Electronics Bench

The hobby room (just thought of the name of the room) is taking shape in the New Mexico house.  I got the electronics work bench and shelving assembles and staged into the room.

I am looking forwarding the learning and experimenting with my electronics.  Want to play with, learn, and build devices using Raspberry Pi. Arduino, Microchip, and discreet components.

When I went to work with General Motors, I had to shelve my electronics design interest.  With retirement, health issues under control, and moving into my New Mexico residence, I have been able to finally experiment and rekindle my interest in electronic design.

There is a little more work than needs to be done in this room.  Then, I need to change emphasis to my ham radio hobby - getting antennas up and the station on the air.

Computer Desk

Thanks for help with friends Don & Leland, I got my teak wood desk out of the garage and into the electronics/computer room in the new house.  Getting the desk in the room was the key to settling up this room.

That afternoon, I got right into setting up the computers.  (Notice the computer with open case - typical for computer geeks.)

In this photo are the Linux desktop (currently with Mint 16.1) Lenovo desktop (originally Win 8.1 upgraded to Win 10) and an old Gateway laptop (running Win XP).

Working on the section of the room with the electronics and experimental part of the room. 

Explora!

The third Friday of odd numbered months is Adult Night at Explora!  Explora is the Science Center and Children's Museum of Albuquerque.  High Desert Amateur Radio Club sets up a display in a room of the museum for Adult Night. The display shows some of the activities the club.  Members are available to discuss the hobby with Explora patrons.

Central to the High Desert ARC exhibit is an operating had radio station.  

Explora is located in the Old Town district of Albuquerque on 1701 Mountain Rd NW. 

Tailgate Flea Market

Another function hosted by High Desert ARC - a tailgate flea market .  The function was held in the South of the Intel parking lot in Rio Rancho.  The club hosts this free flea market each year on the Saturday near Veteran's Day.

Quiet Las Vegas Weekend

After playing tour-guide Thursday/Fridat, I had a quiet weekend.  Was hoping to visit with relatives, but things did not work out.

Saturday,  I kitted up for a bike ride.  Stopped in a bike shop to get map(s).  Very nice new free maps were available for the Southern Nevada and Henderson, NV.  Grabbed the hybrid out of the van and ready for a bike ride on the Pittman Wash Trail in Henderson.  Alas, I had 2 broken spokes on the rear wheel. 

 Had dinner at the hotel cafe - decent order of spaghetti and meatballs.  Champagne brunch at the hotels Grand buffet. 

Met up with a couple guys from my Army Unit for lunch.  Was a little too much food, but good food at BJ's with a pint of beer. Great to see and visit with Nick and Alex (see photo). 

The afternoon/evening was spend napping and working on photos from the trip.  Headed back towards Albuquerque about daybreak. 

Stopped about 15 miles South of Hoover Dam to take a couple photos of the Colorado River downstream from the dam.  Late lunch in Flagstaff.  Was just getting dark as we got off I-40, heading to my house.

Tourist in Las Vegas

Friday was the day to settle in at Las Vegas and cousin Don could get everything ready for the pipe show.  First on the agenda was breakfast at Blueberry Hill.  Having a breakfast there has been a tradition for Don and a couple of hist pipe-making friends - Victor and Nathan.  Pictured here is Don with his order of blueberry pancakes.

After breakfast, we went back to the hotel room.  Needed to gather my cameras for the drive red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.  This in a great place to get out and way from the glitz of Las Vegas - and its only about 15 miles from the "Strip".  I have been there many times, but was looking forward to an opportunity to take more photos of the area.

Red Rock Canyon is a fee area managed by the BLM.Your National Park Pass gets you into the area.  A shameless plug - its only costs $10 for us seniors - 62 yo and older.  What a deal!

Drove the scenic road - a one-way road.  Watch out for cyclists, hikes, and (first time I have seen) a tour on Segways).  It was a beautiful day - not a cloud in the sky and a little breeze to freshen the air.  Actually, I would have preferred some more clouds in the sky, they would have added sine interest in the photos.  (Middle photos was taken in Red Rock Canyon)

Back from the room, it was time for a nap for me and Don did some work, pricing his pipes.  The last thing in our agenda for the day was some dinner and downtown Las Vegas' Fremont Street Experience.  Its an awesome way the the city has re-vitalized the downtown area, bringing in business off the "Strip".  For all of the time I have been coming to Las Vegas - must be about 25 years), most visits have included a stop  downtown - even before the "Experience".

First on the agenda for the evening was some food.  Grabbed a burger and beer at Binion.s Cafe. Then, on to the show.

What is the Fremont Experience - its a downtown party.  Fremont Street is now a pedestrian street.  There a 1500 foot section covered with LEDs with a powerful sound system.  Every night, the crowds are treated to a 6 minute LED and sound show.  there are street performers,, and you can walk up, get a beer (plastic cups only, please) and enjoy the experience.

There is even a zip-line for an exciting view of Fremont Street.  Its was a zoo getting in and out of there on a Friday night.  We took a cab from our hotel, so we didn't have to worry about the traffic and a place to park.

Don topped off the night with beer and conversation with his pipe friends, I crashed into bed. (Bottom photos is if Fremont Street Experience)

On the Road Again

A cousin of fine offered a ride with him the the West Coast Pipe Show in Las Vegas.  It had been several moths since I was on an over-night trip, nothing I had to do at home, I accepted the offer.

Was a long day - near 600 miles on the road.  Started from my house in Rio Rancho about 6am.  Stopped in Flagstaff, AZ for late breakfast.

Checked out Hoover Dam to look at the new visitor center.  I had been at the dam several times, and saw the new facilities in 2011, but did not go into the visitor's center.

I shot some stills and video during the drive,  Cousin Don shot some video, too, making a video record of the trip.  I also set up the GoPro camera on the dash.  Sill have to download that card to see what I got.  Don't use the camera much, and may not had captured much.

Got into out hotel (Palace Station) and unloaded the vehicle.  Met some of Don's pipe friends at Jack's Pub in the hotel.  Had a pint of been and ordered a burger & fries.  Service was poor.  Ordered burger MW, and it came MR.  Couldn't get the server to pay any attention to us.  By now, the smoke and noise was getting to much for me.  Don took care of the bill for me, I headed to the room for quiet and sleep.