Hi all,
I am posting my (once in a blue moon) comments here from Thailand to contribute.

I don't know why I decided to post today, but I just guess I feel really bad for all of u (hua qiao) here too. I heard about the mukah incident and some stuff about Serawak and Kedah as I tried to get updated from this blog.

Couple of times I typed to comment here but I decided not to post, afraid u all might not care what I say. Donno y this time I finish typing and post. (Maybe I am drunk 'cause too many beers.?, heehe)

One thing I have heard from somebody here in Thailand, saying that, we all citizens now realize that, if we want to have a share or benefit from some of the national resources in the country, we MUST (inevitably) join the politics.

I know almost all of u here (including myself) don't wanna join the politics. However there may be no other choices. Win the politics to live! If u lose u will die. May be as simple as that.

Somebody in this forum said, enjoy today even tomorrow is World War Three.
I like to say, Hey.. TODAY IS THE WORLD WAR THREE!

Your war in Malaysia IS indeed the WW3. Fight or Die, as simple as that.

I wish u all win this war and let them know that, without all the chinese hua qiao, their land will be with no value.

Without us, u would still be an undeveloped country.
Without Lee Chong Wei, U couldn't find a guy to beat Lin Dan. Heehee my joke

Let's talk BH..

Uncle westwing, about the mist machine, a year ago I bought this MIST machine (10 piezo vibrating disc) for about RM2k (from here,Thailand). I used it in my own BH and it shut down very often; therefore I changed to a normal mist water pump; however flooding occurs ocassionally like sifu Lucas1 mentioned.

About the 10piezo vibrating disc misting machine, I suspect I put the mist machine engine box IN the BH and too much humidity got to the circuit and it shut off.

So I will try it again on my new BH, but this time putting the mist machine OUTSIDE the BH (in the data room, and piping it into the BH) and see what happens. I think it should generate enough mist to keep your micro good. I will give you update on this I promise. If it's good, and you can't get a hold of one, I will buy for you and send from Hadyai at cost price.

About my take on Night Sound (with my 2 cens too) I think we could turn on the night internal sound at a very low volume, to make new birds feel secured (especially for a new BH). I did record sound from my BH from 4pm to 10am and found that, even at midnight, 3am, birds stilll make lots of noise, as if some of them are never at sleep. Therefore, if possible, it may be a good idea to turn on night sound at night at a low volume, to imitate the real environment. I think if the volume is low enough, no neighbor can hear it (and if they do it wont' be a pain). (IMO only).

But external sound after 7pm(8pm your time) is, like u all know, an absolute No-No. As CK has pointed out in his web, the sound can only attract owls, not swiftlets. And, it's absolutely disturbing. (I heard one in Hadyai at 9pm the sound was so loud it could be heard 1km away. This stupid behavior could later harm our business).

---Just for your info, I have a 6+years-old 5-storey BH operated only upper 3 floors with about 2,000 nest count. Now I am expanding downward to 2nd and 1st floor (will finish this week). Now that uncle westwing said the aroma maybe good, I will do this(before the grand opening):

1. Sweep all bird shit from upper floor (alreay flooded from leaked pond) down to 1st and 2nd (done already and it smell like 100men pissing in the house).
2. Grind my bird nest residue with water, let it furment for 3-4days and paint it on the corner board (I use alu, to follow my dear sifu).
3. The other side of the house I will use Jame's potion (leftover from last purchase which I didn't see much success of (absolutely no offense james as I know yr potion is good for NEW BHs)) to see which one works better. I may keep u update on this.

Or should I mix jame's potion with the liquid nest? what's yr opinion, Mr.XO formula? Heehe just kidding.

---CK. I like your opinion on the most important factor of successful BH, the Timing. (because I was the second BH of my town, where the first BH in my town already got 3-4,000 nests I estimated.) Timing is crucial. Only the first 50 of the area may be doing well where the pioneer take big share of the cake (if done properly). P.S. I'm a fan of yr blog.

---About Harry (Kok, hehee), I did order some sounds from him, to realize 2 things: James spoken English is much better than his; secondly, they both sent my some sounds which I think worse than what I already have (however Harry's sound is Absolutely hillarious; even my own stupid cut/edited recording is better! ;also one he sent was hummingbird sound I think hehe)

--- I am constructing a new BH using double walls for the whole building, as the cost is about the same as one layer light-weight bricks but stronger; however much heavier (u will need bigger piles and beams for this). Later if I know the inside-temp stability I will get u updated on this.

P.S. I really wish your new PM will keep his promise about supporting TOWN BHs. If that happens, this blog will be like before, enjoying talking about BH only.

Lastly, May force be with u all, and wish u all wealth and, above all, happiness ...

Back to BH techniques for a moment.

Uncle westwing,
Could you shed some light on what kind of internal piezo tweeters you use in your BH? (with or without coil, where to get them and the price...)

I think many, including me, would love to know that. Also the number of tweeters recommended for 1 floor too. Thanks.

This post has been edited by chitchai: Jun 18 2009, 08:02 PM

Uncle westwing,
I know u r very tired after your hardwork fighting for bh in town. I thought this idea might help to "shorten the night sound" for people, and to reduce internal amp to just one. I don't know if anybody would be interested.

What I did (may be people already done that, sorry) was to make internal sound file of 1 hr. After that copy them and rename them to:
06,07,08,... upto 19, to conform with the actual time we play the internal sound (19 being 7pm). Secondly, use audacity to adjust the original file to lower output volume (50% output, use "amplify" command), and copy this in names of 20,21,22,23.

Doing this will play the loud internal from 6 - 19:00 and after that the sound will be low (very soft) from 20:00 to 23:00. No sound after 2300. This requires only 1 amp for internal; no need to switch amp at night, or to play 24 hrs. Reason behind this is that night sound may be not that important, according to your suggestion. I am using this system right now. If anybody interested I can elaborate more, or I can do your file for free (but I might keep a copy of your internal sound, hehe).

By the way, Could you tell us what kind of internal piezo tweeters you use in your BH? (with or without coil, the MQ or the cheap kind..?)

I think many, including me, would love to know that. Also the number of tweeters recommended for 1 floor too. Thanks.