Monday, September 30, 2013
Wouxun KG-UV950P: Hans on Review
Hans reviews the KG-UV950P. Lots of words and pictures - even a graph. I've not read it yet as I just saw it was I was heading out the door before school kicks my daughter to the curb!
Grammar Grumble Mugs
It is always easier to see the mistakes when other people do it. I don't even want to think about all the errors I've made on the blog. I still think these Grammar Grumble Mugs are funny.
Friday, September 27, 2013
Jot Script Evernote Edition Stylus
I'm still looking for the perfect stylus to allow my iPad to replace pen and paper completely. I wonder if this is it: Jot Script Evernote Edition Stylus.
(I still wish the NoteSlate had been real.)
(I still wish the NoteSlate had been real.)
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Wouxun KG-UV950P: US Distributor
Wouxun says that CheapHam.com will be the US distributor for the KG-UV950P. I reached out to CheapHam and they responded very quickly to my request for information about the timing and cost with the following:
"We just started evaluation. No data as of yet.
Very limited quantities currently available, we expect production to pick up towards the end of the year.
We are looking at a selling price in the low $300s probably $319 to $329 range."
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
WiFi Smoke Detectors
What's the next connected device in your house? How about your smoke detectors?
I can see all sorts of detectors... additional sensors for your thermostat, doors and locks (that I've mentioned before), garage doors, kitchen sensors for smells (is this milk still good?), lights being on/off, etc. Who knows, maybe your radio will be wireless someday.
I can see all sorts of detectors... additional sensors for your thermostat, doors and locks (that I've mentioned before), garage doors, kitchen sensors for smells (is this milk still good?), lights being on/off, etc. Who knows, maybe your radio will be wireless someday.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Shouao TS-668: Dual Band Mobile
You guys know how excited I was by the Leixen VV-808 mobile... I am on a quest for a simple, inexpensive mobile. I keep thinking if the Chinese can make good, cheap HTs that a mobile should be easy to do as well.
The Shouao TS-688 came across my radar and I thought maybe this is the one. It is even dual-band.
Specs are below.
The Shouao TS-688 came across my radar and I thought maybe this is the one. It is even dual-band.
main functions:
Based Functions:
Semi-duplexer channels(UHF/66CH VHF/66CH)
High/Low power output(45W/High 30W/Low)
Large LCD display and button background light
Built-in CTCSS/DCS
Busy channel locked(BCL)
Time-out timer(TOT)
Optional encrypted board
PC and manual programming
That all sounded pretty good. Then I got a reply from the supplier saying that the cost for a single unit was $176 USD. I don't even know if that includes shipping. At that price, it didn't matter.
So what am I missing? Why is it so hard for someone to make a cheap mobile? Or am I the only one interested in them, so there really isn't demand to go down this path?
Friday, September 20, 2013
Certifiable
Many suspected, but now it is official... I am certifiable.
I passed my ITIL Foundation exam today.
I passed my ITIL Foundation exam today.
Wouxun KG-UV950P: Update
Hans is closer to getting his hands on the KG-UV950P. He's such a tease with his talk of price rumors and features.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
First Language
We joke about a warning on an HT charger that can cook meat, manuals that are indecipherable, and instructions that aren't super helpful, but when 30% of the population can't speak the national language, it does not bode well for the mastery of a second. (I know one may not really have anything to do with the other, but it still strikes me as interesting.)
Via Slashdot
Via Slashdot
Monday, September 16, 2013
Ohm's Law Remix
A new way to teach Ohm's Law...
My take... it should be another tool in the toolbox. If the old way isn't sinking in with a particular student, then see if this approach works. I'm not quite ready to rewrite all the books.
My take... it should be another tool in the toolbox. If the old way isn't sinking in with a particular student, then see if this approach works. I'm not quite ready to rewrite all the books.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Inflatable Antennae
Inflatable Antennae... now, if they would just make one for an UV-5R we'd be in business.
Friday, September 13, 2013
Xiegu X1M: Marxy's Initial Impressions
I am so far behind on the Xiegu (and the KN-920) developments, but here are Marxy's first impressions of his X1M.
Dumb Glass
From my Twitter feed:
BenedictEvans Spoke to a big UK broadcaster this week - apparently their strategy team is worried about the TV becoming 'dumb glass'. Nice new jargon...
Thu, Sep 12 13:06:46 from Twitterrific for Mac
retweeted by tim
I can't wait until it is smart enough to filter the ticker that runs across the bottom of my screen, so I can eliminate all those MLB and NBA scores that I don't have any interest in.
BenedictEvans Spoke to a big UK broadcaster this week - apparently their strategy team is worried about the TV becoming 'dumb glass'. Nice new jargon...
Thu, Sep 12 13:06:46 from Twitterrific for Mac
retweeted by tim
I can't wait until it is smart enough to filter the ticker that runs across the bottom of my screen, so I can eliminate all those MLB and NBA scores that I don't have any interest in.
Vero Telecom VR-6600P
Hans has an update on some new Vero Telecom (VGC) products including the VR-6600P that looks a lot like a Yaesu FTM-350.
Whatever happened to their UV-X5 tri-bander? Maybe it ended up as this?
Whatever happened to their UV-X5 tri-bander? Maybe it ended up as this?
What kind of runner?
What kind of runner are you? I am 100% a "Focused Goal Race" runner:
"You have your eyes on one race for the season, and nothing is going to stop you from getting there. The only race you may sign up for between now and then is a race to use as a training run, but there is no way you are going to race it. You need to save your energy for your speed workout in a couple of days. You have every run and workout written out in a calendar or training plan for the next 4 months. Each workout is meticulously calculated, and you make sure your GPS reflects the correct mileage after each run. It’s your goal race or bust – no ifs, ands, or buts about it."
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Value of Life
Bruce's article led me to Wikipedia... estimates of the value of life. Almost $8M according to the FDA. I don't know if reading this made the number go up or down for you.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Leixen VV-808: Sale
I got an e-mail saying the VV-808 (VHF version) is on sale for $118.24 including shipping to the US. (The UHF version is still at $144.04 with shipping.) That's not the sub-100 number I think starts to make it interesting again and I don't know if this is just a temporary sale to gauge response.
Friday, September 6, 2013
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Yahoo Group Changes
People don't like change... but I wouldn't really miss the daily messages about someone's trouble programming their radio.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Norris Dam Good BBQ Sauce
A friend of mine is trying to start a new business selling his own BBQ sauce. He's doing a KickStarter to raise funds to get the business going. He's a culinary school graduate and has been the head chef at a couple of restaurants. His mother passed away recently, but before she did she said she hated that she would not be around to see him follow his dream of selling his BBQ sauce. He has now quit his job and is trying to make a go of it.
The sauce is called "Norris Dam Good BBQ Sauce." The name is obviously a play on words - Norris Dam is close to Knoxville and was built in the 30's.
If you are interested, you can find his KickStarter page here. As of this writing, he is about halfway to his goal.
The sauce is called "Norris Dam Good BBQ Sauce." The name is obviously a play on words - Norris Dam is close to Knoxville and was built in the 30's.
If you are interested, you can find his KickStarter page here. As of this writing, he is about halfway to his goal.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Zastone ZT-9908: Digital Radio
Nate found another digital radio... the Zastone ZT-9908. You can get one for $97 at Amazon or $103 on eBay.
"Zastone (a company known to release clones of the UV-5R, and more recently a clone of the BJ-9000) have updated their website recently."
They are now offering a UHF only digital radio. Users manual is here (PDF). And the specs are as follows:
"Zastone (a company known to release clones of the UV-5R, and more recently a clone of the BJ-9000) have updated their website recently."
They are now offering a UHF only digital radio. Users manual is here (PDF). And the specs are as follows:
Features
DPMR Digital Standard
Analog ,Digital , both ,Channel Selection
Multi Working modes optional
Aadvanced Organic Electroluminesence Display
UHF430-470MHz
199 storage channel
Single Call ,Selective Call ,Group Call function
Message Edit ,Send and Receive support
ANI ID Function
Time display & setable
CTCSS 50/DCS 104
DTMF Function
Multi Frequency Step Setting
Repeater Offset
Priority Channel Scan
Scanning modes Selection
Channels Name Edit
Specification
General：
Frequency: 430.000MHz—470.000MHz
Channels: 199
Channel space: Digital：6.25 kHz ；Anolog：25/12.5kHz
Size: 132*63*40mm
Operating Temperature: -10-- +55 degrees
Power Voltage: 7.4V
Standby Current: About 35mA
Weight: about 300g
Transmitter:
RF power output: 7.4V HI≈4W±1dB LO≈1W
Emission Current: HI≤1.6A LO≤0.80A
Maximum Frequency deviation: Wide band±5.0/Narrow band 2.5kHz
Harmonic: <-65db div="">
Adjacent channel Power: Wide band 60DB/ Narrow band 65DB
Receiver:
Sensitivity: <0 .25uv="" db="" div="" s="">
SQ sensitivity: <0 .16uv="" div="">
Intermodulation rejection: 55dB
Audio output: ≥800mW
Receiving current: ≤300mA
SQ standby: Average 35mA
Including
Radio ZT-9908 *1
Battery 1800Mah *1
Charger *1 (AC adaptor & desktop)
Antenna *1
Back clip *1
Strap *1
Manual in English *1
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