Namespro.ca Negligence

This is the last 24 hours of failure to provide the service paid for. Namespro has removed my site renewal and has repeatedly refused to fix their service problems instead telling me they are all fake and no one else has a problem.  So be it.

 

Engine Doctor Prototype Complete!

I finally finished the prototype for the engine Dr. printed circuit board from PCB way. I’m super happy with how the prototype came out it’s functional in all respects it did Spond a new set of code to use the BMP280 sensor

Im super happy with how this is finally coming along. It took 2 nights to get the sensor to work after a scammy AliExpress seller sent mw fake BME sensors. Much sad.

“Prettiest Town in Canada” Has an UGLY Little Secret…

Goderich Encampments

Those of you who watch my videos know that most of my projects and initiatives center around making the world “better” in some way or another.  This is what mkme.org is centered around but the solution to this particular issue eludes me…

A quick google search finds this little nugget about our fine town:

Prettiest Town in Canada
Prettiest Town in Canada

Indeed I would agree that our town is pretty amazing:

Goderich Salt Mine At Night by Eric
Goderich Salt Mine At Night

And our sunsets are pretty great…

Goderich Sunset by Eric
Goderich Sunset

It is no secret that there are issues with homelessness across Canada.  Goderich suffers from this as well.  It has seemingly become steadily worse in recent years to the point we now have homeless encampments within town limits.

Yes, the “Prettiest Town in Canada” has this beauty within 200 meters of our  hospital doors…

Goderich Encampments
One of several trash heaps

Yesterday I went out to do some video footage not far from my home in Goderich- what I stumbled across would leave me with a significantly darker view of our little town.

Location

The following are pictures of the multiple encampments and piles of waste littered around them. The areas are completely covered in broken glass and other hazardous materials.

Not something you want your kids playing in…

Goderich Encampments
Encampments

Goderich Encampments
Makeshift stove

Goderich Encampments
Trash

Goderich Encampments
Some of the overhead structures

Goderich Encampments
Broken glass can be found everywhere

Goderich Encampments
More structures

Goderich Encampments
Goderich Encampments

 

Goderich Encampments
Trees damaged & removed all around these sites

The trees in these areas have been cut down and many are heavily damaged. Many will no survive as a result.

Goderich Encampments
More trash heaps

Goderich Encampments
Another heap

The household waste is also accompanied (unsurprisingly) by human excrement/waste around the area. The biohazards here are significant and the smell is unpleasant to say the least.

Goderich Encampments
Another camp

Goderich Encampments
Sleeping areas?

Goderich Encampments
More trash and waste

This is just one area of 3 separate encampments. There are indeed more.

I have no idea what the solution to this issue is. What I can say is that what we are doing- is not sufficient.

Before you point out how terrible I am for posting these images and how I could do X to get involved and solve the problem- I have indeed tried to get involved already with our elected council.

Jan  2021 I reached out via social media to one of the Goderich councilors who was actually one of my  teachers in High School. In recent years he also involved me as an (unpaid) consultant in a town initiative for small businesses. One of the perks of our small town is that generally- we all have many years of living working and playing together.

My message was simple:

Hey Sir. How are things with you? Hope you are doing well and enjoyed the holidays! I have an odd question and wondered if you can point me in a direction. It seems pretty clear that our homeless problem in Goderich is not improving and may be even worsening. Is this on councils radar? Any thoughts on what the community could do to help? I have considered taking a chat with individuals just to understand the problem better. I dont have a lot of means to help but I would like to do what I can. Surely this is something we could solve as a community. Pretty embarrassing touting ourselves as the Prettiest town while having people living on the street. Anyhow I figured you probably have the best optics on this from town, to business to the human side of things. Any thoughts appreciated. Stay safe

As always, I received a prompt response which transitioned in to a lengthy phone conversation on the topic of homelessness in our fine town.  He gave me a detailed update on the various initiatives in the county & town as well as committed to letting me know when I could be of help in any way.

While I applaud the efforts of all involved we clearly still have a major problem not going away and one could argue is worsening.

Last August I took photos like this at the end of Anglesea street  (a short distance from the encampment above)and reported it to the town bylaw enforcement.

Garbage

This was cleaned up and remedied due to the likelihood that the scat beside the pile belonged to a small bear- Not ideal inside town limits…
Scat

Just a month before that I took these photos of the pristine Maitland Woods trail area ravaged by fire due to a repeat homeless encampment….

Maitland Woods Burned
Maitland Woods Burned

You don’t have to look far to find the evidence of these issues in town- anyone living here knows the familiar faces living on the street. What may not be so obvious are the ones living just out of sight in encampments like these in the wooded areas within and around our town.

I still have no idea what to do beyond the typical cleanups and handouts but I think step one would be to make this post. People should see this.  People should get upset. We all should be upset that in a world of such plenty- we allow this to continue right in front of our faces.

I will try to help out where I can on this topic. Our little YouTube community has stepped up when asked in the past (funds for Covid face shield supplies, donations and more) but I’m at a loss on this one.  For now I will make this post in hopes it may inspire some interest and hopefully urge people to reach out to their elected officials.

Anyone touting this as the “Prettiest Town in Canada” should probably take a walk in the woods just once and see what is happening “behind the curtain” and decide just how “pretty” these scenes are.

Out of sight should not be out of mind…

DIY Search & Rescue Project For Amateur Radio Enthusiasts

ResQ DIY Search and Rescue

Are you a ham radio operator or amateur radio enthusiast? Do you take part in emergency response, search and rescue or other public support role?  The ResQ project may be just what you need for the next field day or disaster training scenario!

ResQ DIY Search and Rescue
The ResQ passively receives the 2.4GHz packet traffic from any wifi enabled device and logs the data alongside GPS location and time. This can allow you to locate a lost person by detecting the signature from their cell phone.  Two different layouts are possible:

  • Ground unit with high gain YAGI antenna (or any antenna you wish)
  • Air Unit for attaching to a small drone or aircraft


Both units use the same hardware & PCB which all the details, design files and code can be found HERE The entire project is open source- all information is made available free of charge! 

Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMNklmiXjAM&list=PLxyM2a_cfnzifVreG8aKurH-9nNYl8QLr&index=1&ab_channel=MKmeLab


If you would like to help support the project- Parts kits including all the electronics and PCB are available from Eric’s store here   

All parts and kits can be purchased on the site or get your own from any electronics supplier you choose! Full BOM and Code in the ResQ Github Repo

If you are an amateur radio enthusiast, preparedness enthusiast or just want to help out with Search and Rescue- ResQ might be just for you.