Set It And Forget It

This is a phrase coined by Ron Popeil, an inventor and marketing personality. Surely you remember the Showtime Rotisserie where Ron or one of his aides would stuff a chunk of beef into the rotisserie and encourage the audience to repeat that infamous phrase, "just set it and forget it".

Another marketing hit is the phrase, "so eaay a cave man cold do it", coined by GEICO to describe how easy it is to use their website.

The idea goes on in this YouTube video showing how easy it is to hook up a Winegard Satellite antenna.

We decided to purchase a Winegard Carryout satellite antenna because it was $1000 less then the Winegard Traveler. The idea of a portable satellite antenna made sense to us because several of our RV buds have roof mounted antennas and carry a portable as a backup. For us that was not an option.

After tons of research, the decision was made to get the Carryout. Today is the day I hook it up. After morning chores and breakfast I tackled this challenge. The video runs for just a little less than 3 minutes. That looks pretty simple. I did exactly what the video showed and then played the wait game. I read that once the antenna is powered up, it will make noise as it searches the sky for the appropriate satellite. It did just that. In my service panel outside, I have a place to connect a satellite antenna cable. That was pretty easy. Next I am inside and find the other end of the satellite connection (I think). After powering up the VP112K receiver it came on came on as expected. The TV even displayed a Welcome to Dish screen.

At step 3 of 5, the receiver asked me to check to connections. Apparently it was not able to complete the action. So I check the connection, then reconnected, then rerouted the cable, and finally ran the cable directly from the antenna to the receiver through a window in the RV. Now, keep in mind that it took about 35-40 minutes for the receiver to get to the same place in the configuration. Just before I gave up, I decide to remove the dome cover to see what direction the dish was pointing. OOPS. Up is not the correct direction. The satellites are located in the southern sky just above the horizon. At least that is where my phone says they are.

So, I unplug the power from antenna, move the dish by hand to make sure it is not stuck, then reapply power. This little dish responded like R2D2, it whirred, and hummed, it spun and moved up and down looking for home. As it swept across the southern sky I heard it say, "Whoa! There it is."

Then it moved back and forth as well as up and down in continually smaller increments. Finally it stopped. I cold almost here a sigh of relief.

You know what is really amazing to me? This little dish can find a signal 23,000 miles a way. That is amazing. Maybe one day our computers will find our Verizon MiFi signal as easily.

Back in side, I reset the receiver. This time it moved passed the point where it previously got stuck. Yea! Finally Step 3 is complete and the receive has received appropriate information from the mother ship. Great!  Now in step 4 it begins looking for a phone or ethernet connection. Oh crap! I have neither. Instead I have cell phones and wireless network. After another long wait, the receiver announced it had completed configuration and was fully operational. Cool.

Now for the real test - select a channel from their program guide. I opted for The HallMark Channel because it was showing the Waltons. I thought it was odd that the time was one hour behind our time. Then I noticed the guide was broadcasting KHOU and KPRC. These are Houston channels. I must have the local broadcasts from Livingston, TX near Houston not our neighborhood (Atlanta or Chattanooga). At least we have multiple channels now, not just the three we pick up from the batwing antenna.

Next test. Disconnect the cable from the receiver and reconnect it outside at the service panel. Then connect the receiver to the wall plug in the RV. Everything worked as expected. That is cool. All I have left to do is figure out which hard drive I need to purchase so I can get DVR functions, then see what can be done about getting local broadcasts from Chattanooga or Atlanta, not from Houston area.

Was the process as easy as the video showed? NO. Maybe now that the receiver is configured, it will be. I'll let you know.

Thanks for stopping by.

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park

WOW, what an incredible park. It is hard to imagine that in 1895, this park was dedicated. The government found that most of the area had remained unchanged. The park includes over 1400 monuments and markers depicting troop placement and movement. Placement was supervised by the War Department to assure historical accuracy.

The main building houses an impressive collection of 346 rare and unique weapons that are from that period. In the main building are displays including a restored transportable forge used to maintain weapons in the field, a display of the tent office used by the field generals. Park volunteers are well versed in the history of this epic battle and present narratives about the battle.  To give you an idea of how large this battle was, there where 34,000 casualties of the 124,000 soldiers engaged. This one of the Civil War's bloodiest battles.

The park also incorporates a 7 mile driving tour of the grounds where you can literally witness the battle of Chickamauga as it occurred. Along the route, 8 markers indicate points to stop and observe the markers and monuments plus read a short brief about that location. You can look out over the fields and literally see the battle going on. You can also call 585-672-2619 to hear narrations related to each of the 8 stops along the route. That is impressive. Give it try.

  It took us about 2 1/2 hours to go through the park. We really need to go back and spend more time there. The National Park Service has done a fantastic job with this place. For more information please see http://www.nps.gov/chch/index.htm. 

Once I get the photos off my camera and sorted, I'll post some for you to enjoy.

After leaving the park we hurried on to Dalton, GA where we stopped for lunch. Then headed for the hills - literally. From Dalton, we drove through Chatworth, GA then drove GA-2/52 up to Ft Mountain State Park, then back down to Ellijay. It was another scenic route.

It was good to get home. We both took a nap and are ready to get back into our grove tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by.

Persistence

Persistence - the act of being obstinately repetitious, insistent, or tenacious; holding firmly and steadfastly to a purpose, state, or undertaking despite obstacles, warnings, or setbacks; continuing in existence.

Today we visited Point Park on top of Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I was struck with a deep sense of awe as we roamed the park. I could sense the persistence the soldiers demonstrated as they fought for their cause. I took a stroll along the paths that descended to the lower areas of the park. Along the path I saw out of the corner of my eye a plant embedded in the rock. I almost moved on past but I stopped to take a closer look. I took a second look. What caught my attention? The plant's persistence. It held firmly and steadfastly to its purpose despite the rock just like the persistence of the soldiers.

Today my blogger friend Terry posted the following on his blog Ignoring The Barking Dog

The very act of stopping and enjoying the beauty of a sunrise seems to give me a sense of peace, and upon further reflection, a sense of gratitude.

While Terry wrote this in the context of watching a sunrise, his words echoed the sentiment of what I felt as I walked through the park. The very act of taking time to reflect on the persistence of the soldiers, many of whom gave their lives for their cause.

Sunday we head each to our home in Blue Ridge. We will stop at Fort Oglethorpe where we will visit Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Then a short stop in Dalton before we get back to the farm. Our vacation is coming to an end.

Thanks for stopping by.