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The Fixer archives

coaching, empowering self-defense

I once was an active NRA-certified junior rifle coach. More relevant, I am a very good teacher. Yesterday my three charges voiced and agreed that “He is a very good coach” – which is just about the finest compliment one can lay on me. Thank you for that one.

That came up because a couple from the west coast passed through our neighborhood, and I gave them the opportunity to burn some ammunition on our short range (10-30 meters). I laid out a table of .22 semi-auto pistols, a 9mm Glock, 38 Special revolvers, .22 rifles and a […]

final day of registration for ham class is Friday

This a repeat of my previous announcement. There is one more day of online registration for Darby Adult Ed classes. We stand ONE STUDENT SHORT of having enough to make it happen.

I am bringing another amateur radio operator licensing class to Darby, Montana via the Darby Adult Education program in its Spring 2020 schedule. I have not keept track, but think I have personally assisted 40 or 50 people to earning their FCC licenses through my study groups in the Darby library.

The snide saying goes, “Those who CAN, DO. Those who cannot, TEACH”. I’m okay wearing […]

Ham license class begins February 1st

I am bringing another amateur radio operator licensing class to Darby, Montana via the Darby Adult Education program in its Spring 2020 schedule. I have not keept track, but think I have personally assisted 40 or 50 people to earning their FCC licenses through my study groups in the Darby library.

The snide saying goes, “Those who CAN, DO. Those who cannot, TEACH”. I’m okay wearing that. Good instructors are as rare as good anything else. I did not choose this calling, blessing or curse. It chose me. Run with your talents.

Every person who has come to all […]

personal Victory!

I determined to UP MY GAME in amateur radio knowledge this year. My primary methodology was to work towards passing the final hurdle in amateur radio to earn my Amateur Extra ticket. It demands a wide range of knowledge covering the spectrum of radio construction, operation and transmission.

Two unanticipated things I learned from this effort were: 1) I really don’t want to know how radios are constructed… though much of that is required to pass the exam. 2) Simultaneously teaching a class of newcomers to pass their Technician level exams while studying to pass the third […]

ham class begins in March

I am bringing another amateur radio operator licensing class to Darby, Montana. I have not keept track, but think I have personally assisted 15 or 20 people to earning their FCC licenses through my study groups in the Darby, Montana library. My track record garnered me the assignment as the local ham club (BARC) education coordinator.

The club has many people who know radio A LOT better than I do, but none who can teach as well. The snide saying goes, “Those who CAN, DO. Those who cannot, TEACH”. I’m okay wearing that. Good instructors are as rare […]

become an amateur radio operator

Thursdays 4:30-6:30pm Darby Library meeting room July 13th – September 7th Handy in many situations, radio communications can be life saving when phones and Internet are down or out of reach

Ham radios start where walkie-talkies leave off, with licensed radio operators communicating around the corner and around the world.

ARRL License Manual costs $29.95 includes chapters on every aspect of the licensing exam and numerous practice tests

Darby Thursday study sessions are FREE YOU can be an amateur radio operator No electronics background required

Click this link for a .pdf poster advertising the class:Ham-radio-class-poster-7-2017

Below […]

trombone trio

After four years of wishing I could find, and looking for someone to play trombone with, I began growing my own trombone trio. I found a couple of lads interested in learning, gave them each a trombone and began giving lessons near weekly.

As with nearly everything else I do, I am underqualified, but the best I can find who will actually get the job done. In this case, both are in homeschooled families, so I am The Music Department of their school.

I bought other instruments, and gave a few lessons, but the trombonists are the only […]

adult ed class: preparedness

I am offering two classes for the Darby Adult Ed program this fall. Pre-registration officially lasts through Monday, September 22nd. If there are 7 or more registered, the class will take place.

One is a 2-hour short course called “Radio Communicating Options“. It covers walkie-talkies to HAM Radio with primary focus on emergency communications. It runs from 10-noon on Saturday, September 27th.

Related, but a separate subject, the next 9 Saturdays will have study groups leading to HAM licenses if there is enough interest.

Here is what the flyer says about my big fall class:

Being Prepared The […]

growing without pests Day 1

We had a wonderful class. I didn’t know how it would work, if I had enough new information for those attending, and so on. It was the first time I’d used presentation software with a cable to a big screen monitor. I was nervous.

It went great. There is a warm dozen-plus gardeners, knowledgeable and open to new information. They are embracing what I call The Bob Cannard method of growing – but what is in reality my evolution of it.

Some of the 15 who signed up for the class have conflicts with one or more of the […]

create your own website

Building and operating your own website is easier now than ever. The tools continue to evolve in power and in their accessibility to the non-geek market.

There are a few ‘secret handshakes’ and tricky bits to getting started, but in four easy lessons, I can have you comfortably running a website of your own, on your own.

The classes are every Thursday in March from 2:00 to 4:00 pm in the Darby Library meeting room.

There are currently FOUR students excited about taking the class, but Darby Adult Education requires a minimum of SEVEN to make it go. These […]

Darby Adult Ed signups still open

The Spring 2014 Courses start dates are as early as January 31st and late as May 22nd. Courses will be canceled, fees refunded if less than 7 people are signed up 2 days before the class begins.

More information from the Darby Adult Ed website here.

The first class of the semester is at risk of cancellation for shortage of signups. Typically, most of them come in this week, so having 3 of the 7 minimum is not yet a show-stopper, but a warning. class information: Radio Communicating

The personal computer fundamentals class I am offering to begin February […]

organic growing

Among the Darby Adult Ed classes open for signups until Wednesday are four I’m offering to teach. As with all of their classes, 7 or more students have to sign up in order for them to happen. The complete listing of classes is here: Course Information Spring 2014

Signups are open until Wednesday the 22nd

Growing Without Pests AND Without Pesticides

Chemical free gardening for organic food and ornamentals is no harder or more expensive than conventional growing.

Remineralization by adding rock powder and oyster shell flour are important components, bringing the soil back up to […]