All three of my orders have arrived now, so I have updated the list below. The accessories all showed up within about a week, but the radio itself took almost two. Not bad for coming from Hong Kong to the scruffy little city.
UV-3R
Ordered May 6
Shipped May 6
Delivered May 19
FBA-37 (AA Battery Case)
Ordered May 11
Shipped May 11
Delivered May 18
USB Programming Cable
Ordered May 14 (Sat)
Shipped May 16
Delivered May 24
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Repeater Guide - SERA
I posted briefly about two options for repeater guides. The post got an almost immediate response from the editor of the SERA Repeater Journal. Clearly, he is monitoring (Google Alerts, maybe?) for anytime someone links to the SERA site. So that his reply doesn't get lost as a comment, I've copied it below:
"It is true that there is a huge typographical error on the cover of the May issue of the Repeater Journal which incorrectly identifies it as the February issue. As that issue will be replaced two more times this year, I will make every effort to insure the correct date is on future covers. I apologize to our readers for the error and hope it does not detract too badly from the writing therein.The fact that he found my post and responded has sold me on the SERA organization. Clearly they are keeping an eye on things. I'll be signing up for my Associate Membership.
John Ghormley KJ4UFG
Editor, SERA Repeater Journal
editor@sera.org"
Attention to Detail
Now this is attention to detail..
"Eckert was dedicated to testing every part. According to Scott McCartney, in order to choose his wiring, 'Eckert acquired some mice in cages and starved them for a few days. Then he put different kinds of wire in their cages to see which kind they enjoyed eating. The least appetizing brand was used in ENIAC.'"
Monday, May 23, 2011
Heard on the 940 Repeater: Exam Prep and Repeater Guides
Exam Prep
A ham on the 940 repeater was discussing his plan to upgrade from Tech to General and then to Extra a month later. He was also planning on talking his XYL into getting her Tech, too. The usual suspects were very critical of his plan to upgrade so quickly. They encouraged him to learn the material instead of taking one of the local classes and memorizing the answers to the question set. They even offered to buy him the books, so he could learn the material. I really appreciate the "tough love" they were giving the guy. They were hard on him, but they followed it up with a way to help. (Of course, I'm more of a paper ham than an expert in electronics and radio communications, but I'm still trying to learn!)
Repeater Guides
As part of that discussion, the new ham asked about getting a repeater guide. The ARRL offers their guide, which has tempted me, but not to the point that I've ordered one. The other hams recommended subscribing to SouthEastern Repeater Association (SERA). See below for information on both resources.
A ham on the 940 repeater was discussing his plan to upgrade from Tech to General and then to Extra a month later. He was also planning on talking his XYL into getting her Tech, too. The usual suspects were very critical of his plan to upgrade so quickly. They encouraged him to learn the material instead of taking one of the local classes and memorizing the answers to the question set. They even offered to buy him the books, so he could learn the material. I really appreciate the "tough love" they were giving the guy. They were hard on him, but they followed it up with a way to help. (Of course, I'm more of a paper ham than an expert in electronics and radio communications, but I'm still trying to learn!)
Repeater Guides
As part of that discussion, the new ham asked about getting a repeater guide. The ARRL offers their guide, which has tempted me, but not to the point that I've ordered one. The other hams recommended subscribing to SouthEastern Repeater Association (SERA). See below for information on both resources.
The ARRL Repeater Directory (Desktop Edition) $10.95
- Spiral Bound Desktop 2011/2012 Edition
- Directory of repeater locations and frequencies for the 21,800+ repeaters around the country
- Includes D-Star and APCO-25, references for operating practices, emergency message handling, tips for handling interference and much more.
- New lay-flat spiral binding allows for easy reference on the road. And, now including the ARRL Radiogram and ICS-213 Message Forms.
- Handy indexing tabs on the cover
- Easy-to-read listings
- Key to ""Repeater Notes"" located right up front
- Icons to identify ""Open"" or limited access repeater systems.
SouthEastern Repeater Association (SERA)It looks like the SERA guide may not be as closely edited as the ARRL guide.
- Associate Membership - All repeater users are invited to join SERA as Associate Members. Although Associate Members have no voting privileges, their support is the heart of helping finance the successful operation of the organization. The $15.00 per year membership fee enables you to support the efforts of the organization and receive the Repeater Journal. Associate Membership deadlines are the 15th of the month preceding the months of publication (January 15th, April 15th, July 15th, and October 15th). The Repeater Journal is mailed third class mail.
"YES! We know the cover says February 2011, but it is indeed the May 2011 edition of the SERA Repeater Journal. To solve this dilemma, take a magic marker, cross out February and write in May and the problem is solved!"
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Baofeng UV-3R: eHam.Net Reviews
There are a few reviews of the Baofeng UV-3R coming in at eHam.net. Generally, they are positive, but I would give the radio a high score based on the value provided for such a low cost.
Baofeng UV-3R Reviews at eHam.net
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Wouxun Dayton Surprise
As I reported earlier, Ed from wouxun.us said he would have a surprise at Dayton. He said it would not be the KG-UV920R, but I was hoping for new hardware of some sort... instead, Dayton attendees could pick up a KG-UVD1P for $85! Price of $85 confirmed here. Amazing.
470 Repeater and Ham Radio to the Rescue
People talk a lot about the ability of hams to help in an emergency. I'm glad we are not often put to the test, but it is nice to hear examples where ham radio has made a difference like it did on the Dragon today. From the 470 ARG web page:
"I was sitting at my desk when I heard a call on the 145.470 repeater today, the 21st of May, a emergency call, I got up and responded to the station WA4HSM Alvin from Knoxville who was on the Dragon, apparently a Biker took a curve a little fast and went down, and ran off the road, when Alvin stopped their was another lady there who was a medical person, the bike rider was unconscious, Alvin stated a emergency on the repeater, and requested I call for emergency services, which he had the phone number , called and advised dispatch we had a MVA, gave him my location and information and proceeded to advise the emergency,we relayed information between us and emergency units where dispatched to the scene..a little later Alvin called back and advised that Police ,Fire and EMS was on the scene, the man was conscious."
Summer Reading 2011
Here are the books I've just picked up for my summer reading. Reviews to follow.
Here is why I am reading Ethics. I hope the rest will be fun reads.
Here is why I am reading Ethics. I hope the rest will be fun reads.
Friday, May 20, 2011
The Fate of Typewriters
The reports of the typewriter's death were greatly exaggerated... iPad meet the TypeScreen.
Via F5IYJ
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