Simple Tools II

In addition to the calendar, I also love having a big whiteboard. Networks diagrams, workflow, ad hoc WBS - there are a million things to prove the old adage that a picture is worth a thousand words.

It became a bit of a running joke that I couldn't work with the team on a project or issue without being at the whiteboard.

Least Favorite Software

Are there certain software tools you hate? I hate Taleo. It may be great for HR professionals and hiring managers, but as someone looking for a job and encountering it frequently, it leaves me frustrated.

First, when you create a scrolling frame inside a web page, you start at minus one.

Then the errors start.

Error - job title too long. (You asked, I told you. 25 characters? That's it?)

Error - certification not valid. (So you have a predefined list of certifications? Therefor any certification I have that isn't on your list, I cannot add at all. Oh, you have one that is close, but not exactly the same. Should I pick that? If I do, can I attest that I have answered all the questions accurately?)

For the field that is often promoting diversity, they sure aren't building the ability to support it into their tools.

Maybe I want a job writing this software, because those people must have great job security as it is impossible that they've ever had to use their own system to apply for a job. I exaggerate but UI is really bad.

Friday Funny

Via W2LJ

Radio Features: Memories

An interesting discussion about memory features that someone would like to see in future radios.

Probably the biggest hurdle in doing this is cost - particularly hard to demand some of these features when chasing the rock bottom cost on the Chinese radios. I suspect as Moore's law continues, we'll see these options and plenty more.

Wouxun KG-UV8D: How to check version

Via Miklor on the KG-UV8D Facebook page:

UV8D Keypad/Display...
By pressing and holding the 3 Key while doing a PowerON,the UV8D will display the Model, Version and Date.

TYT TH-UV818

From Nate:

"I was wondering when they'll imitate the body design of the Yaesu/Standard/Horizon VX-7R/HX470/VXA-710."

Which reminds of where this all started for me - the Baofeng UV-3R copying the Yaesu VX-3R. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

The TYT-TH-UV818...

Horizon HX470 (silver and black)
Yaesu/Vertex VX-7R (silver and black)
Yaesu/Vertex VXA-710
Yaesu FTA-720

Simple Tools

When I do finally get back to work, I'll want to get one of these giant wall calendars. It is decidedly low-tech, but I loved being able to see the year all at once. I would track:

- month-ends (when we were on a 4-4-5 fiscal calendar), so I could make sure we didn't try to schedule downtime/maintenance during that critical period
- holidays for each of the plants (US, China, Mexico)
- vacations for my staff
- off-site training for my staff

You can use dry erase markers, but I prefer using permanent Sharpies. (You already knew I was a fan of Sharpies for the ham shack.) If something was in flux, I would make a note on a Post-It that I could move around until the date was finalized. Bright colors are a must!

XLT Painless Programming Cable for Baofeng, Kenwood, and Wouxun

$20 for a genuine FTDI chip is probably a bargain for most considering the amount of time some have invested in trying to get a knock-off to work with their radio. Heck, if everyone had one of these, the number of posts to the various Yahoo Groups would drop exponentially.

And a related post on reddit: Does anybody know why modern radios still use serial connectors for their data cables instead of USB?

TYT TH-9000D: At 446Shop

I was looking at some of the stuff Nate sent me and I just happened to notice that the 446Shop has a listing for the TYT TH-9000D. Pictures at the link.

HiGrade HG-109

Nate has been looking around for the latest radios and come up with some good stuff. So, thanks to Nate! I'll start with this one - the HiGrade HG-109 which is described as:

"Handheld Walkie Talkie big screen MP3 MP4 two way radio with Camera,Video Recorder,Box Speaker 2840,FM radio,Clock,Calculator function"

Other specs are below, but check out the screen.

Nate points out some of the interesting features like MP3/MP4 player, built in digital camera + video recording capability. He also notes that one of the pictures shows a calendar with a January 2012 - so either that is a test date or this thing has been in development for awhile. I'm also confused by the listed frequency range (400 - 470 MHz) that doesn't match the "Dual Receive Yes (VV/UV/UU)" line.

Frequency Range	400-470MHz
Color	Black
Antenna type	SMA-F(Female)
Antenna Impedance	50 ohm
Output power	5W
Battery type	Li-ion battery
Battery capacity	2350mAh
Rated voltage	DC 7.4V
Charging temperature range	5°C to + 40°C
Earpiece / MIC type	2 Pin KENWOOD Type
Camera	Yes
Channel Storage	Yes	200
Video recorder	Yes	1.3MEGA
Speaker	Yes	BOX Speaker 2840
Load Settings From File	Yes
Save Settings To File	Yes
Display mode	Yes	FREQ&CH/Frequency/Channel mode
SQL	Yes	OFF-9 Level
CTCSS	Yes	QT:50/DQT:166
High/Low TX power selectable	Yes
Wide/Narrow Band	Yes
VOX	Yes	OFF-9 Level
Scan mode	Yes	TO/CO/SE
Scan	Yes
TOT: Time-out Timer	Yes
Dual RX	Yes	VV/UV/UU
BCL: Busy Channel lockout	Yes
Step	Yes	5K/10K/6.25K/12.5K/25K
REV: Reverse Frequency	Yes
Time and Date	Yes
Select Language	Yes	English/Chinese
Auto power on/off	Yes
Power management	Yes	Display battery capacity remains
Restore setting	Yes
Wallpaper setting	Yes
Contrast setting	Yes
Backlight setting	Yes
Keyboard light	Yes
Torch	Yes
Privacy protection	Yes
Auto keyboard lock	Yes
Lock screen by end-key	Yes
Power-on password	Yes
Alarm &calendar remind	Yes	Ringtone/Vibrate/Silent/Ring and vibrate
Key tone	Yes
Battery low alert	Yes
Power on/off tone	Yes
Recorder	Yes
Audio player	Yes
Video player	Yes
FM radio	Yes
File management	Yes
Alarm	Yes
Calculator	Yes
World clock	Yes

Package Includes

• 1 x Professional and Multimedia Interphone
• 1 x Antenna
• 1 x Li-ion battery pack
• 1 x LI-ion charger
• 1 x Belt clip
• 1 x User's manual