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Cat Supervised Audio Video Receiver Install

I didn’t realize I needed as much help as I did, but Oscar and Felix came by and made sure I did this install correctly.

https://youtu.be/ENs2VR7njTQ

If you are interested in what parts I used, here are Amazon links to the equipment:

Sony STR_DTN7200 Surround Sound Home Theater AV Receiver: https://amzn.to/3q6oXLB
Monoprice 5.1 Channel Home Theater Speakers: https://amzn.to/3fAxQbo
Amazon Basics 16 Gauge Stereo Speaker Wire: https://amzn.to/2JdCXCj
Monoprice Banana Plugs: https://amzn.to/3fKbB2H
Monoprice Premium HDMI Cable: https://amzn.to/2HEi9mQ

Adding these next for the rear channel speakers:
Monoprice Speaker Stands: https://amzn.to/3fFGWmY

Just because you saw it on the table:
Atlas Obscura Book – Great for Road Trips: https://amzn.to/3fFGWmY

Disclosure: I was not compensated in any way to produce the video or select the product shown. I will receive commission should you purchase through the links above.

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Let’s have a Happy Week

I’ve just had it with every ad on TV or streaming telling me how to vote, how the administration is handling the pandemic and just general tired of being down. So I’ve declared it “Happy Week” and I’m posting 2 songs a day to pick things up.

Wednesday

Tuesday

Monday

Sunday

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The Russian Submarine Clock

During the Blue Ridge Parkway road trip last year I found this mechanical clock with a Russian Submarine design right down to the CCCP in the lower right corner. When I picked it up, it was working OK but seemed to run down quickly until it stopped. I took it in to Bowers Watch and Clock Repair in Atlanta and they ended up restoring it to full functionality for about half of what the original estimate was.

Great, but the fascinating part of the story was talking to the senior Mr. Bowers (it’s a father and son business) who told me that, “no Russian captain would have that poor quality clock on their ship.” He went on to tell me these were made for the tourist trade. Fair enough.

Mr. Bowers went on to tell me about the Ansonia Clock Company, which was started not far from where I grew up in Connecticut, though about 100 years earlier than when I lived there. Eventually Ansonia was sold to Amtorg Trading which moved the machine shop to Russia. According to Mr. Bowers, “one lathe operator said they took everything from the floorboards on up. When they started the steam boiler in Moscow it still had American water in the tank. The lathe had the same piece in it and the trash in the trash can was the same.” Quite a statement! (Note, I typed that quote from memory so there may be a little paraphrasing in it.)

So, is it real or repro? Probably 70’s repro would be my guess judging by some other blog posts. If you want one new, here’s one https://www.russian-watches.info/shop/vostok-watches/russian-vostok-ship-marine-8-days-clock-5-chm-submarine/ for about $300. Note on the dial between the 5 and 6 digit mine cays B CCCP, while the one I linked says POCCHH. I think this clock is likely an early clock that was actually on a ship. Something to watch for in future shopping trips.

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COVID-19 Video Updates

Since March I have been publishing daily graphical updates to Facebook and Reddit’s /r/coronavirusGA subreddit. The folks on Reddit requested that I also provide this update in video format, so I started this week. Follow the link above to find the playlist.

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ASMR Experiment

There’s a trend that has been going on for a few years called ASMR, which is about creating a tingling sensation from certain audio and video impulses. (Let Wikipedia explain it!)

Since I was on the road last week on a short social distance trip from the cats, I thought I would experiment with creating an ASMR video. Here’s 15 minutes of the waterfall at Dismals Canyon, Alabama.

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Tearing up a Laptop – In the shop

When this laptop died I was able to salvage the hard drives and that’s typically all I do. I thought I would give a quick try to salvage the screen and webcam. 1 out of 2 worked.

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Solution for displaying Pocket Watches & Stop Watches

As a watch fan, I have collected a few stop watches and pocket watches but I have struggled on how to display them. Looking at the brass frame I built for the Nixie Clock (See it in the 24 Hours of Clock Videos) I thought I could use the same material to crate a watch holder. It only takes 3 parts and 4 tools:

  • A piece of wood for the base (and a saw to cut it to size)
  • 3/32″ brass (and some wire cutters to trim)
  • Solder (and a Soldering Iron)
  • A drill to create the mounting holes

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From the shop – 12V Power Pole Project

In my particular car, there is not a graceful way to wire the ham radio into a 12V battery so I have been using a 12V lighter socket. While it works fine, I am not happy with the fit and finish. The plug is in the way and it’s just not aesthetically pleasing to me. So I found a new plug and had to sacrifice the splitter part of the project to do it.

The Irwin Wire Strippers are available from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ifn3nX and so is the 12V splitter: https://amzn.to/3gfrflK

I receive commission from Amazon if you purchase those items through the links above. Also, if you like my projects and prefer to fund me directly, click the “tip jar” link at the top of the page.

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24 Hours of Clocks Video Project

I admit it. I have a thing for clocks. So I took some of my favorite clocks and put together a video montage to showcase these interesting time pieces. What kind of clocks:

  • A Sony Flip Clock tells the time from 2-4 AM. This clock radio was on so many bedside tables back in the day. It evokes the movie Groundhog Day when Phil wakes up to Sonny & Cher every morning.
  • James Remind-O-Timer. A took for the later day 50’s and 60’s hotel desk clerk. Need a 5:50 AM wake-up call? No problem, just flip the lever to 5:50 and the buzzer will remind you.
  • Heathkit GC1005. When I worked in radio in the 80’s, these were a staple of every studio.
  • Raspberry Pi GPS clock. When you need super accurate time wherever you go. It’s my home made favorite and I use it when I want to do time sensitive digital modes on the road.
  • Chelsea Military Clock. One of my all time favorites. A beautiful 7 day mechanical movement (that needs a little fine tuning) that looks in place in any bridge, hanger or ward room.