NOAA Alerts

Speaking of NOAA alerts, this RadioShack SAME Weather Radio for $7.99 was getting a lot of praise on the 470 repeater the other day.

AnyTone Tech NSTIG-8R and Baofeng UV-5R Comparison

The Baofeng UV-5R is a very popular radio. I don't have any real data to prove this, but anecdotally it seems to be a favorite of new hams especially. AnyTone Tech is making the case for spending a little more to get the NSTIG-8R - which clearly has better features than the Baofeng UV-5R.

True Detective Season 2

True Detective starring Colin Farrell, Vince Vaughn, Rachel McAdams and Taylor Kitsch premieres 6/21.

Docker and Windows

I'd been looking at Docker and saw this Slashdot post about a Windows container technology. As I was reading the comments, it made me think of how we used to setup a new Windows 3.1 machine. Basically, we got the machine on the network (with a PE3 if we had to problems!) and copied all the folders down. Change a few config/ini files and it was ready to go. Looks like I wasn't the only one thinking this way.

Jellomizer says in this comment:

"The is to solve the problem is simple. Keep the apps self contained. No shared libraries or dll. To move the package you just move the directory containing the app to an other location. Some will say that is how Macs do it. But I would go further and say that is how it was done in DOS. 

The shared library is an out of date concept, while sounds good when storage was expensive, today we are virtualizing full platforms just to prevent version incomparably.
What may be a little bonus is to give application/process level networking settings so you can just virtual network your app from the OS"

Runbo Q5-S Android Phone/Radios

I saw in an e-mail from Grapevine Amateur Radio that they are selling the Runbo Q5-S (in UHF or VHF):

"Brand new. The Runbo Q5 S is the successor of the Runbo X5+. It comes with a Quad Core processor at 1.5 GHz and a better graphic processor. It has overall better performance than the X5+. As all Runbo products, it has been built with high quality materials allowing him to be the next starting line of Runbo models. 

The Runbo Q5 S has a resolution of 1280×720 and support multi-touch capacity. It features a powerful Gorilla Glass which is extremely resistant again scratches and impacts. Enjoy you photos and videos as you would on other popular smartphones with the great 4.5 Inch screen.

Runbo Q5 S is equipped with an RF connector so you can connect the delivered antenna to use it as a Walkie Talkie device; the actual version covers Very High Frequencies (VHF, 136-174 MHz)."

No More Cert Renewals

What a great way to save some money!

How not to deal with an expired SSL Certificate http://t.co/h5U9qWm8PT pic.twitter.com/FehGNvQsF8
— SERVERTASTIC (@servertastic) April 9, 2015

AnyTone Tech: TERMN-8R NOAA Alerts

I can confirm the NOAA alerts work on the TERMN-8R. I was getting my e-mail warnings (like the one at the bottom of this post), so I thought I would listen to the SkyWarn 940 Net when I remembered to turn on the NOAA alerts.




From: CWA@mail12.knoxcounty.smartmsg.com

Subject: SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM EDT
FOR KNOX...EAST CENTRAL ROANE...NORTHEASTERN LOUDON AND SOUTHEASTERN
ANDERSON COUNTIES...
AT 808 PM EDT...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED NEAR OAK RIDGE...
MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH.
HAZARD...QUARTER SIZE HAIL AND 60 MPH WIND GUSTS.
SOURCE...RADAR INDICATED.
IMPACT...HAIL DAMAGE TO VEHICLES IS EXPECTED. EXPECT WIND DAMAGE TO
ROOFS...SIDING AND TREES.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
KNOXVILLE...OAK RIDGE...CLINTON...LENOIR CITY...ALCOA...FARRAGUT...
LOUISVILLE...HALLS...KARNS...BEARDEN...LAKE FOREST AND POWELL.
A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT FOR CENTRAL
TENNESSEE.
...POSSIBLE
HAIL...1.00IN
WIND...60MPH

Vero Telecom (VGC) VR-6600PRO: Scan Speed

Thanks to BuyTwoWayRadios for loaning me the Vero Telecom (VGC) VR-6600PRO. Unfortunately, I didn't have much time to play with it - work, life, etc. But here is a video demonstrating the scan speed. There are just a few channels programmed in, but you can get a sense of the scan speed.

AnyTone Tech TERMN-8R: KG7NXH Review

KG7NXH: "This is probably the best Chinese dual band walkie talkie out there."

Ham Radio Badges

Badges? We don't need no stinkin badges. I'm not sure if this is better or worse than the concealed carry badge.

Now light bars for our vehicles and uniforms - we need those.