Helpful Colin

A Sturdy See-through Gate Keeps My Passage Protected

Introduction

In 2016 I constructed a sturdy see-through gate to keep the public out of a passageway I share with a neighbour. I’ve written about it here so that anyone requiring a similar sturdy see-through gate can take my ideas of how I built it and use them when building their own.

Microwave Inverter Repairs To The Door Button & Bezel

Introduction

A few months ago my eleven year old Panasonic 1000 Watt Slimline Combi Microwave Inverter (Model: NN-A574SBBTQ) developed a problem which was only visual. The large rectangular button used to open the door began protruding on the right end by about five millimetres. Operation of the machine wasn’t impaired but continuous use with the faulty button led to further problems when the button jammed and I couldn’t easily open the door. In the end I had to make microwave inverter repairs to the door opening button and to the door bezel when it later came adrift.

Radio Wave Power And How It Gets Reduced By Distance

Introduction

Some people are very concerned that radio wave power coming from radio transmitters’ antennas will harm people. In particular people are troubled by mobile phone masts causing long term health problems when they are near to their homes.

I just want to make it clear how much a transmitter’s power diminishes as it spreads out from a transmitter. I’m sure some feel it must follow a simple linear law such as:

double the distance and get half the power,
triple the distance and get a third of the power,
quadruple the distance and get a quarter of the power.

When in fact it follows an inverse square law which is nonlinear and gives this type of result:

double the distance and get a quarter of the power,
triple the distance and get a ninth of the power,
quadruple the distance and get a sixteenth of the power.

This means the power (and damaging energy) is much lower than might be expected at any particular distance. Even within a short distance the power can drop considerably.

An Explanation of Direct And Inverse Proportion

Introduction

At least one of my other posts How Distance Reduces The Power of Radio Waves (not yet published) requires an understanding of mathematical proportionality. In particular it requires an understanding of Inverse Proportion. So I have written this article to try and clarify it. It gives an explanation of the two types of proportion, otherwise known as variation, which are:

Direct Proportion,
Inverse Proportion otherwise known as Indirect Proportion.

Using A Milk Bottle As A Plant Pot Reservoir

Introduction

If I water plant pots in dry weather the water runs over the top of the soil to the edge of them. Then, because the dry soil in the pot has shrunk, the water runs down a gap between the soil and the pot side. When the water gets to the bottom of the pot it runs quickly through any shards, stones, etc., used for drainage and pours out of the drainage holes. So, I needed a Plant Pot Reservoir to retain water and feed the soil slowly.

Autumn Steam Gala 2019 At The Great Central Railway

Introduction

Another trip to Loughborough and another Steam Gala. The GCR keep coming up with them. This Autumn Steam Gala 2019 was a four day event from 3^rd to 6^th October 2019. That’s Thursday through to Sunday. I visited with a couple of friends on Friday 4^th, arriving just before 09:00 BST.

My Office Chair Cylinder Was Dragging On The Floor

Introduction

A few weeks ago I noticed a problem when I tried to wheel my Office Chair along the floor. There was exceptional drag. I took a look at the five castors and they were all OK. Then I noticed the Office Chair Cylinder (the tube supporting the seat) had completely penetrated the base. It had gone so far through the hole that it was touching the carpet and dragging along it.

Draping A Christmas Garland Over A Mirror or Picture

Garland on Chimney Breast Mirror

Introduction

It was a few Christmases ago when my wife and I first draped a Christmas Garland over the mirror in our lounge and another over the mirror in the hall.

The garlands we bought were fashioned very much to our liking. They just looked like Christmas and became one of those purchases made without knowing exactly what we would do with them.

This post explains how to fix a garland to the top of a hanging mirror, or picture frame, so it remains in place over Christmas and can be reused the following year.

14 Pin & 15 Pin D Connectors on VGA Cables

1.8m 15 Pin VGA Cable

Introduction

I wanted to know what the difference is between VGA cables with 14 pin and 15 “D” connectors. I found the answer on the Instructables site/forum. The info I needed was contained in a reply to a query by onrust circa 2010.

Well I got my answer from “ganzieee” at instructables. It was delivered 5 years ago and it follows here.

How I Hung My Vertical Radiator In The New Lounge

Introduction

I hung my vertical radiator in the new lounge while the builder of my extension and his plumber were busy doing other work. They let me do this because I explained my concerns about its weight and agreed to try fixing it by their method. I explained what I planned to do if, when I had hung my vertical radiator by their method, it wasn’t secure.