Tuesday, November 24, 2015

What type of chronograph is best for you






Me, the Poljot 3133 and the ST19xx / TY29xx are my favorites.

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Bicycle in the Night

From my photography blog: a lonely bicycle in the night and in some fog as well.


That's not smoke, that's fog below... and it can only be seen in the light of the camera flash when it's fired... which also kinda proves that full beam headlights won't be of much help in the fog, you'd be better off cutting the lights off altogether -- the closest practical thing to which during the night is using dipped headlights.


The below picture is taken just after the one above but without the flash. Note the stark difference.


A rural train station at night. Scary, no?









Friday, November 20, 2015

Monument to Dostoevsky

To continue with my Monuments of Moscow series, here is Moscow's monument to author Dostoevsky in my rather fuzzy pictures.

Dostoevsky and some doves.


I think I made these photos about a year ago when I also witnessed this movie shoot and some classic cars - it was at the same location.


The monument is in front of the State Library which used to be known officially, and still known very much unofficially, as the Lenin Library.


Thursday, November 19, 2015

2015 CRI QSL Card Plus Extras

As I promised in this entry on the QSL card that I got from World Harvest Radio, here is one from China Radio International (CRI) which I got even before the other one.

I listened to some CRI broadcasts using my Grundig Yacht Boy 80 on September 27, 2015, and on the basis of that session decided to submit a report.
 
As I didn't find a reception report submit section on the CRI website, I just sent them an e-mail and it worked and there was even a little conversation including some mild argument about whether I reported correct times for my receptions. 

I just used a reception report form that I found online. 


This is the envelope that my CRI QSL card came in. 



In fact, the envelope contained not just a requested QSL card but a nice little bundle of other goodies.


A QSL card, a CRI sticker (I asked for one too) and three curious things like paper appliques figures or something. Must be traditional Chinese, nice too.


CRI sticker.


The CRI sticker reverse.


A QSL card from China Radio International.


It features China's rare endangered animals which are in this case the Saiga, I think.


Friday, November 13, 2015

Koutouzoff's soviet watches: 1 MChZ Glashütte-based Tutima

Koutouzoff's soviet watches: 1 MChZ Glashütte-based Tutima







QSL from World Harvest Radio

I received a QSL card from World Harvest Radio International!



As I reported in this entry on this blog, on September 27, 2015 at 00.00 UTC at a location 100 km north of Moscow, I was able to tune in to a WHRI broadcast on my Grundig Yacht Boy 80 portable shortwave receiver and got a pretty good reception as far as shortwaves go.

On October 3, I found their website and submitted my report using a form on the website... and earlier this week I got this nice QSL card in my mail box! 




2015 happens to be WHRI's 30th anniversary too.


Monday, November 2, 2015

Electronika 53V x 2

An Electronika 53V old-school electronic watch from my collection.

The letter "V" means it's water resistant.  

In fact, I already mentioned it once on this blog in this post: Summer mode.



And now a more detailed entry with photos... photos may be a bit dark but they are all I've got.

I have two of them. 

One of them has a characteristic plastic strap attached -- I am not sure it is a good idea to dis-attach it ever again (for instance, to facilitate battery replacement).  

The other one is separate from the strap yet. 


It is in a little clear plastic bag, plus a manual and the strap which you attach yourself..




The case shows names of the world oceans in Russian. 

It also says "water impervious" but the Electronika 53V is by no means a diver's watch, more like 30 atm protection, that is, against splashes, maybe, some running water.


The reverse side. 

No openings on the back side.

You do everything through the "face", such as battery replacement which I am going to show in photos now.