For the Love of Radio: SDRplay RSP1B

After deciding to get back into ham radio (read more here), I needed to build a stealthy antenna for the HF (high frequency, a/k/a shortwave) bands in order to get back to the ham activities I truly enjoy (CW, or…

A Return to Ham Radio

I’ve had a slightly fraught relationship with the amateur radio hobby, better (perhaps) known as ham radio, since first getting my license as a youngster back in 1977. My various entries and exits from it resemble a depiction of alternating…

Anova immersion circulator: Three years in

I suppose you could say that I was early to the sous vide game; I became aware of sous vide in general, and immersion circulators specifically, by watching Food Network — one of my few television indulgences. I loved the…

Instant Pot Plain Grits

One of the things I wanted to try making in my new Instant Pot was traditional southern grits for breakfast. Making grits is not difficult under any circumstances, but there are challenges: It takes an inordinate amount of time (and…

Back to the grind

Some years back, I bought my first home espresso machine, a basic model from Italy’s Gaggia. It was a faithful kitchen companion for several years until it gave-up the ghost, but I digress. To make espresso, you need a decent…

Spotify’s music recommendations

Since May 2014, I’ve been dutifully paying for a Spotify subscription*, and quite frankly, it’s some of the best money I spend each month. On a dollar-for-dollar basis, I get more enjoyment and utility out of it than I do…