My haitus (or why I've not been around)

Hi folks.

Sorry I havent been on the forums recently (well over a month or 2.

There were several things I wanted to get done around the house (all involving $) and I didnt want the temptation of buying any lasers (either pointer kits or for my projector) until these ones were done. So i stood back from the forums, and concentrated on these things.

1. My TV blew up. This was rectified with a 47" LED LCD TV. To me this thing is massive and great for when I have friends over. No more squinting at a little 22" television from across the room (2.8 m)

2. I needed a HF radio. I picked up a cb in hams clothing type (RCI Ranger 2970N2). This will let me get on 3 bands (provided I turn it down for 11m), and is a bit more range than the 50 watt VHF rig. (I talked to hawaii on the 400 watt version of this a couple of weeks ago, from my place).

3. I have a few debts to pay off.

and finally I want to finish off the home theatre with an onkyo reciever and a set of floor standing speakers. Then I'll have a sound system, and just need a laser show to go with it

Hence I aint been around. Staying off LPF for a few weeks has stopped me from "impulse" buying what I cannot afford (and don't really need atm) and let me concentrate on clearing my debts (still have one left), and replacing the TV. This is not to say I have become disinterested in lasers. I'll still be building the Tiapan and getting that Cajun 400mw. I just needed to put my priorities into line. Lasers at the moment have moved up a notch, but not before repaying my friend for a radio, and doing the home theatre

So I havent died, got arrested for doing silly things with lasers, or moved to a country who dont have telephone lines

I can sympathize...

My hobbies come and go in fads, now its lasers, haven't touched my amateur radio gear in years, I had VK4CRT when i moved down here in 2008 and let it lapse - it was all too hard from the ACMA to renew it without changing to a VK2 call.

And work has kept me VERY busy lately (link)!

Welcome back!

I also have a mini home theater set up! I started it a few years ago, but it's still incomplete.

So far it consists of:

• Onkyo TX-SR608 receiver
• 2 BIC Acoustech PL-76 towers
• 1 Acoustech PL-28 center
• 1 BIC Acoustech PL-200 12" subwoofer

Really underrated speakers, but the performance is amazing. I use it for movies, PS3, and even karaoke.

I still need to buy another sub and some surrounds and it'll be complete!

I'm getting the Onkyo 609, and a set of accusound speakers (they're made in australia). They're no klipsch or <insert fancy brand of speaker worth squillions>, but they'll do for movies or (heaven forbid - i hate sport) football with the boys over for a few beers, laser shows (15" sub anyone?) and a good old bit of flight sim on the 47" TV. Will probably piss off the neighbours more with that than the hf radio.

Actually I care for the relations with my neighbours. Tonight was the first full power operation of my radio for an extended period (talking on and off for over 2 hours, right in the middle of primetime TV). Tomorrow i'll have to visit my next door neighbour (whos most likely to cop interference) and ask him if he had any problems. Mind you I have done 1/2 a kilowatt here and not had any issues. A properly earthed station, a correctly tuned antenna and a low pass filter help

Just hoping it doesnt get back into the onkyo - the speaker wires (to stay out of harms way) for the rears will need to follow the same path as the coaxial cables do for the radios.

edit: jufran88, you need >2< subs? how big is the room??!! LOL

Nice choice of receiver! I might need to replace mines in a few years.

I don't really need another sub since the one I currently have already makes the whole room vibrate (I guesstimate around 25' x 15' x 12' vaulted ceiling). I just have a craving for more power! :evil::evil:

hehehehe "More power Igor, MOAH POWAH!" LOL

yes I could just imaging hooking your system up to the lappy for a round of flight sim - those two woofers combined with the majestic software dash 8 going into ground power or beta prop would convince the neighbours a new airport has opened up... Next door *grin*

oh that was the other thing I had to replace. My lappy took a bite off the energizer for my cap bank and never worked since - so i picked up a T-400 ibm off ebay for $280. Same specs as my old laptop, but with an ultrabay, so out with the ODD, and in with a SSD!

Welcome back! I know what it's like when you're unattached to a forum like this, especially when being logged on everyday (idle or not) is a regular part of your life. Again, welcome back...! :beer:

Thanks for the welcome back everyone. I'll participate as usual in the forums again, offering advice and knowledge if it can help (and sometimes if not )

Good thing all my debts are almost paid. I just spotted the tesla coil thread. Been meaning to build one of them for ages!. Geez here we go again. Must Not Buy *grin*

WB --d(*_*)b

Thanks hak