Thermostats. Fitness monitors. Even trash monitors for pay-as-you-throw to encourage recycling. This one caught me by surprise. It can report how long you brush, the zones in the mouth, and the frequency to you ... and your dentist! So next time someone says they need to brush their teeth, you can tell them there is an app for that!
Via Uncrate
A jack of many hobbies and a master of none - spending lots of time on amateur/ham radio, running, and technology.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Internet of Things - Toothbrush
Labels:
Health,
Technology
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
WRT54G
The WRT54G router has been reincarnated as the WRT1900AC. I had one of the WRT54G routers and recommended it to many others. I'd be interested in the new one, but not for $300. I'll stick with my ASUS RT-N66U for half the price.
Labels:
Networking,
Technology,
Wireless
HF-One: HF-One MKII Kit
I'm not real sure what is going on, but the kit version of the HF-One MKII sounds easy to put together.
"The next package, you only need a screwdriver to assemble OK, multimeter may also be unobtainable."Maybe even something I could do if they do start shipping them.
Labels:
Ham Radio,
HF-One,
HF-One MKII
Laser Pointer
"Jerome M. Hauer, Gov. Andrew Cuomo's director of homeland security, took out his handgun and used the laser sighting device attached to the barrel as a pointer in a presentation to a foreign delegation, according to public officials."Via Say Uncle
Shoes
If you find something you like, stick with it. Especially if you don't have a lot of money and can use an Amazon gift card to buy the out of production model for cheaper than anything at the local running stores.
The ASICS GT-2170 times three (pair). I don't know how many miles the oldest pair had (probably 400+), but the middle pair has 500+ miles. The newest pair has 3.01 miles.
The ASICS GT-2170 times three (pair). I don't know how many miles the oldest pair had (probably 400+), but the middle pair has 500+ miles. The newest pair has 3.01 miles.
Monday, January 6, 2014
Impact and Perception
I posted about the Wouxun problem.
Hans posted about the Wouxun problem.
Matt posted about the Wouxun problem.
David posted about the Wouxun problem.
It is making the rounds on the Yahoo Group.
It is making the rounds on the forums like eHam.net, QRZ, and AR-15, CalGuns.net.
[ EDIT TO ADD: ] The QRPer posted about the Wouxun problem.
That's in less than 24 hours. I know we don't represent a huge part of the total internet, but for the Chinese radios, we are what I like to call a non-trivial number. Wouxun had a huge lead on the other manufacturers. The KG-UV920R was a disappointment. Losing the guy that bought these radios to the US market is another step back. Culture issue? Poor management? Inability to manufacture? With alternatives like Baofeng, AnyTone, and a multitude of others, more problems or perceived problems* will make them go the way of AOL.
* Especially considering the price increases as they became more popular. My first Wouxun was less than $110.
Hans posted about the Wouxun problem.
Matt posted about the Wouxun problem.
David posted about the Wouxun problem.
It is making the rounds on the Yahoo Group.
It is making the rounds on the forums like eHam.net, QRZ, and AR-15, CalGuns.net.
[ EDIT TO ADD: ] The QRPer posted about the Wouxun problem.
That's in less than 24 hours. I know we don't represent a huge part of the total internet, but for the Chinese radios, we are what I like to call a non-trivial number. Wouxun had a huge lead on the other manufacturers. The KG-UV920R was a disappointment. Losing the guy that bought these radios to the US market is another step back. Culture issue? Poor management? Inability to manufacture? With alternatives like Baofeng, AnyTone, and a multitude of others, more problems or perceived problems* will make them go the way of AOL.
* Especially considering the price increases as they became more popular. My first Wouxun was less than $110.
Wouxun Defects
In addition to announcing the AT-3318UV-A and the end of his relationship with Wouxun, Ed takes some parting shots about the quality of the Wouxun radios, the warranties, and services:
- "flop" of a dual band mobile
- ordering difficulties
- lack of a real warranty, only repairs
- memory loss problem on all dual band radios
The last one has the most direct impact to owners. According to Ed, all dual bands have a chip that may go bad causing the radio to revert to Chinese, display the channel numbers, and sometimes erase the programmed channels. Reprogramming the radio might fix it - or only until the power is cycled again.
- "flop" of a dual band mobile
- ordering difficulties
- lack of a real warranty, only repairs
- memory loss problem on all dual band radios
The last one has the most direct impact to owners. According to Ed, all dual bands have a chip that may go bad causing the radio to revert to Chinese, display the channel numbers, and sometimes erase the programmed channels. Reprogramming the radio might fix it - or only until the power is cycled again.
Best and Worst of 2013
I was going to do a list, but I've been lazy busy. Lucky for me, Hans has updated his "China’s Best and Worst" list for 2013. He does his rankings based on the technical analysis.
Looks like I am going to do a list of sorts after all...
HTs
From a non-technical perspective, I would say looking at the GT-3 has been fun. I'd like to get a ZT-2R as its wide-receive might make it a better micro HT to have around than the UV-3R.
Mobiles
I got to play with the KG-UV950P and learned quite a bit during the testing process. (Thanks again to Buy Two Way Radios for the loaner.) I also was really excited about the VV-808 when it appeared as an inexpensive single band mobile.
HF
The Xiegu X1MKII has taken off - so much that I've not kept up with all the news/mods/firmwares/etc. And I wish that I'd see more about the HF-One MKII.
As for 2014, hopefully we will continue to see advances across the board including the digital radios that are starting to appear. (And hopefully I will get a job, too!)
Looks like I am going to do a list of sorts after all...
HTs
From a non-technical perspective, I would say looking at the GT-3 has been fun. I'd like to get a ZT-2R as its wide-receive might make it a better micro HT to have around than the UV-3R.
Mobiles
I got to play with the KG-UV950P and learned quite a bit during the testing process. (Thanks again to Buy Two Way Radios for the loaner.) I also was really excited about the VV-808 when it appeared as an inexpensive single band mobile.
HF
The Xiegu X1MKII has taken off - so much that I've not kept up with all the news/mods/firmwares/etc. And I wish that I'd see more about the HF-One MKII.
As for 2014, hopefully we will continue to see advances across the board including the digital radios that are starting to appear. (And hopefully I will get a job, too!)
Labels:
Baofeng,
GT-3,
Ham Radio,
HF-One,
HF-One MKII
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)