How Tech Affects Reading Habits and Patterns

So mobile devices not only change where we read, but when we read. According to the analysis, we prefer iPads to computer monitors and our Lazy Boys to desk chairs.

And now the bad news... the nice, neat fonts and pretty display of the iPads are negatively impacting our reading comprehension. Messy handwriting makes our brains work harder and that translates into better learning and retention.

Via Slashdot.

GPS with Repeaters as Points of Interest

You can load a list of repeaters into your GPS. The list is available from the Point of Interest Factory including bonus items like a repeater icon. Now, if they'd just import the frequencies to the radio.

Fortune Cookie

"If strength were all, tiger would not fear scorpion."

Ham Radio Bill

H.R. 81 Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2011 (PDF)

"The objective of the bill -- which is supported by the ARRL -- is for the Secretary of Homeland Security to study the uses and capabilities of Amateur Radio communications in emergencies and disaster relief and to identify and make recommendations regarding impediments to Amateur Radio communications, such as the effects of private land use regulations on residential antenna installations."

Via the ARRL.

Blank Area Networks

LAN - Local Area Network
WAN - Wide Area Network
MAN - Metro Area Network
PAN - Personal Area Network

and now we have the MBAN - Medical Body Area Network.

"The MBAN radio spectrum would create a wireless body sensor network for remotely monitoring critically and chronically ill people via small wireless devices so that medical workers can track the person's health status as well as take swift action in emergencies."

The impacted frequencies:

"The bandwidths being requested for MBANs -- 2360-2400 MHz; 2300-2305 MHz and 2395-2400 MHz; 2400-2483.5 MHz; or 5150-5250 MHz -- reside next those now used by Bluetooth devices."

Ten-Tec Video

I went to the Hamfest at Ten-Tec in September. They have tailgating, plant tours, and a demo area. The plant is interesting because one half the plant looks like a traditional, industrial facility while the other part is more of a clean room. The surface mount area was neat to see. They were showing of the new Eagle radio. It's cool to have one of the few ham radio manufacturers in my backyard.

Hams Help

Hams help and not just with EmComm...

General Motors asks hams for help with an antenna problem.

NASA asks hams for help with tracking a nanosatellite.

Cool Tool - RJ45

This is a neat idea from Platinum Tools - the RJ45 connector allows the 8 wires to pass through the end. It makes it easier to verify the order of the wires and you don't have to worry about trimming them too short or long.

I See What You Did There.

And this is why I put electrical tape over my laptop's camera.

Cyber War - Yes, it is. No, it's not.

Yes, it is. Compromised government and military sites are for sale.

No, it's not. Cyberwar is over-hyped.

Yes, it is. Stuxnet may have been a government attack.

Obligatory Monty Python video: