Brick O'Lore

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Baofeng UV-3R: Step Size Video

A quick video on setting step sizes on your UV-3R.

Nest Thermostat

I posted back in October about the Nest Thermostat. I thought it looked to be a cool device. Given that Honeywell is suing Nest, it must be good. Nest responds and says they will fight the good fight.

Use it or lose it: Repeaters

WD4AM spins the dial and cannot find anyone on the repeaters in his area. He posits that hams are too busy watching American Idol to monitor the repeaters. This doesn't seem to be a problem in the Knoxville area as there are a lot of guys using the W4GBI repeaters on a regular basis. Knoxville maybe the exception to the rule.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Mayfield Skim Milk

So I've been drinking Mayfield Skim Milk for as long as I can remember. The last two gallons I have gotten have had a very bad taste - the milk hasn't gone bad, but the flavor is all jacked up. I mentioned it to my dad, another milk connoisseur, and he said he had noticed the same thing. I'd hate to change brands after all these years, but this stuff is undrinkable.

We are taking ours back to Kroger and I already sent a note to Mayfield via the Contact Us/Product Related Concern.

Anyone else notice the problem?

Free FFL Transfers through March at CCA Outpost

Wow. Free transfers at the new Coal Creek Armory Outpost until the end of March. Info at the CCA Outpost Facebook page.

Wouxun KG-UV6D: Three New Versions

Three new versions - exclusively from Ed at Import Communications:

ALL VERSIONS FEATURE:

199 Memory Channels
RPT Button*
Lockable S/D Button**
Tuning Knob functions when Keypad is locked
IP55 (Dust and Water Jets rating)
Uses all the same accessories as the other Wouxun dual band radios
Uses the same antenna connector as other Wouxun models. (Not all 6D's are like this)

*When in Frequency Mode, the RPT button will quickly cycle through SIMPLEX, +OFFSET, -OFFSET, +REVERSE and -REVERSE to access repeaters. It can also be programmed for other functions.
** With the radio in "single display" mode, and with the Keypad, MENU and S/D buttons locked, the end user will only be able to turn the radio on/off, change channels and talk. This is perfect for the non-radio user. Nothing they do will get them lost in menu-land.

VERSIONS ARE DETERMINED BY FREQUENCY RANGE & TUNING STEP

KG-UV6D-2.5 (full range coverage for public service) $175.00

2.5 Khz Tuning Step - compliant with new FCC rules for Land Mobile Service
TX & RX - 136-174 & 420-520 (frequency range can not be changed by owner)

KG-UV6D-IC1 (full range receive, ham band transmit) $140.00

5 Khz Tuning Step - the standard for Amateur Radio
RX - 136-174 & 420-520
TX - 144-148 & 420-520 (frequency range can not be changed by owner)

KG-UV6D-IC2 (full range coverage for ham, MARS, public service) $150.00

5 Khz Tuning Step - the standard for Amateur Radio
TX & RX - 136-174 & 420-520 (frequency range can not be changed by owner)

Monday, February 6, 2012

Baofeng UV-3R: Popular Radio

I really think Baofeng found a sweet spot with the price point of the UV-3R. They may not have a huge profit margin in each radio, but they make up for it in volume. Given things like the group buy from the Indiana Gun Owners forum and interest on survivalist/prepper blogs, it isn't just hams who are buying it.

Baofeng UV-3R: Expanded Frequencies Prevent Transmit Hint

Norm Goodkin (K6YXH) has a good idea to prevent an accidental transmission outside the allowed frequencies:

"If you have your UV-3R set to allow Tx on some out-of-band frequencies, but have others that you absolutely never want to Tx on, you can set the Tx frequency to null and you've got an Rx-only memory.

For example, if you put the NOAA Weather channels into memory, you certainly don't want to ever Tx on them. So, using the programming software just put your cursor on the Tx frequency and hit Delete. Note that you might see 0.00001 instead of a null Tx frequency, but the radio will not Tx on that channel. Don't type in a zero, because that might result in something like 136.000."