General Archives

Honest reviews based on personal experience, hands-on use and long-term ownership...

A catch-all category for content that does not fall under Amateur Radio, DIY Projects, Trains, or Home Networking. This section includes general commentary, personal notes, and standalone articles that are not tied to technical configuration or specific hobby systems. Topics may include personal privacy concepts, digital life and online behavior, threat modeling from a conceptual perspective, scam awareness, robo-call prevention strategies, email aliasing as a privacy practice, and broader discussions around personal safety and security. It serves as a flexible space for non-technical content while remaining relevant to privacy, security awareness, and everyday digital life.

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General

Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸

A Fourth of July reflection connecting America’s Independence Day with the 1976 Bicentennial and the upcoming 2026 Semiquincentennial. A look at three major national celebrations and their meaning across a lifetime.

Read Time: 1 minute

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Experiencing Three Great Independence Celebrations in One Lifetime

In this article, I explore a fascinating question: how many Americans have lived long enough to witness three major national anniversary celebrations? From the Sesquicentennial of 1926 to the Bicentennial of 1976 and the upcoming Semiquincentennial of 2026. I've seen two, how about you?

Read Time: 5 Minutes

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America’s 250th anniversary: The Semiquincentennial of 2026.

America's 250th anniversary marks a historic milestone in the nation's journey. Explore what life is like in the United States in 2026, including politics, technology, family life, Amateur Radio, DIY culture, railroads, and model railroading during America's Semiquincentennial celebration.

Read Time: 10 Minutes

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Remembering America’s Bicentennial of 1976

America's 250th anniversary offers the perfect opportunity to look back at 1976. Come with me back to the year of America's Bicentennial. Explore the people, events, culture, economy, Amateur Radio, DIY & Home Remodeling Projects, Trains and everyday life that shaped America during one of the nation's most memorable celebrations.

Read Time: 9 Minutes

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Scientific Study Suggests America’s 5-Second Rule Has Officially Inflated to 10 Seconds

I recently read in my local newspaper about a scientific study suggesting America’s five second rule has expanded to ten due to rising grocery prices and food inflation in 2026. The article includes family reactions, expert concerns, and future projections.

Read Time: 5 Minutes

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Wishing You a Happy New Year, Looking Ahead to an Exciting 2026

As we welcome 2026, I want to wish all my readers a Happy New Year, reflect on the past year’s highlights, thank my members for their support, and share excitement for what lies ahead.

Read Time: 3 Minutes

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Brad Hazel – Welcome to My Blog About DIY Projects, Amateur Radio, Trains & More

I’m Brad Hazel, and Welcome to BradHazel.com, a personal website and blog where I share articles on DIY Projects, Amateur Radio experiences, Trains & Model Railroad projects, history resources and more...

Read Time: 5 Minutes