Friday, May 13, 2016

The Other Chirp

Google's alternative to the Amazon Echo is code-named Chirp. I'm pretty excited for competition in this space. Tools like these should drive some innovation in the integration of all my IoT devices. And, yes, I'm sure everything will be designed with security at a priority.



Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Count to 1023 on Your Fingers


Via @kfalconspb

WB4GBI Repeater Problems

Not really repeater problems, but people problems:
"I'm sure most of you know by now that the repeater has been off the air since early Friday Morning. I was on vacation last week, and some incidents that happened while I was away left me choice but to ask my control operators to shut it down until I returned.

I do not like to leave the repeater off. I do not like to "punish" the vast majority of great amateur radio operators that use and enjoy my repeaters the way I wanted my "labor of love" to be used and enjoyed. However, as I have mentioned before, this is my license and my investment of time and dollars that are on the line. In order for that investment to be preserved, and enjoyed properly, I am in the final process of publishing an "Acceptable Use Policy" (AUP). This document, which will be published on my website (www.wb4gbi.com), will specifically detail what is permissible and what is not when using any of my 14 repeaters. I regret having to resort to this method, but everyone will be able to read, understand, and know the policies of being a "guest in my house actually means." Think of it as what would be expected of you if you were a long-term guest in someone else's residence. In essence, when you use someone else's repeater, that is exactly what you are doing.

Until this document is published, the repeater will remain off the air. The final version of the AUP document is being edited and revised by several parties. I expect to have it ready to publish in the next few days. There will be a downloadable PDF file available as well. If you have any questions or concerns, please email me personally.

73 de Tim WB4GBI"

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Boafeng Tech: Gen 3 Mobile Updates

The Baofeng Tech UV-2501 and Baofeng Tech UV-5001 got some updates:
GENERATION 3 UPDATESThe 3rd Gen. BTECH mobiles focus on significant hardware updates. The UV-2501 update includes a built-in external temperature cooling fan and an exclusive updated board which provides unmatched performance compared to any transceiver in its class - focusing on refined audio clarity, selectivity, and filtering. The firmware has also been updated with user adjustable DTMF Gain and Mic Gain. Power toggling is now selectable right on the keypad.
Looks like the same update applies to the UV-5001 as well.

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Rock the Vote

Never Enough

The same is true for flashlights, pairs of running shoes, guns, etc.

Baofeng Tech: Gen 3 Teaser

Baofeng Tech posted this teaser on their Facebook page.