercise as relaxation, not a chore.
Rely on and encourage others – Support groups are a great way to help keep you on track and your healthy choices may also lead to a lifestyle change for others. One of the greatest rewards of my losing 100 lbs was one of my coworkers at our Dallas office also doing the same after he saw me!

Radio License Upgrades

Posted: July 9, 2017 in Green Eggs & HAM

Well after a long, hard week of studying…I passed my general exam this morning and my wife, Josie, got her tech ticket! So excited for the new doors that have been opened for me in amateur radio now. (Of course now I’ve got to start studying for my extra lol)

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Summer 2017 Tech Tip

Posted: July 9, 2017 in Technology

Lock it down – Both Facebook and Twitter (along with most other forms of social media) allow you to restrict your posts/profile to “Friends or followers” only. This is a must. By default, your posts are public so make sure you check your security settings and don’t share your posts with the world.
Don’t post your job info – You work at a defense contractor, posting where you work probably isn’t a good idea, especially to the public. Posting where you work makes it easier for the “bad guys” to find you, combine that with a little more information about your life and it could put you in a compromising position.
Avoid vacation announcements – So you’re going on vacation, great! Don’t tell everyone about it until you get back. As long as you trust everyone you know on your “friends” list, it’s probably ok, but, if you’re not sure you have you profile locked down correctly this is a definite no no.