My other interests and hobbies / General Chatting / Forums

Forums

4hv.org :: Forums :: General Chatting

« Previous topic | Next topic »

My other interests and hobbies

previous 1 2 3 next

Move Thread

LAN_403

Proud Mary

Tue Oct 06 2009, 01:49AM

Registered Member #543 Joined: Tue Feb 20 2007, 04:26PM
Location: UK
Posts: 4992

It doesn't surprise me that so many of our HV-niki are into photography, and other art (like myself) because you only have to look at some of the beautiful TCs our members make to understand they are as much works of art as they are scientific devices.

I forgot to add, that with my usual over-kill, I have nine microscopes - my favourite being the Zeiss Axiostar - and have recently thought of studying the miniature effects of HV and photographing them for the site.

I find that the more I put into 4HV.org, the more I get out in terms of satisfaction, information, new ideas, and friendship, which doesn't happen if you are just a spectator.

And look at the number of us who love mountains in one way or another - amazing!

To Vasil: I am also a coin collector, but only in a small way, and love to feel the weight of the American silver dollars of the 'Wild West' era, of which I have about thirty. I also collect silver coins from South America of the 19th century, and almost any silver coins from Europe before about 1850. Each of these old coins is like a tiny window through which I can see a fragment of the past.

doctor electrons

Tue Oct 06 2009, 02:49AM

Registered Member #2390 Joined: Sat Sept 26 2009, 02:04PM
Location: Milwaukee Wisconsin
Posts: 381

Well here goes!
I have been a welder and machinist almost my adult life. Still a hobby of mine. Joined the US Navy in 1993 got out in 1998. I did a 6 year tour as a salvage diver and UDT diver in the beginning of the middle east mess. Did many things that involved improvisation. Tanks, apc's, submarines, and aircraft carriers aren't fixed with a few band-aids. My rate was electrician. Though not an electrician by any conventional standards. Diffusing and rigging explosives is hardly covered by the national electric code. Now i am an automation and controls electrician. I build complete machines, robotic cells, and any other equipment that is used for automation. For me i guess it's dumb luck! I am one of the few whos hobby happens to be their job! After building custom motorcycles for a few years my job sorta just fell into my lap. Unlike most people i am blessed because i love to go to work everyday! The one thing that always stays in my mind from the service is "The only easy day was yesterday" I live my life by that and i encourage others to as well!

MinorityCarrier

Tue Oct 06 2009, 04:00AM

Registered Member #2123 Joined: Sat May 16 2009, 03:10AM
Location: Bend, Oregon
Posts: 312

I'm old, have two daughters now in their mid-twenties and holding their own.

My Bachelors degree is in Biology, minor in Chemistry, have been involved with electronics since the sixth grade, and used electronics employment to help pay for my college education (Math was a problem, hence the Biology degree). Through a cruel twist of fate, I became a Semiconductor Process Engineer, and have held that career for 25 years, first in southern California, then Idaho, and now in Bend, Oregon, where I am doing interesting things with silicon carbide. I've been playing with high voltage since I was 13 years old, built home-made oscilloscopes (not very good ones) and helped wind a tesla coil that based on a design featured in Popular Electronics in the early 60's. I still have one 12KV NST from those days.

My electronics interest these days centers on solar power converters and security systems, although lately I haven't had as much time do what I want. Too many distractions.

I too pursue photography, the east Oregon desert is my current area of photographic interest. I used to pursue wilderness videography and even produced one amateur commercial DVD on floating the Owyhee River of eastern Oregon that was sold in whitewater outfitter stores in Idaho and Oregon, it took four floats on the 55-mile river stretch to get all the video footage, three of those trips I floated solo.

Other hobbies include rock collecting, hiking, and backpacking through the Oregon Cascade Mountains.

I like to collect scientific apparatus, but only own two nice microscopes, Ergoluxes, plus a couple of low-mag biology scopes.

Oh, and I have one cat, used to have two, but a Coyote, or maybe a Mountain Lion, ate the other.

Frosty90

Tue Oct 06 2009, 04:20AM

Registered Member #1617 Joined: Fri Aug 01 2008, 07:31AM
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 139

Hi all,

I'm currently studying a bachelor of engineering degree in telecom. But I'd like to study mathematics instead I think.... and electronics would be my main hobby. Outside of that though, I do play saxophone, and like to compose music in my spare time. I've also attempted to learn trumpet and trombone, but haven't got to far yet...:-(( I also work a few hours at an electronics store on the weekend, or when I dont have university (breaks between semesters). Other than that I dont do much interesting....

Cheers,
Jesse

Renesis

Tue Oct 06 2009, 10:28AM

Registered Member #2028 Joined: Mon Mar 16 2009, 08:13PM
Location: Norway
Posts: 319

Harry wrote ...

Ren, the first time I went up into the mountains at Sulitjelma (Fauske Kommune) in the snow, and went over the mountains to the first hytte in Sweden, it was like a magical world to me. I went on to the Same camp at Staloluokta, where there was no one about because they had moved their reindeers to lower ground for the winter.

Then came my love affair with Svalbard, and I have three times crossed the island from Longyearbyen, through Adventdalen, and then crossed the sea ice to Edggoya, Barentsoya, and finally the great challenege of Nordaustlandet. There was everything, Ren - polar bears, seals looking out of holes in the ice, the dull boom of the sea ice as the tide went in and out, the frigthening cracks as huge pieces of ice fell from the ends of glaciers..... I could go on an on....

Heh, it seems you have seen more of my home country than i have

. I have always wanted to go to Svalbard. I nearly did a year ago, but school got in the way. I'll be traveling around more when i get a steady job and a salary, but for now school is first priority.

It seems many here are into music as well. I did practise playing cornet some years ago, but i havent used it for many years. If a genie gave me three wishes then one of them would be to learn to play violin. That is such a beautiful instrument.

Dr. Dark Current

Tue Oct 06 2009, 03:41PM

Registered Member #152 Joined: Sun Feb 12 2006, 03:36PM
Location: Czech Rep.
Posts: 3384

Besides my main hobby which is high voltage and power electronics of course, I also love music. I mainly listen to trance (uplifting/melodic), but I like 80s music too. I also produce trance tracks, you may have heard some of them here

Another hobby of mine is lighting, I like (and also have small collection of) high pressure discharge lamps of all types, but I'm interested in all light sources, lighting design and science of light in general (color temperatures and spectra, how the eye responds at various light levels, etc...)

Arcstarter

Tue Oct 06 2009, 04:04PM

Registered Member #1225 Joined: Sat Jan 12 2008, 01:24AM
Location: Beaumont, Texas, USA
Posts: 2253

I've also attempted to learn trumpet and trombone, but haven't got to far yet...:-((

That used to be a hobby. I played both for about a year. I got pretty good, i was first chair throughout the year. After becoming home schooled, though, i stopped playing.

For while now, i have been wishing i had a drumset. For quite a long time i have wanted to play drums. I do not want the electronic drums, though, they are kind of crappy and most will not keep up with me, and the sound is delayed or just won't play as fast. I can keep a beat, and i know i can drum relatively fast. There is no room or money for that, though. Just like mechanics. That would be what i did to get away from everything. I listen to music for that reason, but making music would be better, not to mention you can burn hundreds of calories if you play drums fast!

Dalus

Tue Oct 06 2009, 04:41PM

Registered Member #639 Joined: Wed Apr 11 2007, 09:09PM
Location: The Netherlands, Herkenbosch
Posts: 512

Nice thread Harry

My turn, I just started my first year EE. So most of my time ends up going to my studying these days.

Luckily I still have plenty time left for some fun stuff.
I'm quite an martial arts addict so I can be found in the dojo most of the time practicing Judo, Aikido and Jiu Jitsu. Then I also like rock-climbing. I can be found at the students sports center bouldering just about every Monday. Or I tag along with the more experienced guys and go climbing outdoor during the weekends. Went to Nideggen last weekend first time climbing outdoor and certainly not the last

Already planned to go to Fontainebleau so I can get some more experience on real rock.
I guess I like these sports because they require you to fully concentrate on what your doing and forget everything else otherwise you'll end up falling or failing to do a technique in martial arts.
The little time that's left is spend on electronics and hanging around in the pub with some friends.

Steve Conner

Tue Oct 06 2009, 05:05PM

Registered Member #30 Joined: Fri Feb 03 2006, 10:52AM
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Posts: 6706

That's cool Dalus! My brother used to be crazy about rock climbing, and has been to Fontainebleau.

Arcs, playing drums is smashing fun. Literally :) But it tends to drive everyone in the vicinity crazy. You can burn hundreds of calories running from the lynch mob.

Dalus

Tue Oct 06 2009, 05:21PM

Registered Member #639 Joined: Wed Apr 11 2007, 09:09PM
Location: The Netherlands, Herkenbosch
Posts: 512

You told me that a while back on irc

It's quite strange for me to look back a few years where I almost lived on my bedroom except for Judo. Now it's the other way around I'm rarely at home these days always fun stuff to do or learning at the university. Think I'm making up for those years.

First time outdoor climbing got me addicted. Walking + camping + climbing + fire = a lot fun

previous 1 2 3 next

Moderator(s): Chris Russell, Noelle, Alex, Tesladownunder, Dave Marshall, Dave Billington, Bjørn, Steve Conner, Wolfram, Kizmo, Mads Barnkob