text:
Dayton 2014 – a recap of K9ZW's Hamvention 19 - May - 2014Posted by k9zw in Amateur Radio, Dayton Hamvention, Flex-6000, FlexRadio Systems, Hamvention, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled.
Tags: Flex-6000, FlexRadio Systems, Hiberling, Hiberling PT-8000, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled, SmartSDR
1 comment so far
Dayton Hamvention 2014 was interesting, though less profound that past years.
First products and exhibits:
- An awful lot had nothing new to show. Nada, boring nothing that I couldn't read about on the internet.
- Same no reason to be here applied to pricing – almost every vendor has figured out they can increase sales by offering "Dayton Hamvention Pricing" on-line. Many include free shipping and it is sometimes the case that the sales tax due is less if dropped shipped.
- Still plenty of "vaporware" with prototype products being shown year after year with no real product to sell. One questions how many years hams will show up at Dayton with cash in their pocket to buy antenna auto-tuners that never go into production (Alpha is not the only vaporware tuner, where is that long promised Kessler AT-AUTO-II updated unit? [EDIT: as Don Kessler pointed out he was showing a new remote tuner at Dayton 2014 - more on this to follow]) or amps/transceivers/antennas that are "almost there" but have no ship date?
- Dayton remains a place where the one-man-band is on equal footing with the robust corporations and mega-corps. Unfortunately many interesting product offerings are "one heart attack" away from being unsupported/out-of-business. Not a terrible thing if one is buying a couple hundred dollar unique product but a real concern if one is considering investing thousands in piece of gear that might be orphaned by the smallest of issues. Ditto on products by companies where the sole proprietor is elderly and hasn't worked outa succession plan. If you ask there are some surprises where small firms have this wired, bit most don't.
Let's talk about Dayton itself:
- Less Road Construction at Dayton – sees that some of the "forever projects" have finally finished, though downtown is still a mess.
- The Hara still sucks. Same holes in the pavement, leaks in the roof, and grubby nature. Being cool this year odor was down.
- More restaurants have been built nearby, which opens up opportunities.
- Staff seemed happier. People are people, and the ones I dealt with this year were plainly nice folk.
- The affiliated hotels suck. Tales of no hot water at one hotel, heat stuck on full blast at part of ours, messed up reservations and catering (one banquet I attended the hotel staff for the second year running couldn't manage to open up the cash bar having forgotten criticals like ice, cups, mixers…. or change..) from hell.
- The interstate getting there was hammered, under construction, overcrowded and not much fun driving.
Then may particular interests/purchases:
- AlphaSpid RAK purchased from Alpha Radios in Alberta will be replacing my Ham-IV. This looks to be the easiest high-resolution replacement. Once the unit arrives I will schedule a lower lowering to do the rotator swap. The Green Heron controller I have should work for the AlphaSpid with a few internal jumper changes inside the controller.
- Green Heron will be doing the station integration for my ArraySolutions RatPAK-N remote antenna switch. This is a left over Dayton 2013 project that I arranged to pick up a few bits for as I finish it up.
- W2IHY station selector system needs finishing off, again a Dayton 2013 purchased project I didn't make time to complete. Got my questions answered at the W2IHY booth, so my excuses have to end…
- qslradio supplied the rig runners and power pole connectors for Rocky Ridge Farm Station.
- Spoke with Mr Hilberling, and while it would be a budget buster right now I do hope to have one of his radios with amp in the next year or so.
- Spoke with Jay at ArraySolutions and I sure am interested in the VNA gear. Maybe this winter, I will get one to learn about it.
- Spoke with several of the team at Alpha Amplifiers and they have no idea when I could buy a combination package of an Alpha-4040 Automatic Antenna Tuner and Alpha-9500 Automatic Amplifier. I decided not to buy an amplifier even with the nice show special being offered.
Banquets I attended:
- Friday Night – the Collins Collectors Association 80th Anniversary Banquet. Met some really great people but this is the one where the registration was very slow, the bar wasn't ready nor stocked, and the presentation & drawing prizes were extremely introspective to the hardcore Collins collector. I actually cut out to take a phone call (son Tom KC9JGD relocated that day to near Rapid City SD) and decided to not return. This group faces some challenges as its membership ages which I don't have a solution to suggest.
- Saturday Night – The Flex Radio Systems annual Dayton Hamvention Update Banquet was a pleasant contrast with quick & slick registration, dual stocked cash bars ready to serve and a lot of information about where FRS is going. Only think I think the FRS folk missed is dishing out to each dinner attendee some special swag – pens/hats/pads/pins. Fairly lame door prize drawing for a couple hats, two oversized re-discover radio button/signs, a flex control and a Flex-1500. Seemed like nine or ten items was not enough for nearly 190 attendees. Not enough to build a buzz in the crowd. Otherwise a nice banquet.
Family Matters:
- Riding with me to Dayton were my friend George W9EVT from Washington Island and my cousin Bill KC9YBL. Made for a truck full of Extra Class Hams.
- Living in the area we met with cousin Kuby N6JSX (Dale to me) and his wife Becky N9KUV.
- We meet with more family in Ohio, Chicago and Wisconsin. Good time had by all!
Again I wonder about Hamvention 2015 – should I attend or is next year the one to try Hamcation or Hamcon instead?
It wasn't for the ease of seeing family and the control of driving, the answer could be pretty easy to go to one of the other shows.
I'll have to do some pondering and decide….
What we saw new at Dayton 2014! 17 - May - 2014Posted by k9zw in Amateur Radio, Dayton Hamvention, Flex-6000, FlexRadio Systems, Hamvention, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled.
Tags: Flex-6000, FlexRadio Systems, Hiberling, Hiberling PT-8000, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled, SmartSDR
add a comment
Following up on my predictions of "What will we see new at Dayton 2014?" here are some notes:
- A merged Alpha Amplifier/Ten-Tec potentially offering positive news on the long overdue Alpha-4040 Antenna Tuner – no date yet on the 4040 as at least one more major revise is in the works for the prototypes. Closer but no cigar.
- Several new evolutionary radios from Icom, Kenwood and Yaesu with continuing emphasis on attractors like D-Star, Remoting, Emcom, integrated GPS/Bluetooth and Contesting. – yup, lots, with the IC-7800 Upgrade of special interest as it is net plug and play.
- The brand new Flex Radio Systems Flex-6300 transceiver offering much of what the Signature Series is about at a mass market price point, along with the end of April SmartSDR v1.2.1 which added the awaited Waterfall/Panafall with many other features. There may be a remote possibility of a further SmartSDR update at Dayton. – off to the FRS dinner tonight and hope to have news afterwards.
- We should get a first look at the HPA-8000A 1kW Solid State Amplifier rounding out the high performance PT-8000A Transceiver desktop. – they had a single amp in the booth with USA hams likely to get a supply in later 2014 due to FCC approval lead time.
- Several Antenna Manufacturers have announced new models, with several interesting LPDA (Log Periodic) offerings tailored to meet the new Flex Radio Systems Signature Series radio requirements.
- Connectivity Galore with Bluetooth, In-Shack and Remote connectivity options of every type and style. Expecting to see everything from ZigBee Modules you can solder into your project to desktop setups you can use to remotely operate one of the rent-by-hour stations.
I am sure there will be much more, and hopefully a few surprise product launches too! See you there!
What will we see new at Dayton 2014? 13 - May - 2014Posted by k9zw in Amateur Radio, Dayton Hamvention, Flex-6000, FlexRadio Systems, Hamvention, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled.
Tags: Flex-6000, FlexRadio Systems, Hiberling, Hiberling PT-8000, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled, SmartSDR
add a comment
What will we see new at Dayton 2014?
- A merged Alpha Amplifier/Ten-Tec potentially offering positive news on the long overdue Alpha-4040 Antenna Tuner
- Several new evolutionary radios from Icom, Kenwood and Yaesu with continuing emphasis on attractors like D-Star, Remoting, Emcom, integrated GPS/Bluetooth and Contesting.
- The brand new Flex Radio Systems Flex-6300 transceiver offering much of what the Signature Series is about at a mass market price point, along with the end of April SmartSDR v1.2.1 which added the awaited Waterfall/Panafall with many other features. There may be a remote possibility of a further SmartSDR update at Dayton.
- We should get a first look at the HPA-8000A 1kW Solid State Amplifier rounding out the high performance PT-8000A Transceiver desktop.
- Several Antenna Manufacturers have announced new models, with several interesting LPDA (Log Periodic) offerings tailored to meet the new Flex Radio Systems Signature Series radio requirements.
- Connectivity Galore with Bluetooth, In-Shack and Remote connectivity options of every type and style. Expecting to see everything from ZigBee Modules you can solder into your project to desktop setups you can use to remotely operate one of the rent-by-hour stations.
I am sure there will be much more, and hopefully a few surprise product launches too! See you there!
New K9ZW Custom QSL Cards by Jeff K1NSS 9 - February - 2014Posted by k9zw in A Good Read series, Flex-6000, FlexRadio Systems, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled, K9ZW Operations, US Islands.
Tags: Eyeball QSO Cards, Jeff K1NSS, K1NSS, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled, QSL Cards
add a comment
Just finished today is the design phase of a trio of new QSL card designs commissioned from Jeff K1NSS.
I've segmented my operating QSOs recently into those where I've been on my new Flex-6700, those where I've been using vintage gear, and those made from my frequent visits on Washington Island.
Jeff K1NSS was brought to my attention as an illustrator and featured name in the K9YA Club Newsletter and by word of mouth.
We exchanged a few emails working out a strategy to a portfolio of designs, each with print and web versions, plus a coordinated Eyeball QSO Card.
Jeff has great talents suggesting viable themes and asking great questions to draw out what I was hoping for.
The Flex-6700 feature reflects the "magic decoder ring" that this piece of SDR equipment has brought to my operations. If you receive the full actual card there are "Easter Eggs" hidden in the design.
A "Voice of Steve" card seemed a natural to give a feel for the reverence of operating with vintage gear. I've gear spanning the WWII period onwards which I put to use when I can.
The third segmentation are those QSOs I make as a guest at the George Ulm W9EVT mega-shack at Greengate Farm on Washington Island, Wisconsin. The card gives tribute to this significant radio operation and also a way to highlight any other Washington Island QSO I make.
The reduced designs are the Eyeball QSO Cards illustrated. Eyeball QSO Cards is an Amateur's way to say "calling card" and have taken the full card themes in a form adjusted for the purpose.
A highly rewarding experience, the process was a lot of fun! I spent more with Jeff than many of his projects, as I asked him to do not only the three designs, but also a WI9DX Washington Island DX Club version and a club member version of that card as well.
Oh and I asked him to do custom reverse sides to blend with the cards designs.
I'll trickle some examples on the blog over the next few weeks.
Hope you like them as much as I do!
SmartSDR v1.1 – Another New Radio in a Download 3 - February - 2014Posted by k9zw in Amateur Radio, Flex-6000, FlexRadio Systems, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled.
Tags: Flex-6000, Flex-6700, FlexRadio Systems, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled, SmartSDR
add a comment
FRS delivers and then some!
More than just revised and improved!
It is as if a whole brand new radio was dropped off.
The screen shot, by the way, is the radio being run via wireless from an iMac using Win7/74 under Parallels. The base machine is running OS-X Mavericks.
I could have opened another Slice, except I had "wasted one" fiddling from my WinXP box and iPad Air (Air running K6TU's App) and didn't feel like rebooting to clean up my mistake.
FlexRadio System – Major SmartSDR Update/Upgrade 1 - February - 2014Posted by k9zw in Amateur Radio, Flex-6000, FlexRadio Systems, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled.
Tags: DAX, Flex-6000, Flex-Radio, K9ZW, K9ZW Just Rambled, SmartSDR, SmartSDR CAT
add a comment
This is easiest left in FRS's own words:
SmartSDRTM v1.1 Available On Time and Exceeding Promised Feature Set
FlexRadio Systems is pleased to announce the availability of SmartSDRTM v1.1. SmartSDR v1.1 for both the FLEX-6500 and FLEX-6700 contains a wealth of new features – a number of which are over and above those promised in the public roadmap. In the installation package are the release notes, which have important information about the features and caveats that are important to know. Please read the release notes, as there are several important notices with v1.1. Our team has worked hard to provide not only the features promised with v1.1, but also many new features that we feel will enhance your operation and provide more fun for your operation. Here's a partial list of the new features we are releasing with SmartSDR v1.1:
Double the number of panadapters and receivers for a total of four (4) of each for the FLEX-6500 and eight (8) for the FLEX-6700. With more panadapters you will be able to simultaneously view up to 4/8 bands at once to monitor band conditions. Increased slices opens the opportunity to monitor digital portions of multiple bands or the same band, have multiple receivers setup to work liaison on HF nets with multiple stations, etc.
Digital Audio eXchange (DAX) for seamless support of 3rd party digital programs. With DAX, digital sample streams are routed directly from the radio to your PC and made available on DAX channels. Much of the confusion about cable numbers and which virtual cable belongs to which receiver and transmitter is gone. Each DAX channel is clearly labeled appropriately such as "DAX Audio RX 1″ and "DAX Audio TX 1″. Each slice can be routed to a DAX channel on the fly in the SmartSDR client and all of the channels are created for you on installation of SmartSDR.
Promised with SmartSDR's introduction was up to two simultaneous digital channels for digital software out of the radio. We are pleased to announce that every slice receiver in SmartSDR has the capability to run DAX simultaneous to other receivers. So on a FLEX-6500, up to four (4) DAX Audio channels may be run at once and on the FLEX-6700, up to eight (8) DAX Audio channels may be run at once.
DAXIQ streams added for wide-band data output. In addition, with SmartSDR we promised DAXIQ streaming of I/Q samples at up to 96ksps (96kHz). We're pleased to announce that we have DAXIQ streaming running at up to 192ksps in v1.1. For v1.1, we have DAXIQ streaming at your choice of 24, 48, 96 or 192ksps. You may have up to four (4) total streams running simultaneously, but only up to a combined output rate of 384ksps today. This allows you to run 96kHz of four bands into CW Skimmer from a single radio.
Both DAX and DAXIQ are network clients and may be used on multiple PCs on the network. That means that you can run multiple digital mode applications all talking to the same radio but using different bands and modes at the same time and on different computers if desired. We believe this is ground-breaking technology for amateur radio.
New filtering algorithms with sharper filters in all modes plus lower latency for digital modes. With SmartSDR v1.1, we are introducing variable sharpness filters which offer the best filtering when needed to eliminate incursion of sideband splatter from adjacent channels or very narrow CW filters, but also relaxes for lower latency with wider CW filters and latency-sensitive digital modes such as PACTOR. The filter sharpness is automatically selected based on operational mode and filter width as selected by the operator.
Active Slice Control Panel. A new Active Slice Control panel has been added to the right side of SmartSDR for Windows giving you immediate access to most slice controls in a single location without having to open up slice panels. This allows the operator to collapse all slice panels and operate receivers entirely from the Active Slice Panel which will follow the selected slice receiver.
Tabbed control panels in SmartSDR. All control panels on the right of SmartSDR are now under a tabbed control that lets you add or remove these panels at will. In addition, you may rearrange the panels by dragging them to a desired location. This lets you customize the layout of the SmartSDR control surface to match your preferred operational environment.
Advanced SmartSDR Persistence memorizes previous states. Persistence capabilities in SmartSDR now remember key details about your operation on each amateur band. Power, filter, and slice settings, panadapter levels, etc. are all remembered by amateur band so returning to the band later will quickly restore all the values back to their previous settings. When appropriate, settings such as microphone and CW settings are memorized by mode rather than band or slice.
Enhanced panadapter display averaging. With SmartSDR v1.1 you have control over both the speed of panadapter updates as well as the degree of averaging on top of the speed. When reducing the panadapter update rate, all frames are used in the radio for better averaging, but preserving network bandwidth. The additional averaging control adds a peak-weighted average which emphasizes signal peaks as it smooths out the noise baseline in the panadapter.
CW Audio Peaking Filter. A new CW Audio Peaking Filter has been added which emphasizes audio signals at the pitch frequency of CW reception. The APF raises the level of the desired CW signal, adding gain above adjacent signals to help you pick out weak signals in the presence of other signals or noise.
Hardware ALC for external power amplifier operation. ALC provides a convenient way to reduce the output power of the FLEX-6000 Signature Series transceiver when driving external power amplifiers.
Automatic re-centering of Panadapter on Zoom. Now when zooming in on a panadapter, the active slice or alternately the closest slice receiver will be re-centered before the zoom to quickly close in on the signals of interest. Zooming without re-centering is still provided by using a click-drag on the frequency scale at the bottom of the panadapter.
New REMOTE POWER ON capability. The remote jack on the back of every FLEX-6000 has now been enabled as a method to turn on or off your FLEX-6000 transceiver on or off. Now with a simple relay or external control device, your FLEX-6000 can be started and stopped under your command.
Master oscillator calibration capability. Each FLEX-6000 Signature Series transceiver has an ultra-low phase noise oscillator for the best low-noise reception. Unlike other transceivers that must be opened on a periodic basis to adjust the frequency of the master oscillator, SmartSDR now allows frequency calibration with just a software control. Simply provide a reference signal or use WWV and enable frequency calibration. SmartSDR will measure the offset and update the master oscillator and store the result to ensure you are always on frequency.
Improved Antenna Switching Logic with broad QSK support. With new antenna switching logic, every conceivable operating condition has been considered individually and the optimal radio antenna solution that ensures the best operation is now computed automatically by the radio. Even better support for QSK has been added with this change including support for QRQ QSK up to 100WPM using different receive and transmit antennas.
Updated SmartCAT for increased third party software support. Several new commands have been added to CAT to support additional software programs and broaden the software that works with the FLEX-6000.
Add RIT/XIT support including operation with FlexControlTM. Both RIT and XIT have been added including basic operation with the FlexControl.
Improved slice display for narrow band operations (CW, digital modes). The slice receiver indicators have been updated to include clarity for narrow band modes and some digital modes such as PSK-31. Key down to RF and slice tone output for CW is world class at less than 8ms.For more information on this release or to download SmartSDR v1.1 and the associated release notes please visit the FlexRadio Systems website.
Enjoy your new radio!
Your FlexRadio Systems Team
My local (in shack) update is 100% and I am in-process on the iMac update. Looking awesome!


text:
February 5, 2003
Albany - It started as a burglary, turned into an armed standoff and then into a high speed chase down a busy Albany road.
The tense situation ended peacefully after police talked suspect Holly Humphries into surrendering.
Albany Police say Humphries broke into her boyfriend's gun shop, Gun Works on Baldwin Drive, and got away with several guns. A short while later, she returned.
Officers attempted to stop her vehicle but "Were not able to get her pinned in as well as they wanted to because she was armed," Major Karen Majors said.
Humphries waved a gun at officers and refused to get out of her car. While police waited for a negotiator, she took off, leading Police on a chase that lasted for a couple miles.
"They cornered her over there on Meredyth Drive," Majors said.
Officers stood guard with guns drawn as Majors talked to Humphries. "I talked to her for a while and she gave herself up," she said. When police got Humphries out of the car they took her to a waiting ambulance. She was checked out at Phoebe Putney Hospital.
No one was hurt in the stand off.
Now, Holly Humphries is in the Dougherty County Jail. Police charged Humphries with aggravated assault and burglary but they say they'll likely add other charges, including traffic violations after they finish the investigation.
posted at 11:59pm by email@example.com
P.O. Box 3130
Albany, GA 31706
(229) 446-1010
FCC Public File
(229) 446-4005
EEO Report
Closed Captioning

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Ohio State vs. Michigan today. (I've been in law school long enough that I initially wrote that Ohio State v. Michigan, Jesus.)
I do have to give Michigan credit – there's an anti-global climate change initiative called Stop the Buckeye focused on stopping the climate changes that are bringing the buckeye north into the Wolverine State. If Ohio State's repeated domination of Michigan brings about other needed policy changes, I, for one, cannot dispute the absolute necessity of such victories.
Prediction: Ohio State 34, Michigan 10. Michigan goes up 10-7 in the first half, and as they've done all season, they then shut down and crumple up in a shameful, useless ball.


text:
Happy Birthday Cyclinglinks.nl
Last week saw the 11th birthday of the site that brings you links to the websites of all cycling races around the world. Plus a 24h feed with links to the 20 main cycling news sites. The guy who operates this site as a service to cyclingland has his birthday today too. I know because he is a direct colleague of mine. So, congratulations Cyclinglinks.nl!


text:
Professor Amanda Kern doesn't teach 140 characters at a time, but she does teach how to make 140 characters on Twitter effective for her students at Valencia College.Kern's graphic design students will also graduate with plenty of side lessons in social media because Professor Kern is a recent graduate herself -- of 'social media school for teachers.'"The more I've gotten in to the major the more the professors have been pushing social media, simply because it's an easier way for all of us to connect," explains graphic design student Bry Crasch.His classmate Lacy Dillon agrees, "Plus, we can share our ideas with each other... communicate with each other even [when] we're not in the same class."The push for social media in the classroom has grown since another Valencia College professor Josh Murdock began teaching teachers how to use it. "It's becoming commonplace in many job markets that require social media skills," explains Professor Josh. "It didn't exist 3 or 4 years ago… where it is now."That's the true value for social media in college, Murdock believes, helping students land their first job. "It's becoming such a key part of the workforce and networking. I think this is the way people are keeping contacts in the 21st century," Murdock says. "It's really changed how we connect with people."
Follow @myfoxorlando
35 Skyline DriveLake Mary, FL 32746
Phone: (407) 644-3535News Tips: (866) 55-FOX35


text:
One man is dead and neighbors are asking questions following a frightening porch collapse in New London.
The incident was reported Monday afternoon at the Nutmeg Woods condo complex.
Danny Rodriguez said he still can't believe what happened.
"It sounded like a big boom," he said. "I thought somebody dropped something they were carrying up, like a sofa or chair. It was loud."
New London police said 32-year-old John Deptulski from Uncasville was on the second-floor stairs when they gave way, and he fell to the concrete below. Emergency crews rushed him to a local hospital, where he later died from severe head injuries.
Neighbors said they walk up and down the stairs every day and said they could hear the steps creaking, but never imagined the stairs would suddenly collapse.
"How much effort are they putting into securing these things? Obviously this place is old because it's been here for a long time," said neighbor Steven Morales.
Late Monday evening, crews looked over the dangling beams at the building that was built in 1969, according to city officials.
"I've walked up those stairs more than a couple of times, thank God that hasn't happened to me." Morales said.
As crews look into the collapse, the city's building department has already condemned the building, making it off-limits since the back porches and rear stairs are the only secondary exits from the apartment. Three families have been displaced.
Eyewitness News saw Nutmeg Woods workers at nearly every building, hammering in reinforcement beams and boards to these steps.
"Anything can be fixed," said neighbor Georgette Pearson. "But once you have a life lost, it's too bad."
New London's Building Department said they only go out to inspect when they are alerted to an issue and to their knowledge, the stairs weren't inspected by a city official in years.
"That would terrify me," said Kylie Morrison. "I'd want to make sure where I'm renting, is making sure that they're keeping up on regular maintenance, because that's scary."
Eyewitness News called the state fire marshal's office to find out if there are any apartment inspection standards, or how they independently hold landlords accountable, but haven't heard back.
While crews will continue to investigate the incident, officials said they do expect to give out fines to the company that owns the apartment.
Copyright 2013 WFSB (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
358 TV Road,
Pollok TX 75969
FCC Public File
EEO Report
Closed Captioning


text:
James Buescher won the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship on Friday night at Homestead-Miami Speedway, but that's not what people will remember from the Ford EcoBoost 200.
No, they'll remember an epic finish which included first-time winner Cale Gale catching Kyle Busch on a green-white-checkered finish and putting him into the wall to claim victory.
Here's the amazing finish:
Meanwhile, Buescher finished 13th to beat Timothy Peters by six points. Ty Dillon had closed to within one point of Buescher late in the race, but he was involved in an accident with rookie Kyle Larson – a move in which both drivers were going for the same spot.
Joey Coulter finished third, followed by Nelson Piquet Jr. and Miguel Paludo.
But the race will long be remembered for the last lap. Busch had little to say about what happened except this: "I got drove in the fence."
That about sums it up.


text:
Staff Sgt. Travis Mills lost all four limbs during his third tour in Afghanistan. He was wounded by an IED four days before his 25th birthday.
On Friday night, he was honored at Spirit of a Hero night at the Texas Legends Basketball game at Dr. Pepper arena in Frisco.
Texas Legends is Mavericks D-League Basketball team.
The game recognized the work of the Spirit of a Hero Foundation and the service by Mills and other men and women in the military.
One of his biggest accomplishments since being wounded has been teaching his little girl to walk.
"I have a 17-month old daughter. When I was hit she was only 6 months old. If I ever gave up on her it would be the end of the world for me. I can't do it. My wife stuck by my side, we're going on five years and if I don't get better I'm standing still," said Staff Sgt. Travis Mills.
He has maintained his strength and has recovered through sheer will. He beat his doctor's best expectations for recovery. He was determined to meet his platoon when they came home from Afghanistan. In full uniform with a crutch in one hand and a hook on his right arm, he was able to welcome his men home.
Mills is not from Texas but his wife Kelsey grew up in Frisco.
Mills is the fourth quadruple amputee in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to survive his injuries.
He says his goal in the future is to help other wounded warriors like him get better.
Main Station Directory:
Didn't find what you were looking for?
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2014 Fox Television Stations, Inc. and Worldnow. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | New Terms of Service What's new | Ad Choices


text:
There are park alerts in effect.show Alerts »
New for Filene Center Performances 2014: Cooler inspections and size limits
ALL coolers, packages, bags and other containers will be inspected.* ALL coolers must be 15"x15"x22" (48 quarts) or smaller. ALL other items must be 14"x13"x10" or smaller. *Please allow extra time for inspection. More »
Picnic in the Park
Picnic tables are available throughout the park. Some are located near Wolftrap Run, a small creek which flows through the park, and most of the tables are located in partly-shaded areas. Tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Keep in mind that cooking is not permitted in the park, nor are grills provided. For further guidance on park regulations, click here. For groups of 25 or more people, we ask that you contact the park at (703) 255-1827.
Did You Know?
Wolf Trap offers performances at the Filene Center and Theatre-in-the-Woods all summer long. More...


text:
Lynchburg, VA - Prom season is just around the corner and buying that perfect dress can get really expensive.
That's why Burnt Orange, a consignment shop on Fort Avenue in Lynchburg, is holding a buy and sell prom event. It starts Friday and runs through Sunday.
You can buy and sell new and used prom dresses at a fraction of the cost. Accessories and jewelry are also available.
Store owner Katie Hyatt says some of the dresses retail for more than $700 but are sold at her store for between $50 and $350.
"It's going to be a one stop prom shop event. You can come and get everything. You can get tanning packages, you can get hair appointments, anything you need for the prom will be here this weekend," said owner Katie Hyatt.
One dollar from every purchase also goes toward a local family who is raising money to be able to adopt a child.


text:
Need to decorate or make your scenario even more alive?
With this MOBA torch set you can increase the value of your environment with 2 different torch.
The torch models are easy to remodel and modify if necessary, so is it's textures!
Torch big
132 tris, (1024x1024) diffuse texture;
Torch Small
134 tris, (512x512) diffuse texture;
Available in 5 different formats: .max, .obj, .fbx, .dae and .3ds.
More MOBA assets to come, so stay tuned!


text:
177 TWEED Boulevard
Elegant-Inviting-Tranquil and Serene describe this European Contemporary residence. This hilltop home offers timeless elegance. Beautifully appointed custom features-radiant heating all levels / Jerusalem gold limestone tile / granite/ gourmet kitchen / Viking stove / Subzero freezer wine cooler/custom closets & cabinetry/grand curved wrought iron staircase/master suite with deck?huge closet/dressing room-Fireplaces/Living room and banquet-sized dining area with a wall of French doors open to large deck for entertaining with panoramic view of Hudson River and Tappan Zee Bridge. Snow melt paver driveway/natural stone walls and lush landscaping artesian well/ sprikler system 3 car garage
Interior Features
- Bedrooms 4
- Full Baths: 3
- Half Baths: 1
- Rooms: 9
Exterior Features
- Lot Size: 0.000000
- Central Air: Central A/C
- Heating Desc: Radiant
Community Details
- School District: South Orangetown
- Grade School: Other
- Junior High School: South Orangetown Middle School
- High School: Tappan Zee
Additional Information
- County: Rockland County
- Property Type: Single Family
- Annual Taxes: $29,242
- Year Built: 2000
Presented by:
Karen Steffanato


text:
Here at Baseball Nation, we're not doing Power Rankings.
It's not that we don't admire Power Rankings. Exactly the reverse; we love Power Rankings. We just haven't been doing them because we haven't yet figured out a way to make them interesting.
Really, the only way to make Power Rankings interesting is to throw some crazy shit in there.
Like, for example, saying the Kansas City Royals, now 3-13 after losing 11 straight games, have been (and/or are) the seventh-best team in the major leagues. That's interesting and crazy, and that's what our FanGraphs pals have done in their new SI.com Power Rankings.
Yeah. And if you focus on just the American League Central, it goes like this:
1. Royals (7)
2. White Sox (8)
3. Indians (13)
4. Tigers (14)
5. Twins (27)
Based on that alone, we might accurately describe these Power Rankings as idiosyncratic, no? The Royals have the ninth-best OPS in the American League, and the 11th-best ERA; the Tigers rank 12th and 4th.*
Wait, what? Yeah, the Tigers are 12th in the American League in OPS. They're fortunate to rank eighth in the league in scoring. Here's a great object lesson in not going crazy about statistics in the first week of the season. Since scoring 23 runs in their first three games of the season (against the Red Sox), the Tigers have averaged only 3.4 runs per game.
Still, it's hard to look at the Royals and the Tigers, even leaving aside their vastly disparate records, and conclude that the Royals are significantly better -- or have played significantly better -- than the Tigers.
How does KC rank 7th in that link? Maybe b/c they're hitting .255/.315/.413; opponents are .264/.341/.423. Much closer than you'd think.— Rany Jazayerli (@jazayerli) April 24, 2012
Yes, it's closer; but still a 26-point deficit in OBP, 10 points in slugging. Those aren't massive, but they're significant.
Royals drop to 19th if you exclude fielding from fWAR.— Sky Kalkman (@Sky_Kalkman) April 24, 2012
"fWAR" is FanGraphs' Wins Above Replacement ...
... we've translated each team's total WAR into an expected winning percentage based on the number of games they've played this season. By utilizing WAR, we can better identify which teams are actually playing well and will likely sustain their success going forward.
So this is largely about the defense, apparently. With Ultimate Zone Rating being the defensive component in WAR, we may surmise that the Royals' individual fielders have good UZRs. But we also know that UZR can tell us some awfully strange things over just a few weeks, or even a few months (Carlos Lee).
Yes, 19th still seems awfully high for a 3-13 team that's been outscored 81-57 in this young season. But if the Royals had come in 19th in the Power Rankings, hardly anyone would have noticed.
But everyone did notice -- thanks, Twitter! -- and so Dave Cameron has taken to this bully pulpit to explain how the Royals really aren't as bad as their record:
As it stands, the Royals have scored 57 runs and allowed 81. With a more normal distribution on timing of hits, though, it'd be pretty close to 70 for both RS and RA. And, as everyone who has been beaten to death with pythagorean expectation over the past 20 years knows, a team's runs scored and runs allowed are a better evaluator of how a team has played than simple wins and losses. Pythag suggests that the 57/81 split in their RS/RA means that the Royals have played more like a .313 team than a .188 team, and their underlying components of run scoring and run prevention suggest that they've played more like a .500 team than a .313 team.
Essentially, their hitters have been really lousy in clutch situations and their defense has been really lousy in clutch situations. A normal distribution of runs scored and allowed would have them sitting at 6-10 rather than 3-13; a normal distribution of hits would have them sitting at (or around) 8-8.
Okay, so we've bent over backwards to demonstrate that the Royals are not really so terrible. What I still can't figure out, though? How does one get from "not really so terrible" to "seventh-best team in the majors"?
Really, what it comes down to is this: If you have to bet your car on who's going to play better over the next five months, who are you taking? The Royals, or the Tigers?
I think I know who Dave Cameron would take.
The SB Nation YouTube Channel | Subscribe Now | Follow @SBNStudios