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"

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.

Mobile Phones Don't Cause Cancer

According to a 29 year study, mobile phones don't give you cancer.

I'd like to see the 29 year study on the Leixen Note.

$0.99 Connectors

Get your pick of $0.99 connectors.

Via Hank

Rock the Vote

Trump: if you don't vote me, you're voting her
Hillary: if you don't vote me, you're voting him
Me: then I guess I'm voting for both of you

— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) May 4, 2016

Never Enough

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

Number of radio rigs you should have is N + 1 where N equals the number of radio rigs u currently have. #amateurradio #hamradio #swl

— Vkthreepi (@Vkthreepi) May 4, 2016

Baofeng Tech: Gen 3 Teaser

Baofeng Tech posted this teaser on their Facebook page.

Campus Carry

Progress: Tennessee Campus Carry Becomes Law Without Haslam Signature

Podcasts

I mowed the lawn and did a bunch of yard work, so I got to listen to a couple of podcasts this week-end.

First, the BuyTwoWayRadios guys ask if there is too much tech in the radios. I say no - as long as all the features don't get in the way of the basic functionality. With a minimal amount of fumbling around, the average ham should be able to get a radio on the air without having to read the entire manual. (Smart phones should be the same way. The average person should be able to do some basic tasks like making a call or texting without having to invest a lot of time learning a new interface.)

Next, I went back in time to listen to the Ham Radio 360 (Fo Time) discussion about selecting your second HT. While that ship had sailed for me a long time ago, it was interesting to hear their pros and cons for various options.

Lastly, this one is in my queue for the commute or my next bit of downtime: Ham Radio 360 - Introduction to SDR.

One minute is all you need

1 Minute of All-Out Exercise May Have Benefits of 45 Minutes of Moderate Exertion:

" In this new experiment, in fact, 60 seconds of strenuous exertion proved to be as successful at improving health and fitness as three-quarters of an hour of moderate exercise."

Diet

I've been working out a lot, so I've had to consume a lot of calories. A typical day:

6:50 Morning workout! Cardio + CORE for 30min Bcca, Glutamine + handful of almonds
7:30 8 eggs + 200gr Oats + blueberries & strawberries + avocado
9:30 400gr Beef, 400gr Sweet potatoes, handful of spinach & greens
11:50 Bcca, glutamine,
12:00 400gr Chicken + 400gr potatoes, greens + some fruits
14:00 Blender = 150gr oats or sweet potatoes, 2 bananas 150gr kelloggs rice krispies, frozen berries, handful almonds, peanut butter and glutamine
14:30 Training strongman, Bcca, glutamine, Vitargo
17:30 60gr protein + 2 banans
18:00 500gr beef + potatoes, greens
20:30 500gr salmon + 500gr sweet potatoes
22:30 50gr casein protein or 6 eggs + avacado + 30gr almonds + 50gr peanut butter

Or maybe that not me, it's this guy.

Comcast Data Cap

Comcast raises the data cap from 300 GB to 1 TB.

Leixen Note: Miklor Review of the 25W HT

Miklor reviews the 25W Leixen Note HT:

"Leixen, the same company that introduced the VV-898S BackPack radio, has once again introduced a product that is like no other out there. A 25W air-cooled handheld portable mobile.

The NOTE is a 16 Channel UHF transceiver, the likes if which I have never seen before. The description is not an error. This is a dual purpose tri-power radio that can serve as a 5W/10W handheld, or a 25W mobile all in one package."

His conclusion (with great power comes great responsibility):

"A note of caution regarding the radios power. 25W is a lot of RF power. It makes for an incredible radio, but that type of power must be used responsibly." 

"If you are looking for a single band UHF transceiver that can be used as a base station, mobile, or handheld, the Leixen NOTE is definitely a radio to consider. The manufacturer's intent is to eventually produce a similar VHF version."

Fitness Tracker Security

Fitness trackers aren't the most secure devices around (PDF).

And this one can be jailbroken...

Jailbreaking the Microsoft fitness band https://t.co/Q5GYFsKSqw #IoT #exploitdev #reversing #hacking #infosec @b0n0n pic.twitter.com/jiGC8yZxaS

— Ptrace Security GmbH (@ptracesecurity) April 20, 2016

I'm in the market for one - didn't realize I was going to need to do a security audit as part of my evaluation.

As always, DC Rainmaker is the place to go for the feature and performance evaluations. I can't decide if I want the Vivosmart HR or if I should just upgrade my running watch to the Forerunner 235. I have the Forerunner 610 and would like to stay in the Garmin ecosystem.

UT Amateur Radio Club Field Day

UT Amateur Radio Club Field Day - Saturday from 8AM to 6PM:

"The University of Tennessee Amateur Radio Club (www.utarc.org) is sponsored by the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.  The club's purpose includes attracting science and engineering students to the field of radio communications. It's primary radio transmitting station is located in East Stadium Hall and serves as the emergency communications backbone for the UT Campus in cases of disasters and major events. 

The purpose of the UTARC Field Day Event planned for April 30, 2016 from 8 am to 6 pm is to: (1) interest students in this activity, (2) test its low power portable radio equipment, and (3) perform the annual exercise if its emergency communications capability. 

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has already granted and issued a special event licensed callsign for this activity (K4V)."

Unreal Bike Ride

unReal bike ride...



And the making of...


Via Althouse

Tytera and TYT

I've been using TYT more than Tytera, so I'm a head of the game. :

"Tytera announced plans this week to change the brand name on their line of two way radios from Tytera to TYT next month. According to an official spokesperson from Tytera, starting May 2016 the company will begin to replace the Tytera brand on their entire product line with the name TYT."

In fact, I never created a Tytera tag and have just been using TYT.

Via this post at Buy Two Way Radios

Marathons

Astronaut runs a marathon in space.

I hate when this happens - 12 year old girl accidentally runs a half marathon.

Amazon Kindle Book Deals

Highly recommend...



Recommend - especially if want to see or saw the movie...



Tempted...

Go Cubes - Chewable Coffee

Go Cubes - Chewable Coffee - I'd like to try them, but I don't think I need a case.

Via Dustbury