I did for jump school and like all others jumped into Fryar. Long story short, I remained a 13E and ended up as the radio operator on my team. I was in from '87 to '93, and we were using, wait for it, the AN/PRC-74. I hope they upgraded after I separated. I'm surprised we weren't issued M-1 carbines.
I started out life with an M1. Love to have one now. PRC 74 was the last thing we used prior to my retirement. In Nam we used the PRC 47 (Great FM Receiver) and AN/PRC 25 /ANPRC77 with "Here we are" Antenna. I did work with SINCGARS. RT1523. Did some of the testing.
How cool is that!? I started with the M-16A1, and was one of the last training cycles to wear steel pots. We did use '77s, and I remember the Vietnam vets showing me how to bend the antenna into the LBE to sort of hide it and covering the handset in a trash bag when it was raining.
For the '74, we used the braided aluminum antenna and the 234/frequency formula (can't remember if that was quarter wave or half wave) to figure the antenna length. I didn't get to try this out, but a LRS guy told me about using a 600 ohm resistor at the end of a longwire and aiming at the base station. I started to babble about what the manual said, and he told me, "Well, that's theory. This is what works."
How cool is that!? I started with the M-16A1, and was one of the last training cycles to wear steel pots. We did use '77s, and I remember the Vietnam vets showing me how to bend the antenna into the LBE to sort of hide it and covering the handset in a trash bag when it was raining.
For the '74, we used the braided aluminum antenna and the 234/frequency formula [highlight=#ffff00](can't remember if that was quarter wave or half wave)[/highlight] to figure the antenna length. I didn't get to try this out, but a LRS guy told me about using a 600 ohm resistor at the end of a longwire and aiming at the base station. I started to babble about what the manual said, and he told me, "Well, that's theory. This is what works."
[OFF]
Ham radio guy here, that's a quarter wave. 1/2 wave is 468/F and full wave is 984/F.
How cool is that!? I started with the M-16A1, and was one of the last training cycles to wear steel pots. We did use '77s, and I remember the Vietnam vets showing me how to bend the antenna into the LBE to sort of hide it and covering the handset in a trash bag when it was raining.
For the '74, we used the braided aluminum antenna and the 234/frequency formula [highlight=#ffff00](can't remember if that was quarter wave or half wave)[/highlight] to figure the antenna length. I didn't get to try this out, but a LRS guy told me about using a 600 ohm resistor at the end of a longwire and aiming at the base station. I started to babble about what the manual said, and he told me, "Well, that's theory. This is what works."
[OFF]
Ham radio guy here, that's a quarter wave. 1/2 wave is 468/F and full wave is 984/F.
Thanks, that jogs the memory. We used two quarter waves for the dipole.
How cool is that!? I started with the M-16A1, and was one of the last training cycles to wear steel pots. We did use '77s, and I remember the Vietnam vets showing me how to bend the antenna into the LBE to sort of hide it and covering the handset in a trash bag when it was raining.
For the '74, we used the braided aluminum antenna and the 234/frequency formula (can't remember if that was quarter wave or half wave) to figure the antenna length. I didn't get to try this out, but a LRS guy told me about using a 600 ohm resistor at the end of a longwire and aiming at the base station. I started to babble about what the manual said, and he told me, "Well, that's theory. This is what works."
Nothing like field work to teach reality over theory. Yes we bent those antenna but sometimes you had to unbend since Line of sight was preferable in some cases. Of course we still had Steel Pots when I retired.
ok, how many of you youngsters ever built the field-expedient directional antenna built from properly measured wire and a couple of white plastic C-ration spoons AND made it work?
ok, how many of you youngsters ever built the field-expedient directional antenna built from properly measured wire and a couple of white plastic C-ration spoons AND made it work?
Please tell me you used the c-rat spoons as insulators and just stretched the wire between two trees. Lemme guess, end-fed dipole? I think you'd need more materials than c-rat spoons to make a Yagi beam antenna.
ok, how many of you youngsters ever built the field-expedient directional antenna built from properly measured wire and a couple of white plastic C-ration spoons AND made it work?
Please tell me you used the c-rat spoons as insulators and just stretched the wire between two trees. Lemme guess, [highlight=#FFFF00]end-fed dipole?[/highlight] I think you'd need more materials than c-rat spoons to make a Yagi beam antenna.
Comrade Stierlitz,
I helped Ivan set up this medium wave AM rig. Two center-fed full wave horizontal dipoles, λ/2 apart. See the spoons? I can. But then, I have squirrel vision. They tell me it's a gift.
ok, how many of you youngsters ever built the field-expedient directional antenna built from properly measured wire and a couple of white plastic C-ration spoons AND made it work?
I belong to the BDU Era with MREs and tiny bottles of Tabasco.
ok, how many of you youngsters ever built the field-expedient directional antenna built from properly measured wire and a couple of white plastic C-ration spoons AND made it work?
ok, how many of you youngsters ever built the field-expedient directional antenna built from properly measured wire and a couple of white plastic C-ration spoons AND made it work?
I belong to the BDU Era with MREs and tiny bottles of Tabasco.
Tabasco is forever. Even the Neanderthals had it. C Rats and Tabasco.
ok, how many of you youngsters ever built the field-expedient directional antenna built from properly measured wire and a couple of white plastic C-ration spoons AND made it work?
I belong to the BDU Era with MREs and tiny bottles of Tabasco.
Tabasco is forever. Even the Neanderthals had it. C Rats and Tabasco.
For me, it is terrifying to fire any gun but, I'll do it if I have to!
The other day I found this in a comments section regarding gun control. After reading you guys “gassing on” about your instruments of destruction (and protection) I wanted to share it with you. BTW, it is your “gassing on” that keeps me alive. Love you guys. I am a newcomer to this lifestyle. About a week and a half ago I was privileged to receive some training from our esteemed Comrade Betinov. Safety was the predominate feature of my training. I had a smorgasbord of guns to choose from.
The highest caliber gun I shot was a 45. Lost the grip of my left hand on the recoil but, I didn't die! So, I think I'm gonna go for a 1911 380 thingy. Still have to practice holding my grip steady. I can do it and must because, even a good 22 is a pea-shooter. I have to get used to the force of the weapon among other things, especially my grip. I did show some improvement during this training session. As you all know practice makes perfect or, should I say, you will shoot the way you practice.
Here's that guy's post:
subotaibahadur • a day ago
Leaving aside the "fun" aspect, and something that touchy-feelie Leftists never understand, the combination of admiration and understanding the technological precision and form following function involved; there is another vital point that they reject the very existence of.
It is the basic premise of LTC David Grossman's classic On Sheep, Wolves, and Sheepdogs [which I commend to all, it's only about 4 1/2 pages]:
There are bad people in the world, wolves. They need to be stopped before they kill the regular people, the sheep. They do not come only singly or in small groups. Sometimes they come en masse. Frequently, they come sponsored, armed, and financed by hostile governments and quasi-governments. And like all things concerning the US government, the protection of our own government is frequently late, ineffective, or misapplied. And our own government is totally unaccountable by normal means, so it means that the wolves coming en masse may BE our own government.
There are also sheepdogs. It is a good thing when their fangs are sufficient to defend the sheep against all wolves. And when more and more sheep take steps to become sheepdogs and to help the sheepdogs.
Pamalinsky wrote: For me, it is terrifying to fire any gun but, I'll do it if I have to!
The other day I found this in a comments section regarding gun control. After reading you guys “gassing on” about your instruments of destruction (and protection) I wanted to share it with you. BTW, it is your “gassing on” that keeps me alive. Love you guys. I am a newcomer to this lifestyle. About a week and a half ago I was privileged to receive some training from our esteemed Comrade Betinov. Safety was the predominate feature of my training. I had a smorgasbord of guns to choose from.
The highest caliber gun I shot was a 45. Lost the grip of my left hand on the recoil but, I didn't die! So, I think I'm gonna go for a 1911 380 thingy. Still have to practice holding my grip steady. I can do it and must because, even a good 22 is a pea-shooter. I have to get used to the force of the weapon among other things, especially my grip. I did show some improvement during this training session. As you all know practice makes perfect or, should I say, you will shoot the way you practice.
Here's that guy's post:
subotaibahadur • a day ago
Leaving aside the "fun" aspect, and something that touchy-feelie Leftists never understand, the combination of admiration and understanding the technological precision and form following function involved; there is another vital point that they reject the very existence of.
It is the basic premise of LTC David Grossman's classic On Sheep, Wolves, and Sheepdogs [which I commend to all, it's only about 4 1/2 pages]:
There are bad people in the world, wolves. They need to be stopped before they kill the regular people, the sheep. They do not come only singly or in small groups. Sometimes they come en masse. Frequently, they come sponsored, armed, and financed by hostile governments and quasi-governments. And like all things concerning the US government, the protection of our own government is frequently late, ineffective, or misapplied. And our own government is totally unaccountable by normal means, so it means that the wolves coming en masse may BE our own government.
There are also sheepdogs. It is a good thing when their fangs are sufficient to defend the sheep against all wolves. And when more and more sheep take steps to become sheepdogs and to help the sheepdogs.
Love,
Pammie
Slight forward pressure with the holding hand, and slight rearward pressure with the supporting hand, and you'll tighten up your shot group in no time. And welcome to the Fellowship.
And it was a pleasure to have Pammie and Tovarish down to the bunker (which may or may not exist, depending on your Party rank) for a little range time. They got to shake hands with a number of different platforms, and everyone went home with the same number of holes in their bodies as they had when they arrived. That equals a good day at the range.
Slight forward pressure with the holding hand, and slight rearward pressure with the supporting hand, and you'll tighten up your shot group in no time. And welcome to the Fellowship.
Let me ask, how DOES it feel to shoot a pistol? I've only ever shot rifles and shotguns. I've only seen pistols with my own eyes a handful of times. Always wanted a Colt Peacemaker, though.
Slight forward pressure with the holding hand, and slight rearward pressure with the supporting hand, and you'll tighten up your shot group in no time. And welcome to the Fellowship.
Let me ask, how DOES it feel to shoot a pistol? I've only ever shot rifles and shotguns. I've only seen pistols with my own eyes a handful of times. Always wanted a Colt Peacemaker, though.
Well, Stierlitz, I have never shot a rifle, only a handgun. So I can't speak about the difference.
I do know that the force coming out of a handgun is quite intense and concentrated. As the shooter, you must match this force with your own power somehow using geometry, your own physicality, good thinking and intention. I was apprised of this reality when taking my first shot.
Whoa, I said to myself, I got a lot to learn. I know you know this but, shooting straight takes much more than viewing the target. You must be able to physically and mentally support your aim. One's grip is most important. To me the “grip” is a grip on reality.
As a Cubist, I find this shooting business a metaphor for living life, so much so that I can't wait to shoot a gun into the exact same hole I just shot! Yeah! One of my instructors did just that!
I always rely upon individuals who have accomplished something to inspire me. This guy did. Now, I want to do what he did. I have a long way to go. Goals are important for focusing ones own goals. There is always someone who is better than me and those who I am better than. That applies to all of us. It's always ever changing, as it should be.
...and dry practice. Work on developing your form through the meticulously safe use of dry practice.
Yes, dear Blogunov, I did this. and was instructed to do so. Sometimes the weapon gets to be a bit heavy for me when I don't think it has to.
It's because I waste too much time "thinking" about what I need to do next. While doing this the weapon, extended at arms length, tends to get heavier than it needs to. I was instructed to pull the weapon toward my chest and relax. Then fire it with intention on the target. That worked but, I still have some work to do on this.
My instructor told me he dry practiced every day, sometimes 100 times per day. This guy is a sharp shooter. He means business. And, he is most definitely a sharp shooter. I saw him shoot a bullet in the same hole he shot the last one. Yeah, he was good! He did one of those with one hand!
Thanks for reinforcing the advice I was given! I really appreciate it!
Pammie is of course referring to one of the other instructors out at the range that day. I shoot like Cyril Figgis: close my eyes, scream, and empty the magazine.
Pamalinsky wrote:...I saw him shoot a bullet in the same hole he shot the last one. Yeah, he was good! He did one of those with one hand!
Thanks for reinforcing the advice I was given! I really appreciate it!
<off>Just one through the same spot? When I was on the pistol team in college, only one meant you were the low shooter, and had to sweep up the brass for the rest of the team after practice...Pammy, welcome to an exciting hobby! Have focused and serious practice, and end with fun, try to shoot the points of a star, or shoot a smiley face into your target...be safe, and have fun!
Pammie will soon discover the economic advantage and personal joys of reloading as her receipts for pricey ammo mount. Another hobby to pass the time till Next Tuesday! Save your brass!
When shooting either a Pistol or Automatic remember these safe practices.
Only shoot the bad guys.
Empty the gun so you cannot shoot a good guy.
These always worked for me when I was an Instructor.
In some cases I would add one additional safe practice. Replace your gun with a Brick.
Guardian of Pravda wrote:When shooting either a Pistol or Automatic remember these safe practices.
Only shoot the bad guys.
Empty the gun so you cannot shoot a good guy.
These always worked for me when I was an Instructor.
In some cases I would add one additional safe practice. [highlight=#ffff00]Replace your gun with a Brick.[/highlight]
Well, Guardian of Pravda, I am half Irish and we Irish use bricks as confetti! Always have.
The rest of me is Scandahoovian and they're all a bunch of wimps. At least they are now. Didn't use to be but have descended into the depths of socialism. Actually, the Irish have as well.
Ivan the Stakhanovets wrote:And friend don't let friends shoot with Tupperware....
(no Glocks allowed! Pammy, Google "Glock leg" and learn from the foolishness of others)
Thanks Ivan. I Googled "Glock leg" and found that my choice of 1911 which has a grip safety is the right one! That gun won't shoot unless my grip is correct.
I was also told by my instructor to never, ever let someone talk me into shooting a 57 Magnum. The 45 I shot was a lot of gun for me. For now I will stay at this (1911) level of force and perfect it. I also think I will begin doing military style push-ups, especially the diamond variety that everyone hates, etc.
Captain Craptek wrote:Pammie will soon discover the economic advantage and personal joys of reloading as her receipts for pricey ammo mount. Another hobby to pass the time till Next Tuesday! Save your brass!
Duly noted Comrade Craptek. The price of ammo is outrageous! I know the gubmit has bought up a bunch of this ammo using taxpayer money. Do you think they are trying to reduce the supply to us knuckle-dragging, mouth breathing, hairy legged/armpit gun enthusiasts? Hmmmm?
Captain Craptek wrote:Pammie will soon discover the economic advantage and personal joys of reloading as her receipts for pricey ammo mount. Another hobby to pass the time till Next Tuesday! Save your brass!
Duly noted Comrade Craptek. The price of ammo is outrageous! I know the gubmit has bought up a bunch of this ammo using taxpayer money. [highlight=#FFFF00]Do you think they are trying to reduce the supply [/highlight]to us knuckle-dragging, mouth breathing, hairy legged/armpit gun enthusiasts? Hmmmm?
Ivan Betinov wrote:Pammie is of course referring to one of the other instructors out at the range that day. I shoot like Cyril Figgis: close my eyes, scream, and empty the magazine.
Says the guy who is also a gourmet cook! What is a gourmet cook doing with a CCDW instructor license in his state AND a fabulous covered shooting range, 40 feet from the back of his gorgeous house? BTW, the rain did not deter us in the slightest because of this.
He's got a smoker out there too. It was the best pork tenderloin I have ever tasted!
Betinov is the consummate host and invited guests with whom we shared wonderful repartee. My spousal unit, Comrade Tovarich and I had a most memorable time. Really, is there nothing The People's Cube™ can't do? There really is such a thing as The Cube™ family, isn't there?
Added bonus: When we arrived on his property, several deer leaped out of our way into the woods. When we left, a family of wild turkeys showed their stuff for our entertainment. It was great! We will never forget it!
Guardian of Pravda wrote:When shooting either a Pistol or Automatic remember these safe practices.
Only shoot the bad guys.
Empty the gun so you cannot shoot a good guy.
These always worked for me when I was an Instructor.
In some cases I would add one additional safe practice. [highlight=#ffff00]Replace your gun with a Brick.[/highlight]
Well, Guardian of Pravda, I am half Irish and we Irish use bricks as confetti! Always have.
The rest of me is Scandahoovian and they're all a bunch of wimps. At least they are now. Didn't use to be but have descended into the depths of socialism. Actually, the Irish have as well.
Whattaya gonna do? Sigh.
Scotch Irish and Swedish with American Indian thrown in. this always created a problem when playing Cowboys and Indians, Identity crisis.
Clara Illbustyourballs Zetkin wrote:
If the evil BB gun cannot be banned, then ban the evil BBs.
Simply tax them at 1 Ruble per BB.
Komrade Smith, your kollective edumakasion starts now. If we used rubles, that would make us kapitalists. They are evil. You have to start thinking in terms of beets and potatoes and stuff like that. No need for evil money with that evil all seeing eye looking at you all the time.
In a 'blat' system, for example, to get 1 BB you must turn in 12 beets (depending on the beet market quota at that time). Others are much better with math and economics than I am but I hope that helped. (Where is Komrade Dummkopf when you need his math skills?)
Clara Illbustyourballs Zetkin wrote:
If the evil BB gun cannot be banned, then ban the evil BBs.
Simply tax them at 1 Ruble per BB.
Komrade Smith, your kollective edumakasion starts now. If we used rubles, that would make us kapitalists. They are evil. You have to start thinking in terms of beets and potatoes and stuff like that. No need for evil money with that evil all seeing eye looking at you all the time.
In a 'blat' system, for example, to get 1 BB you must turn in 12 beets (depending on the beet market quota at that time). Others are much better with math and economics than I am but I hope that helped. ([highlight=#ffff99]Where is Komrade Dummkopf [/highlight]when you need his math skills?)
CIZ! Last transmission from Bavarian Cubical 3.14 which is so far west of the Mississippi, that he's comin' 'round from the TransAtlantic East, was that beloved Dummkopf had been sent to the gulag spa for cardio readjustment and timing reset.'pelipsky
jackalopelipsky wrote:
CIZ! Last transmission from Bavarian Cubical 3.14 which is so far west of the Mississippi, that he's comin' 'round from the TransAtlantic East, was that beloved Dummkopf had been sent to the gulag spa for cardio readjustment and timing reset.'pelipsky
That is lovely to hear. I hope Komrade Smith is paying attention to how far 'D' gets you to the front of the "Spa for Cardio Readjustment & Timing Reset" line.
The uncontested absurdities of today are the accepted slogans of tomorrow. They come to be accepted by degrees, by precedent, by implication, by erosion, by default, by dint of constant pressure on one side and constant retreat on the other - until the day when they are suddenly declared to be the country's official ideology. ~ Ayn Rand
For me, it is terrifying to fire any gun but, I'll do it if I have to!
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