The t Axis

I've had a lot of fun here at blogger, however I won't be posting here anymore. I got me a new blog, on my own server with lots of fancy little buttons and lights on the back that do snazzy stuff. The t Axis is up and running or from www.ashcraft.ws

The link typed out is http://www.ashcraft.ws/blog

Thanks,
Tyler Ashcraft
Rexburg - Idaho Falls, Idaho

On-Target Varsity Style

So I'm a day or two late... Here is one for Saturday July 19th.

As many know, I am a Ham (amateur radio operator) for long. KB7UZO As part of other activities I participate in, they were asking for Hams to help in the communication part of this project, as many of the mountain ridges used for mirror contact don't have cell reception.

The on target project is for Varsity Scouts. The objective is to make contact with other scout teams via mirrors, over many miles. I got lucky, and went up with a team on the R butte. Really the Menan Butte. It was kinda in the middle of a lot of the other teams.


Once we got up there we contacted the other teams through the HAM net that was setup for the occasion. Once we got the other teams coordinates, we typed them into the GPS, and then tried to make contact. We hit team 22 just above the Kelly Canon ski resort, about 33 miles away. They only had a 6 inch mirror, so we never saw them. But we could hear their excitement over the radio. then we aimed for team 177 at realy ridge about 29 miles straight east of our location.


We tried for about 20 minutes to get our mirrors aimed just right, and then their it was, a definite glimmer on top of the mountain. Like reflections of a diamond in the distance. So we tried to hit their location, and within 2 minutes, we received communication confirming our signals to them. Team 177 and team 373 (the one I was with) both had 2' X 2' mirrors.


This experience was really neat. I was really surprised to see the signals from the other side of the valley. From what I've been told, On-Target has been going on for over 20 years. Also, non scouting groups are invited to participate as well. I think the BSA in Utah, Arizona, New Mexico hold theirs in September, because of the cooler weather. Anyway, I can't wait for next year. Hopefully we can have more teams, and more mirrors out there. Some of the other teams made contact with other teams in Wyoming, and further south of Idaho Falls.

Playing along 2

Here are the directions for any who wants to play along.

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

Train of LIfe

Some folks ride the train of life

Looking out the rear,

Watching miles of life roll by,

And marking every year.



They sit in sad remembrance,

Of wasted days gone by,

And curse their life for what it was,

And hang their head and cry.




But I don't concern myself with that,

I took a different vent,

I look forward to what life holds,

And not what has been spent.



So strap me to the engine,

As securely as I can be,

I want to be out on the front,

To see what I can see.



I want to feel the winds of change,

Blowing in my face,

I want to see what life unfolds,

As I move from place to place.



I want to see what's coming up,

Not looking at the past,

Life's too short for yesterdays,

It moves along too fast.



So if the ride gets bumpy,

While you are looking back,


Go up front, and you may find,

Your life has jumped the track.





It's all right to remember,

That's part of history,

But up front's where it's happening,

There's so much mystery.



The enjoyment of living,

Is not where we have been,

It's looking ever forward,

To another year and ten.



It's searching all the byways,

Never should you refrain,

For if you want to live your life,

You gotta drive the train!

Newbie

So, I'm finally on here somewhere out here. Blogging about something maybe... I've been looking around and I'm seeing many of my family members posting online. Not one to be left out, I am following the herd. I may be late, but I've still made it to the party.

So I guess I should post a short comment on what has been going on. I have just hit 5 years with the company I work for. Computer Arts. I'm a multi network Network Systems Administrator. I basically drive all over south-east Idaho fixing, installing, and maintaining over 25 networks, with more than 60 servers, and over 5,000 users. Lately I've been doing a lot of server installs, reloads, etc... I mostly work with the county and sheriff offices in Idaho, but lately we've been adding several commercial clients as well. I work in an office with 4 other techs. Only 2 other Network Admins have been with the company longer out of about 12 guys. Guess I've got commitment. So far it is a good company and they've been good to me.

Family life is great. As a father of 3, I am trying to realize that I am sombody's dad and father. I only hope I can be someone they can look up to as a good example of all things in this life. Anndrea is a great mother, and beautiful fun loving wife. I can not imagine my life with out her their. Jacob is still way into monster trucks. Just ask him to sit on your lap and give him a pretend steering wheel and he'll take you on a monster truck course that has big hills and cars and jumps. Elizza is our yeah girl. Ask her a question and she'll say "yeah!" She loves dolls and when daddy comes home. Marriah loves to eat, sleep and scream, when you aren't holding her.

In the Church I ama primary teacher 11 - 12 year olds. It is fun, and exciting as I get to teach them the gospel.

Guess I'll head off to bed, big day tomorrow. Hope to see all of your comments on this and future postings. TTFN.