It has really been a while since I last updated my blog. I do not know why. Laziness? Maybe. Nothing exciting to blog about? Hmm.. possible. I do not know.. really. But hey! Better now then never right?

So what have I been up to?

Nothing much. Work. Come home. Chores. Computer games. Yamcha. Oh.. I did some radio thing. I previously got my amateur radio license which allows me to get on the specified frequency legally. Many people do not know that you actually need a radio license to operate a two way radio. Some people say that it’s alright and that you can use low powered walkie talkies to do a little chatting or coordinating like during an event where you need to communicate with your team. Or while in a vehicle convoy heading somewhere.

Like for example in a construction site where you need to talk to that fella sitting on that crane and coordinate where to place that 5 ton slab of concrete.

I tend to be a little “kia si” so I went ahead and got myself a license.

It has nearly been 5 years since I got my radio license. And only a couple of days back that I really got on to a repeater to have a chat with a couple of fine gentlemen. What’s a repeater? Well, it’s a bit lengthy to explain but think of it as a chat room where anyone within it’s range can tune in. I also got myself a nice little antenna to maximise my radio’s range.

(that’s not me yeah… that’s the other photographer in the funky FingerOnShutter.com)

You see, there are generally 3 types of radios. Firstly is the base radio. These are usually more powerful stuff you put at home. They look like music amplifiers with a lot more dials and buttons. The second is the mobile station, or a car radio. They look much like a car stereo. These two are more powerful, or more efficient type of radios. The third one are hand-held radios. They look like.. well.. walkie talkies. They generally have a typical output of 5watts. The other two are about 10 times more powerful… or more.

This is my handheld radio… or rather part of it. The main subject of this is the antenna, I bought this during my trip up north to Hatyai some years back. Kind of limited as it can only do a certain frequency, but it does make the radio look nicer.

Will report back more once I got more photos of the hand held, the antennas and.. oh yeah.. i got myself a nice mag-mount base for the huge antenna. In the mean time, anyone of you who has a radio license, can look me up on RKK which I usually monitor whenever I can…

Till the next blog entry… 73 and Cheerio!

There are many things which are rather unique to Malaysia.. something which makes us Malaysian, proud to be one actually. It’s just that the powers that be tend to manipulate race, religion and even gender to their advantage. Sad really. We Malaysians have a generally positive outlook and are very adaptable and even up to the extend of embracing each other’s culture.

Of course we have our differences. Surely we have little irritating traits which annoys each other. But when it comes to socialising and accepting each other, we accept each other with open arms.

So look deep inside you and find that Malaysian in you. Ignore the blatant lies which tries to break the bond amongst us.

Fuah.. I am feeling very emo-patriotic this morning.

Anyways.. random photos..

Till the next blog entry.

There was once I was using the Nikon D200. Although a wonderful piece of photographic equipment, it’s high ISO performance was not to my expectations. It fell short. Way short. There was an option for me back then, the successor to the D200, the D300. I was contemplating whether to upgrade or not. I was thinking really hard.

And then Nikon introduced the  D700.

Oh my! Within one week of the full frame camera’s availability, I bought it!

And what a choice!

Here one of the first test shot @ high ISO

Alan @ iso6400

24mm @ f1.8… iso2000

24mm @ f1.8 .. iso6400

all pics only resized for web.

Ah.. the wonders of a full framed camera. Pricey.. but I guess ultimately worth the price.

So, when will the successor to the D700 come along? Well, the past few days have been rather disappointing with only point and shoot cameras being announces. Still waiting for the announcement of the new batch of DSLRs.

Till then… we shall wait.