Author Archive
ReactOS maybe the OS you just need?
March 5th, 2018 | 
Author: So you have run the latest Windows and found out that 10 is full of bloatware and updates to nail your PC to the ground. You may have also tried Linux, but found some things it does, and some things it won't, or impossible to be made to work, like camera drivers for example. Stuff which would work with Windows no problem. You may have tried running Windows Apps under Wine on top of Linux, some work, but some refuse point blank, or you have just found Linux too geeky and given up?
You have also discovered there is a lot more software around for Windows against Linux, especially for our radio hobby.
Also there is the no security update problem with those using ageing copies of XP, 2000, Vista and Win 7. Like myself whom will fall into the no support trap in another 18 months or so?
You also don't like paying for a new operating system and want it for free!
Well I might of found something that is being developed as an open source operating system that appears to fit the bill called ReactOS.
ReactOS is only up to version 0.47a, so it is in it's very early stages of development and I guess full of bugs, but it does seem to work as you would expect from a Windows operating system.
I have done a bit more research around the Web and found that that only a day ago, Chris Barnatt of Explainingcomputers.com had just made a video about the product, which I have bopped the link here for you all to watch:
This seems quite an exciting development as operating systems go, and something tight fisted penny pinching Radio Hams have been looking around for a number of years. Currently, I am not minded to move to it yet until it gets passed the beta stages, but it is something I would welcome very soon.
You have also discovered there is a lot more software around for Windows against Linux, especially for our radio hobby.
Also there is the no security update problem with those using ageing copies of XP, 2000, Vista and Win 7. Like myself whom will fall into the no support trap in another 18 months or so?
You also don't like paying for a new operating system and want it for free!
Well I might of found something that is being developed as an open source operating system that appears to fit the bill called ReactOS.
ReactOS is only up to version 0.47a, so it is in it's very early stages of development and I guess full of bugs, but it does seem to work as you would expect from a Windows operating system.
I have done a bit more research around the Web and found that that only a day ago, Chris Barnatt of Explainingcomputers.com had just made a video about the product, which I have bopped the link here for you all to watch:
This seems quite an exciting development as operating systems go, and something tight fisted penny pinching Radio Hams have been looking around for a number of years. Currently, I am not minded to move to it yet until it gets passed the beta stages, but it is something I would welcome very soon.
uBITX professional case
Amateur Radio Kits India, owned by VU3SUA. Is now producing a commercial grade aluminum case in a variety of different colours for the uBITX.
The case comes predrilled, with the cut out of the panel for the frequency display, ready to house the uBITX PCB. This sure makes the uBITX look the part in the shack. Complete with all the missing fittings, speaker, knobs, USB, SO239, mic skt, etc (the full list of parts is on the website).
Shipping starts early March.
Link here for:
Universal Case DA Grey
The case comes predrilled, with the cut out of the panel for the frequency display, ready to house the uBITX PCB. This sure makes the uBITX look the part in the shack. Complete with all the missing fittings, speaker, knobs, USB, SO239, mic skt, etc (the full list of parts is on the website).
Shipping starts early March.
Link here for:
Universal Case DA Grey
A SWR power bridge for uBITX
A damp cold Saturday here at Rugeley, the postman has not long been and dropped off my January issue of QRP Quarterly- Journal of the QRP ARCI.
Something good has just caught my eye, especially if your into the uBITX right now.
This month there is an excellent article for a VSWR bridge for the Arduino, which confusingly KW5GP (Glen Popiel) appears to take all the credits? But it appears the article was written or most of it by KV4QB (DuWayne Schmidlkofer)? A better explaination of the confusion, might be to just nip down to DuWayne's Place to understand what has actually gone on.
Why is this article good for the uBITX builder or users? Well at the moment there is no SWR/PWR bridge hardware built into the uBITX, although VU2ESE's Arduino code does appear to implement something for a basic S meter.
The article has a full bridge directional coupler circuit, along with amplified outputs, which are then fed into the Arduino. Along with this, there is the code, that could be easily adapted to work with the uBITX Arduino. Anyway Duwayne, has been good enough to drop off the details along with the code at his Dropbox site here
Something good has just caught my eye, especially if your into the uBITX right now.
This month there is an excellent article for a VSWR bridge for the Arduino, which confusingly KW5GP (Glen Popiel) appears to take all the credits? But it appears the article was written or most of it by KV4QB (DuWayne Schmidlkofer)? A better explaination of the confusion, might be to just nip down to DuWayne's Place to understand what has actually gone on.
Why is this article good for the uBITX builder or users? Well at the moment there is no SWR/PWR bridge hardware built into the uBITX, although VU2ESE's Arduino code does appear to implement something for a basic S meter.
The article has a full bridge directional coupler circuit, along with amplified outputs, which are then fed into the Arduino. Along with this, there is the code, that could be easily adapted to work with the uBITX Arduino. Anyway Duwayne, has been good enough to drop off the details along with the code at his Dropbox site here
BITX & UBITX resources added.
I have now added a Pages link to my blog titled
BITX & UBITX resources
Access it from the top right handside side of my Blog.This contains known links to groups and support for the BITX and UBITX kits.
I will update this as and when I see new links appear and when I have the time etc..
If you know of any others please drop me a line.
You can also access it via this link below too:
http://g1kqh.blogspot.co.uk/p/blog-page.html
73 Steve
M328 LCR-T4 an updated version of M328 LCR Transistor tester.
I wrote about the original M328 Chinese kit sometime ago, which I had to build to prove to myself that VK3YE's capacitance offset error problem was a calibration error:
http://g1kqh.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/building-m328-component-tester-1.html
http://g1kqh.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/building-m328-component-tester-2.html
However there is now a newer pre built SMD version (M328 LCR-T4) which came into my hands recently, all that you have to do is kit it together with a prebuilt case and a 9V battery NO SOLDERING: (Cost less than £8 inc case inc delivery).
This version has the advantage of being ready built with ZIF skt, and supports a better LCD full sized display!
I like this for it's ability to identify "any" transistor, or diode, you seem to throw at it. Displaying the gain figures of, and whatever way around the device is plugged into the ZIF socket, it has the ability to identify the pin out configuration, and if it is PNP or NPN, or even a FET. so you do not have to keep getting the semiconductor book out or downloading the data sheet for the pin data.
I thought this version was so good! I got G4WIF of the GQRP club recently to include it into the new Tribal Knowledge - Test Equipment document here
uBITX now on back order.
The uBITX kit as I predicted, proved so successful when it went on sale on Saturday 9th December, by Monday 11th, Asharr Farhan was telling us all on the BITX20 group, current stock of the first uBITX production run was exhausted!
Demand has just outstripped supply, by what the thinking was there was enough stock to last for 2 months?
Anyone ordering the uBITX now, will not get shipped until after at least the 25th December. This is now being flagged up when you come to order.
Did the uBITX become more successful overnight than the ICOM IC-7300, did it sell more in it's first days of sale? Or does it say to the main three radio manufacturers, you missed a market for a plain no bells and whistles multiband radio that everyone can afford and muck into and understand?
One thing for certain Asharr Farhan has proved without a doubt that he has been the first to achieve and do this, putting into mass production a multiband rig at a price point that everyone can be part of and enjoy! I am sure as well as the uBITX there is a lot more to come from HF Signals in the future!
Well done VU2ESE!
Demand has just outstripped supply, by what the thinking was there was enough stock to last for 2 months?
Anyone ordering the uBITX now, will not get shipped until after at least the 25th December. This is now being flagged up when you come to order.
Did the uBITX become more successful overnight than the ICOM IC-7300, did it sell more in it's first days of sale? Or does it say to the main three radio manufacturers, you missed a market for a plain no bells and whistles multiband radio that everyone can afford and muck into and understand?
One thing for certain Asharr Farhan has proved without a doubt that he has been the first to achieve and do this, putting into mass production a multiband rig at a price point that everyone can be part of and enjoy! I am sure as well as the uBITX there is a lot more to come from HF Signals in the future!
Well done VU2ESE!
uBitx price $109 !!
It's a fast and changing world and it appears I cannot write things quick enough at the game of Amateur Radio Blogging!
Tony G4WIF has just pointed me to the price of $109 for the uBitx and a new website!
I have just read what Asharr Farhan has said on the BITX20 group. The price will rise to $129 after Christmas, due to production costs, hiring more people etc.
Of course I have just ordered mine!
Checkout here for details: http://www.hfsignals.com/index.php/ubitx/
Hope you all enjoy getting one just as much as I enjoy writing about these things.
73 Steve
