Nest Thermostat

Interesting take on actually living with the Nest thermostat:

"When I first got my Nest I felt like I had super powers because it connected to Wi-Fi and enabled me to adjust my home’s temperature using the Nest website or tablet app. This was unheard of for a thermostat at that time. But this positive feature has been eclipsed by negative elements that commandeered control. (And control is what you really want when it comes to using a device.) 

A learning device implies that it will not only pick up on what you usually do, but it will also: 1) allow you to change, and 2) absorb those changes. My Nest learned quite well, but then stopped learning. It remembered but it didn’t look for variations or adapt. It was the equivalent of a printed textbook: Facts, correct or not, become law if written in there and thus will be taught that way until the school chooses a different textbook. 

When I turned the dial to increase the heat to 66 degrees, rather than responding by making the house warmer, or by informing me that it is now working toward this, it read, "in 1 hour and 20 minutes 66 degrees until 10:00PM.” The next day the house temperature plummeted to a punishing 50 degrees (I realize I may be spoiled) for no reason I was privy to. Here, by the way, is another usability heuristic not heeded: visibility of system status."

That article makes me happier with my Honeywell Wi-Fi thermostats. They are very easy to control. It's not flashy, but they just seem to work. I've had one for a long time now and the second one for about a month. Defining a schedule is fairly straightforward, but the temporary overrides are trivial to make. It has controls at the thermostat or you can make changes via the web or the app.

Baofeng Tech + AnyTone Tech

Winner, winner, chicken dinner - here. Hans confirms the new Baofeng Tech radios are AnyTone radios. He's got some details. Or check out the AnyToneTech website. Or there are a few notes below. I didn't see any pricing yet.

TERMN-8R - THE TERMINATOR

TERMN-8R Dual Band (VHF/UHF) Analog Portable Two-Way Radio

The most versatile two way radio on the market, certified for use for commercial, public and amateur frequencies. The TERMN-8R includes built-in GMRS and MURS modes with 23 GMRS channels and 5 MURS Channels. The TERMN-8R is FCC Certified for Part 90 and Part 95 usage. The TERMN-8R is able to Transmit and Receive fully on Narrowband (12.5kHz).

The TERMN-8R has a very rugged case with a Water Protection IP53 Rating making it PERFECT for dirty environments, field and outdoor use.

With any future firmware revisions or updates, your TERMN-8R purchase is able to be updated indefinitely! Firmware upgrades are done in-house at our AnyTone Tech facility and the process is seamless! When you register your warranty with AnyTone Tech, you will be notified of any upgrades that are available for your TERMN-8R.

The TERMN-8R has two built-in receivers (full duplex). You can receive two signals at the same time; you can even transmit and scan (or receive) at the same time! The TERMN-8R also allows you to use your radio as a cross band repeater (VHF/UHF or UHF/VHF).

The TERMN-8R is one of the most flexible radios available, it can receive transmissions on 6 Different Bands. It can receive on UHF (400-520MHz), VHF (136-174MHz), Aircraft AM (108-136MHz), FM Broadcasts (64-108MHz), Short-Wave AM (2.3-30MHz), and AM Broadcasts (520-1710kHz).


OBLTR-8R - THE OBLITERATOR

OBLTR-8R Dual Band (VHF/UHF) Analog Portable Two-Way Radio

The most versatile two way radio on the market, certified for use for commercial, public and amateur frequencies. The OBLTR-8R includes built-in GMRS and MURS modes with 23 GMRS channels and 5 MURS Channels. The OBLTR-8R is FCC Certified for Part 90 and Part 95 usage. The OBLTR-8R is able to Transmit and Receive fully on Narrowband (12.5kHz).

The OBLTR-8R has a very rugged case with a Water Protection IP53 Rating making it PERFECT for dirty environments, field and outdoor use.

With any future firmware revisions or updates, your OBLTR-8R purchase is able to be updated indefinitely! Firmware upgrades are done in-house at our AnyTone Tech facility and the process is seamless! When you register your warranty with AnyTone Tech, you will be notified of any upgrades that are available for your OBLTR-8R.

The OBLTR-8R has one built-in receiver but can "watch" two channels (semi duplex). Monitor two different frequencies (even on different bands (VHF/UHF)) and the radio will monitor both frequencies giving priority to the first station to receive an incoming call.


NSTIG-8R - THE INSTIGATOR

NSTIG-8R Dual Band (VHF/UHF) Analog Portable Two-Way Radio

The NSTIG-8R is certified for use on commercial and amateur frequencies. The NSTIG-8R is FCC Certified for Part 90 usage and is able to Transmit and Receive fully on Narrowband (12.5kHz).

The NSTIG-8R has one built-in receiver but can "watch" two channels (semi duplex). Monitor two different frequencies (even on different bands (VHF/UHF)) and the radio will monitor both frequencies giving priority to the first station to receive an incoming call.

ANILE-8R - THE ANNIHILATOR

ANILE-8R Single Band UHF (VHF Coming Soon) Analog Portable Two-Way Radio

The ANILE-8R is certified for use on commercial and amateur frequencies. The ANILE-8R is FCC Certified for Part 90 usage and is able to Transmit and Receive fully on Narrowband (12.5kHz).

Reddit Baofeng

A reddit guide to Baofeng radios.

Tenq Redot Digital SWR Meter

Anyone have any experience with the Tenq Redot Digital SWR meter (or similar)?

New Phrase

A co-worker just talked about a "Darwinian Fate Accelerator." That's a new one to me, but I think I'll have to use that.

IoT: Keen Smart Vent

Sounds like a great idea... the Keen Smart Vent. I've got problems with hot and cold areas in my house. (It's much better since I've replaced both HVAC systems in the last 8 months or so.) I'd love to see if it could actually lower utility bills rather than just even out the temperatures.

Vero Telecom VR-6600PRO: APRS Software and Info

Andy's still waiting on his test unit, but he got some information about the APRS software.

Baofeng Tech Announcement

My grandfather was a master at taking incomplete information and coming up with a story that would fit all the details. I don't really have that talent - I just muddle though and try to find the grand unifying theory of Chinese radios like this attempt or the follow up - both back in 2012.

So in the absence of any more data from Baofeng Tech until Monday, a redditor's theory...

HP Stream Laptop - Plus Office 365

I've rolled the dice on an HP Stream 13" laptop. When I bought it, it was $200. It is back to $230 now. We needed something for my wife and I was thinking about shelling out for some cloud storage. The laptop comes with one year of Office 365 Personal which includes 1 TB of OneDrive storage. If I had bought the Office 365 subscription separately, it would have been $70.

I've completely rationalized this now, so it is just a $130 laptop. If it doesn't meet her needs, then we aren't out much. I could probably let my 6 year old use it. Although, she would probably be baffled by the lack of a touch screen!

Boafeng Squelch Changes via CHIRP

A follow-up on the Baofeng Squelch fix....

John (http://www.miklor.com) comments:

"The newest release of CHIRP 

http://www.miklor.com/COM/UV_CHIRP.php 

Allows settings to go as high as 123, but a max of 64 seems to be the most preferable range."

And Hans has some measurements that quantify the changes. Looks good.