Paying for Apps

This article/cartoon pokes fun at our reluctance to pay a dollar for an app when we routinely buy $5 coffees, $200 phones, etc. It struck a cord with me as I buy very few apps - most apps that we have bought have been for our three year old. I think the reason I avoid buying apps is that I don't think I will use them over the long haul. Of course, I drink my Starbucks all in one sitting, too.

Via Slashdot.org

Wouxun KG-UV6D: Software Bug II

Ed provided the warning and now he provides an updated version that will prevent the software from opening the problematic files:

Description : Latest software for KG-UV6D. This version will not open .tw
files created by other versions of Wouxun software. THOSE OLDER .TW FILES WILL
DAMAGE THE KG-UV6D RADIO.

Ten-Tec 539 QRP Transceiver: Release Date

According to this poster, the Ten-Tec 539 is scheduled to be released at the Dayton Hamfest (May 18, 2012).

Ten-Tec Go-Bag

Ten-Tec is jumping on the Go-Bag bandwagon with a 40/30 Meter QRP Go Pack. It includes:

"R2327 Custom built, high performance portable multiband wire antenna which includes light weight coax,BNC connector, center balun, tie downs, plus Dacron rope.

R4030 two band QRP CW Transceiver. Light weight, trail friendly dual band transceiver built by YouKits and sold exclusively in the US by TEN-TEC. Covers 40 and 20 meter bands. Receives SSB and CW. Transmits CW only. No filters to buy. Fully assembled transceiver (not a kit).

R9920 Rugged Shoulder Bag with adjustable shoulder sling strap that contains a tactical non-slip shoulder pad. Includes a mesh compartment for your water bottle. Rapid accessibility for all of your QRP equipment. Loads of room for your antenna, rig, battery, key paddle, and much more. Water resistant storm collar can be deployed by pulling a cordlock draw string."

The web page says just add your favorite key and you are ready go. That and a brain transplant with a donor that knows CW and I would be all set!

Raspberry Pi

The Raspberry Pi is another one of those things that I would love to play with - if money and time were no issues. The Raspberry Pi is a simple computer on a board, but you do a lot with it.

• 700-megahertz processor
• 128 megabytes of RAM
• SD Card slot for storage
• USB port
• HDMI Port

Oh, did I mention it was only $25.

Via the Business Insider

Beat E-mail

One man's strategy to manage e-mail... my thoughts:

• Touch messages as few times as possible - obviously once is best.
• In order of preference
• Delete
• Archive
• Delegate
• Act
• Delay (mark for follow-up) 

Yaesu Musen

Always interesting to see what happens to the pieces when companies are split into parts:

"According to Vertex Standard President and Chief Executive Officer Jun Hasegawa, effective January1, 2012, Motorola will keep the Vertex Standard Land-Mobile Division, while the amateur, marine and air-band will be under the Yaesu Musen banner."

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!

Gonna be one of those days...

I was already running late when, out of no where, this guy on a Segway pulled out in front of me. To top it off, I ended up with a flat tire, too.

Airplane Filling Station

If you've been in the Knoxville area for any amount of time, you have most likely driven by the Airplane Filling Station (aka the Gas Station Airplane as I always called it). A project is underway to "save the plane" and restore the building. I had no idea that it was so old. Image via McClung.