Running Form

I made the comment that my daughter had better running form than I did...

My "friend" found examples of other people with better running form...

Leixen VV-808: First Hands On Review

m42duster took the plunge and ordered a VV-808. After playing with it for a few hours, his impression is quite favorable. Some highlights:

• Easy to program manually
• Front 4 buttons are programmable (short and long press)
• Main knob is multi-function
• Internal speaker is loud and has good tonal quality
• Transmit audio received good reports
• Display is easily readable

"So far, this little rig is pretty cool and should fit my intended use perfectly. I find it to be worth the money I paid." 

Click here for the full review.

Networked Devices at Home

I have marveled at how many devices I have on my network at the house. Beyond the usual smartphones, tablets, printers, game consoles, and even laptops; I now have my thermostat on my wireless. I can control the HVAC from anywhere via a webpage or app. It was pretty cool (no pun intended) to be on vacation and remotely change the heating/cooling schedule to save a few pennies since we were out of town. (I ended up not getting a Nest even though I still think it is neat.)

I had to get a new controller for my irrigation system - it was only as I was checking the thermostats program that I realized I should have asked about one with network connectivity. It would have saved a lot of running around the house - start zone 1, walk to check it, walk back to start zone 2, etc.

If I ever have to replace the cipher lock on my front door, maybe I need to upgrade to an August lock.

Mars

Mars... not MARS...

We can't get people to Mars yet, but if we do, hams are already wondering what propagation would be like and one speculates about how things might work.

Leixen VV-808: Alpha Display

Found this picture showing the alpha display here.

Tek Recon-Soft

A NERF-like, Laser Tag-like, Call of Duty-like game - a real virtual 3D first person shooter. Kickstarter project is here.

Leixen VV-808: Software and Company Site

The VV-808 product page is here. And thanks to Steve, here is a link to the software download for the VV-808.

Leixen company profile (via Google Translate):

"Ray Line Electronics Co., Ltd. Quanzhou was founded in 2008, is a professional wireless intercom development, production and sales of high-tech enterprises. Company is located in radio communications developed coastal cities - Quanzhou, Fujian Province. Has developed a full range of "LEIXEN" series radios. Widely used in construction, telecommunications, public security, security, flood control, restaurants, residential property management and other departments and areas.

Since its inception, has been focusing on product quality and after-sales service, product appearance, performance and quality to invest a lot of technology to consolidate and development. Team of engineers with years of experience to provide a strong technical support."

"ICOM" Radios for everyone

Not really... a variety of fakes via a story by Hans about how to make your own ICOM.

Barter

My wife would agree...

LoneNutVolFan After the apocalypse, the remaining Trader Joe's dark chocolate peanut butter cups will be the $1,000 bill in the barter currency.Sat, May 25 17:10:08 from web

---

Name: Lone Nut

Location: Big Orange Country

Web: http://t.co/Wti80QS0N2

Bio: Chuck Norris wears Chris Lofton pajamas.

Following: 1588 Followers: 951 Updates: 10717

---

Cross-over

So I post a little about ham radio and recently posted about the Ready Player One book that includes a lot of references to 80's video games and Easter Eggs.

Today, I read about this game that has a hidden message from one of its programmers: "DE JN1KTJ K."

Childhood's End

Finished another one... apologies to whoever recommended it. I added it to my wish list some time ago and don't recall who suggested it. Now I'm suggesting it... After reading Ender's Game, I didn't intentionally pick another book that had a mysterious alien race as the center of the story. Deeper than Ender's, this read was more thought provoking - in some ways, it simply felt like I was reading a thriller and was trying to figure out who done it. The themes, despite being written in 1953, still hold interesting questions for today. As usual, I don't do a lot of plot summary, but just post as a general recommendation for your queue if you haven't read this classic.

Buy it using my Amazon link at no extra cost to you and I can afford my next Ferrari.

Leixen VV-808: More pictures

More pictures via Taobao.com and again:

Ender's Game Reread

I just finished rereading Ender's Game since I wanted a refresher before the movie comes out. I've got my wife reading it, too. (Her transformation to a total geek is almost complete.) I don't remember when I read the book the first time, but there is a lot more depth to it than I recall. I loved the plot and remembered it for the most part. There were some bits that had escaped me.

If you are interested in buying the book, consider using my Amazon link - I get "rich" at no extra cost to you.

Ready Player One

Based on a recommendation from my brother, I just read Ready Player One. The story takes place in a dystopian future where Halliday, the creator of a massive virtual reality world, is giving away his entire fortune and control of his company to the person/player who solve various puzzles and finds hidden keys within the game. Halliday was a child of the 80's and he has built the puzzles around the pop culture of that time - from movies to video games to music.

It was an easy read and I enjoyed all the references from my (roughly) teenage years. It was a great Adventure!

If you are interested, please purchase the book using my link below, so I can retire early - at no extra cost to you!

Feitong FT-808: Kight Radio Update

Dale (KightRadio.com) has an update on the FT-808:

"For those of you that are interested in the Chinese HF Transceiver that waslisted as selling for $400.00, here is the correct price on the radio. 6,000 RMB Chinese money =(USD $975.60) They said they never put $400 on there but we all can see that price on their reps ad. I am in China now on a buying trip and I had my Chinese assistant get this information for us. Anyone that wants to buy one, I will be happy to give you the direct contact number so you can order direct from the mfg. Its normal for the Chinese to put a lower price on their ads just like they advertise the Wouxun 1P as a HF SSB Transceiver in some listings."

It is nice to have boots on the ground to get this information.

Leixen VV-808: Kight Radio $99

Kight Radio has the Leixen VV-808 for $99.95 (free ship). Programming cable is an extra $14.95. And it does come in UHF or VHF versions.

Somebody order one and tell me how great it is!

Leixen VV-808: AliExpress

Bob points out that you can get the VV-808 at AliExpress for $68.55 including shipping. I would have ordered one tonight if I thought it would actually be 2M instead of 440. I sent a message to the seller to see what they have to say.

Feitong FT-808

A post on the X1M Yahoo Group brought the Feitong FT-808 to my attention. It is designed as a marine radio, but looks interesting.

YBDXC introduces it like this:

"A new all mode low priced High Frequency transceiver from China is on the way. Called the Feitong model FT-808 the new radio is being billed primarily as a Marine Band transceiver but its published specifications read more like a mid-range piece of ham radio gear. For instance the FT-808 has a receive range of 500 Khz to 29.9 Mhz and a transmitter that covers 1.6 to 29.9 Mhz. In other words, it covers all the ham radio bands from 160 through 10 and lots more. 

The receiver is a double conversion superhetrodyne with both it and the transmitter capable of operating Upper and lower sideband, CW and AM with 100 memory channels. Tuning appears to be by up and down push buttons with a claimed receiving sensitivity of 12 db SINAD and a squelch sensitivity threshold on SSB, CW, and RTTY of less than 5.6uV.
One thing of note. While transmitter power appears to be in the 100 watt or slightly higher range but according to the public spec sheet there appears to be no provision to lock out transmission on 11 meters. This will likely keep it from gaining FCC acceptance for legalized sales in the United States. At least not in its current non locked out 11 meter configuration.

That said, the Feitong FT-808 carries a delivered list price of only $410 U-S dollars."

Sparky, as usual, has some info. I've copied the specs from here:

Dual mode: shortwave and ultra-shortwave
Dual channels to receive signals,
Distress call, selective cass, group call and all call,
Display anti-collision alarm,
Large LCD.

Specifications:
Frequency range:
Rx 0.5-29.999999MHz
Tx 1.6-29.999999MHz

Mode: USB, LSB, CW, RTTY, AM
Memory channels: 100
Power supply: 13.8V DC(¡À15%)
Current drain (at 13.8V):
Receive Standby 1.4A
Transmit Max. power 25A

Operable temp. range: -10¡æ - +60¡æ; 14¨H - 140¨H
Dimension(WxHxD): 240x200x65mm
Weight: 4kg

Reciever:
Reveive system: Double-conversion superheterodyne system
Sensitivity(12dB SINAD):
0.5-1.5999MHz: SSB, CW, RTTY¡Ü1uV , AM¡Ü10uV
1.6-29.9999MHz: SSB, CW, RTTY¡Ü0.5uV, AM¡Ü2uV

Squelch sensitivity(threshhold): SSB, CW, RTTY Less than 5.6uV
Selectivity:
SSB, CW, RTTY:
More than 2.1 KHz/-6dB,
Less than 4.5 KHz/-60dB
AM:
More than 6 KHz/-6dB,
Less than 20 KHz/-40dB

Spurious and image rejection ratio: More than 70dB(1.6-29.9999MHz)
RIT variable range: ¡À150Hz
Audio output power(at 13.8V DC): More than 2.0W at 10% distortion with an 8¦¸ load

Transmitter:
Ourput power: SSB 100W AM 40W
Modulation system:
SSB Balanced modulation
AM Low level modulation

Spurious emissions: Less than -50dB Below peak output power
Carrier suppression: More than 40dB
Unwanted sideband: More than 50dB

UPDATED: I just read Dale's post saying that these things cannot be had for this low price - more like $2000 USD.

Yuehong YH-A8

If it walks like a Baofeng UV-5R and quacks like a Baofeng UV-5R, then the Yuehong YH-A8 is a Baofeng UV-5R. Discussion of this identity confusion is here.

Given the Yuehong website has this image on their main page (note the Baofeng label) and that Baofeng radios dominate their product page, I'm thinking the YH-A8 is nothing new.

3D Printing Is Not Magic

Despite some of the challenges, I still think there is a lot of potential in 3D printing. It's not like the internet started out with wireless tablets and other magical sci-fi tools. Give it some time. I remember when I was a geek since I had a (wired) network in my home. Now grandmothers' have networks and preschoolers zip around iPads.

Leixen VV-808

N9XLC has posted about the VV-808 transceiver.  As he points out, this thing is small. I'm guessing from the pictures and the box that the manufacturer is Leixen, but there is no name on the radio. And we all know how these things get re-branded. The radio itself is $71 USD, but shipping is almost the same.

I'm going to assume the description of 136-174MHz or UHF: 400-470MHz is true and it is a mono-band radio despite some fuzzy language in parts of the listing. DHGate gives these specs:

Main Feature:

1.          Single band :  VHF: 136-174MHz or UHF: 400-470MHz

2.          Dual Reception/Dual Display

3.          Companding and Scrambler

4.          Multi silent mode (QT/QTADT/QTXDT)       107 groups DCS/58 groups CTCSS

5.          DTMF encoding and DTMF decoding

6.          PTT ID

7.          All calls, group calls and selective calls

8.          Monitor, Stun, Kill and Emergency Alarm

9.          FM Radio

10.      Scan/Scan add

11.      Channel name edit available

13.     199 memory channels

14.     High/Low power(10W/4W)

15.     APO(Auto Power Off)

16.     TOT(Time-out timer)

17.     Font Set(Big/Small)

18.     VOX(Level adjustable)

19.     Busy channel lockout

20.     Keyboard lock (Auto/Manual)

21.     Multi scan mode (TO/CO/SE)

22.     Channel steps (5K/6.25K/10K/12.5K/25K)

23.     Wide/Narrow bandwidth selection (25KHz/12.5KHz)

24.     TX Stop

25.     Talk

26.     Beat frequency

27.     Reverse frequency function

28.     1750Hz burst tone

29.     Four key programmable

30.     Lease Function

31.     Input frequency by using hand microphone

32.     Wireless changing frequency

33.     PC software disable frequency input

34.     PTT Times per Minutes Set

35.     All/Function reset

36.     Size: 120*85*40mm

In one word, this product is small but including all function useful for you.

Join the resistance!

Ten-Tec 506 Rebel

A sneak peak of the new Ten-Tec Model 506 Rebel - an open-source CW QRP transceiver for 20 or 40 meters at the qrper.com:

"The TEN-TEC Model 506 Rebel is an open-source (meaning, anybody can program it), factory-built QRP transceiver based on a Chip Kit Uno 32 Arduino-compatible prototyping platform, which serves as the main processing unit that holds the Rebel’s program. (For those of you not familiar with the Arduino series, check out this article.) 

And I have to admit, I love the concept: TEN-TEC delivers a factory-built, uber-simple transceiver, with just enough programming to reliably get you on the air with a basic radio (see details below). Users then have full access to develop and program the Rebel via an open-source platform, themselves. No need to wait on firmware revisions; firmware, in a sense, will be crowd-sourced! That’s to say, it uses online collaboration–a great idea."

No surprise - it has a Yahoo Group.

Bad Hacker, Good Map

Via Business Insider

249 Miles

NoteSlate Tweets Alternative e-Ink Slate

Promoting a competing product...

noteslate This sounds really interesting! Sony reveals prototype 13.3-inch e-ink slate with stylus engt.co/16tDPY2 OMG, three buttons and SD?!Mon, May 13 07:31:26 from Tweet Button

15 GB of Google Storage

google 15 GB of storage now shared between @googledrive, @Gmail & Google+ Photos goo.gl/dyZFo Mon, May 13 13:43:13 from web

What's in a name?

harrymccracken I love the fact that Windows Blue’s official name is Windows 8.1. I hope there’s a Windows 8.11, too. But not for workgroups. Tue, May 14 12:43:17 from Tweetbot for iOS

You're drunk, rainbow.

NatGeopix You're drunk, rainbow. pic.twitter.com/J4pWXrpTG9 Tue, Apr 30 16:00:31 from Buffer retweeted by msuster

---

Name: National Geographic

Location: Worldwide

Web:

Bio: - Travel the world on Twitter. See amazing images captured from around the world. **parody account. not affiliated with National Geographic. -

Following: 13 Followers: 147514 Updates: 1195

---

TYT TH-9800: Kight News

Kight Radio says the TYT TH-9800 is "almost here" and that "100 radios are expected to be released in June."

Xiegu X1MII: Kight Pics

Kight Radio has some pictures of the 20 watt X1MKII.

No Radio News

Nothing in the radio world is inspiring me at the moment, so you get this...

Game of Thrones character name is the fastest growing baby name - Arya.

A geography game using Google Street View - GeoGuessr.

Download your 3-D gun plans - at Joe Huffman's place.

The truth about IT people - Google Skills.

Say Uncle's worst nightmare - Unstoppable.

Ellen does security - Password Minder.

Almost radio related - DIY AUX port.

Baofeng, but still not a radio.

HP rep, in talking about new side docking stations for their laptops, described it as looking like a credit card imprint machine. If I was any younger, I probably would not know what she is talking about.

A weeks worth of groceries from around the world.

A split-screen interview - because we can!

Because I have the sense of humor of a 12 year-old: ship my pants!

Noteslate

Back from the grave - at least to tweet. I'd like to know their future plans, but I'm not in Prague at the moment.

noteslate Join our talk tomorrow at Pioneers Unplugged at @techsquarecz in Prague. Our story, lessons, future plans,... unplugprague.eventbrite.com Wed, May 08 05:38:52 from web

I Survived

I survived the gun control movement of 2013 and all I got was this...

Spock vs Spock

And while I am geeking out...



Via io9

Ender's Game

I can't wait... Harry Potter plus the Hunger Games plus SPACESHIPS!!!

Interference on WB4GBI's 940 Repeater

Tim tells the story of tracking down the source of interference to his popular 146.940 repeater.

Baofeng UV-5R: SSTV

So we have the UV-7DS D-Star model along with the ability to open the UV-5R to almost limitless frequencies... and now we have K3NXU with SSTV on his UV-5R!

Hora 2780: Super Double Secret Mobile Radio

Kight Radio is attending an electronics show in China and he's come across the Hora 2780 mobile. He says it has been around for five years.

The box/brochure says:

V/V, U/U simultaneous receiver capability, independent controls for each left and right bands

Frequency Range:

TX:
136 - 174 MHz / 400 - 450 MHz

RX:
118 - 550 MHz / 118 - 174 MHz
375 - 550 MHz / 810 - 999 MHz

- Independent controls for each band
- Dynamic Memory Scan (DMS)
- Wideband receiver
- HM-133, remote control microphone

Xiegu X1M: Hands On

Neil (W2NDG) has a review of the X1M. Head over to check out the details as I won't steal his thunder other than to quote:

"I think the little X1M has a nice future in my collection. It’s no KX3, but for about $300, it’s a nice little radio."

TYT TH-UVF8D

Adding another dual band HT to the line-up from TYT... the TH-UVF8 for $59.80 from the 409Shop. Link to the TYT site for the TH-UVF8. Forget the specs buy it for the yellow (see pic) or the blue.

Hate HSBC

I closed an HSBC on-line savings account. Apparently, closing an account does not stop automatic transfers into the closed account. That's absolutely moronic and feels like theft.

They say the money will be put back today, so maybe the recovery will be a better experience, but my blood pressure is just coming back done.