Ham Licenses

Ham licenses chart.

Up: Extra, General, Tech, and Total
This is a high water mark for all three classes and overall licenses.

Down: Advanced and Novice
Advanced and Novice will only go down since no new licenses are being issued for these classes.

Month	Extra	Advanced	General	Technician	Novice	ARS Total
Nov-17	144,985	42,208	174,162	377,507	9,132	747,994
Oct-17	144,666	42,479	173,694	375,597	9,192	745,628
Sep-17	144,672	42,838	173,601	374,833	9,257	745,201
Aug-17	144,654	43,070	173,471	374,378	9,309	744,882
Jul-17	144,387	43,240	173,170	373,653	9,373	743,823

Anker Echo Dot Clone - $19.99 via Amazon Prime Today Only

I paid $29 for my Anker Echo Dot clone... so I'm in for another one since it is only $19.99 today only for Amazon Prime members.


Edit: This deal may be for everyone, but shipping charges might apply for non-Prime folk.

Anniversary

The blog is 7 years old today. Funny how it gets older despite my lack of posting.

TYT MD-9600: KG4VDZ Video Review

KG4VDZ:

Voice Control Security

I love my Echo, but the attack vectors are scary...

Turns out hackers can take control of Siri and Alexa by "whispering" to them in frequencies humans can’t hear. https://t.co/TMTw1BjGLB

— Fast Company (@FastCompany) September 6, 2017

Via @Jruys

Etymology of Ham Radio

Good info for the next time someone asks about the origin of the term "ham radio" https://t.co/i8O65uEfTr #hamradio

— BobW (@K0NR) September 7, 2017

Zello

Business Insider:

"A walkie-talkie app called Zello is No. 1 in the App Store because of Hurricane Irma"

Definitely better than nothing, but nothing like having some real radio options.

Soldering Irons

The Wirecutter reviews soldering irons and recommends the X-Tronic Model #3020-XTS. The venerable Weller WLC100 comes in second.

Baofeng Tech: MURS-V1

The kind folks at Baofeng Tech sent me a couple of their new BTECH MURS-V1 radios. They introduce the MURS-V1 this way:

"MURS is a two-way, VHF short-distance voice or data communications service for personal or business activities of the general public.

The MURS-V1 is a great introduction to two-way radios as a step-up from common walkie talkies. The MURS-V1 introduces users to common PL (Private Line) tones and terminology. Standard CTCSS and DCS terminology is used without abstract Menu terms (such as "Tone 12") used by bubble-pack radios."

I'll have to recruit the help of my crack team to help me test these MURS radios out.

Alexa and Cortana

The new Laverne and Shirley...

"Available later this year, this collaboration will allow you to access Alexa via Cortana on Windows 10 PCs, followed by Android and iOS in the future. Conversely, you’ll be able to access Cortana on Alexa-enabled devices like the Amazon Echo, Echo Dot and Echo Show."

Which leads to interesting questions...

What happens if Amazon does a deal with Apple but Microsoft doesn't? "Cortana, ask Alexa to tell Siri to call mum"?

— Tim Bradshaw (@tim) August 30, 2017

I assume this will work with my new $29 Eufy Genie Echo Dot clone.