Bells CB

03/19/2026

02/11/2026

Alright guys, I just stumbled onto a use for AI that every tech who’s stared at a faded schematic or a water-damaged label needs to see.

I had a folded piece of paper holding one of my kids teeth—completely faded ink from over 20 years ago. I could see the physical indentations (pressure marks) where the pen hit the paper, but couldn't make out the name. I ran it through Gemini, and by asking it to use edge-detection filters and contrast-stretching, it pulled the name "Alyssa" right out of the grain of the paper.

Why this matters for us at the Tech Bench:
How many times have we looked at:
---A "shadow" of a part number on a thermal-damaged board?
---A faded, hand-written mod note inside an old Cobra or Ranger?
---A torn schematic where the ink is gone but the pen "groove" is still there?

If you can get a high-res photo of the "ghosting" or the pressure marks, this AI can decipher it. It’s basically a digital magnifying glass that understands context. Definitely adding this to my troubleshooting arsenal for the shop.

02/10/2026

New Shop Tool: Using AI for "Forensic" Parts Recovery 🛠️📡

Alright guys, I just stumbled onto a use for AI that every tech who’s stared at a faded schematic or a water-damaged label needs to see.

I had a folded piece of paper holding one of my kids teeth—completely faded ink. I could see the physical indentations (pressure marks) where the pen hit the paper over 20 years ago, but couldn't make out the name. I ran it through Gemini, and by asking it to use edge-detection filters and contrast-stretching, it pulled the name "Alyssa" right out of the grain of the paper.

Why this matters for us at the bench:
How many times have we looked at:
-- A "shadow" of a part number on a thermal-damaged board?
-- A faded, handwritten mod note inside an old Cobra or Ranger?
-- A torn schematic where the ink is gone but the pen "groove" is still there?
If you can get a high-res photo of the "ghosting" or the pressure marks, AI can decipher it. It’s basically a digital magnifying glass that understands context.
I am definitely adding this to my troubleshooting arsenal for the shop.

02/06/2026

Amplifier rebuild, with SSB and Toshiba 2sc2879s.
Also on YouTube at https://youtu.be/wRpUZ42FGMw

01/19/2026

"Radio Check! 🔊 How does this sound?"

01/01/2026

Happy New Year to the Bells CB Family! 🥂🎙️

As we close out 2025, I want to take a moment to say a massive THANK YOU. This year threw us some serious curveballs—especially with the website crash and the scramble to get back online.

Through all the glitches and growing pains, you stuck by us. That loyalty is what makes the CB community feel like family, and we don't take it for granted.

We have some good news to kick off 2026!

We know many of you—especially my fellow Gen Xers—miss the simplicity of the old website. We heard you loud and clear. So, we have decided to keep the "Classic" experience alive alongside the new one.
Here is how it works moving forward:

🖥️ The "New" Site (Under Construction): www.bellscb.com

Go here for the modern look. We are still fixing bugs and polishing it up daily.

📟 The "Classic" Site (Old School): www.bellscb.net

Go here if you prefer the old layout you’ve known for years. If you believe "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," this link is for you!
Whether you visit us at .com or .net, we are ready to serve you.

Here’s to a prosperous 2026 with clear channels and great skip!

Contact us anytime:
📞 954-771-8161
📱 954-305-1833 (WhatsApp)
📧 [email protected]

73s, Screwdriver & The Bells CB Team

11/11/2025

USN Submarine Service 1985 - 1993 Sending a salute to all my friends here and gone. 🫡
NAVET
(Navigation Systems NOT Nuclear Power tech)