Tom(KE5NCP) reminded me about this great site for coax cable information.
Thank you Tom.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
View Blog in other languages
To view the blog in another language
http://translate.google.com/
then type: ke5lep.blogspot.com
... we support English as our language ...this is for "DX QSO's"
http://translate.google.com/
then type: ke5lep.blogspot.com
... we support English as our language ...this is for "DX QSO's"
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Local Area Networks
Above: Some common LAN designs. Cick sketch to enlarge.
So, I found myself doodling around a bit with the pencil and grid pad...
If you're reading this blog, then of course, you computer is connected to the Internet.
And, if you're not using an internal modem or an external modem with a serial cable, then you're using a Local Area Network (LAN.)
A popular format for these networks is the Ethernet (IEEE 802.11) using CAT-5 cable. That is what I'm showing at the top of the sketch in Figure (a). You've got a PC, a modem (cable or DSL for phone) and a small Ethernet hub to connect them together. Sometimes, the hub (or a small IP switch) is built into the DSL or cable modem. From their you go across the cable or phone company until you get onto the Internet.
A more complicated (and cooler because it uses RF) solution let's you access the Internet without running a network cable from the PC to the modem. In these "wi-fi" or wireless networks, a popular format is IEEE 802.11g. Many folks have those small blue Linksys WRT54G boxes and wireless cards installed in their computers. Did you know that these units share spectrum with the 2.4 GHz ham band ? The "wireless access point" (aka wireless router) typically contains antennas (1 or 2) an IP router (more about that later) TX and RX equipment and a few Ethernet ports. Being microwaves, you're mileage may vary, but you can get around 100' of range or so. Compare that with 300 ft. for the CAT-5 cables. Not bad.
Figure 'C' shows a DeLuxe setup. Long story short, you can use hubs and switches to segment your network by location or by task. Note I put in a dedicated AP for the Ham Internet (Hinternet) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_speed_multimedia
I've been reading up on what can be done with the Hinternet. I mentioned one club's experiments in a previous post. I'll report back with more later.
In the meanwhile, how advanced of a wifi setup do you have now ?
My setup strongly resembles Figure B.
I know a couple Hams that work from home that have setups more like C.
If you're back at Figure A and have questions, please let me know.
73
Scott
KD5NJR
Monday, February 16, 2009
Hams do wi-fi to/from airplane and other places
Take a look at this webpage:
http://www.yars.org/wifi/
and for some more background
http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/high-speed-digital/
and of course, a wiki entry on the "Hinternet" "Ham" + "Internet"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Speed_Multimedia
I've got some thoughts on using this technology in amateur radio locally. I'm mulling over how to compress and summarize them into bite-sized 'blog-ready' format. Some of you guys have a 'preview' version in your email in-box.
Out of curiosity, have any of our number worked with wireless LANs (802.11 b/g) much ?
I suspect a lot of folks have the popular Linksys WRT54G plugged in right next to the cable modem...
I will make the assumption most everyone reading the blog does so over DSL or cable connections... any folks using Starband, rural wireless (ex: Atlas Broadband) or other alternatives to dial-up ?
73
Scott
KD5NJR
http://www.yars.org/wifi/
and for some more background
http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/high-speed-digital/
and of course, a wiki entry on the "Hinternet" "Ham" + "Internet"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Speed_Multimedia
I've got some thoughts on using this technology in amateur radio locally. I'm mulling over how to compress and summarize them into bite-sized 'blog-ready' format. Some of you guys have a 'preview' version in your email in-box.
Out of curiosity, have any of our number worked with wireless LANs (802.11 b/g) much ?
I suspect a lot of folks have the popular Linksys WRT54G plugged in right next to the cable modem...
I will make the assumption most everyone reading the blog does so over DSL or cable connections... any folks using Starband, rural wireless (ex: Atlas Broadband) or other alternatives to dial-up ?
73
Scott
KD5NJR
Saturday, February 14, 2009
The BIS Lunar Lander
Above: BIS Lunar Lander Capsule
(Another drawing from Air & Space Smithsonian )
Mark Wade's drawing of the BIS Lunar Lander seems to come and go from the previous blog posting intermittently. Stan has reported it too, so click on the previous link and you'll see the drawings.
Click here: for a similar article from Air & Space Smithsonian, which is a favorite magazine of mine.
http://www.airspacemag.com/space-exploration/moon.html
The Lunar Lander wasn't the end of the BIS. ( They are still around and produce the detailed magazine Spaceflight, which used to be available at Barnes and Nobles. ) Additional work was put into maps of the Moon. Theoretical work was also laid down for a journey to a star, Project Daedalus. Someday....
73
KD5NJR
Scott
Dreaming is Good
As an engineer, most of the questions I have (at work) get answered clearly.
Yes, this is a good idea, or
No, that isn't a good idea.
And those statements get backed up by my boss or myself with clear justifications, such as:
This solution costs too much, or
This solution takes too much time, or
That standards drawing says to do it "this way", or
The equations say otherwise...
And that's okay, but sometimes you have to dream.
Like these guys did:
LINK:
http://www.astronautix.com/craft/bisander.htm
WAY BEFORE Apollo 11 went to the moon, these Brits were making the arguments, drawings, plans, anticipating problems and all that good stuff about flying the moon with over 2,000 solid fuel rocket engines.
You might know one guy, Arthur C. Clarke. He went to a club called "The British Interplanetary Society". They didn't have a repeater, but I bet they were neat guys. Later on, he wrote "2001" the Stanley Kubrick movie. He worked with radar and smoke screens in WWII.
I'm not saying to run out and catch yourself on fire, but sometimes it's okay to dream.
You don't have to own the best gear, just be safe. The QRP guys know this. They don't spend a fortune on stuff. Nor are the rigs necessarily of the 'latest and greatest' design (is there DSP in QRP rigs?.... well even if there is, you get my point.)
Volkswagen owners would sum up my point as "it's not pretty, but it gets you there."
Nike would say, "Just Do It."
Report From Mars - Storm
Thanks to Paul(AE5PB) for this look at storm tracking - from inside the storm...isn't that not one of our goals. Never mind that. The inside guy was Brad(KE5EMF).
Wade Norris
Okla Army Mars
Voice of the Army
AAA6OK/K5WPN
Grid Bandit #82
I managed to avoid any hail damage (that I can tell at this writing). But the pea size quickly graduated to near quarter size hail just this side of the Wilson turn off. I hit the middle and made a quick u-turn and raced out of the cell. I stopped just inside the Lone Grove city limits and told two officers there that a severe hail cell was not far behind me. They advised they knew, because they were listening. I decided to make it back to Ardmore. As I was enroute, further traffic indicated the tornado to cross Hwy 70 between Lone Grove and Ardmore. I decided to stand-by at the intersection of Hwy 70 and Brock Road at the Talliferros. Reception was terrible under their awning, but the rain mixed with hail became severe (0 visibility). AND, some other officer or fireman became hysterical on the Lone Grove frequency regarding the position of the tornado. Dispatchers tried to calm the fellow to get an accurate report, when I heard him quite clearly say "It's crossing Hwy 70!"
I pulled back into the blinding rain with the intention to block any further vehicular traffic west bound into the Lone Grove area. As I stopped traffic, the rain began to cease and a stormtracker pulled up window to window with me, trying to ascertain the tornados position. I advised I wasn't sure but we sure should find out. It was at this point that he pulled into the lot at Taliferros. I observed a very brilliant lightning flash. I noticed that it strangely lit up the southern sky, and the northern sky...but the western sky which I was facing at the moment, remained unchanged. I leaned in and took a closer evaluation when I realised the unchanged black mass was actually moving across the highway not more than 500 feet to my west. At this very moment, a tranformer exploded very near to me, and the sparks looked close enough to reach out and grab with your fingers...and they went straight up instead of falling to the ground. The sparks were sucked into the votex many feet above me. I dove back into my vehicle just before the tornado completely crossed, and the rear flank slammed into my truck and spun me in a 360 degree spin in the middle of Highway 70. Now granted, the pavement was extremely water logged. But this did not lessen the sensationalism for me. This is the point I was advising "I'm in it! I'm in it!" Now I pride myself on my calm in an emergency situation. And for the life of me, I can not recall if I was managing to pull it off, or not. But I can tell you this, I was freaking out completely on the inside. I watched the black monster move off towards the northeast down Brock Road and I gathered my wits, turned my vehicle about ( it took me a 3 point turn) , and hit the Highway eastbound and followed the tornado as I turned north up Plainview Rd. Reaching Prairie valley, I again turned eastbound and I could see the tornado moving across I-35 heading towards Springer. I attempted to follow up I-35, but I ran into a vehicle debaucle (I found out later there was a deceased motorist in the ditch) and blinding rain once again. I aborted the attempt and tried catching it by heading north on Hwy 77. With the wall of blinding rain (0 visibility) again slowing my progress, and the bridge that I knew was nolonger there, I decided it was best to abort the northbound pursuit, and I returned to Lone Grove to assist anyway I could. I worked traffic, (blocking and redirecting) at Brock and Hwy 70 for a couple of hours. Then I was sent to Brock Road and Prairie Valley Rd by the IC, right through the disaster scene. The landscape was all to familiar, and I knew tomorrow would bring some grave news for many friends and loved ones in the area. I worked this intersection until I was advised I could stand down once the blockades were in place. They arrived shortly, and I returned to Ardmore.
Now, I have been intercepting severe cells since the 70's. And I have engaged a few tornados after dark as well. But I have NEVER turned around and been close enough to kiss the ass of an obvious EF-2 or 3. So if I sounded a bit excited and keyed up, it's because...I was.
I thought everyone did a great job. I was sad to hear the 97 had crashed, as I thought its far reaching capabilities would have lended an entirely new scope of potentiality to our efforts. But I thought the entire interception was a success, as we all went home safe, and the community was well informed. I was relaying traffic to Lone Grove Fire, Ardmore PD, the 150, EOC, the 580, and a battery of phone messages. I was impressed how our guys pursued the tornado into the hands of more trackers to pursuit it farther. Then we donned another hat and accepted first responder and aid responsibilities. A shelter was set up. And we freed up emergency personnel trapped in routine duties to manage more important issues. So, it is merely my humble opinion, but I was impressed with everyones efforts, and proud to be associated with the HAMs on the ground, and behind the base radios. It was a difficult and extremely intense emergency deployment, and it was handled as well as any expert response could be.
Brad Patrick
KE5EMF/EOC257
Ardmore Emergency
Operations Center~
Southern Oklahoma
SKYWARN
Group
Wade Norris
Okla Army Mars
Voice of the Army
AAA6OK/K5WPN
Grid Bandit #82
I managed to avoid any hail damage (that I can tell at this writing). But the pea size quickly graduated to near quarter size hail just this side of the Wilson turn off. I hit the middle and made a quick u-turn and raced out of the cell. I stopped just inside the Lone Grove city limits and told two officers there that a severe hail cell was not far behind me. They advised they knew, because they were listening. I decided to make it back to Ardmore. As I was enroute, further traffic indicated the tornado to cross Hwy 70 between Lone Grove and Ardmore. I decided to stand-by at the intersection of Hwy 70 and Brock Road at the Talliferros. Reception was terrible under their awning, but the rain mixed with hail became severe (0 visibility). AND, some other officer or fireman became hysterical on the Lone Grove frequency regarding the position of the tornado. Dispatchers tried to calm the fellow to get an accurate report, when I heard him quite clearly say "It's crossing Hwy 70!"
I pulled back into the blinding rain with the intention to block any further vehicular traffic west bound into the Lone Grove area. As I stopped traffic, the rain began to cease and a stormtracker pulled up window to window with me, trying to ascertain the tornados position. I advised I wasn't sure but we sure should find out. It was at this point that he pulled into the lot at Taliferros. I observed a very brilliant lightning flash. I noticed that it strangely lit up the southern sky, and the northern sky...but the western sky which I was facing at the moment, remained unchanged. I leaned in and took a closer evaluation when I realised the unchanged black mass was actually moving across the highway not more than 500 feet to my west. At this very moment, a tranformer exploded very near to me, and the sparks looked close enough to reach out and grab with your fingers...and they went straight up instead of falling to the ground. The sparks were sucked into the votex many feet above me. I dove back into my vehicle just before the tornado completely crossed, and the rear flank slammed into my truck and spun me in a 360 degree spin in the middle of Highway 70. Now granted, the pavement was extremely water logged. But this did not lessen the sensationalism for me. This is the point I was advising "I'm in it! I'm in it!" Now I pride myself on my calm in an emergency situation. And for the life of me, I can not recall if I was managing to pull it off, or not. But I can tell you this, I was freaking out completely on the inside. I watched the black monster move off towards the northeast down Brock Road and I gathered my wits, turned my vehicle about ( it took me a 3 point turn) , and hit the Highway eastbound and followed the tornado as I turned north up Plainview Rd. Reaching Prairie valley, I again turned eastbound and I could see the tornado moving across I-35 heading towards Springer. I attempted to follow up I-35, but I ran into a vehicle debaucle (I found out later there was a deceased motorist in the ditch) and blinding rain once again. I aborted the attempt and tried catching it by heading north on Hwy 77. With the wall of blinding rain (0 visibility) again slowing my progress, and the bridge that I knew was nolonger there, I decided it was best to abort the northbound pursuit, and I returned to Lone Grove to assist anyway I could. I worked traffic, (blocking and redirecting) at Brock and Hwy 70 for a couple of hours. Then I was sent to Brock Road and Prairie Valley Rd by the IC, right through the disaster scene. The landscape was all to familiar, and I knew tomorrow would bring some grave news for many friends and loved ones in the area. I worked this intersection until I was advised I could stand down once the blockades were in place. They arrived shortly, and I returned to Ardmore.
Now, I have been intercepting severe cells since the 70's. And I have engaged a few tornados after dark as well. But I have NEVER turned around and been close enough to kiss the ass of an obvious EF-2 or 3. So if I sounded a bit excited and keyed up, it's because...I was.
I thought everyone did a great job. I was sad to hear the 97 had crashed, as I thought its far reaching capabilities would have lended an entirely new scope of potentiality to our efforts. But I thought the entire interception was a success, as we all went home safe, and the community was well informed. I was relaying traffic to Lone Grove Fire, Ardmore PD, the 150, EOC, the 580, and a battery of phone messages. I was impressed how our guys pursued the tornado into the hands of more trackers to pursuit it farther. Then we donned another hat and accepted first responder and aid responsibilities. A shelter was set up. And we freed up emergency personnel trapped in routine duties to manage more important issues. So, it is merely my humble opinion, but I was impressed with everyones efforts, and proud to be associated with the HAMs on the ground, and behind the base radios. It was a difficult and extremely intense emergency deployment, and it was handled as well as any expert response could be.
Brad Patrick
KE5EMF/EOC257
Ardmore Emergency
Operations Center~
Southern Oklahoma
SKYWARN
Group
What is MPEG?
http://www.chiariglione.org/mpeg/
Why do Ham Radio Operators care about it?
Some do and some don't.
It may be that you are one of the don't...OK...this post is not for you.
Computer storage of video and audio uses compression and decompression of the files that store audio and video. CODEC is the term used for this compression and decompression. These standards for coded representation of digital audio and video were created by the Moving Picture Experts Group - MPEG.
To learn about the standards that are used click on the link above. Enjoy!
For a simple overview go to this link.
http://www.jakeludington.com/ask_jake/20050207_mpeg_standards_explained.html
Why do Ham Radio Operators care about it?
Some do and some don't.
It may be that you are one of the don't...OK...this post is not for you.
Computer storage of video and audio uses compression and decompression of the files that store audio and video. CODEC is the term used for this compression and decompression. These standards for coded representation of digital audio and video were created by the Moving Picture Experts Group - MPEG.
To learn about the standards that are used click on the link above. Enjoy!
For a simple overview go to this link.
http://www.jakeludington.com/ask_jake/20050207_mpeg_standards_explained.html
Friday, February 13, 2009
Fox Hunt - Feb 21
No Guns
Fox hunt is Saturday February 21st at 10:00AM
Foxes are Tom(KD5NYC) and Craig (KD5CUZ)
Linux Post
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download
Many of the Ham Radio Breakfast Club Guys are learning about Linux.
Linux is a computer operating system. It is one of the choices in the list with Microsoft XP, Vista or Apple _____.
Comment on this post if you have used or plan to use Linux.
Linux is free and many versions are available.
Stan(KE5LEP) is using UBUNTU
Paul(KD5PSA) is using UBUNTU
Kevin(
Scott(
Gene(
and others are using different versions
Wikipedia Linux Shows the following...
"Well-known Linux distributions include:
Archlinux, a distribution based on the KISS principle with a rolling release system
CentOS, a distribution derived from the same sources used by Red Hat, maintained by a dedicated volunteer community of developers with both 100% Red Hat - compatible versions and an upgraded version that is not always 100% upstream compatible
Debian, a non-commercial distribution maintained by a volunteer developer community with a strong commitment to free software principles
Fedora which is a community distribution sponsored by Red Hat
Gentoo, a distribution targeted at power users, known for its FreeBSD Ports-like automated system for compiling applications from source code
Knoppix, The first Live CD distribution to run completely from removable media without installation to a hard disk. Derived from Debian
Kubuntu, the KDE version of Ubuntu
Linux Mint, a popular distribution based on and compatible with Ubuntu
Mandriva, a Red Hat derivative popular in France and Brazil, today maintained by the French company of the same name
OpenGEU, derived from Ubuntu: The project's goal is to combine the power of GNOME desktop with the eye-candy of Enlightenment 17.
openSUSE, originally derived from Slackware, sponsored by the company Novell .
Pardus, developed in Turkey, as a product of the Pardus Project. It was named after the Anatolian Leopard.
PCLinuxOS, a derivative of Mandriva, grew from a group of packages into a popular, community-spawned desktop distribution.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux, which is a derivative of Fedora maintained and commercially supported by Red Hat
Slackware, one of the first Linux distributions, founded in 1993, and since then actively maintained by Patrick J. Volkerding
Ubuntu, a popular desktop distribution derived from Debian, maintained by Canonical
gOS and other netbook operating systems
DistroWatch maintains a popularity ranking of distribution information on its web site (using primarily page views), but this is not considered to be a reliable measure of distribution popularity.
[edit] Popular distributions
Well-known Linux distributions include:
Archlinux, a distribution based on the KISS principle with a rolling release system
CentOS, a distribution derived from the same sources used by Red Hat, maintained by a dedicated volunteer community of developers with both 100% Red Hat - compatible versions and an upgraded version that is not always 100% upstream compatible
Debian, a non-commercial distribution maintained by a volunteer developer community with a strong commitment to free software principles
Fedora which is a community distribution sponsored by Red Hat
Gentoo, a distribution targeted at power users, known for its FreeBSD Ports-like automated system for compiling applications from source code
Knoppix, The first Live CD distribution to run completely from removable media without installation to a hard disk. Derived from Debian
Kubuntu, the KDE version of Ubuntu
Linux Mint, a popular distribution based on and compatible with Ubuntu
Mandriva, a Red Hat derivative popular in France and Brazil, today maintained by the French company of the same name
OpenGEU, derived from Ubuntu: The project's goal is to combine the power of GNOME desktop with the eye-candy of Enlightenment 17.
openSUSE, originally derived from Slackware, sponsored by the company Novell .
Pardus, developed in Turkey, as a product of the Pardus Project. It was named after the Anatolian Leopard.
PCLinuxOS, a derivative of Mandriva, grew from a group of packages into a popular, community-spawned desktop distribution.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux, which is a derivative of Fedora maintained and commercially supported by Red Hat
Slackware, one of the first Linux distributions, founded in 1993, and since then actively maintained by Patrick J. Volkerding
Ubuntu, a popular desktop distribution derived from Debian, maintained by Canonical
gOS and other netbook operating systems
DistroWatch maintains a popularity ranking of distribution information on its web site (using primarily page views), but this is not considered to be a reliable measure of distribution popularity.
Many of the Ham Radio Breakfast Club Guys are learning about Linux.
Linux is a computer operating system. It is one of the choices in the list with Microsoft XP, Vista or Apple _____.
Comment on this post if you have used or plan to use Linux.
Linux is free and many versions are available.
Stan(KE5LEP) is using UBUNTU
Paul(KD5PSA) is using UBUNTU
Kevin(
Scott(
Gene(
and others are using different versions
Wikipedia Linux Shows the following...
"Well-known Linux distributions include:
Archlinux, a distribution based on the KISS principle with a rolling release system
CentOS, a distribution derived from the same sources used by Red Hat, maintained by a dedicated volunteer community of developers with both 100% Red Hat - compatible versions and an upgraded version that is not always 100% upstream compatible
Debian, a non-commercial distribution maintained by a volunteer developer community with a strong commitment to free software principles
Fedora which is a community distribution sponsored by Red Hat
Gentoo, a distribution targeted at power users, known for its FreeBSD Ports-like automated system for compiling applications from source code
Knoppix, The first Live CD distribution to run completely from removable media without installation to a hard disk. Derived from Debian
Kubuntu, the KDE version of Ubuntu
Linux Mint, a popular distribution based on and compatible with Ubuntu
Mandriva, a Red Hat derivative popular in France and Brazil, today maintained by the French company of the same name
OpenGEU, derived from Ubuntu: The project's goal is to combine the power of GNOME desktop with the eye-candy of Enlightenment 17.
openSUSE, originally derived from Slackware, sponsored by the company Novell .
Pardus, developed in Turkey, as a product of the Pardus Project. It was named after the Anatolian Leopard.
PCLinuxOS, a derivative of Mandriva, grew from a group of packages into a popular, community-spawned desktop distribution.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux, which is a derivative of Fedora maintained and commercially supported by Red Hat
Slackware, one of the first Linux distributions, founded in 1993, and since then actively maintained by Patrick J. Volkerding
Ubuntu, a popular desktop distribution derived from Debian, maintained by Canonical
gOS and other netbook operating systems
DistroWatch maintains a popularity ranking of distribution information on its web site (using primarily page views), but this is not considered to be a reliable measure of distribution popularity.
[edit] Popular distributions
Well-known Linux distributions include:
Archlinux, a distribution based on the KISS principle with a rolling release system
CentOS, a distribution derived from the same sources used by Red Hat, maintained by a dedicated volunteer community of developers with both 100% Red Hat - compatible versions and an upgraded version that is not always 100% upstream compatible
Debian, a non-commercial distribution maintained by a volunteer developer community with a strong commitment to free software principles
Fedora which is a community distribution sponsored by Red Hat
Gentoo, a distribution targeted at power users, known for its FreeBSD Ports-like automated system for compiling applications from source code
Knoppix, The first Live CD distribution to run completely from removable media without installation to a hard disk. Derived from Debian
Kubuntu, the KDE version of Ubuntu
Linux Mint, a popular distribution based on and compatible with Ubuntu
Mandriva, a Red Hat derivative popular in France and Brazil, today maintained by the French company of the same name
OpenGEU, derived from Ubuntu: The project's goal is to combine the power of GNOME desktop with the eye-candy of Enlightenment 17.
openSUSE, originally derived from Slackware, sponsored by the company Novell .
Pardus, developed in Turkey, as a product of the Pardus Project. It was named after the Anatolian Leopard.
PCLinuxOS, a derivative of Mandriva, grew from a group of packages into a popular, community-spawned desktop distribution.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux, which is a derivative of Fedora maintained and commercially supported by Red Hat
Slackware, one of the first Linux distributions, founded in 1993, and since then actively maintained by Patrick J. Volkerding
Ubuntu, a popular desktop distribution derived from Debian, maintained by Canonical
gOS and other netbook operating systems
DistroWatch maintains a popularity ranking of distribution information on its web site (using primarily page views), but this is not considered to be a reliable measure of distribution popularity.
Broken Arrow Club History
Earl(WB5UUW) has located and now shares this historic document.
"A BAARC club roster from 1979. I think this was about a year after the club was formed."
click to enlarge
"A BAARC club roster from 1979. I think this was about a year after the club was formed."
click to enlarge
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Code Practice CDs
One of my favorite hams is K7QO. He loves to write and produce instructional programs of various types dealing with electronics, building and such. But he has also created an audio program he calls the K7QO Morse Code Course. He is an advocate of learning by doing, so the course takes you through hours of morse code practice. He starts at slow speed, with easy letters, and works up to increasingly difficult word groups and symbols. It is a very good course and is widely used. It can be downloaded free at http://www.k7qo.net/.
I have downloaded the MP3 version and have put it on a CD. Using MP3s, the entire course can fit on one CD. IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE A COPY, drop me an email, or catch me on the repeater, and I'll mail you one or bring it to the next Breakfast. K7QO encourages giving these away. So if you've been frustrated with traditional code practice techniques, but would like to get in on the fun of CW, give this a try. You can't beat FREE!
Brad
WA5PSA
briefer [at] cox.net
I have downloaded the MP3 version and have put it on a CD. Using MP3s, the entire course can fit on one CD. IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE A COPY, drop me an email, or catch me on the repeater, and I'll mail you one or bring it to the next Breakfast. K7QO encourages giving these away. So if you've been frustrated with traditional code practice techniques, but would like to get in on the fun of CW, give this a try. You can't beat FREE!
Brad
WA5PSA
briefer [at] cox.net
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Some of my favorite things.
I've been busy trying to finish my little 2n2/40 QRP transceiver kit. When I get it done, I'll bring it to the next Breakfast. It's been going along real good, which means that, after each stage is built, I am successful in finding all of my goof ups (bad solder joints, wrong part, bad mojo, etc.). But, until then, here's a few of my favorite things:
Soldersmoke. This is a podcast you can download and listen to on your computer or your mp3 player. It is for people interested in building their own gear, learning electronics or, as Bill says, "all things electronic and geeky." Bill, N2CQR, is a diplomat who is presently on assignment in Italy. He has produced 100 Soldersmokes, so far, and does one about every two weeks. He's interesting, funny and inspiring. He has all 100 Soldersmoke episodes available for download and they are great for playing around the shack when you're doing all those geeky things.
Ham Radio Podclass. This is a podcast gold mine. A couple hams teach courses to help you pass your Tech license and upgrade to General. They have dozens of lessons (again...downloadable mp3 files you can listen to for free) where they explain theory, rules and everything else on the tests. Then, after each lesson, then spend an entire episode going through the question pool helping you get ready for the exam. And...drumroll...they are going to start a series of classes for those who want to upgrade to Amateur Extra!
AmateurLogic TV. Another podcast, but this time in video. Three ham radio operators produce a very professional video podcast. They seem to have taken a bit of a break, but they have 22 episodes up so far, covering everything from an MFJ factory tour (episode 17) to how to build an "Active Cantenna" to give you a "beam" for your wifi (episode 3). Lots of topics and very interesting.
Make Magazine. This isn't ham radio. It is electronics only sometimes. But if you enjoy making things. Or wish you could make things. Or like watching other people make things. Or laughing at some of the strange things people spend their time making. This is the place for you. The magazine itself is a little pricey, but the web site has a blog with tons of interesting (uh...sometimes weird) projects. They also have tons of videos, and you can even watch their new "Make TV" episodes (oh lookie, another video podcast). They hold periodic "Maker Faires" all around the country that attract way more interest than the Dayton Hamvention. Ham radio needs to get a presence here - these are serious geeks.
WA5PSA
Brad
Soldersmoke. This is a podcast you can download and listen to on your computer or your mp3 player. It is for people interested in building their own gear, learning electronics or, as Bill says, "all things electronic and geeky." Bill, N2CQR, is a diplomat who is presently on assignment in Italy. He has produced 100 Soldersmokes, so far, and does one about every two weeks. He's interesting, funny and inspiring. He has all 100 Soldersmoke episodes available for download and they are great for playing around the shack when you're doing all those geeky things.
Ham Radio Podclass. This is a podcast gold mine. A couple hams teach courses to help you pass your Tech license and upgrade to General. They have dozens of lessons (again...downloadable mp3 files you can listen to for free) where they explain theory, rules and everything else on the tests. Then, after each lesson, then spend an entire episode going through the question pool helping you get ready for the exam. And...drumroll...they are going to start a series of classes for those who want to upgrade to Amateur Extra!
AmateurLogic TV. Another podcast, but this time in video. Three ham radio operators produce a very professional video podcast. They seem to have taken a bit of a break, but they have 22 episodes up so far, covering everything from an MFJ factory tour (episode 17) to how to build an "Active Cantenna" to give you a "beam" for your wifi (episode 3). Lots of topics and very interesting.
Make Magazine. This isn't ham radio. It is electronics only sometimes. But if you enjoy making things. Or wish you could make things. Or like watching other people make things. Or laughing at some of the strange things people spend their time making. This is the place for you. The magazine itself is a little pricey, but the web site has a blog with tons of interesting (uh...sometimes weird) projects. They also have tons of videos, and you can even watch their new "Make TV" episodes (oh lookie, another video podcast). They hold periodic "Maker Faires" all around the country that attract way more interest than the Dayton Hamvention. Ham radio needs to get a presence here - these are serious geeks.
WA5PSA
Brad
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