If you want to decode transmissions from common weather sensors, be sure to check out rtl_433 [https://github.com/merbanan/rtl_433]. If you have and RTLSDR dongle, it should just work.
RTL-SDR is an inexpensive way to get started, only a receiver though. Transmitters are more complicated (legally) since a lot of spectrum is off limits without a license in most jurisdictions. They have a kit with a couple basic antennas to get you started.
LimeSDR are a bit more involved, but like most SDR transceivers still need band-pass filters and power amplifiers to perform well. Works well when combined with a GPS locked 10MHz GPSDO like a BG7TBL. =3
The best use cases for me have been when I'm stuck trying to word something in an email to a customer or in an internal presentation. I give it a prompt and the results are usually good enough to get my own thought process going.
I also write a fair number of scripts just to do some data analysis and chatgpt saves me a bunch of time that would have been spent looking over stackoverflow posts.
On average, I'd say it saves about 2 hours a week for me. Not a lot, but it's not nothing.
There's one called Technically Food by Larissa Zimberoff, where she talks about food and food technology. I'm not involved in the space anymore, but I used to sell CPG food and it's fun to read about what's happening in that space.
Money Stuff by Matt Levine - he's great at explaining what's going on in the financial industry.
Ridgeline by Craig Mod - Guy walks around Japan and takes beautiful pictures and writes about it.
My living space is limited, so I bought a pair of adjustable box dumbbells (5-75lbs) and a skookum collapsible bench. The stowed combo occupies less space than a chair and they give me serious workout mileage: bench press, flies, rows, sit ups, skull crushers, military press, curls, lunges, deadlifts, etc. It's a great starter gym for us mere not-power-lifter mortals. I WFH and can do sets during breaks and boring meetings.
Rogue is the gold standard but I honestly haven't seen any deficiencies with other smaller brands like Rep or Titan Fitness. I don't know your fitness level, but if you have the space I always recommend the basics: squat rack if you have the time (can also function as pull-up and bench), dumbbells, curl bar if possible, and free weights. I'd keep an eye on used/craigslist listings as well, with the pandemic lifting, a lot of people who spent a lot of money on excess equipment will be looking to unload extra equipment.
I've picked up a bunch of things from Titan the past year. The weights and equipment themselves seem fine and will probably stand the test of time.
The one issue I have had with their weight lifting subsidary is shipping Can be a clown show - really banged up boxes, sometimes with holes punched through.
That may be the case with others too - large and heavy items are a problem at FedEx UPS. In fact, my FedEx delivery guy is required to be able to lift more than the people in the distribution center who end up handling these items more times en route. Another issue with shipping is the tie down straps. Titan tapes them over which means the large awkward packages are more difficult to move.
Also, Titan appears not to have any way to send you parts should something have gone missing. I bought a bench (its really nice, love it) and the box was hammered on the way. Though it initially looked like everything inside survived, one small metal plate was missing but absolutely necessary for assembly. After a week Titan sent me an entirely new bench and I had to send the first back. Definite PITA and so wasteful of time/money for all involved.
Just built out a whole Rogue setup last October: rack, bars, bumper plates, bench, etc. Would never recommend anything else. It's the "Apple" of equipment. Yes, its expensive but it will last forever.
I live in NYC and don't have the space to build out a home gym, but if I could the two things I'd love to get would be a heavy bag [1] and a gymnastics stall bar [2]. I have some kettlebells and thicker muay thai jump ropes I'd throw in there too. Practicing on a heavy bag for a even a few rounds is a crazy workout, and there's a lot you can do on a stall bar [3].
There's a pretty good design for barbell training in Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe. Basically, you need a bench and a squat rack, and a platform between the equipment and the concrete floor. He makes it easily out of plywood sheets and horse mats, and off-the-shelf rack, bench and weights. You can also form the rack out of steel channel, wood and bolts, with off-the-shelf pins.
If you buy bumper plates, an olympic barbell, and a decent bench, you won't regret it (if you keep lifting). For about 90% of people, the program in the book is pretty good, too. For guys like me, we probably should use something more like a 50-60% 1RM with more reps, because I plateau really quickly on his program. The descriptions of the exercises are really good, and there are also lots of coaches who will teach it.
As mentioned by others, a full rack is the best get to start with. I long ago got a half rack which is fine for benching alone (has spotting arms) but not for serious squats.
Advise making sure whatever bench you buy to make sure the height off the floor is comfortable for you. I had one that was a little too tall and believe that contributed to some lower back stress.
I'm in a rural area now and once again stuck with no spotter, also older with assorted old lifting and snowboarding injuries. I picked up a hack squat machine to enable me to safely work on squats again while also not having the load sitting on top of my spine.
If you don't train to failure and know how to dump safely, or you always train with a spotter, you can get away with just a squat rack and bench. If you want more safety though you probably want a power cage.
It's expensive but hard to go wrong with Rogue. I've used their stuff in gyms and at home. It's solid. In my experience, great customer service as well. So, if you plan to use that home gym over the long run - invest in high-quality stuff that you won't need to replace after just a couple of years.
I've gotten a ton of mileage out of just a dumbell set. I do all the things most people do with a full bar: squat, bench press, etc. Dumbells are a lot safer for solo workouts.
I recently moved to the twin cities. The bike paths are absolutely amazing, and given that the whole state is pretty flat, it's not hard to get around the city for work or for fun.
Bike paths are plowed in winter, but biking in -10C weather doesn't sound pleasant. I haven't tried winter biking yet, and honestly, I'm a bit scared to.
I commuted by bike during winter and found that I could handle temperatures down to -12C. Below that I couldn't keep my toes and fingers warm with mittens and booties. I had to trade off between adding layers to my legs and arms and sweating like crazy to provide enough warm blood to my hands and feet, or I'd wear the right amount for my legs and arms and my hands and feet would lose feeling.
I'm tempted to try it again this winter with battery powered hand warmers on my hands and feet, and handlebar mitts to keep the wind off my mittens.
Another important factor is the length of your ride. It takes a while to cool off, so a 15 minute ride may be fine while an hour long ride is miserable.
I haven't done -10C, but I've done 20F temps. With the proper layers it's not the worst. I find it better than 104F that I'm currently enduring. In cold, it is not uncommon for people to come inside and remove layers. In heat, it's just gross coming inside and sweating like you just climbed out of a pool.
I'm surprised nobody else bothered mentioning this: Hands, feet and ears. For an hour-long ride, keeping your legs/arms/torso warm is not particularly hard, but extremities are, because you're making your own 20-30mph wind. I recommend expedition-quality gloves, a balaclava, and something along the lines of sock liners/covers (might need to check shoes/helmet for fit with all that underneath). Not a particularly big expense though.
> I haven't tried winter biking yet, and honestly, I'm a bit scared to.
Winter biking can mean a lot of differen things, and no, you do not need to start with trying to bike 20km on a -10c blizzard against the wind. A short trip on a calm, cool day is a surprisingly mundane thing after a try or two. A few notes, though:
- if there are icy patches, you might want to invest in studded tires. They are awesome.
- experiment with clothing on shorter trips. If you live there, you likely have anyway suitable clothes for a variety of different trips.
- somehow I feel that fatbikes have gotten a bit out of fashion, but they are really cool winter bikes and not nearly as bad in the summer as you might think (assuming a quality bike)
- overall, you need much less new things you might think to try. And after you try, you know much better what you actually want.
I was a year-round bike commuter for five years in Minneapolis, and I had a strict rule that I wouldn't climb on the bike if it was colder than -15F. At that temp, even with all the cold weather gear I had, it's still just really darn cold.
I'm near DC, so nowhere near as cold as Minneapolis, but I do cycle down into the mid-teens F. For shorter rides, I just wear normal winter outdoor clothing (heavy socks with hiking boots, soft-shell pants, base layer+wool mid-layer+light shell jacket). It's chilly for the first few minutes, but I warm up pretty quickly.
The only part I find really hard to balancing clothing with effort. Easy enough for a quick run to the pharmacy or whatever. Harder for a workout or longer ride, where the effort ramps up quickly and excessive sweat quickly becomes a problem.
I enjoy riding in the snow (on my mountain bike). But, it's a once/season treat here.
main thing is to invest in clothing that can expel sweat out from your clothing. Getting soaked in sweat is going to make you miserable. Start out with less layers than what you expect and shed layers ( into your backpack) as you are getting warmer.
Also invest in mid to fat tires depending on the snow condition. Don't use road bike.
wear high visibility clothing because of reduced visibility in winter.
don't pivot around obstacles (snow covered potholes) suddenly, try to go over them or safely pivot by looking behind you.
It's surprisingly not bad - you don't even need the snow tires you see if the paths are plowed. Try it as it keeps getting colder, wear layers, and see how it goes. You may find that you don't need as much clothes as you thought you did.
Once you figure out how basic winter bike maintenance and how to dress appropriately (which is almost certainly wearing less than you think), it’s really not too bad. Give it a shot!
I got 2 actually, one for me and my partner, to see if there was any big differences.
This is mine https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V7F8QYK It's larger. No real complaints other than you can only tip it up against the wall on the heavier end, which makes it top heavy.
This is hers https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0895DRWVY It's a little smaller, but works fine. It's easier to maneuver when tipped up thanks to some omnidirectional bearings built into the edge.
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