Jan,
Very sorry to hear about your rightful frustration with your husband. Sounds strange because usually men LOVE these sort of mechanical thing(s).
We would all hate to see you give up something you love and appreciate.
Even though your husband don't appreciate RE, I sure he DOES appreciate television and sports. I would try a different approach myself. The following is just an IDEA!!
I would print out the following OFFICIAL 'Executive report' from the United States Goverenment (set up by Donald Rumsfeld when in office) about the possibility of an Electromagnetic Pulse, and have him read it. (It is long though--- About 62 pages)
http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/congress/2004_r/04-07-22emp.pdf
Or here's one of times the government talking about it at the House:
http://commdocs.house.gov/committees/security/has204000.000/has204000_0.HTM
Tell him if this were to happen (GOD forbid), that you could still have some electricity for lights, TV, vcr, dvd and other some other convenient things because of what you are learning and doing with RE. (However, its not so easy to shield all electronics though)
Who knows, if he reads it and actually believes it, he might just begin to appreciate what you are doing from a different angle.
-WE hope you can find a solution without leaving Jan.
