May May

It's funny to hear, but I saw the word "meme" long before I ever knew how to say it.

Pi Zero

Pi Zero - or as I like to call it... another option for projects I'm never gonna get around to doing.


Introducing PIZERO from Raspberry Pi Foundation on Vimeo.

Li-Fi

So, I'm gonna have chips for bluetooth, wi-fi, NFC, and Li-Fi in my devices?

"So, will Li-Fi be a competitor to Wi-Fi in the future? 

I highly doubt they will be competing technologies and will most likely be complementary if anything. For instance, you could have a situation where you have Li-Fi overlaid on top of a Wi-Fi network in high density environments such as a conference hall. The Li-Fi can support the dense number of users and wouldn’t interfere with the Wi-Fi network. In terms of home uses, it is unlikely to become commonplace as you would need to have an Ethernet connection to each light and the lights must remain on for communications. Most home users like the ability to use the internet in the dark and that is not possible with Li-Fi."

Li-Fi
1 kbps (infrared light)
1 Gbps (visible light)
224 Gbps theoretical

Wi-Fi
1.3 Gbps (802.11ac, 3 spatial streams, 80 MHz channel, SGI)
10 Gbps theoretical
(802.11ax research in 5 GHz band)

Ten-Tec: The Saga Continues

Ten-Tec has been sold again. Click the link, but some highlights from John Henry (KI4JPL) below:

"I had a discussion with the new owner last night, and I wanted to relay
some information. 

He is now officially the new owner of TEN-TEC.

He is planning the rigs and amplifiers and other accessory products to
engineer and to manufacture for the coming year to cover the purchase and
expenses for the year, working on the details of the various plans for
service, sales, and marketing, etc."

 Plans...

"Planning on having the OMNI-VII back in production in 1st quarter 2016,hoping to ship in 2nd quarter 2016. 

Dayton, He will be there, going to try to get the same TEN-TEC booth/booths
as possible. Showcasing the existing products, and possibly something new
based on the existing products, time will tell. 

He did say that he will either bring back the Orion II or have an Orion
III. Time frame is tbd. could be as early as end of 2016 or Dayton 2017???? 

There might be improvements/changes to certain rigs, e.g. maybe there will
be an OMNI-VII+ maybe an OMNI-VIII in a year??? 

The Eagle will go back into production some time after the 1st OMNI-VII run. 

Prices will return to the original pre liquidation sale prices when the new
website is up so that each will be at a point that will make enough profit
to make the company viable. Other features will get added where possible."

And ouch...!

"TEN-TEC was actually shipping a $200 bill with every one of a specific
model that it sold this last year."

Raising capital...

"There might be a need in the future to try to raise some
more capital if certain plans come to fruition with commercial and fema
customers, if those work out, may need to raise some cash to buy the parts,
so there might be a gofundme funding campaign set up, where amateur
customers can help donate to purchase the parts, and then part of or all of
or x times the amount of the donation is taken off of their next order of a
TEN-TEC product > a certain dollar amount."

"To do this first class, we need a 200K capital infusion for a new factory building and
some new equipment to replace what was liquidated if anyone cares to step
up and accelerate our success. 400K would give us the facility, equipment
and capitol to put everything back in production to a stocking basis and
allow us to complete the Orion III. If 400 people will give us 1K each, we
will commit to the Orion III of your dreams in 18-24 months and give you 2K
off the target price of 5K as well as engrave your name and call on a
plaque on the new building that says you helped build it and save TEN TEC."

Via Sparky's

Vizio TV Watches You

I know there is a "in Soviet Russia" joke in here, but I hate to hear that the Vizio TVs are tracking me:

"Vizio's technology works by analyzing snippets of the shows you're watching, whether on traditional television or streaming Internet services such as Netflix. Vizio determines the date, time, channel of programs — as well as whether you watched them live or recorded. The viewing patterns are then connected your IP address - the Internet address that can be used to identify every device in a home, from your TV to a phone."

Other than that, I really like my Vizio (M55-C2) 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart TV.  Maybe it is too smart.

Xiegu X108G Outdoor Version

Not only was I behind on all the new mobiles, but I'm also overdue for posting about the Xiegu X108G Outdoor Version. The manufacturer's website is here. They provide a list of authorized sellers. In general, folks that have them seem much happier out of the gate than with the previous iterations.

Ed at Import Communications is selling them for $599.95. His page says, "Xiegu has totally remade the X108."

X108G QRP Transceiver
9 Bands AM / SSB / CW 1 - 20 watts

0.5 - 30 MHz (9 filtered ham bands)

Features:Microphone - multifunctional
CW Filter (500 Hz)
SSB Filter (2.4 kHz)
AGC
S Meter - PO Meter - SWR Meter
Adjustable 1-20 watt output
Modes - AM - SSB - CW
0.5 - 30 MHz (9 filtered ham bands)
High SWR protection
Pre-amplifier / Attenuator
USB control port (uses plain USB-a to USB-b cable)
CW Keyer
SO239 antenna connector
0.5 ppm TCXO Module
Noise Blanker
Front & Rear Handles
4-3/4 x 1-3/4 x 7-1/16 inches
Radio Weight - 1 kg - 2.2 lb
Mic Weight - 0.143kg - 5oz
12.5 - 14.5 vdc / 0.5 - 6.0 amps

Kerchunkers and CB'ers

I'm not sure you can trust these guys. Listen and decide.

The Noise Blankers episode of the @FoTimePodcast is now live. @K5KVN and I share our story. Check it out! https://t.co/EQVGa6jan9

— Andy Holmes, K5PO ⚡️ (@K5PO) December 2, 2015

The Radios

I think I've caught back up on listing all the radios I've posted about on "The Radios" page.

QYT KT-8900R: Tri-band including 220?

So initial indications were that the QYT KT-8900R was a tri-band, but would only do 240-260 MHz. The 409Shop is now selling it for $96 and the posting shows 2M/440 and 220.

Frequency Range: VHF:136-174MHz  /  220-260mhZ
Frequency Range: UHF:400-480MHz
Number of Channel: 200
Channel Spacing: 25KHz 20K 12.5
Phase lock step: 5KHz、6.25 KHz、10 KHz、12.5 KHz、15 KHz、25 KHz
Working Voltage: 13.8V DC±15%
Squelch way: CTCSS/DCS/5Tone/2Tone/DTMF
Frequency Stability: ±2.5ppm
Operating Temperature: -20~+60
Dimension: 98(W) x 35(H) x 118(D)mm
Weight: 408g
Output power: 25W/20W(VHF/UHF)

(This is the video from their page, but appears to be the dual band version of the KT-8900.)


PACKAGE CONTAIN:
1 x QYT KT8900 136-174/220-260/400-480MHz Mini Mobile Radio Transceiver
1 x Microphone
1 x Car Power Cable
1 x Fuse
1 x Mounting bracket
1 x Screw
1 x User"s Manual

Wouxun KG-UV8D: BuyTwoWayRadios Special

From their webpage:

"The standard KG-UV8D regularly sells for $159.99, but for a limited time, Buy Two Way Radios is offering the standard Wouxun KG-UV8D for a special holiday sale price of only $99.99! 

That's right, the 8D is now available at just under $100! This package includes the Wouxun KG-UV8D with black buttons and all the standard accessories in the box, such as dual band antenna, 1700mAh Lithium-Ion battery pack, belt clip, wrist strap, charger tray, AC cable and owner's manual."