TVRO

Computer Networks

LeaseBreaker Deluxe loudspeakers-- took nine months to build in 1977, designed to last 150 years. Weigh about 600' each, third generation modelled on the legendary JBL S8 loudspeaker. These "infinate baffle" boxes are triple braced with kiln dried 2 x 2's, extremely high density 1.5" particle board and poured with resin on each inside surface. The front baffle panel is stressed to the rear where additional 1 x 6" ribs form a backbone. The whole idea is to make a box inert as possible.

These boxes were built to be the last speakers I would ever need. Now they are being refurhished and will finally speak again after ten years silence. The 15" woofers are currently being auctioned on ebay.

In June 1984 I was blown away by an ad for one of these, having listened to long distance radio as a child. My interest quickly transcended the "back yard" scene when I answered a call to build a radio talk station in 1986. It was more of a calling to join a grass roots lobby fighting for the public right to free access to the airwaves. After we lost by two votes, in the US Senate, in1989 I soon found out the consequences of being opposed to large economic interests, I lost my job in January 1990, eleven days after TCI bought my company. Although fame followed, fortune never did, and by 1997 I had had enough and left TVRO and got a real job. Today I am once again enjoying "crusing the arc" with my dish in, where else, my back yard... And ... I no longer listen to satellite radio talk stations...

I actually don't really understand computers, but have friends who do. They support my hobby for free. This turned out to help me with my last job when I got to support the company on my Netware file server, and email on my Linux boxes, running in my basement. I also, of course, have to run Microsoft Windows, and have gained a slight familarity with it over the decade or so I have been doing this. Computers are like a house of cards, one falls and they all go down quickly. What I have taken from my audio and satellite backgrounds I have applied in computer networks. And while my 5 machine domain may not be the fastest rubber burner on the road today, I still get down the road, and I happen to maintain an "up" time better than many of the commercial services. By physically building my own machines, and keeping my domain "on site" literally, I have the ultimate in freedom and security. I protect it with real efforts, and I pay far more for my access than anyone else because I need service. Telecommunications is service and to much marketing hype and money goes against those standards which I learned as a child, and protect as an adult.