Brick O'Lore

Signal to Noise

A problem for hams, engineers, and techs everywhere.

Tennessee's Got Talent

It's no Maryville City, but I found it entertaining.

Infographs

"Ever since the Twin Towers fell, the United States has been at war. The costs of that decade of conflict have been unimaginably high: trillions of dollars spent, hundreds of thousands of lives lost. The numbers are almost too big to grasp, let alone quantify. The graphics below are our incomplete attempt to do so."

Lots of interesting graphics at the Danger Room.

Droid Hams

So I tried to join the Droid Hams Yahoo Group, but I missed the fine print (see below) and was denied.

Description
Droid users that are licensed hams
If you want to join present your call sign otherwise you will be denied

Since I tried to sign up using my Brick account and without mentioning my call, my request was denied. I don't dispute the group owner's right to restrict access, but I think the more open groups have a better chance of success. My supporting data... this group had one message in August and one message so far in September. Not too active.

QotD

One of the accountants at work just recently got his new Windows 7 laptop. Upon hearing that Windows 8 is coming out and will have a new interface, he wondered why they couldn't just release a Windows Classic, so we don't have to keep learning new operating systems.

Baofeng UV-3R: Google Doc FAQ

Psolo (IK1ZYW) has started a Google Doc FAQ for the UV-3R. Not a bad idea if you ask me. There are lots of place holders for the moment, but he seems spot on for identifying some of the critical topics. I'll have to keep an eye on it.

Baofeng UV-3R: MTC Branded

Looks like there is a new kid on the block... Main Trading Company now has an MTC branded version of the UV-3R.

Thanks to Chris, NH7QH, at NH7QH Radio Supplies, LLC (formerly Baofeng-UV3R.US) for the tip.

Waffle House Index

How bad is a given situation? Use the Waffle House Index:

Green means the restaurant is serving a full menu, a signal that damage in an area is limited and the lights are on. Yellow means a limited menu, indicating power from a generator, at best, and low food supplies. Red means the restaurant is closed, a sign of severe damage in the area or unsafe conditions."

Via SaysUncle

Baofeng UV-3R: NH7QH Radio Supplies Updates

Chris from NH7QH Radio Supplies, LLC sent me some updates to share with the community.

First, he has all the colors in stock - including the extremely desirable yellow. (Of course, now I'm tempted to wait on a Mark II.)

Second, he mentioned a new box. I thought this might be related to the Mark II, but I don't think so.

Also, he points to a change in the FCC registration for the ZVMVGC3RX4.