IoT: Honeywell Lyric Thermostat

Forget the NSA, your thermostat is watching you.

"The Lyric has a motion sensor, too–one which it uses to put itself into an interactive mode when it notices you’ve approached. But for monitoring whether you’re at home at all, Honeywell’s thermostat leverages its iOS and Android apps. Your phone tracks your location via GPS and reports it back to the thermostat, so the Lyric knows if you’re around the house or at a distant location. And if it notices that you’re headed home, it can begin to adjust itself so that the temperature is ideal by the time you arrive."

Xiegu XPA100 Amplifier

So today must be Xiegu amplifier (see XPA20) day here at brickolore.com... I saw this a while back, but did not get it posted:

"This stuff has been tested over time, the basic OK. Linear power amplifier input 5W, output 100W, emission indicators shown below, the maximum operating current of approximately 26A.

Have the following basic functions:
automatic frequency measurement
automatic transmission control
automatic temperature control fan
high VSWR protection, thermal protection, overcurrent
power detection
power can set the data format compatible ICOM and YAESU key indicators are as follows: Frequency Range: 0.5 ~ 32MHz Operating voltage: 13.8V Current: 22A @ 100W Max Maximum input power: ≤ 5W maximum output power: ≥ 100W emission efficiency: ≥ 36% work: AB class amplifier input VSWR: 1.2 ≤ fluctuation gain band: ≤ 1.0dB ALC control Range: ≥ 20dB Spurious emission rejection: ≥ 55dB Output Impedance: 50 ohms Frequency Detection time: ≤ 5ms Input Protection: Built-in terminal load Display: 3.0-inch color TFT LCD screen Dimension: 138mm * 85mm * 270mm XPA100 amplifier project completed, the indicators parameters comply with FCC and CE certification requirements, protection agency act quickly to meet the needs of residential, commercial, professional and other applications. My goal is clear, is to make products for everyone to use, do not take the Simple equipment compared with XPA100, we do not fight the price is expected sale price: 2788 yuan / Taiwan (only in mainland China, excluding Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan foreign) after May 5, scheduled to begin. Thanks again for everyone's attention and support has always been, because of you, we can do better"

And an update later:

XPA100 amplifier project has been completed, the indicators parameters comply with FCC and CE certification requirements, protection agency act quickly to meet the needs of residential, commercial, professional and other applications. My goal is clear, is to make products for everyone to use, do not take the Simple equipment compared with XPA100, we do not take the low road is expected sale price: 2788 yuan / Taiwan (only in mainland China, excluding Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, overseas) after May 5, scheduled to begin. Thanks again for everyone's attention and support has always been, because of you, we can do better

Xiegu XPA20 Amplifier

XPA20 Compact 6-Band Amateur HF 20 Watt Linear amplifier for use with X1M QRP Transceiver (149 GBP / 253 USD):

"The XPA20 is intended as a companion linear amplifier for the X1M HF QRP transceiver, for those who would like a little more oomph than the X1M's 5 Watt output. It is rated at 20 Watts maximum output for 5 Watts input and is suitable for both CW and SSB modes."

XPA20 FEATURES

Switchable CW/SSB mode circuit
Six selectable low pass filter settings
Selectable time delay
BNC Female input & antenna connectors

XPA20 SPECIFICATIONS

RF power output (max): 20 W for 5 W input
Low pass filter settings:
2.0 MHz
4.0 MHz
7.5 MHz
15.0 MHz
22.0 MHz
30.0 MHz
Time delay (selectable): 100 ms to 1000 ms
Transmission modes: SSB (A3J), CW (A1)
Supply voltage (min/max): 12.5/14.0
Current draw (max): 7.2 A
Dimensions: 97 x 40 x 155 mm
Weight: 550 g

1 x XPA20 HF linear amplifier
1 x Power connector housing with 2 x crimp terminals
1 x 3.5 mm stereo Y cable
1 x 3.5 mm stereo extension cable

Via the Xiegu Yahoo Group

Oscilloscopes Discussion on Slashdot.org

Oscilloscopes Discussion on Slashdot.org.

4-Way vs Roundabout

My brother and I were just discussing this...

Xircom PE3 & Combo Card

I just read Gough's Tech Flashback: Intel EtherExpress PRO/100 Mobile Adapter. I installed a few of those back in the day. He nails it here:

"The connector itself is very small and has securing latches which “click” into place to engage with the card. It’s also very thin and protrudes from the card a significant distance. As a result, these things were a pain in the ass to use, as they can easily be carelessly yanked from the card at an angle, causing the connector to crack or be damaged."

It also reminded me of the Xircom PE3 Parallel Port Ethernet Adapter. If all else failed, we could always get a PC on the network with one of them. I never went anywhere without one or two in the tool bag.

(Pic from here)

We also liked the Xircom combo Ethernet and modem card. It took up both PCMCIA slots, but it eliminated the need for the dongles. Of course, this was all in the olden days before they started building all these things into the laptops.

Wouxun KG-UV8D: Software Problem Update

I traded messages with the guys at BuyTwoWayRadios.com about the software problem with the KG-UV8D.

They've seen a problem where the radio shuts down when transmitting. They aren't 100% sure, but the common factor seems to be that the customers had used the frequency adjusting software. They are working with Wouxun to find out more, but that will take some time.

It sounds like they are working hard to keep their customers happy, but I would recommend avoiding the frequency expanding software just in case.

IoT: WiFan

The Internet of Things is coming... Internet enabled fans. You can pre-order it now for around a cool $1,000.

Via Uncrate

Productive Morning

I should have a productive morning as Feedly is the victim of a DDoS attack.

Baofeng UV-5R: Battery Eliminator Wiring

Baofeng UV-5R Battery Eliminator Wiring - inside the battery eliminator.