Robots

I've come across a couple of robot items...

Who are the robots? An interesting short story that made me think about what it means to be human. Or a robot.

Robot for POTUS? Lord help us; I hope not.

Ham-lem Shake

What has been seen, cannot be unseen.

73s HARLEM SHAKE (PY1ON @ ARRL DX SSB 2013 - HAM RADIO MARACA EDITION): youtu.be/QdYMESyp9-M via @youtube Mon, Apr 29 01:18:24 from TweetDeck

Don't Forget Win+D

AK Centerfire

I had one of the AK Centerfire water guns when I was a kid. I remembered the Laser Tag kit I had, but I had completely forgotten about the AK. Good times.



Via The Weapon Blog

Quote of the Day

Referring to the UV-5R tri-band capability:

"Now all we need is the $3.71 tri-band antenna."

(The famous $3.71 antenna that turned out to be a really good deal.)

W5IG's Cool Transmitter

Via KB6NU

Legalize Nukes

Compromise I can get behind.

Michael Z. Williamson:

"I am the counter to the extreme "no guns" camp. I am the "legalize nukes" camp. Somewhere in the middle is a bargaining point. As long as it includes machine guns and cannon, I'm willing to compromise on nukes. 

What I am not willing to do is say, "We gave up nukes, arty, machine guns, so let's compromise on rifles." Because that is NOT compromise, it is piecemeal surrender, with nothing given in return. 

In exchange for compromising on nukes, I expect the CMP to not only sell weapons to civilians, but to furnish a crate of ammo per buyer every 5 years, to support its Congressionally mandated charter of equipping the militia--all able bodied adults. 

See? Compromise. :)"

Via The Smallest Minority

TH-9800 and X1M at Dayton

Ed at Import Communications passed along a couple of tidbits:

TYT TH-9800

He has a final version of the TH-9800 quad-band mobile and he'll have it on display at Dayton. There are no firm production dates yet, but he will add the radio to his site with the ability to get notifications when it becomes available.

Xiegu X1M
He will also have the X1M QRP radio on display and about 40 for sale. He's sold about half of the first batch of 100 and deliveries will begin in early May. Import Communications is the factory's official North American distributor for this radio.

Alianza DXB

The Alianza DXB by Bricom Solutions
(Alianza= latin for 'Alliance') (DXB = Docking Cross Breed Technology)

It isn't bad looking and cool in a way, but I cannot imagine throwing several hundred dollars after a docking accessory that "turns your smartphone into a full working traditional multi-band walkie-talkie." You'd have to be very committed to your iPhone 5 if you were going to keep it and the DXB. The KickStarter site for the DXB is here. I think their timeline is very aggressive, too.



You only get UHF, but the Runbo X5 might be a better alternative.

Via Hans

Live Forever

Live forever (or a few years longer on this big blue marble) by going to church.

D-STAR Raspberry PI board

moleculo This is interesting: D-STAR raspberry PI board for cheap: bit.ly/12GHVIU D-STAR becoming more accessibile for all #hamradio Tue, Apr 23 20:42:18 from TweetDeck

Run the Dinosaur

andrewchen Could you outrun a Tyrannosaurus rex? bit.ly/16EFHKP Mon, Apr 08 15:06:12 from Buffer

Bikini Wax - 2 Locations

"Bikini Wax - 2 Locations" - that was the subject of an e-mail I got from deal site LivingSocial this morning. While I don't recall getting a bikini wax, I am 100% certain that I have never needed one in "2 locations." I don't even want to think about where the second location would be.

Xiegu X1M: Review

A really good review of the X1M:

"I also received my X1M from the manufacturer yesterday.    I will do a written review,  while video would be better, youtube is blocked here and so I did not bother to make a video, play with the VPN to upload it, etc.    I can do that during the weekend.  

Initial opening the box observations:

Unit arrived in bubble wrap, no outer box or other packaging.   Instruction "manual" is 1 page front and back printed, which gives basic specs and menu functions -  good enough that even an inexperienced ham could be up and running.   The units that I am procuring are fully assembled, not kit form.    The box contained the radio as well as a hand microphone wired for the radio.  It also included a phono jack for CW key (wire yourself) and a power jack (wire yourself).   I wired the power jack, plugged it into the ps and the radio and turned the radio on  -- nothing.    OK,  quick inspection of the power plug reveals that the barrel is too wide and the pin is too narrow - the plug fits snugly into the jack, but the inner barrel does not connect to the inner pin.    I unplugged my AT-100 auto-tuner (that is wired with similar barrel) power jack, plugged it into the radio just to try things and the radio turned right on.  

Radio is light weight.  All metal enclosure and looks to be well shielded.   Rear panel of my unit has "metric threaded" SO-238 RF connector, and I was able to find some PL-259's that fit just fine.  The Amphenol connectors that I have did not fit well...so...it's easy to swap out a different rf connector, or get a simple adapter with the right threads to convert it to N-connector or BNC connector etc.  

Radio has  a small built in speaker.  Volume/audio  is adequate but not super loud - probably better with external speaker or use headphones.  While the mic looks identical to a ht speaker-mic, it is not wired that way and thus is used only for TX audio.   The mic has a red LED on it when in TX mode to show transmit.  The LCD display will also show a  T or R icon when in transmit or receive.  

Initial operating observations:   Radio has a built in preamp that really helps receive.  The sensitivity is around 0.45uV which is less sensitive than my FT-857  -- i dont have other QRP rigs to compare it to, but it's not in the same class (price or performance) as a K1, Scout, 817D, etc anyway so i suppose it is really more than adequate.  There are dedicated bandpass filters that switch in and out and those seem to really help selectivity (as expected with an SDR). 

Tuning - the first thing you will want to do is spin the dial.   OK, the VFO knob feeling is clicky clicky knob, think of it like a "select" knob on the 817/857 or Alinco DX70 radio if you are familiar with those.    Or, if you have owned QRP gear, think of it like the Uniden 2510/2600 or RS HTX-100 main tuning knob.  It is not a "smooth VFO" knob.  The knob clicks.    And, like every other knob of this design , it too occasionally skips a beat or two, so you have to watch the VFO when tuning up or down band. I would have preferred a smooth vfo tuning mechanism, but can't have everything.     The VFO knob has  rotate function and a push in function. The push in function is used to "set" certain parameters, such as tuning step once the step has been selected.   

The LCD display is green backlight and fairly easy to read considering small size overall of the unit.  Frequency is the main use for the LCD display, as is TX or RX function, pre-amp on or off.   

There is no S-meter or RF(output) or SWR meter on the LCD display unit.  

Tuning resolution can be set to Mhz, 100 Khz,  10 KHZ,  1 Khz, 100 Hz,  10 Hz, and 1 Hz.   Yes -- pretty remarkable but remember this thing is all DSP driven.   1 Hz resolution is probably overkill...but anyway, it's there if you need it. It's a little 

Modes are USB/LSB/CW.  No AM or FM or FSK.     You change modes with one of the front panel push button switches.  Pushing and holding one of the switches will put you into Menu mode.  Pushing and holding other switch will turn the preamp on or off.    

You can set the BFO frequency for these modes within the setup menu (9 menus are available for various tweaking, mostly dealing with the SDR aspects of the radio.

There is no obvious POWER OUT or MIC GAIN or ALC adjustment as noted previously.. 

I am mostly a CW op and the bandwidth in CW mode is fairly wide ... maybe 1800 Hz bandwidth.  Did not have time for measuring it but it is certainly not a narrow filtered receiver as judged by my ham ear.   

On SSB it plays nicely and was listening to some of the Sichuan earthquake H&W traffic last evening.   

I like the gen coverage receive, but without AM detection, it is just so-so listening in on the shortwave bands unless you zero-beat and eliminate the heterodyning.  Good news is that the DSP is super stable so the thing doesn't drift like the old capacitance style vfo's.... had to keep one hand on the tuning dial while listening to London...Once set you can at least hear and understand the broadcast (bandwidth a little narrow for AM too)

Have not done much advanced testing - sensitivity, selectivity, audio and power out, etc... will report more when tests are completed.  

I feel it's important to represent this rig as it is.... not mislead.  Share positives and negatives... provide feedback to manufacturer for improvements, etc.  The unit I have, is serial number X0087...white glue on sticker.    Would be interesting to compare production differences with others.    

As indicated previously,  I have placed an order with the manufacturer and will keep posted on committed delivery dates to me, and then onward shipping, pricing, etc. for those who expressed interest.  

More to follow.

Joe K7JOE/BY1"

Baofeng UV-5R: Tri-band

I have not been paying much attention to the tri-band posts on the UV-5R (instead looking at the TYT TH-UV3R running 220 or the 2M/220 specific model of the UV-5R). The following post did catch my eye with its certainty that it works on all newer firmwares.

Instructions on how to make all recent UV_R5 radios run 200 band wiith 136+400mh

"I have just come back to the forum after a month or so and I am suprised to see the big response there is to my original post . Look there is no debate if it works or not------------it does.All UV-R5 radios- Firmware BFB291 and Newer-will TX-RX 220 with 2 meter and 440. I have done this to 3 radios The new 220 radio is a ADVERTISEING GIMMICKbaofeng did not advertise that all the new radios would be 220 and did not release instructions-I discovered this through trial and error 

This is exactly how to do it.

This method is for Firmware BFB291 and Newerto find your firmware --turn on radio while holding the 3 button- look at screen 

download this program BF5R_VIP_v120725_BFB291_ENG(VB6).zip

from here-----http://www.miklor.com/uv5r/UV5R-Software.html

these instrucktions assume your radios cable driver is installed correctly if they are not this program can be used to get them going.

1---unpack zip ---install and launch program.

2---press comunication menu and click com 3

3- plug in radio and press the-- Other-- menu

4--click the check box that says work band-it will switch from 136-174/ 400-520 to 136-174/ 200-260 --type in 200 to 260 in the UHF boxs.

5--- press write to radio on the 'Other' menu--your radio led will flash during download.

6-- press VFO button on radio to VFO mode and you will see on channel A__ the 400 band number has changed to 200.000you can now program 200 band simplex--- and repeters on the radio- -2 meter and 400 band programs will continue to work.

7--now that the radio has been switched to 200 bandPress the 'program' button on software --press ""read from radio"" this will switch the software so that the spread sheet will take 200 band.

8-- press the edit menu -press channel informmation you will see the 2 meter-and 400 repeters that are on the radio on the spread sheet and now it will accept 200 band programing but not 400.

9-- press program menu --press write to radio and now 2 meter -400 and 200 band programs will be working all at the same time!!!!!!

9-- remember!! first you must switch the radio 200 0r 400 with the '' Other"" menu, Then upload back to the software to program with the spread sheet.-- then write back to the radio to make allthem work.To use 200 with 400 and 2 meter the frequencys you want to use must be in a program.

10-- Follow theses instrucktions and you will have a 3 band radio instead of 2 Do this before you say it doesnt work!!!!

73 AND CLEAR SUPERFROG"

Maybe all radios are tri-band. I should pull out my UV-3R and see if I can work some DX on 20M. Crazy, crazy, crazy.

Baofeng UV-5R: 2M/220 Gone and Back

They were gone.

marksenk Seems that the 220 MHz version of the Baofeng UV-5RAX is no longer being sold on Amazon #hamr Any other sellers?Sat, Apr 13 23:15:16 from SenseTwit

And now they are back.

marksenk Baofeng 220 Mhz radios return to Amazon with the UV-5CAX and UV-5RCX - one even has a user reviewSun, Apr 21 00:31:27 from SenseTwit

Get one here: Baofeng UV-5RAX 144/220 Transceiver

Xiegu X1M: Video - Basic Operation

Video by Gary, KF9CM

Lifehacker - Out of Topics

I think Lifehacker finally ran out of material given this recent post that recommends making a better grilled cheese sandwich BY GRILLING BOTH SIDES OF THE BREAD!

Even the frat guys in a dorm room know to flip the sandwich over and grill the other side with a clothes iron.

Next up... for better night time reading, turn on a lamp!

QYT UV-9A

Sorry, not much to see here, but I mention it merely as a place holder and to get it on my list in case someone does say it is better than any other radio ever!

Hans - New HT: QYT UV-9A

Hams at the Boston Marathon

Tim (W3ATB) tells his story of working at the Boston Marathon.

Via the ARRL story about hams at the race.

Captain Kirk's Guide to Fighting

andrewchen Captain Kirk's guide to fighting - Imgur bit.ly/16WwaPzWed, Apr 17 23:07:16 from Buffer

---

Name: Andrew Chen

Location: Palo Alto, CA

Web: http://andrewchen.co

Bio: Bay Area entrepreneur, blogger, formerly in online ads and venture capital.

Following: 2898 Followers: 34850 Updates: 10493

---

Wrong Target

"If you're trying to defeat the human spirit, marathoners are the wrong group to target."

Mighty Brighties Facebook Page

Keep Calm and Run On

Bruce Schneier on the bombings at the Boston Marathon.

And now for something...

... completely different: The Mantis Shrimp. What a bizarre creature!

Digital Vacuum Cleaner

marksenk Just heard about a digital vacuum cleaner. It picks up bits of dirt. Fri, Apr 12 04:48:44 from SenseTwit

Google TNG

google The destiny of Google Search is to become that Star Trek computer. @Slate looks at how we're getting it done goo.gl/12gGF Thu, Apr 11 20:29:14 from web

 "What does it mean that Google really is trying to build the Star Trek computer? I take it as a cue to stop thinking about Google as a “search engine.” That term conjures a staid image: a small box on a page in which you type keywords. A search engine has several key problems. First, most of the time it doesn’t give you an answer—it gives you links to an answer. Second, it doesn’t understand natural language; when you search, you’ve got to adopt the search engine’s curious, keyword-laden patois. Third, and perhaps most importantly, a search engine needs for you to ask it questions—it doesn’t pipe in with information when you need it, without your having to ask."

Time to China

whatifnumbers 216: Minimum possible ping time, in milliseconds, to the opposite side of the world via surface fiber-optic cables Sun, Apr 07 20:47:47 from web retweeted by LA3ZA

My results…

C:\ping a_china_server

Pinging a_china_server [10.55.6.14] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 10.55.6.14: bytes=32 time=339ms TTL=124
Reply from 10.55.6.14: bytes=32 time=335ms TTL=124
Reply from 10.55.6.14: bytes=32 time=342ms TTL=124
Reply from 10.55.6.14: bytes=32 time=349ms TTL=124

Ping statistics for 10.55.6.14:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 335ms, Maximum = 349ms, Average = 341ms

Time Travel

Iran for the win:

"The Tehran scientist told the Fars state news agency that his device can 'predict the future in a print out after taking readings from the touch of a user,' adding that it uses a set of complex algorithms to 'predict five to eight years of the future life of any individual, with 98 percent accuracy.'"

My favorite part:

“'This project is not against our religious values at all. The Americans are trying to make this invention by spending millions of dollars on it where I have already achieved it by a fraction of the cost,' he said. 'The reason that we are not launching our prototype at this stage is that the Chinese will steal the idea and produce it in millions overnight.'”

Via the Blaze

Google Inactive Account Manager

google Plan your digital afterlife with Inactive Account Manager goo.gl/FJNQ9Thu, Apr  11 14:29:30 from web

"You can tell us what to do with your Gmail messages and data from several other Google services if your account becomes inactive for any reason. 

For example, you can choose to have your data deleted — after three, six, nine or 12 months of inactivity. Or you can select trusted contacts to receive data from some or all of the following services: +1s; Blogger; Contacts and Circles; Drive; Gmail; Google+ Profiles, Pages and Streams; Picasa Web Albums; Google Voice and YouTube. Before our systems take any action, we’ll first warn you by sending a text message to your cellphone and email to the secondary address you’ve provided."

Xiegu X1M: Kit Photo

Not a high resolution photo, but it will give you a flavor of what NH6VR got when he ordered the kit.

Ham Radio Thwarts Zombie Apocalypse

RadioGeek Neat PR Gimmick: Ham Radio Thwarts Zombie Apocalypse m.prnewswire.com/news-releases/… Tue, Apr 09 13:33:54 from NewsRack on iOS retweeted by 73s

Xiegu X1M: Kit

Neil ordered a X1M kit from Kight Radio in March. When he got it, it was more kit than he was expecting:

"My X1M "kit" finally arrived, and it is not what we all expected. I think we were expecting an Elecraft KX3 - style kit with no soldering involved, just fitting the boards together and assembling the hardware. 

Unfortunately, when I opened the box, I was greeted with bags of thru-hole parts, and all of the connectors. This wouldn't be too intimidating except for the fact that there was no board layout or assembly guide. Not even a chinese one. 

I'm not afraid of soldering really, but I haven't done anything like this in about 30 years, and I think I need to practice on something a little less complex, and with some instructions. 

I think we were expecting a "snap-together" type of kit because of the relatively small difference between the kit and assembled prices ($30). 

Oh well. 

I have worked something out to get an assembled version. More to follow..... 

--Neil W2NDG"

Xiegu X1M: BNC Connector

There have been some messages floating around about problems with the UHF type connectors on the X1M. Ed updates that his radios at Import Communications will use a BNC connector:

"I have asked the factory to install BNC connectors on the radios for the NorthAmerican market."

Xiegu: New Picture from BG8HT

I'm not quite sure what to make of it.

Wouxun KG-UV950P: Yahoo Group

That didn't take long... Wouxun KG-UV950P Yahoo Group.

Infomercial gifs

Infomercial gifs... I have no words.

Marathon Signs Part 2

I also saw...

• Beast Mode On!
• PR or ER
• As a series..
• Naked Cheerleaders Ahead - 1/2 mile
• Naked Cheerleaders Ahead - 1/4 mile
• Naked Cheerleader - On Break

Signs Along the Marathon Course

I'm running the Knoxville Half Marathon today, so here are few of my favorite signs that you see around the marathon course..

• Worst parade - ever.
• They lied - it isn't 2.62 miles.
• Getting up early to make this sign wasn't easy either!
• You think you are tired, I've been holding this sign for minutes!
• You are the slowest runner so far.
• Pain is temporary - results on the internet are forever!
• I'm sure this seemed like a good idea four months ago.
• Chuck Norris never ran a marathon.
• Shortcut -->
• Running is my sport's punishment.

But my favorite is the one held by my little girl that says "Yay Daddy!"

Wouxun KG-UV950P: Quad Band Mobile

I got an e-mail from Wouxun this morning.

"Latest mobile radio model:KG-UV950P with QUAD bands:

1. Multiple RX/TX frequency ranges:
RX:
28.000-29.795MHZ
50.000-54.995MHZ
108.000-180.995MHZ (AM/FM)
320-480.995MHZ
65.000-108.000MHZ

TX:
28.000-29.795MHZ
50.000-54.995MHZ
136.000-174.995MHZ
400.000-470.995MHZ

2. Same or different band(s) simultaneous reception: UU, VV, UV or VU

3. Remote control setting

4. Four levels of output power:
VHF 50W/20W/10W/5W
UHF 40W/20W/10W/5W

5. 8 Groups scrambler plus 2 groups customized scrambler"

They also mention a new HT.

"Branded New Designed Handheld(with undetermined model number)： 

1.Dual band, dual standby, simultaneous reception: UU, VV, UV or VU. 

2. Full duplex cross-band 

3.Customized CTCSS; DCS encoding/decoding(Including 105 groups standard DCS and 50 groups normal CTCSS)"

Tube Radio

LA3ZA What's this? a London tube map, a piece of art, a radio? Just got to have one! dezeen.com/2012/09/10/tub… pic.twitter.com/N1HQ7j5drJ Fri, Apr 05 15:39:46 from TweetDeck

---

Name: Sverre Holm, LA3ZA

Location: Asker (Oslo), Norway

Web: http://la3za.blogspot.com/

Bio: Radio Amateur almost licensed about 1970, then finally in 2001: DX, electronics, casual contesting, LDE, QRP, audio. Husband, father of 4, also @HolmSverre

Following: 88 Followers: 100 Updates: 227

---

Fire Control for Dummies

Fire Control for Dummies

Via Say Uncle

Baojie BJ-UV55: Videos

From Nate, two videos showing a little about the BJ-UV55.

TED: Ken Jennings

Jobs Wanted

Beretta (and Magpul) should come to Tennessee.

Here is a helpful link to get them started.

TYT TH-UV3R: More Tri-band Success

This makes three people that have three bands working on their TYT TH-UV3R:

"I have a pair the 2m/1.25m versions. I even got the 70cm band unlocked and working. I am just wondering, is the 70cm band putting out the same watts as the 2m/1.25m bands or not? If not, how many watts? Or does anyone know?"

And, if I read all these correctly, the first guys had 2M/440 radios and added 220. The last guy above had a 2M/220 and added 440.

Also, Jay updates to say he gets:

"1.8 watts on 2 m, 1.9 watts 440, and 1.7 watts 220"

iPad Mini $299 at Walmart

tim In other apocalyptic news, Walmart is now selling the iPad mini for a $30 discount at $299 walmart.com/ip/Apple-iPad-… $AAPL Wed, Apr 03 15:45:19 from TweetDeck

Running at 90

I hope I can run like this at 90.



Via The Blaze

Lots of Radios

I've posted about a lot of radios...


AnyTone
AT-5888UV / AT-588UV

Baofeng
BF-F9
BF-F8
F-11
UV-3R
UV-5R
UV-B5

Baojie
BJ-UV55

Chierda
CD-UV55

Hong Litong
HL-UV8R

Hora
HR-76D

HYS
TC-UV55

INTEK
HR-2040

Kirisun

KYD
NC-5H
NC-UV90A
UV-5H

MYT
MYT-Q1
MYT-Q2

Nanfone
NF-369

NKT
NKT-R3
NKT-R5

Puxing
PX-888K

Quansheng
TG-K4AT(UV)
TG-Q5 (Lucky Stone)
TG-UV2

Ronson
UV-8R

Shi Ying
SR-31

SMP
SMP698

TYT
TH-9000
TH-9800
TH-F8
TH-UVF1
TH-UV3R
TH-UVF9

Vero Telecom
UV-E5
UV-X5
VR-2200

Waccom
WUV-6R

Wouxun
KG-UVD1P
KG-UV920R / KG-UV920P
KG-UV6D
KG-UV2D

NKT NKT-R5

Thanks to Nate for pointing out this new radio.

A new day, a new Chinese HT... this time it is the NKT NKT-R5. My best guess is that this is the company and the product page. The Transmission1 guys think it looks like a VX-8.

Features
·Full Range Design /Keypad Operation
·Dual Display, Dual Standby
·Professional Quality, Built Solid
·Handsfree VOX/CTCSS/DSC Tone
·Low Voltage Alarm/ Battery Save
·Priority Channel Scan
·Emergency Alarm
·FM Radio
·Keypad Lock
·Busy Channel Lockout
·Lamp Function
·Dual-band
·Self-switch off Function

Specification
·Frequency Rang：UVF:136-174MHz,400-470MHz
·Channel Capacity：100
·Battery Capacity：1200 mAh/ Li battery
·Operating Voltage：7.4V
·Modulation：F3E
·Speaker Impedance：8Ω
·Antenna Impedance：50Ω
·RF Power Output：VHF 5W/UHF 4W
·Frequency Stability：±2.5ppm
·Residual Wave Radiation：60dB
·Channel Power：70dB
·Receive Sensitivity：0.18μV
·Audio Distortion：≤5%
·S/N：42dB
·Audio Output Power：500mW

You can buy the NKT-R5 at the 409Shop for $57.00 (USD).

I briefly mentioned the NKT-R3 way back in July 2011.

Baofeng: Baofeng UV-7DS D-Star

How did I miss this on April 1?

Netware 3.12 Server

I cut my teeth on Netware 3.12. I even have my 3.12 CNA. I never had a server run for sixteen years, but it was not uncommon to have up-time over 400 days.

Via Slashdot.org

Pogue's Favorite Pranks from Today

	Pogue Top 10 April Fool Pranks Online! #8: http://t.co/c3bhGzhSr2’s very special line of modern electronics. j.mp/YqTpPz Mon, Apr 01 13:14:28 from Tweetbot for Mac
	Pogue Top 10 April Fool Pranks Online, #5: Twitter’s new, free Twttr service--consonants only! j.mp/YqTJOk Mon, Apr 01 13:17:05 from Tweetbot for Mac

Needs Illudium Q-36

Lucky Gunner Special: 12 ga - 3" Uranium Drone Load - 1 3/8 oz - Tacnition - 5 Rounds   

First Google Reader, Now Bye-Bye YouTube

Svefg Cbfg

Slashdot's ROT13 Initiative.