Bulletin Board #3

#1

From: "Mike Andrews"
Subject: Comments from Mike Andrews
Date: Mon, 10 Feb 1997 20:53:04 -0500

Tim,
Some brief comments:
Gary Bunker wrote:
Do you remember when:



I took the test and scored 86 - is that bad?



Regards,
Mike Andrews
2nd Guessing is Only 2nd Best.



Mike,
I scored 100. duh

Tim



#2
The Darwin Awards
You may recall last year's Darwin Award winner: The man who found out moments before making a 300 MPH dent in an Arizona cliff that the JATO (jet assist take off) unit he'd strapped to his car could not be turned off once it was turned on.

Darwin Awards are (by definition) granted posthumously. This citation is bestowed upon (the remains of) that individual, who through single-minded self-sacrifice, has done the most to remove undesirable elements from the human gene pool.

The 1996 nominees are:
[San Jose Mercury News] An unidentified man, using a shotgun like a club to break a former girlfriend's windshield, accidentally shot himself to death when the gun discharged, blowing a hole in his gut.

[Hickory Daily Record 12/21/92] Ken Charles Barger, 47, accidentally shot himself to death in December in Newton, N.C., when, awakening to the sound of a ringing telephone beside his bed, he reached for the phone but grabbed instead a Smith &Wesson .38 Special, which discharged when he drew it to his ear.

[Reuters, Mississauga, Ontario] Man slips, falls 23 stories to his death. A man cleaning a bird feeder on his balcony of his condominium apartment in this Toronto suburb slipped and fell 23 stories to his death, police said Monday. Stefan Macko, 55, was standing on a wheeled chair Sunday when the accident occurred, said Inspector D'Arcy Honer of the Peel regional police." It appears the chair moved and he went over the balcony," Honer said. "It's one of those freak accidents. No foul play is suspected."

[UPI, Toronto] Police said a lawyer demonstrating the safety of windows in a downtown Toronto skyscraper crashed through a pane with his shoulder and plunged 24 floors to his death. A police spokesman said Garry Hoy, 39, fell into the courtyard of the Toronto Dominion Bank Tower early Friday evening as he was explaining the strength of the building's windows to visiting law students. Hoy previously had conducted demonstrations of window strength according to police reports. Peter Lauwers, managing partner of the firm Holden Day Wilson, told the Toronto Sun newspaper that Hoy was "one of the best and brightest" members of the 200-man association.

[Times of London] A thief who sneaked into a hospital was scarred for life when he tried to get a suntan. After evading security staff at Odstock Hospital in Salisbury, Wiltshire, and helping himself to doctor's paging devices, the thief spotted a vertical sunbed. He walked into the unit and removed his clothes for a 45-minute tan. However, the high-voltage UV machine at the hospital, which is renowned for its treatment of burns victims, has a maximum dosage of 10 seconds. After lying on the bed for almost 300 times the recommended maximum time, the man was covered in blisters. Hours later, when the pain of the burns became unbearable, he went to Southampton General Hospital, 20 miles away, in Hampshire. Staff became suspicious because he was wearing a doctor's coat. After tending his wounds they called the police. Southampton police said: "This man broke into Odstock and decided he fancied a quick suntan. Doctors say he is going to be scarred for life.

More "intelligence-challenged" people
45 year-old Amy Brasher was arrested in San Antonio, Texas, after a mechanic reported to police that 18 packages of marijuana were packed in the engine compartment of the car which she had brought to the mechanic for an oil change. According to police, Brasher later said that she didn't realize that the mechanic would have to raise the hood to change the oil.

Portsmouth, R.I. Police charged Gregory Rosa, 25, with a string of vending machine robberies in January when he: 1. fled from police inexplicably when they spotted him loitering around a vending machine and 2. later tried to post his $400 bail in coins.

Karen Lee Joachimi, 20, was arrested in Lake City, Florida, for robbery of a Howard Johnson's motel. She was armed with only an electric chainsaw, which was not plugged in.

The Ann Arbor News crime column reported that a man walked into Burger King in Ypsilanti, Michigan at 7:50 am, flashed a gun and demanded cash. The clerk turned him down because he said he couldn't open the cash register without a food order.When the man ordered onion rings, the clerk said they weren't available for breakfast. The man, frustrated, walked away.

In case you've forgotten about the 1995 awardees, some of them are listed below:

James Burns, 34, of Alamo, Mich., was killed in March as he was trying to repair what police described as a "farm-type truck." Burns got a friend to drive the truck on a highway while Burns hung underneath so that he could ascertain the source of a troubling noise. Burns' clothes caught on something, however, and the other man found Burns "wrapped in the drive shaft." [Kalamazoo Gazette, 4-1-95]

Same thing up here in MI. Seems some poor fella thought it would be a good idea to "move" a downed wire from his car. Newspaper reports it took a FULL MINUTE of neighbors whacking away at him with a 2x4 to free their freshly fried former friend from the fatal flashing.

Bowling Green, Ohio, student Robert Ricketts, 19, had his head bloodied when he was struck by a Conrail train. He told police he was trying to see how close to the moving train he could place his head without getting hit.

In Wesley Chapel, Florida, Joseph Aaron, 20, was hit in the leg with pieces of the bullet he fired at the exhaust pipe of his car. When repairing the car, he needed to bore a hole in the pipe. When he couldn't find a drill, he tried to shoot a hole in it.

In a letter to the editor of a South Carolina newspaper, a reader wrote: "I am in favor of daylight saving time. I have planted a vegetable garden for many years and find it does much better with that extra hour of sunlight every day!"

At a pharmacy, a woman asked to use the infant scale to weigh the baby she held in her arms. The clerk explained that the device was out for repairs, but said she would figure the infant's weight by weighing the woman and baby together on the adult scale, then weighing the mother alone and subtracting the second amount from the first. "It won't work," countered the woman. "I'm not the mother, I'm the grandmother."



#3

Date: Wed, 12 Feb 1997 00:08:28 -0500
To: JOHN DOSSANTOS
From: jmatk@tscm.com (James M. Atkinson, Comm-Eng)
Subject: Antennas

Best supply of antennas for TSCM is:

Condor (WJ), TRW, Bendix, and E-Systems (or ones you build yourself)

-jma



"If it doesn't involve a torque wrench, then it's not TEMPEST"



James M. Atkinson
Granite Island Group - TSCM.COM
127 Eastern Avenue #291 http://www.tscm.com/
Gloucester, MA 01931-8008 jmatk@tscm.com



The First, The Largest, The Most Popular, and the Most Complete TSCM Counterintelligence Site on the Internet



#4
From OPSEC Site:
Tom Smith, from Houston, writes "Here is a great site to check into everything you want to know about information warfare but were afraid to ask. http://www.psycom.net/iwar.1.html "



#5

Date: Mon, 10 Feb 1997 10:02:00 -0500
From: "Carnahan, Larry"
Sender: "Carnahan, Larry"
Organization: USIA
To: dbugman@amug.org (tim johnson)
Subject: Fwd: MERIT PROMOTION VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
MIME-Version: 1.0

Tim,
Feel free to spread this around. Thanks.

Larry J. Carnahan
U.S. Information Agency
Office of Security
Phone (202)619-5764; FAX 619-6517
e-mail office: lcarnah@usia.gov
e-mail home: ljcarn@wizard.net
ANNOUNCEMENT No. 97-054
February 7, 1997
Origin Office: M/HRCO;MS
UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY

MERIT PROMOTION VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Announcement No.: HRC-27-97
Opening Date: 2/12/97
Open Until Filled
FIRST CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO WELL-QUALIFIED DISPLACED APPLICANTS IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA POSITION TITLE, SERIES AND GRADE: Electronics Technician, GS-856-13 LOCATION: M/SPE - Bureau of Management, Office of Security, Physical Security Division, Engineering and Technical Support Team AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Government-wide (USIA employees & applicants with status or eligible for non-competitive appointment) SPECIAL NOTE: Candidates who apply by 3/7/97 will be considered in the first referral process.

DUTIES: As the senior technical security specialist within USIA, the incumbent is responsible for the development, adaptation and performance of electronic, mechanical and CCTV equipment and systems installation and maintenance of various electronic security systems. Occasionally, the incumbent will be required to participate in protective security work involving foreign travel. Directs the installation and operation of technical security and electronic systems as part of the Agency's domestic and overseas security enhancement programs. Analyzes resources available, the established threat level, and special operational considerations at each facility in order to provide maximum protection of life and property at Agency facilities worldwide.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
For the GS-13 Level: One year of specialized experience which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Work as a technician, instructor, inspector, or mechanic (civilian or military) that showed progression in theoretical and practical knowledge of electronic theory, and of the characteristics, function, operation and capabilities of a variety of types of electronic equipment. This experience must have included the use of schematic diagrams, a variety of test equipment, and the application of appropriate electronic formulas involved in such duties as testing, troubleshooting, modifying, designing, calibrating, installing, maintaining, repairing, constructing, developing, and instructing on electronic equipment or similar functions.

Experience in developing policies, standards and procedures for maintenance, installation, or similar functions, provided the work clearly shows that the applicant applied a specialized knowledge of the theories and principles of a variety of electronic systems or equipment. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower grade in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

SPECIAL RATING FACTORS: (Relative Numerical Values Equate to a Total of 30 points) [ALL APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTACH A NARRATIVE STATEMENT ADDRESSING EACH SPECIAL RATING FACTOR]
  1. Ability to apply technical advances to the development and implementation of technical security counter-measures and electronic-based protective security programs. (10)
  2. Knowledge of technical security systems, equipment layout and design, electronic principles, equipment assembly and circuit functions. (10)
  3. Thorough familiarity with physical and technical security standards, and pertinent Agency and Department of State regulations, as they pertain to the protection of life and property. (10)
ALL APPLICANTS WHO MEET EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION/TIME IN GRADE, ETC. WILL BE CONSIDERED.

HOW TO APPLY: You have the option of submitting an SF-171, Application for Federal Employment, an OF-612, Optional Application for Federal Employment and its companion, the OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment, a resume, or any other format you choose, providing it contains the information requested in forms OF-612 and OF-306. For a detailed description of the information to include in a resume or other written format, the flyer "Applying for a Federal Job", which explains the steps of the employment process, is available in Federal Personnel Offices.

INTER-AGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Current and former displaced Federal employees in the same local commuting area who are well qualified must be selected for Federal positions before other candidates may be considered. Attach a copy of your RIF separation notice when applying for appropriate vacancies.

CAREER/CAREER CONDITIONAL/REINSTATEMENT ELIGIBLE: Non-USIA applicants with career or career-conditional status or reinstatement eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (Standard Form 50) showing tenure group and promotion potential (if any).

NON-STATUS APPLICANTS: Non-status applicants claiming veterans preference or eligibility for Veterans Readjustment Appointment must submit a copy of their DD-214 and, if disabled, an SF-15 with letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Non-status applicants claiming eligibility for other special appointments such as handicapped or former Peace Corps/Vista Volunteers, must submit proof of eligibility, i.e. letter from Peace Corps or State Rehabilitation agency. Non-status candidates eligible for special appointment who wish to be considered under both special appointment and competitive procedures must submit two (2) complete applications. When only one (1) application is received it will be considered under competitive procedures (OPM certification) only.

STATUS APPLICANTS: Status candidates who wish to be considered under both merit promotion and competitive procedures (OPM certification) must submit two (2) complete applications. When only one (1) application is received it will be considered under the merit promotion program only.

If a list of eligibles is requested from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), all non-status candidates who meet minimum requirements will be referred to OPM for rating, ranking and referral.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG TESTING: Pre-employment drug testing is required for non-USIA applicants selected for positions requiring a Top Secret clearance.

PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL: To assure full consideration, USIA and status applicants must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal.

RELOCATION EXPENSES: Relocation expenses will not be paid for persons selected for this position.

IDENTICAL VACANCIES: Identical vacancies arising after the closing date of this announcement may be filled from the same certificate prior to its expiration.

JOB SHARING: Job-sharing applicants [approximately 16-24 hours per week] will be accepted with or without a job-share partner. Job-share partners must be clearly indicated on application, or the applicants will be paired by the selecting official. If indicated on application, applicants may be considered for both job-share and full-time.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS: Incomplete application packets will result in elimination from consideration.

WHERE TO APPLY: Submit a completed application and any additional documentation as instructed under How to Apply to the Merit Promotion Staff, Office of Human Resources, USIA, Room 518, 301 4th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20547. Applications received after the closing date of this announcement will not be considered. [Postmarks are accepted.]

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: For further information about the job, please contact Meredith Sevi - (202) 619-4661

THE UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.



#6

From: "Dye, Michael C"
Subject: IR wireless microphones
Date: Wed, 12 Feb 1997 10:42:40 -0800


Tim,
Some of our company execs are very persistent about getting a wireless microphone for use within a secure conference room. We all know RF is out. Does anyone know of an IR wireless mic? I need a source. IR is gaining in the computer networking world, so perhaps someone also markets a mic. I'm not sure whether the speaker would wear the device, or if it would be on a table. Any pointers would be appreciated.
Michael Dye, mcdye@hr.lmsc.lockheed.com, 408-742-6365



#7

X-Sender: m_geron@mail.netvision.net.il
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 1997 18:40:22 +0200
To: dbugman@amug.org (Tim Johnson)
From: "F. & M. GERON"
Subject: Home Study Course ?
Mime-Version: 1.0
Could anybody please recommend a good home study course in the area of basic Radio Repair / Electronics. I realize home study is not the best route however my Hebrew is not sufficient to take a local course.

Thank you for your assistance.
Michael Geron - Israel