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Current Feature Articles   Nov 20 The Amateur Radio Crossword Puzzler   Nov 20 Adventure in the Arctic: VO2A Expedition to Labrador   Nov 20 Surfin': More Radio Piracy on the High Seas   Nov 16 Youth@HamRadio.Fun: Fall Magic   Nov 13 Surfin': The Real Pirate Radio   Nov 06 Surfin': Homebrewing Today   Nov 05 DX the Hard Way   Nov 02 ARRL In Action: What Have We Been Up to Lately?   Nov 01 It Seems to Us: It Doesn't Just Happen   Oct 30 Surfin': Mapping Up ARRL Products: DXCC, DXing resources and Call Sign listings (More) YASME--The Danny Weil and Colvin Radio Expeditions -- This is the history of three travelers: sailor Danny Weil and famed ham radio DXpeditioners Lloyd and Iris Colvin. The Complete DX'er -- Covers nearly every significant aspect of DXing. 3rd edition. ARRL DX Century Club Program (DXCC) -- Award items, available from the DXCC Desk. Passport to World Band Radio -- 2009 Edition. The ultimate shortwave listening reference! RSGB Prefix Guide -- The complete guide to prefix identification and information. DXCC listings by prefix, award details, and more. 8th edition.

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This week, an online technology museum of the odd and curious beckons us.

While searching for something else, I discovered a very interesting Web site (isn't that always the case). The Self Site is the work of Douglas Self and he covers a lot of ground technology-wise.

Optical telegraphs are one exhibit you will find in the eclectic collection at The Self Site's Museum of Retro-Technology.

The Museum of RetroTech link features technologies that just did not make it big time or were superseded by better technologies. In the Communications area, you will find the story behind optical telegraphs, acoustic radar, heliographs, pneumatic networks, speaking tubes, and more. Other areas in the museum are Computing, Transport, and Power Generation and they each have an eclectic collection of inventions that are fascinating and sometimes amusing (e.g., steam powered lawnmowers and rocket-powered bicycles!).

Douglas Self has written two books on the subject and the Audio Design link contains some pertinent information from an expert. The article "Ground Loops: how they work and how to deal with them" alone is worth the price of admission!

For the railroad aficionados, there is the Unusual Steam Locomotives link, where you can view and read about "extreme stream," i.e., "unusual variations on the steam locomotive." There are nearly 100 entries here; my favorite is the "Holman Horror." Finally, UFO followers and space buffs will be interested in the Roswell Incidents link that tells the truth about the events that were crucial to the development of space flight.

Until next week, keep on surfin'.

Editor' note: Whenever young Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU, visited the NYC's Times Square, he begged his adult keepers to visit the Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum to no avail. When he was old enough to visit NYC alone, Murphy's Law struck and the museum was no more. To discuss museums, odditoriums, and weird tech, e-mail Stan.

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