Gong Xi Fa Cai

Via Vero Telecom:

2015 is coming, Vero Telecom wish all of you have a wonderful 2015. 

In 2015, Vero will continue to provide you the best quality products and good service. I believe that we will have more cooperation chances in the future. 

Jan.1st,2015 is not actually our New Year, in China, we have Chinese lunar calendar，and our new year which we also called “Spring Festival” is on Feb.19th. 

During the Spring Festival, we say “Gong Xi Fa Cai” when we meet people, it means wish you good luck and make money. 恭喜发财！ 

Listen the song “Gong Xi Fa Cai”.

WarSting

WarSting: A Wi-Fi scanning sword for Hobbits:




Via Slashdot.org

HT Feature

Here is another feature for the Chinese to incorporate into their next HT: remote coffee starter.

Adonit Jot Script Evernote Stylus on Sale

I've got 18 hours to decide if I want to pull the trigger on the "Adonit Jot Script Evernote Edition Fine Point Stylus." It is currently $45 instead of the regular price of $75.

Hot Jobs in Knoxville

Woo hoo!

Computer and Information Systems Managers are expected to be the hottest job in Knoxville between now and 2020.

IT: As Seen By

In case you don’t reddit, an awesome summary of IT: pic.twitter.com/BRKHgfbG0w
— Nick Craver (@Nick_Craver) December 24, 2014

Merry Christmas!

One of my favorites and my usual Christmas post..

Adafruit and Heathkit

Adafruit looks at Heathkit:

"There are not as many people who know about Heathkit now, so when we saw a year ago that something new might be happening with the brand (again) we and many others got very excited. It’s puzzling as to what’s really going on though. 

Maybe our post about this will shed some light on this electronic history mystery which is Heathkit 2014. We hope we find out what the plans are for Heathkit, who owns it now, and if this legendary and loved brand is going to return to the educational electronic market."

Heathkit responds:

"Our friends at Adafruit Industries have been doing some sleuthing, and we agree- it's time for an update. Happily, there's plenty to report. 

Exciting things are happening in the Heathkit labs. We're pleased at the great feedback from our beta-testers on a range of quality products we've been actively developing. As you know, we had hoped to get several of these new products out for the Christmas market, but our team is creating so many new ideas that we've been slowed by the sheer work of creating patents (by law we must file them before we may sell our new products, or even advertise them). We remain hard at work, and as excited as ever to ship finished new products meeting Heathkit's high standards. 

Meanwhile, our team has been expanding. More top-notch technical advisors and advisors have joined the effort, and hand-picked interns have been learning the ropes while earning money for their college degrees. We've been carefully building supply chain relationships to keep quality high and prices low, and exploring exciting partnerships that we look forward to announcing. Our soldering irons remain hot, and are being put to good use. 

We know you're as eager as we are to see the newest Heathkit designs released. (Of course thousands of Heathkit® products are bought and sold each week-- we participate in this market ourselves, and monitor it closely). For any enthusiasts not yet on our Heathkit Insider email list, that list will be the first place that new product availability is announced. Head over to the FAQ section on our official website to learn how to join the mailing list and also to read the answers to Adafruit's questions about Heathkit intellectual property. We look forward to building out this FAQ section as more information becomes public. 

It's been an enormous amount of hard work, but our team has risen to the task. You can be confident that as true Heathkit devotees ourselves, we want nothing more than to honor the legendary name that's graced workbenches and homes for generations. We look forward to providing more news soon. 

Until next time,
The Heathkit Team"

Via reddit and reddit.

Misuta

And on the topic of names, Hans has spotted another name for the Baofeng now Pofung radios: Misuta:

"Two models are on display so far: the Misutā Samurai, and the Misutā Hero. Both are, of course, UV-5Rs, with reverse LCDs. Prices are about the same."

Xiegu X108: Better Update

From Fred (VE3FAL):

"Those who have already received the updated radio say it is like night and day between the first batch and the second. Audio on SSB is much cleaner and clearer and the over-driving of the front end has been fixed. AM is also much better sounding according to those using the radio. 

The firmware has been changed as well so the microphone buttons can be programmed by the end user to their choice and option for buttons on the microphone, as well a cw side-tone volume control has been added into the menu options."

And from Ed's Import Communications site:

"-this radio is out of stock- 

the factory is replacing all previously sold radios and stock should return in mid-December"

And also this:

"Xiegu is pronounced 'zee goo'"

Repeater Highway Sign

A nice idea, but I'd probably not catch the frequency as I drove by it. (And some on reddit think it is fake.)

As seen on CBS This Morning #hamradio pic.twitter.com/y9XutfIAOD
— Randy (@K7AGE) December 22, 2014

Xiegu X108: Second Batch

I've not kept up completely with the X108, but it looks like there were several problems with the first batch. Some (most? all?) of the sellers are working with their customers to replace the radios with new ones that have been updated with several fixes. Again, I've not stayed on top of it completely, but it does seem like satisfaction is growing with the owners.

If you want to check out the details, you can catch up in the X108 Yahoo Group.

TDXOne TD-Q3

A step in the right direction in my quest for a tiny 2M radio - except it is UHF - the TDXOne TD-Q3 (409Shop - $28.50 or Amazon - $38). Dimensions are 82 x 47 x 24 mm. The 409Shop says it can be expanded to 99 channels, but everything else says 16.

409Shop:

Model:	TD-Q3
Frequency Range:	UHF 440-480MHz
Channel capacity:	16(can be extened to 99)
Output power:	<=3W
Operating Voltage:	3.7V
Antenna:	Built-in aerial
Working Temperature:	-20°C—+50°C
Frequency Spacing:	12.5/25kHz
Battery capacity:	1800mAh
Color:	Blue
Dimension(Exclude antenna) :	82x47x24mm
Weight(Include Battery):	95g
Feature:
FM radio:		Yes
Emergency alarm:		Yes
Flashlight function:		Yes
Scan function:		Yes
Monitor function:		Yes
Key lock function:		Yes
Volume adjustment:		Yes
Low battery indication:		Yes
Voice purification function:		Yes
TOT(timer-out time) :		Yes
CTCSS/DCS:		38CTCSS/83DCS

Technology

On the one hand, you'd think they'd have something nicer. On the other, I appreciate a company being frugal.

Just visited the WOW! Cable offices. Their lobby setup includes a VHS player and a CRT television. #cuttingedge pic.twitter.com/tdKMOfqJ6C
— Lone Nut (@LoneNutVolFan) December 12, 2014

409Shop "Interesting Electronics"

Everything you need for your bench/lab and then some - but not in time for Christmas because of shipping.

Busy

I've been busy with family, work, and holiday stuff, so I've not been able to post as much. I wish this is what was happening, but it's not.

Life of a #runner. pic.twitter.com/IORz3XCpVx
— Houston Marathon (@HoustonMarathon) December 16, 2014

Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Deal

I decided to go with a traditional laptop at work, but I had the option of a Surface 3 Pro. If you are thinking about one, Amazon has a pretty good deal: $100 off, plus a $100 Amazon gift card.

Via Kinja Deals

Nice Guys

Nice guys should finish first.

SainSonic RST599

Another one to watch over at Hans' place - the SainSonic RST599:

"With 240 memory positions, scramble, three power settings, IP66 classification (dust- and waterproof to some extent) and a seven-color display this model clearly wants to impress us. In other specs (see below) I smell a hint of options normally found on Yaesu radios."

He also says the price is expected to be around $60.

Yaesu FT2DR: Touchscreen HT

So Ford is replacing Microsoft's in-car infotainment platform and replacing it with QNX. Several of the comments to the Slashdot article are complaining about the lack of dedicated knobs and buttons. That complaint echos those I hear from those that don't want to do SDR, because they want knobs and not a mouse.

Makes me wonder what the response will be to the Yaesu FT2DR touchscreen HT. Universal Radio shows a list price of $640, so you know how interested I'll be.

Protest

Let them protest, but there should be consequences for not following the rules.

Via @MatthewBracken

Amazon - 25% Off Any Book

Take 25% off any book at Amazon using the code "BOOKDEAL25" at checkout.

Coffee DRM 2

A fix for the coffee DRM.

SDR Giveaway at AmateurRadio.com

Lots of of prizes, open to hams worldwide from AmateurRadio.com and NooElec.com ... click here to enter:

Three (3)
Complete NESDR XTR HF SDR packages including:
NESDR XTR SDR Set (E4000 chip)
Ham It Up upconverter
Upconverter Enclosure (silver)
Male MCX to male SMA pigtail (SDR cable)
Male SMA to female BNC adapter (antenna adapter)
Estimated $129.95 value

Five (5)
Complete NESDR Mini 2 HF packages including:
NESDR Mini 2 SDR set
Ham It Up upconverter
NESDR Mini 2 enclosure (silver)
Upconverter enclosure (silver)
Male MCX to male SMA pigtail (SDR cable)
Male SMA to female BNC adapter (antenna adapter)
$111.95 value 

Twelve (12)
NESDR Mini 2 SDR sets
$25.95 value

EMF Protection

I ordered two.

Not really.

But that's because I wear one of these.

Again, not really.

Via /r/amateurradio

Let It Snow

In case you are tired of all the Frozen "Let it go" songs, I present a change of pace.

Baofeng BF-F8HP:Unboxing

Here are a few obligatory unboxing pictures of the BF-F8HP (along with a few of the UV-82C in the group shots) from BaofengTech.

I've fired up CHIRP and have a few repeaters setup. So far, so good!

Reads "Baofeng"

Reads "U - V Antenna"

NoteSlate - This Year?

NoteSlate is making bold statements again via Twitter. The link takes you to the noteslate.jp site. I'm sure not what "Shiro" is.

Noteslate #SHIRO will come this year. The first one of them. Thank you for your support http://t.co/Pejs22Z6UR pic.twitter.com/zy1GahaRPl
— NoteSlate (@noteslate) December 10, 2014

I signed up for the notification. I assume "this year" means 2015. Otherwise, we would see something very soon. Also, the e-mail sign-up gives an address in the Czech Republic. Not that it matters - I just had no idea where they were.

Noteslate SHIRO ( Pre-Order 2014 )
Almost finished...
We need to confirm your email address.
To complete the subscription process, please click the link in the email we just sent you. 

Noteslate, Inc.
Na Kotlářce 1081/6
Prague 160 00
Czech Republic

Cisco v. Arista

Cisco's statement:

In the thirteen years I’ve been General Counsel of Cisco, I can count on one hand the number of times we’ve initiated suit against a competitor, supplier or customer. 

It’s therefore only after thoughtful and serious consideration that we are today filing two lawsuits to stop Arista’s repeated and pervasive copying of key inventions in Cisco products. These suits cover key Cisco proprietary patented features and Cisco’s copyrighted materials.

Arista's response:

"The networking industry is in the midst of a revitalization as the value shifts from boxes to cloud networking software (a shift which is causing apparent consternation at Cisco). Arista is winning the software battle in the cloud, so Cisco has chosen to do what others did to it previously and is attempting to use the legal system to cover for its lack of innovation in software 

I was the General Counsel at Cisco in the 1990’s when it was being attacked in much the same way as Arista is today. Cisco faced this same challenge from the legacy vendors in the 1990’s, and the legacy vendors also wrongly used litigation to slow down innovation. I agreed with Mr. Chambers quote then and I agree with it even more now. “Symbolically it’s huge,” Mr. Chambers said of the suit. “It shows that some companies don’t have a way to compete in this new market.” 

http://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/23/business/the-markets-market-place-cisco-systems-is-giving-up-partner-hunt.html"

Modern Prison

And we do it to ourselves...

modern prison pic.twitter.com/P5XfrQwnJr
— Banksy (@lamBanksy) December 8, 2014

The Joys of Wireless Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting wireless can be hard. Where I am working, we have to deal with loads that vary with the day and with the season. Couple those variables with everything that happens in the air and it can lead to plenty of headaches. I've ordered some pineapples to compensate.

Hytera PD368

Cool.

#Hytera PD368 in #hamr action through the #DMR Marc netowrk (#US talkgroup). http://t.co/coQphAtnjw #hamradio #digital @brickolore
— Christian Diemoz (@Chris_Diemoz) December 5, 2014

1,000 Miles

As of today, I've run 1,005.61 miles for the year. It's the first time I've run more than 1,000 in a year. Along the way, I ran marathon, half marathon, 15k, 10k, 8k, 5k, and 1 mile races. I even did half marathons on back to back days.

Tough

I concur.

pic.twitter.com/c1rGz5QFO9
— Sheldon Cooper (@SheldonSaid) December 3, 2014

Debian Hamradio

Hamradio on an USB-stick - Debian Hamradio Pure Blend - http://t.co/O2bkzJdBGX #Hamradio #Hamr #HamTwitter #Linux #Debian #73sFromAmsterdam
— PA3DMI (@PA3DMI) December 4, 2014

Baofeng UV-82: BaofengTech Camo Version

First, many thanks to Baofeng Tech for sending this radio to me!

I usually post about how I like getting radios in bright colors, so I didn't think I would be a big fan of the new camo Baofeng versions. Well, I was wrong. I really like the way this camo UV-82 looks. My pictures do not do it just. I'll have to figure out a better way to show off the pattern.

CWNP: 802.11 MAC Headers

A good breakdown of 802.11 MAC headers via Aruba.

Hash

When it comes to troubleshooting, hash is a four letter word.

NoteSlate - Unstoppable!

And it just won't die...

Thank you for being with us. We spent last three years building Noteslate device. We'll bring you the first one soon, Noteslate #SHIRO.
— NoteSlate (@noteslate) November 29, 2014

Baofeng BF-F8HP and UV-82C: Via BaofengTech

I posted about the Cyber Monday deals at BaofengTech, but I have more good news from them. Christmas has come early as I received a BF-F8HP (15% off today!) and a UV-82C from BaofengTech over the week-end. I've not even opened the boxes yet, but this is good news for me and for you, so stay tuned!