Hi everyone,
Lots happening this month – from discovering a useful AI tool to dealing with desert storms and working on some fun projects. Here’s what’s been going on:
Found Something Useful: Magai.co
I stumbled across this site that might interest those of you who use AI tools. It’s called Magai.co, and for $20 a month, you get access to a whole bunch of different AI models – ChatGPT, Claude, DeepSeek, and others. The neat thing is it picks which AI to use based on what you’re asking. Just thought I’d pass it along in case anyone finds it helpful.
That Dust Storm Was Something Else
We had a nasty dust storm blow through recently – tons of wind and power outages everywhere. I got lucky and didn’t lose power, but it did expose a problem with my Ecoflow solar generator. The solar panel won’t charge it anymore.
Here’s the interesting part: the company is in Budapest, the tech support person I talked to is in the Philippines, and they’re arranging to fix it at a service center here in the States. They’re sending me a box and shipping label, which is great. The tricky part is I need some help boxing it up since I’m in a wheelchair. Still working on finding someone to give me a hand with that.
Working on a YouTube Video
I’m putting together a video showing how I use AI to help write software. The project I’m demonstrating is an app called “Wave Watch” (the AI actually came up with the name). It predicts radio propagation conditions for shortwave operators.
Radio Stuff for Those Interested
For the ham radio folks – I’m on 40 meters at 7.208 MHz (callsign KK7YQS). What’s cool is during the gray line period (an hour before and after dark), I can reach from California to Colorado – about 500 miles. After that window, the band goes dead.
If you want to listen in from anywhere, you can use WebSDR sites – just Google it and you’ll find receivers all over. I use ones in California and Utah to monitor my own signal.
I’ve been enjoying ragchews with some old-timers who take their rigs camping in their RVs. I’d also love to try POTA (Parks On The Air) if I can work out the logistics of getting to a park and setting up. It’s basically combining radio operation with being outdoors – and doubles as emergency preparedness practice.
That’s All for Now
Drop me a line if you want to hear about anything specific next month.
73s, John Draper