Tomu - Tiny ARM Computer

Tomu: a tiny, open-source hardware computer that fits in a USB port! @xobs, my long-time collaborator and friend, has teamed up with @mithro to crowd fund this neat little idea on @crowd_supply: https://t.co/Th3HkzJcdD. Check it out & nab one of these handy things to hack on! pic.twitter.com/n3T84RIfZt

— bunnie (@bunniestudios) January 9, 2018

Baofeng BF-T1 (BF-9100)

Some interesting stuff about the Baofeng BF-T1 that Ivan Hazelton shared* on the original BF-T1 post:

Good news! With the programming cable you can program this little rig with 20 channels 400-520MHz and 130-174MHz. Now be aware that the antenna is ... sub-optimal for the 130-174MHz so a suitable replacement will need to be MacGyvered. It'll be great to have a little, >$20, 4oz, disposable, dual band rig. It goes by another name BF-9100A, and the software to program it can be found here or direct linked here (.rar file).  The cable does use a fake PL-2303 serial chip, so you'll also need the drivers off the same page, or direct linked here (.rar file). 

Direct link to BF-9100A/BF-T1 Manual (.doc).

Also, it has CHIRP support.

*I've done some editing so the links work.

Streaming Games

It still blows my mind what can be done today with virtualization and streaming... Nvidia's GeForce Now Windows App Transforms Your Cheap Laptop Into a Gaming PC.

Vero Telecom HT Mobile Amplifier - VR-P25

I've put HTs in my car, but never felt the need for an amplifier like the VR-P25.

Frequency Range:	400-470Mhz/136-174MHz/222-225MHz/350-40MHz
Power Input:	2-5 Watts (10%)
Power Output :	20-30Watts
Supply Voltage��	12~15V��DC��
Current Consumption��	4.5~5.5A
Input/Output Impedance :	50 Ohm Nominal
RF Connectors��	RF Input (Radio)-SMA* RF Output(Antenna)-SL-16* *RF connectors can be ordered in any configuration of TNC or N-type per customer's
Size:(HxWxD)	35x115x135(mm)
Weight:	800 g

Cryptocurrency Adoption

An interesting graph and even more interesting discussion...

Bitcoin compared to other historical adoption curves. One of my followers made this, I can't recall who (please let me know and I'll repost with h/t). $BTC pic.twitter.com/iod6CxMY8H

— Parabolic Trav (@parabolictrav) December 18, 2017

HBS Working Knowledge Comments of the Year

Harvard Business School's Working Knowledge produced a list of their favorite comments from 2017. This one made me laugh:

People Have an Irrational Need to Complete Sets of Things
Joel comments: I like this for two reasons:
1) You can build dramatic tension by starting a list.

It reminds me of that joke about the 10 types of people in the world - those who understand binary and those who don't.

Technical Writer Job

Baofeng Tech is hiring a technical writer. Position requires that you have an amateur license.

How to Charge Your Smart Phone

Interesting advice...

- Don't charge to 100%
- Try to keep the charge between 65-75%
- Partial charges do no harm

Ham Licenses

Ham licenses chart.

Up: Extra, General, Tech, and Total

This is a high water mark for all three classes and overall licenses.

Down: Advanced and Novice
Advanced and Novice will only go down since no new licenses are being issued for these classes.

Month	Extra	Advanced	General	Technician	Novice	ARS Total
Dec-17	145,034	41,938	174,206	377,902	9,056	748,136
Nov-17	144,985	42,208	174,162	377,507	9,132	747,994
Oct-17	144,666	42,479	173,694	375,597	9,192	745,628
Sep-17	144,672	42,838	173,601	374,833	9,257	745,201

PSA: Wi-Fi

Seeing another deal on an Alexa enabled plug - $12 with code 7FRQNW4M. This is one is a little different in that it includes energy monitoring/tracking.
Which leads to my public service announcement for the day...

I've been snagging all these Alexa enabled devices and one thing they seem to have in common is that they only use 2.4 GHz. This is the crappy, crowded, interference ridden, only 3 non-overlapping channels band. That's bad, but workable (generally the range is better), so not the end of the world. But, as a general rule, make sure all your important devices (Smart TV, streaming devices, laptops, etc.) are using 5 GHz.

Deal via Kinja Deals.