Archive for year: 2011

Our amateur radio enthusiast buys another ham radio instead of attending to the needs of his family. His wife is not pleased. This animated cartoon was my first attempt at creating a computer animated short film. The script idea comes from an accumulation of so many conversations overheard at various radio events. No offense to anyone intended, even if you are guilty of this. Enjoy.

This is my third visit as a guest ham radio operator aboard the USS Pampanito that is docked at Pier 45 at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. It is great to be in a historic submarine and to give ham radio operators a contact from a very unique ham radio station. USS Pampanito (SS-383) is a World War II Balao class Fleet submarine museum and memorial that is open for visitors daily at San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf. Pampanito made six patrols in the Pacific during World War II during which she sank six Japanese ships and damaged four others. Operated by the Maritime Park Association, Pampanito hosts approximately 110000 visitors a year and is one of the most popular historic vessels in the country. In addition to day time visitors, over 15000 kids a year participate in Pampanito’s educational day and overnight programs. Pampanito is a National Historic Landmark. The Pampanito is being restored to a specific point in time, late summer, 1945, to represent the height of WW II submarine development. The Maritime Park Association has scoured the country in search of missing equipment and spare parts. Almost all of the missing items have now been replaced and much of the equipment on board has been restored to operation. For more information, a virtual tour and a podcast please go to the USS Pampanito homepage www.maritime.org