XiOne Tech Overview

Free Dungeons & Dragons Player's and Dungeon Master's Manuals

Download them here:

As Mike Mearls explained in Legends & Lore, the Basic Rules for Dungeons & Dragons is a PDF (over 100 pages, in fact) that covers the core of the game. It runs from levels 1 to 20 and covers the cleric, fighter, rogue, and wizard, presenting what we view as the essential subclass for each. It also provides the dwarf, elf, halfling, and human as race options; in addition, the rules contain 120 spells, 5 backgrounds, and character sheets. 

But the best part? The Basic Rules is a free PDF. Anyone can download it from our website. We want to put D&D in as many hands as possible, and a free, digital file is the best way to do that.

I used to have some D&D stuff - that was before my Sportster Modem collection started.

Via LifeHacker

Job Search Site Feature

One of the most annoying things about the job search boards is seeing the same jobs over and over. If I built a Monster or CareerBuilder, I would allow the user to flip a toggle on each individual job posting so that it would be excluded from the query next time.

Be Afraid

Potentially bad news for your favorite Game of Thrones characters:

“I have a large number of important characters who I switch between to tell the entirety of the story, and that limits who I can kill … The viewpoint characters are meeting up with each other and being in the same point at the same time,” said Martin, “which gives me a lot more flexibility for killing people.”

George R.R. Martin via WinterIsComing.net.

But #1 in your hearts

People who work in the tech industry say my school is number eight on the list of best business schools.

Transmitting from an Undisclosed Location

I'm not at the home base, so posting will be limited - as you've already figured out. It also doesn't help that the network connection here drops between 7% to 11% of the packets, average pings are 400ms, and maximum pings hit 3 seconds. I'm hoping they upgrade to a Sportster 56K soon.

Leixen VV-898: A Review

VK3XRA has a review of the VV-898.

Baofeng BF-F8HP: High Power

So a there is a new kid on the block... the Baofeng BF-F8HP.

From the Baofeng Tech website:

• It has 3 Power Levels (1, 4, 8 watt) 
• A new 76 Page In-Depth User's Guide 
• It includes the High Gain V-85 Antenna to Optimize Performance 
• It is the only second generation BaoFeng with the Tri-Color Display 
• Full Accessory Compatibility with ALL UV-5R accessories 

Miklor has a review. He says it has the same chip as the GT-3. He also has output power measurements and they look good.

You can order one at Amazon for about $63.

Old School

Spent my day building a Windows 2003 Server with SQL Server 2000 (SP3a) on an old PowerEdge 2600. Good times. Don't be too jealous.

Xiegu X108: Testing Results

Some results of the testing... I'm having some difficulty parsing all of this. I'll leave that to the many people who are smarter than me.

"Overall, the test found that the main issue covers both hardware and software, but also more detailed.
The first round of testing yet found a fatal problem, the main problem is the following points:
1, CIV control part of the software is imperfect. (Software perfected)
2, USB port communication, computer recognition, online instability (already rectification)
3, PTT data interference. (Already rectification)
4, some bug (already rectification) software on the
5, optimization of protection mechanisms (already rectification) more than a few problems have been gradually rectification is complete, partial validation machines also made ​​the corresponding comprehensive reform, should be effective, The second round of closed beta has yet to be further verified. Including software on some issues, but also have made ​​the appropriate improvements. Meanwhile, No. 405, No. 406, No. 408 also conducted a precision CNC machine APC improved power control is more precise and stable, and optimized high VSWR protection mechanism to ensure safety when working under prolonged high standing state machine. At the same time, this also verified the reception performance measured X108, or good, with some large base station receives the comparison test results, are also remarkable, I also relieved. Launch is also to force, the indicators are in line with national standard requirements. Niece secretive nothing good question, and found the problem to be improved, which is the measured maximum use and harvest ah"

"USB port problems, one USB port instability, vulnerable to interference, one USB real-time communication interference received, the final decision to abandon USB real-time communication, retaining only brush machine functions. The online task is given to the AUX port, this interface can be extended out."

"USB port to keep the brush machine will use ah. X108 USB port is not simply a serial converter chip, but really USB, brush firmware with USB mass storage mode, and drivers and operating system independent, and do not want to change the structure of the main circuit."

Universal Converter Box

I ordered one of these from Amazon today. If it had Lightning and RS232, it would be perfect.

From xkcd.com

NUT AT-828UV

The description says it is a Quansheng, but I just had to post about the NUT(ty) AT-828UV radio.

Xiegu X108: Controls

Ed (Import Communications) also translated a document showing some of the X108 controls.

Via the X1M Yahoo Group.

Xiegu X108: Import Communications Update

Update from Ed (Import Communications) via the X1M Yahoo Group:

"At my request, the annoying Pacman that continuously chomps, will be history. Hopefully he won't be replaced with a smiley face.

The fit and finish of this radio is excellent. The speaker holes are CNC drilled, the display cover is flush mounted, it is just a nice looking radio. My sample is getting a workout by a friend and reports are good so far. When he's finished, I'll post his comments here. Another friend is going to display it at the Huntsville hamfest in the fleamarket area. I'll report his space number on the forum later.

My X108 sample arrived assembled, not as a kit. The factory says in kit form, the radio will require 99.9% mechanical assembly with only one wire to solder. I assume this would be a wire to the antenna connector.

About X1M. From the information I have, this radio will continue to be produced. I am not sure when the factory will make another run of them because I know all efforts are going into the X108 at this time."

XiOne SDR Indiegogo

XiOne - the portable software defined radio:

"Our XiOne Software Defined Radio has been designed around mobility, not only including the hardware but also a bundle of applications covering smart phones, tablets as well as Windows, Mac OS and Linux systems. Just start-up XiOne and step into a new world of radio frequency applications without the need for special knowledge and therefore steep learning curves. 

To continuously enhance XiOne’s capabilities we like to encourage the maker community to develop their own applications. A well documented application interface and a Software Development Kit, including code examples, make it easy to start the integration of new applications. There is no need to install special drivers because all interfaces are based on standard network protocols, so it is simple to operate the device within all environments. Just connect via Wifi or Ethernet to the SDR-Network or even use the USB-Port which acts as a network interface too. 

A huge frequency range from 100 kHz up to 1.7 GHz opens up a wide field of operations. For example the reception of world wide short wave transmissions or the detection of ship as well as aircraft positions by receiving Automatic Identification System Messages and Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcasts. The built-in wide band amplifier ensures a strong signal to noise ratio to receive weak signals. Strong RF-Shielding assures a low level of cross talk between the RF-Path and the processing unit to keep the noise level as low as possible. 

The SDR has its own power supply allowing more than 2 hours of mobile usage, easily extendable with an external USB battery pack. In combination with dedicated smartphone or tablet Apps the solution becomes mobile allowing to go into areas with very low radio interferences."

 Via Reddit

Radioddity 2 Year Anniversary

Passing along... Radioddity 2 Year Anniversary:

"From August 12~17, we are going to celebrate our two year anniversary and reflecting on our past. Starting in 2012 as a supplier of radios and their accessories, we have grown steadily from a small retailer to the professional online store we are today. From the introduction of our partnership with Baofeng, to our Shareasale program we are proud of our progress and strive to continue providing customers with both the best products and support possible. We appreciate those who have supported us along the way, and wish to express this gratitude by offering additional discounts on bulk orders placed during our 3 day anniversary celebration. Enthusiasts like you are the reason Radioddity exists, and we are happy to provide this small token in return."

I've got a reminder to see what the deals are on the 12th.

Cow-Net

I saw this article about tracking cattle in order to understand their social networks. The really strange thing is I had a conversation last Wednesday with an organization that had, at one time, deployed a wireless network to track cows for a research project. Who knew that cow networks were so common? I can only assume that this means the NSA can find any cow at any time.

TYT TH-9800: Programming

How to program the TYT TH-9800 quad band radio:

WiMo QRM Eliminator

Andrew M6GTG posts about the WiMo QRM Eliminator:

"The QRM eliminator has a second antenna which isn't as efficient as the main antenna and ideally just receives the local QRM at a similar level to the main antenna. The device then takes this second signal and inverts the phase so when it is mixed with the main antenna signal the QRM is cancelled out."

Baofeng UV-3R: Starter Kit from BuyTwoWayRadios.com

36 For 36 - Baofeng UV-3R Ham Radio Starter Kit only $36 for the next 36 hours http://t.co/DKmDMDLr3a #hamradio #amateurradio #twowayradios
— BuyTwoWayRadios.com (@2wayradios) August 5, 2014

Get the UV-3R along with a USB programming cable and quick reference card for $36 plus shipping. Total page includes:

• Baofeng UV-3R Dual Band Two Way Radio
• Li-Ion Battery Pack
• Removable Antenna
• Belt Clip
• Wrist Strap
• C-Ring Headset
• Charger Tray
• AC to USB Adapter
• USB Power Cable
• Amateur Radio Quick Reference Card
• USB Programming Cable
• USB Cable Driver and Programming Software CD
• Owners Manual

Baofeng UV-6B Giveaway at Grapevine Ham Radio

Grapevine Ham Radio is celebrating its first birthday. And like any good birthday celebration, there will be gifts - or at least one gift. He's giving away a Baofeng UV-6B to celebrate, so head on over for your change to win.

Ham Radio Deluxe

I completely missed all of this... HRD support ends for the old, free version. The Yahoo Group is gone. But there is a new Yahoo Group.

Xiegu X108: In the Wild

The X108 radios are in the wild and they are awaiting feedback, a look back at the X1M development, and some thoughts about the future:

"Verify machines are sent out, waiting for feedback friends. 

Today is relatively free, I would say some of the X108 is the development of things.
This year in March, when talking with friends X1M, both at home and abroad X1M reputation is still very good, standard indicators that can withstand the test of combat, is a very useful little machine. From our current statistical data, there are about more than 200 domestic users. During also a lot of good feedback comments and suggestions. X1M design is a very simple little machine, only this, so there are a lot of problems and regret, therefore, that there was a domestic Blue and Platinum Both improved X1M, Platinum Edition software The hardware is relatively mature and stable, and it is the largest volume of a model. X1M offering so far there are more than two years, a friend on the proposal, said that a "Commemorative Edition", I also have this effect, so put this matter on the agenda. 

After a commemorative program improvement, only to find that, already out of the scope of a commemorative edition, a new machine, Oh, this is the X108. From mid-April to mid-June, during which a total of PCB board voted three times, each time to improve some of the problems and pitfalls, until I post published the fourth edition of PCB has also been issued to the plate and started trial production of small quantities of ready thing. In other words, the current demonstrator for the fourth edition. During this period, in order to ensure excellent overall performance, our team made ​​improvements in this salute them! In the mind of the customer is responsible, before the problem is not completely resolved, we prefer to offer machines come later, and never rush to finish the work and progress, this is our point of view, but also to the X108 is like waiting for a friend to say again a sorry ah. 

Currently, the verification has been done, the relevant information is collected also began corresponding improvement work has been in progress, production ready also intense, we only hope that we get the X108 is an excellent performance of the machine , is one worthy of the price of the machine, everybody is a trusted machine. 

As in the end how this machine, and the data on the testers to speak it"

BIOS Whitelist = DRM

In all cases, this is not a hardware limitation and there is no hardware reason why the cards are not compatible. The incompatibility stems from the software in the BIOS.

New WorldwideDX.com Site

The new WorldwideDX Radio Forum has been launched! Check out all the new features: http://t.co/fIi7HYpwYE
— moleculo (@moleculo) August 2, 2014

"The new WorldwideDX Radio Forum has launched, and we're giving away an MFJ Antenna!
Welcome everybody to the new and improved site. There are a lot of new features available for everyone, as well as vastly improved support for mobile and tablet users. Please take a few moments to look around and discover what's new, but please excuse some of the mess that still needs to be cleaned up. Now that we've completed our platform conversion, we will continue to add new features. Remember, new features are only possible by supporting the site and its advertisers!"