20 most innovative consumer electronics products of the decade

How many of these are in your life now? http://reviews.cnet.com/2300-33_7-10002000-1.html?s=1&o=10001201&tag=mncol;page

30 years working in the computer industry

On December 1st, 1979 I started my first computer job at "the computer store" (Yes, that was the name, and it was in all lowercase).  It was a Friday and I started after school that day and I was 16 years old at the time.  I was paid $2.90 per hour, and got a raise on January 1st, 1980 only because the minimum wage was increased to $3.15 per hour!  I didn't care about the pay.  I got to get up early on Saturday mornings to drive my Dads 1978 yellow Jeep Wagoneer to Cambridge and sell and test Apple II computers.  They cost $1495 and came with 16K (that's kilobytes, not megabytes).  Each additional 16K cost $180, and you needed 48K to run most software, unless you loaded programs from cassette.  The only program worth loading from cassette was SubLogics Flight Simulator.  It took 30 minutes to load, but I'll never forget the thrill of taking off and the even bigger thrill of landing the first time.  I sold a lot Apple II's because of Visicalc, which was the first spreadsheet program for a personal computer.  I also sold a lot games, space invaders being one of them.  My favorite game, written by Robert Clardy of Synergistic Software is "Wilderness Campaign".  It was one of the first adventure games with graphics, and I still play it to this day on an Apple II emulator, but I still have my Apple II and sometimes use it as well.  My current Apple is Macbook Pro that is light years ahead of an Apple II, but those sure were the good old days when the home computer industry was just starting.

Homebrew 6m dipole by WA1KBE

Here’s some photos from a friend’s homebrew 6m dipole. Nice job Steve!

Are you Pinball, Pong, Nintendo or Wii?

http://www.youtube.com/user/kronosinc#p/a/u/0/kY3AgpmQ6ZU

Caribbean Buddies off to St Lucia (J6) for 2010

Members of the Caribbean Buddies 2010 team will mount a DXpedition to St. Lucia (J6) February 2-10, 2010. Nine operators from eight states will have fixed operations from a cliff-top villa and portable operations from various points on the island using CW, SSB, and digital modes. The team consists of the following operators: Chris Drummond (W6HFP), Budd Drummond (W3FF), B. Scott Andersen (NE1RD), Dan Gagnon (WZ1P), Steve Galchutt (WG0AT), Mike Greenwood (KC4VG), Guy Hamblen (N7UN), Paul Van Dyke (KB9AVO), and Weymouth Walker (K8EAB). Licensing is not yet complete but each operator is expected to receive their owncall sign. QSL via LoTW, eQSL, or mail to operator's home call (SASE required). See the DXpedition daily "journal" blog at http://caribbeanbuddies.blogspot.com or the 2010 Dxpedition website at http://sites.google.com/site/caribbeanbuddies/ for new announcements.

$148 for a wall socket?

Make sure you read the owner reviews.  They are a riot!   http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=110-439&vReviewShow=1&vReviewRand=3741493

Emergency Broadband in a backpack

In the aftermath of a disaster, any connection to the outside world can be life-saving. A BBC report interviewed Radio Amateur Mike Outmesguine KG6NHH on recent developments in emergency broadband communications The BBC news item says that Mike Outmesguine, KG6NHH, has demonstrated an easy way to produce a "Network Relief Kit" - an ultra-portable method of connecting to the internet from almost any location in the world. The entire kit can be carried in a back-pack, and offers a fast enough connection to watch videos on YouTube. In 2003-2004 the equipment cost some $40,000 but these days the whole kit, including the solar panel, is down to around $3,000. The system works by connecting to one of three satellites orbiting the earth to get an internet connection. The receiver can then be plugged in, using ethernet cables, to a standard router, VoIP (voice over internet protocol) phone or similar devices. Read the full BBC report at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8318156.stm BBC Digital Planet radio interview with Radio Amateur Mike Outmesguine KG6NHH http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p004l2hz Radio Amateur Mike D. Outmesguine KG6NHH is president and founder of TransStellar, Inc., a successful technology services company with an emphasis on wireless mobility and energy information systems. http://wifi-doc.com/Wiley-Wi-Fi.Toys...ir/pg_0009.htm TransStellar, Inc. http://www.transstellar.com/ Radio Amateurs have been pioneering the use of VoIP on HF, see http://www.southgatearc.org/news/oct...ions_group.htm

Route 66 on the air

Talk to fellow hams on Route 66 from September 12th - 20th, 2009 http://www.w6jbt.org/Route66OTAEvent/Index.htm

Ham radio from a Kayak

This looks like fun!   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBcPdnVNBhA

Introducing the Google OS

This will be interesting to see how it impacts Microsoft   http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/introducing-google-chrome-os.html

Unix turns 40

After four decades, the future of the operating system is clouded, but its legacy will endure. Click here.

Retrolife

Do you remember... http://www.billsretroworld.com/RETROLIFE.HTM

45 year old modem used to surf the net!

I sure hope he tapes this and puts it on YouTube!   http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/05/28/1745203&from=rss

Ex-Microsoftie: Free Software Will Kill Redmond

We shall see.   http://www.cio.com/article/493224/Ex_Microsoftie_Free_Software_Will_Kill_Redmond

Biggest mobile antenna I've seen

Tonight at a local ice cream stand I met Martin, KC3RE who has quite an impressive antenna on his Land Rover. Martin uses it for moon bounce and runs 275W on 2m using CW. Needless to say, this was the most impressive mobile antenna I've ever seen!

How to accidently hack into your neighbors router

After reading this article, I can see how this could happen.  This is why you should always configure your router with a wired connection as soon as you take it out of the box! http://www.shandyking.com/2007/02/18/hijack-hacked-linksys-wireless-router/

Near-fest this weekend!

This is the biggest Ham radio flea market in the area.

http://www.near-fest.com/

Ubuntu 9.04 as slick as Windows 7, Mac OS X

In short, Ubuntu is now as slick and beautiful as Mac OS X or Windows 7.

Click here

Ellsbury Steals Home Red Sox vs. Yankees

With Joe Costiglione audio. As the NY Post said "An Ell of a play!"

Click here for the YouTube video.

Google theme is morse code!

So long Pontiac

It looks like GM is going to kill Pontiac. If they are to survive, I feel they should close everything except Chevy and Cadillac.  If they focues on just these two brands, I'm willing to bet they could make quality products AND a profit! http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/23/report-general-motors-to-kill-pontiac-monday/

Slot radio

This is a nice MP3 player that would make a great gift for someone that wants an easy to use MP3 player. From the website: "Introducing slotRadio - the instant load music player bundled with a 1,000 song slotRadio™ Mix card. No downloads, no PCs and no work involved. Simply pop the card in the player and enjoy a near-endless supply of full-length tracks." Visit http://www.slotradio.org/ for more info

Mismating mix-up makes for monstrous military mission

You'll think twice from now on when attaching a connector!   http://www.edn.com/article/CA6651606.html?nid=2431&rid=9065121

How to afford anything

I don't agree with all of this, but it makes a very interesting read!   http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/how-to-afford-anything.htm

Why we love film

Ken has a lot of good arguments as to why you may still want to use film!   http://kenrockwell.com/tech/why-we-love-film.htm

Ken Rockwell reviews the Olympus 35RC

This was my very first 35mm camera and I still have it.  I know film is on life support in these digital days, but I still enjoy my film cameras.   http://kenrockwell.com/olympus/35rc.htm

K1P was a great success!

My local radio club, PART of Westford, had a special event station this past weekend commemorating Patriots Day. Visit www.wb1gof.org for more info and photos of the event.

The World’s First Desktop Cloaking Device

I wouldn't use this at work, but it's a clever device!

http://www.stealthswitch.com/

Armstrong's Invention of Noise-Suppressing FM

The IEEE Communications Magazine has a monthly series History of Communications edited by Mischa Schwartz, professor emeritus of electrical engineering at Columbia University. This month's issue is on Edwin Armstrong's Invention of Noise-Suppressing FM. Armstrong is credited as the inventor of wide-band FM and was awarded a patent for his invention on December 26, 1933. That and other interesting information can be found in the four page article which is available at http://www.comsoc.org/livepubs/ci1/public/2009/apr/pdf/cihistory.pdf

Not what I expected!

From "Britains Got Talent 2009": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY Quite remarkable, IMO

Strange CW keys

These you have to see to believe!

http://oh6dc.cw.googlepages.com/strangecwkeys

Far circuits - PC Boards for electronic projects used by Hams.

They have some really nice stuff!

http://www.farcircuits.net/

Bondo gone bad

This is what happens when you have too much bondo and too much time on your hands!   http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/14/no-mo-bondo-hapless-toyota-camry-gets-its-fill-of-filler/

Excel to ADIF

If you are looking for a helpful tool that you can use to take old manual logs and enter them into an Excel spreadsheet to have the data converted into an ADIF file for uploading to LOTW and/or eQSL, download it from:

http://www.wb8nut.com/download/Manual_ADI_entry.xls

Courtesy of Paul, W8TM - Enjoy!

Retro software

Old software starting at $1.00!

http://store.retrosoftware.net/

Bits & Bytes Magazine July 1984

A blast from the past! Check out the prices (New Zealand dollars)

http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/7/6/1990698/NZ-bits-and-bytes-issue-2-10.pdf

PSK 31 flavors contest on 4/11/09

I hope to give this contest a try as it looks interesting.  It runs from 12PM till 6PM your local time and only on 20m.   http://harvey.licht.home.sprynet.com/PSKFlavors/2009/2009RulesPost.htm

The top 10 operating system stinkers

No surprise who is on top of the list!   Click here

Digital modes for Field Day

An interesting discussion http://www.eham.net/articles/21329

Rapidly Deployable QRP Station

Based on a Stanley Work Center from Lowes and a lap desk from a craft store. The key and PTT switch are wired to the mic connector on the head of the IC-703. Invented by Greg, N4KGL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSC3iM28VZc

Portable Ubuntu Runs Ubuntu Inside Windows!

Very cool!   http://lifehacker.com/5195999/portable-ubuntu-runs-ubuntu-inside-windows

Top 5 Get-On-the-Air-Quickly Antennas

A great article on antennas http://www.eham.net/articles/21270

Relatively easy solar panel

For about the cost of a 2m mobile rig, you too can add solar power to your shack. http://www.eham.net/articles/21321

Unix cat command

Here's proof that the Unix cat command was so named because it was done by a programmer and not your average end-user! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_(Unix)

Solar minimum

How low can it go? The Sun is plunging into the deepest solar minimum in nearly a century.   See the full story at: http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/01apr_deepsolarminimum.htm?list1014869

Click and Clack to Head Up GM Revival

CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts (CNN) -- In a surprise move, the GM Board of Directors has appointed two radio talk show hosts to head up the company's emergency restructuring. The new GM Product Czars are Tom and Ray Magliozzi, also known as "Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers," who host NPR's Car Talk radio show. Former GM fans from the 1950s and 1960s, they since went on to become harsh GM critics in recent decades.   For the full story: http://www.cartalk.com/content/features/cnn/

The 10 worst Microsoft product names of all time

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=printArticleBasic&taxonomyName=Operating+Systems&articleId=9130727&taxonomyId=89

This PC will never overheat!

I'd like to know what this sounds like!  And don't even think of keeping any papers on your desk!   http://www.techlivez.com/2007/11/prostreet-modded-pc-case-with-66-fans/

Gone but not forgotten: 10 operating systems the world left behind

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=printArticleBasic&taxonomyName=Operating+Systems&articleId=9129459&taxonomyId=89

Do you really need a college degree to get a programming job?

I found this to be an interesting article for people who would like to get into programming, yet don't have a college degree.   http://www.javaworld.com/community/print/2651

Guide to perfect soldering

This short & simple soldering guide that will show you how to be really good at soldering.  Once you master this skill, it's like riding a bike!

A quintessential recession ride

I love this concept - a cheap, reliable no-frills car!   http://www.boston.com/cars/car_reviews/articles/2009/03/01/a_quintessential_recession_ride/

A Web Site For Mobile Amateur Radio Operators

When you have a lot of free time, check out this very detailed website.

Very cool inauguration photo

If you play around with this you can zoom in to see some cool stuff!  Just click on the image and use the wheel on your mouse to zoom in and out, or use the slider control on the photo. http://gigapan.org/viewGigapanFullscreen.php?auth=033ef14483ee899496648c2b4b06233c

K5D - Desecheo Island 2009 starts on 2/12/09

Go here for more info on this upcoming DXpedition.

PSKFest 2009 Results

I made 23 QSO's and got a score of 414 in the Single operator Low Power category (< 50W).  Next year I may try QRP to see if I can equal or better my score.   http://www.podxs070.com/contests/2009_pskfest_results.htm

Getting started with Logbook of the world (LOTW)

I hear a lot of people tell me that they would like to use LOTW, but when the look at the "Getting Started" guide, it looks daunting to them. I agree that when I first saw it, I too thought the same thing. I recently found this online guide that shows you how it is done step by step.

Vote for Cheryl and help make a donation to St. Jude's Hospital

She's entering a photography contest that will donate $20k to St. Jude's Hospital. If you have a minute please vote for her, and send this along to anyone else you think might be interested (and you can vote once each day). The picture that comes up with this link is Cheryl's photo, so all you have to do is enter your email address and click the button. http://stjude.pny.com/VotePicture.aspx?piccode=1286

Check out her website: www.cherylsteinhoffphotography.com