Catenary

So, I'm not an engineer by education and I only have limited experience in ham radio, so the good news is I learn a lot when I take a few minutes to read something like the February 2013 QST.

In an article about how to hang wire antennas, I was introduced to the term catenary:

"In physics and geometry, the catenary is the curve that an idealized hanging chain or cable assumes under its own weight when supported only at its ends. The curve has a U-like shape, superficially similar in appearance to a parabola (though mathematically quite different)."

Of course, there is math to optimize the hanging of wires/cable. I just never thought about it beyond is the wire high enough that something won't run in to it and is it tight enough that it won't fall down in a few minutes after I let go.

Fear the Deer!

"Fearing the local deer population might suddenly turn tyrannical, the Found Fathers hastily drafted the Second Amendment."

Ha! Picture here.

Amateur Electronic Supply Website

AES has updated their website and it is a thousand times better than it was.

On-Line Banking PSA

Here is my public service announcement for the week: Tips for Safer Internet Banking. Some good tips like using the mobile apps. I use the mobile app for my bank, but primarily for the convenience -  I hate driving to  the bank to deposit a $32 check. Extra security is a bonus!

AC's Bad TV

We all have our buttons:

"I’m perfectly happy watching a magic/science levitating invisible robot that’s powered by glowing radioactive crystals and can also play jazz; but the minute a general fires a sheriff I’m royally pissed off."

Tyranny 2-for-1

A two for one... get rid of the Second and Fourth Amendments in one shot!

Liturgical Mysteries

Want a cheap thrill? Slim introduced me to these books about a small town police chief/organist/writer. While I am not Episcopalian, the church humor is easily translatable to my own experience. I hear if you are a member of a choir, there are lots of jokes for you that probably went sailing over my head. I was sick over the week-end and read a couple of them during my downtime - easy, fun reads.

Less than a buck if you want the Kindle version... if you click the link below to buy, I get a cut of your $0.99. No one has ever used my Amazon links before, so I don't even know what that would be.

If you'd rather go to the author's site directly, click here.

AR-15: Good for You, Good for Me

Department of Homeland Security: Sport rifle (AR-15) “suitable for personal defense” - including 30 round magazines and select-fire.

Knoxville - Well-Versed

Knoxville - America's Most Bible-Minded City.

Anytone AT-5888UV: Firmware

Milton posted an update for Ed in the AT-588UV Yahoo Group.

"Ed says he's shipped 100 radios in the past two days. He is now updating firmware in his previous inventory. He must replace the mic board in the head, update the head firmware, remove the top cover on the body and update the main firmware. He says it's very time consuming. Probably 20-30 minutes per radio counting the unpacking, repacking and etc. And he has to work carefully as not to scratch anything. 

Updated radios will be shipping the first of next week. These will be EXACTLY like the recently arrived new inventory. Only difference between the updated inventory and the recent inventory is the updated inventory will have the updated mic board and the updated firmware. Ed says an additional 100 radios are supposed to ship at the end of this month from China. 

So as you might guess Ed is working night and days shipping radios and applying the updates to his previous inventory. Plus I'm getting a new radio too! Mine was part of the first 50 and had a problem with the mic board and some oddities to the receiver that I documented on a General Dynamics R8000 test set and sent my results to Anytone in China."

So what does Ed have to do to update the firmware? I wonder if end-users would be able to update it.

It would be fantastic if end-users could plug a radio in via USB and do an update. While software isn't the only issue in the rushed to market radios, it would make be an early adopter a little less painful. Aren't we getting closer to that everyday with SDR?