Mike Dell's World
Welcome to the world of Mike Dell—where tech, storytelling, and a bit of off-the-cuff wisdom collide. Broadcasting from Northern Michigan, Mike shares his thoughts on podcasting, technology, travel, aviation, and whatever else crosses his radar. No script
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Ham Radio (amateur radio)
In this episode titled "Ham Radio (Amateur Radio)," host Mike Dell reflects on his youth prior to the Internet and video games, mentioning his limited interaction with CB radio rather than ham radio. He explains the differences between CB and ham radio, particularly the wider range and more diverse frequencies available to amateur radio operators. Mike discusses the various frequency bands in ham radio, starting with UHF, VHF, and HF, detailing their uses and characteristics. He explains concepts like frequency modulation (FM) and amplitude modulation (AM), along with how repeater stations work to extend transmission ranges. Mike also recounts his personal experiences with these frequencies, mentioning how he engaged with fellow hams while fishing and discussing the unique phenomena of tropospheric ducting that allowed him to communicate long distances. He then dives into specific bands, starting with the two-meter band, explaining its popularity, accessibility for new technicians, and how equipment like inexpensive radios can enable communication across towns. Mike also shares anecdotes about his experiences and connections with other ham operators, emphasizing the camaraderie within the amateur radio community. Continuing, he describes several other HF bands, explaining each band’s unique properties, propagation characteristics, and modes of communication available within them. Mike touches on historical aspects of obtaining licenses, mentioning how the requirements have shifted over the years, specifically noting the discontinuation of Morse code testing for access to ham radio. Additionally, Mike elaborates on various digital modes that have emerged within ham radio, contrasting them with traditional radio communication, and shares fond memories of his early experiences, such as using packet radio to send messages to his father before email became commonplace. As the episode wraps up, Mike reflects on the significance of ham radio in his life, noting how it has helped him form lasting friendships and connections. He concludes by expressing his commitment to the hobby and the joy he finds in it, inviting listeners to explore the world of amateur radio and reminding them that he will return for the next episode.
Winter Driving
In this episode, Mike Dell digs into “how to drive in the snow” — timely for Northern Michigan (and anywhere else where winter hits) and packed with practical advice from his experience. Key Topics Covered: The importance of reducing speed when roads get snowy — Mike’s rule of thumb: about 10 mph less than the posted speed limit when snow first covers the roads. Planning extra time for trips: leaving earlier, anticipating traffic delays and slower conditions. Tire considerations: Ensuring you have good tires — if you’re riding on bald all-seasons or summer tires, winter traction will suffer. The value of genuine snow tires (Mike’s wife uses Nokian Hakkapeliitta). Using your 4-wheel drive / all-wheel drive appropriately: yes, it can help with takeoff, but it does not help you stop any faster. Practicing skid control: find an empty parking lot and experiment with sliding, skids, recovery — to build feel and confidence before you have to use it on a public road. Clearing your vehicle of snow & ice before driving: windows, side & back, even the roof can matter (if snow slides forward, covers your windshield). Vehicle maintenance tips for winter: topping off washer fluid, checking tires, inflation, fluid levels, making sure everything is in good shape before the real winter hits. The overarching message: slow down, leave earlier, prepare your vehicle, drive mindfully — all so you avoid bending your car, hurting someone, or getting stuck in a snowbank. Quote Highlights: “Don’t ever be in a hurry while driving on snow.” “Just please, please realize … four-wheel drive does not make you stop any quicker.” “If you’re not used to driving in snow, go find an empty parking lot … figure out when the car goes out of control and how to get it back.” Why this matters: For those of us flying, working, commuting or traveling in winter-weather regions (like Northern Michigan), conditions can change rapidly. The same mindset of preparation and respect for environment that applies in aviation carries over to road driving: equipment (tires, maintenance), environment (snow/ice, slower speeds), and mindset (leave earlier, anticipate, stay calm). This episode is a great reminder to apply that disciplined approach to driving when the snow starts. What’s Next: Mike mentions he’ll be talking about ham radio stuff in the next episode — so stay tuned. Who’s this for: Drivers in winter-weather climates looking for refresher tips. Anyone who owns a 4WD/AWD vehicle and doesn’t fully understand its limitations in snow. People who might have to drive in snow but don’t feel confident — this could help build awareness and reduce risk. Listeners who appreciate aviation-style pre-flight (pre-drive?) checklists and disciplined preparation. Call to Action: Before the next snow, check your vehicle: tires, fluids, wipers/washer fluid, defroster, windows. Practice a skid-recovery session in a safe, empty area. When roads get snowy—slow down, leave earlier, and remember your stopping distance grows. Share this episode with someone you know who may not be comfortable driving in snow.
Slow Down!
In today’s episode of Mike Dell’s World, Mike reflects on the hectic pace of life, the whirlwind of Zoom meetings, and the importance of being intentional about slowing down. After a long, stressful year marked by personal challenges and the loss of Blubrry’s founder, Mike shares how he’s planning to reclaim some peace and quiet this winter. He talks about waking up too early, back-to-back Zoom calls, and the extra layer of chaos that comes when major services like Cloudflare go down. But mixed into all that is a message: it’s okay to pause, to set boundaries, and to purposely not be busy. This winter, Mike plans to simplify things—like leaving the tractor at his mom’s place for driveway clearing, taking snowshoe walks, heating with wood by the fireplace, and carving out real downtime to read, relax, or just get bored on purpose. He also talks about how constant digital distractions make it hard to truly unwind—like instinctively grabbing the phone for YouTube Shorts the moment a show is paused. Maybe boredom isn’t such a bad thing. Mike wraps up by teasing tomorrow’s episode on winter driving—something that pairs perfectly with the theme of slowing down. Episode Highlights A day of nonstop Zoom calls and early wake-ups Reflecting on a stressful year and big life changes Losing Blubrry founder Todd Cochrane and navigating the transition Handling winter chores differently this year The value of intentional downtime and not over-committing Heating with wood and embracing cozy winter days Tech dependence, boredom, and the lure of YouTube Shorts Cloudflare outages and customer anxiety A preview of tomorrow’s topic: winter driving
Replay
Mike opens by introducing the song “Helloapocalypse” from the acoustic string-instrument group playing a blend of rap/bluegrass. He briefly discusses the sponsor—Leonard Peikoff—and his podcast on objectivism (via peikoff.com) and encourages listeners to check it out. Mike and his wife Kathy recently traveled to Farmington Hills/Novi (Detroit area) for Kathy’s convention. They drove their new car (a slightly upgraded Camry/Celera) down Friday. Friday night: relaxed in the hotel, had dinner at a hotel pub. Saturday: Breakfast in-room; Kathy went to the expo center; Mike visited a big firearms dealer “Guns Galore” in Fenton, MI but found it too crowded to browse handguns well. Saturday evening: Went into downtown Detroit, visited the MGM Grand Casino — found it extremely crowded with $15 minimum blackjack tables, so they moved on to check out Greektown Casino (though parking was a hassle). Ended up at a bar on 8 Mile (burger & gyro place) recommended by a friend — good food and fun alternative. Sunday: A relaxing breakfast at a local Coney Island place near the hotel; Mike lounged, read his Kindle, surfed the Internet; later went to an Italian restaurant (recommended by the same friend) — Mike had a garlic-seafood pasta, Kathy had chicken Parmesan, and the salad dressing was “to die for.” Monday (Valentine’s Day): While in Detroit, they visited the pawn shop featured on reality show Hardcore Pawn (American Jewelry & Loan on 8 Mile) to pick out a sterling silver ring for Kathy. They got to meet Les (the show’s owner) at checkout. Mike then drops into a bit of “podcasting behind-the-scenes” talk: He discovered issues with his USB interface (Gryphon iMic) causing noise → now recording into an external Sony recorder instead of directly into computer. His mixer (Behringer ZENIX UB802 Eurorack) is dying (FX bus died); he’s getting a new 16-channel mixer from his friend Jim Farley for a future in-studio live recording of “What’s Up With That?” He notes some audio hiccups: crackle in headphones, better sound on speakers, and invites feedback from listeners. To close: he asks listeners to support the show via his website (mikedell.com), via Bluehost hosting banner, Audible free audiobook banner, eFax banner, and a reminder to check the sponsor Leonard Peikoff’s podcast. ✅ Takeaways The trip to Detroit/Novi was a blend of business (Kathy’s expo) + pleasure (casual touring/eating) and Mike gives a realistic, non-glamorous travel rundown (hotel dinners, big casinos, pawn shops). A good mix of personal anecdote + geek-podcaster/equipment talk (the audio setup breakdown) shows authenticity. The episode offers varied content: personal lives, travel, gear talk, rather than a single focused theme. Sponsorship disclosure is clear and woven in naturally.
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