Posts Tagged ‘amateurradio.com’
I’m dreaming of a white …….
November 25th, 2014 | 
Author: Thanksgiving.
What?!?
Yes, Virginia, it looks like the east coast is going to receive a rare white Thanksgiving. Even though it approached 70F (21C) here yesterday, a change is in the offing. By 8:00 AM tomorrow morning, the busiest travel day of the entire year, a classic Nor'easter will be making its way up the coast, bringing much colder air and snow with it. By Buffalo, NY and Great Lakes region standards, we're talking a mere dusting of snow - maybe only 3-8 inches (7-20 cm), but enough to make traveling to Grandma's house a trickier proposition than normal. By the way, the last time it snowed in these parts for Thanksgiving was 1989 - some 25 years ago.
On a Ham Radio note, it appears my W3EDP antenna has gone the way of the DoDo Bird, that is - extinct. I plugged it into the KX3 the other day and I noticed that it is considerably deaf. Stations that I can hear plainly and loudly with the EDZ and the Butternut are but a mere whisper on the W3EDP.
I suspect I know where the trouble is. There are only three parts to this antenna - the actual wire, the balun, the coax. I'm placing my money on the coax. I suppose water could have gotten into the balun and could be wreaking havoc, but it is a commercial brand, popular make balun. I think it's way more likely that water probably got into the coax. I probably didn't weather-proof the connection as well as I thought I had.
Unfortunately, I don't have a piece of coax long enough to replace it right now. Guess I'll be ordering some over the long Holiday weekend. I don't suppose there are any coax stores holding day-after-Thanksgiving Black Friday sales, eh?
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
What?!?
Yes, Virginia, it looks like the east coast is going to receive a rare white Thanksgiving. Even though it approached 70F (21C) here yesterday, a change is in the offing. By 8:00 AM tomorrow morning, the busiest travel day of the entire year, a classic Nor'easter will be making its way up the coast, bringing much colder air and snow with it. By Buffalo, NY and Great Lakes region standards, we're talking a mere dusting of snow - maybe only 3-8 inches (7-20 cm), but enough to make traveling to Grandma's house a trickier proposition than normal. By the way, the last time it snowed in these parts for Thanksgiving was 1989 - some 25 years ago.
On a Ham Radio note, it appears my W3EDP antenna has gone the way of the DoDo Bird, that is - extinct. I plugged it into the KX3 the other day and I noticed that it is considerably deaf. Stations that I can hear plainly and loudly with the EDZ and the Butternut are but a mere whisper on the W3EDP.
I suspect I know where the trouble is. There are only three parts to this antenna - the actual wire, the balun, the coax. I'm placing my money on the coax. I suppose water could have gotten into the balun and could be wreaking havoc, but it is a commercial brand, popular make balun. I think it's way more likely that water probably got into the coax. I probably didn't weather-proof the connection as well as I thought I had.
Unfortunately, I don't have a piece of coax long enough to replace it right now. Guess I'll be ordering some over the long Holiday weekend. I don't suppose there are any coax stores holding day-after-Thanksgiving Black Friday sales, eh?
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
FTDI still bricking chips?
I doubt anyone missed the recent FTDI driver controversy.
The Scottish company Future Technology Devices International (FTDI) released an updated version of their USB-to-Serial driver for Windows on their website late September and last month the driver became available via Microsoft Windows Update. It soon became apparent that these new drivers could 'soft brick' counterfeit and software-compatible clones of their chips by re-writing the USB product ID (PID) to "0000". This action prevents the chip from being recognised by drivers of any operating system, effectively making them inoperable unless the PID is changed back. This clumsy and ill thought out measure was intended to protect its intellectual property.
The ability to reprogram the USB Vendor/Product IDs is a feature of FTDI devices offered to equipment manufacturers and so most bricked devices could be reset by using the downloadable FTDI utility.
Obviously there was much outrage from the hobbyist community and FTDI were roundly criticised and as a result the malicious driver was supposedly removed from the Windows update system.
Or so I thought...
I am currently constructing another data mode interface for some experiments with FreeDV. It requires the usual PTT control driven using the RTS line from a serial port. I purchased a couple of simple TTL level interface boards on eBay which claimed to use FTDI chips.
I built up a little scrappy veroboard circuit with an open-collector drive transistor and plugged into the shack PC and everything seemed okay as this PC already had an older FTDI driver installed.
I am using another computer for the FreeDV experiments and plugged the board into this thinking it too already had a safe FTDI driver installed but instead it brought up the installing driver dialogue and appeared to go online and download drivers and install them. I really didn't pay much notice as I wasn't too worried as any malicious drivers had supposedly been pulled and sure enough after installation everything appeared to work, the port appeared in device manager.
I unplugged the board to make a slight change and was surprised when I plugged it back in the PC the driver installation dialogue reappeared followed by an error message saying driver couldn't be installed and contact the manufacturer.
The serial port now appeared in the device manager with a yellow exclamation mark saying no driver installed error 28. Examining the device details showed that the VID was still 0403 but the PID was 0000 it had been bricked! Unfortunately not soft bricked as I have been unable to reset the chips PID using the FTDI utility.
I am not exactly sure what has happened but still a case of beware when it comes to FTDI devices and I shall be avoiding them from now on.
The Scottish company Future Technology Devices International (FTDI) released an updated version of their USB-to-Serial driver for Windows on their website late September and last month the driver became available via Microsoft Windows Update. It soon became apparent that these new drivers could 'soft brick' counterfeit and software-compatible clones of their chips by re-writing the USB product ID (PID) to "0000". This action prevents the chip from being recognised by drivers of any operating system, effectively making them inoperable unless the PID is changed back. This clumsy and ill thought out measure was intended to protect its intellectual property.
The ability to reprogram the USB Vendor/Product IDs is a feature of FTDI devices offered to equipment manufacturers and so most bricked devices could be reset by using the downloadable FTDI utility.
Obviously there was much outrage from the hobbyist community and FTDI were roundly criticised and as a result the malicious driver was supposedly removed from the Windows update system.
Or so I thought...
I am currently constructing another data mode interface for some experiments with FreeDV. It requires the usual PTT control driven using the RTS line from a serial port. I purchased a couple of simple TTL level interface boards on eBay which claimed to use FTDI chips.
I built up a little scrappy veroboard circuit with an open-collector drive transistor and plugged into the shack PC and everything seemed okay as this PC already had an older FTDI driver installed.
I am using another computer for the FreeDV experiments and plugged the board into this thinking it too already had a safe FTDI driver installed but instead it brought up the installing driver dialogue and appeared to go online and download drivers and install them. I really didn't pay much notice as I wasn't too worried as any malicious drivers had supposedly been pulled and sure enough after installation everything appeared to work, the port appeared in device manager.
I unplugged the board to make a slight change and was surprised when I plugged it back in the PC the driver installation dialogue reappeared followed by an error message saying driver couldn't be installed and contact the manufacturer.
The serial port now appeared in the device manager with a yellow exclamation mark saying no driver installed error 28. Examining the device details showed that the VID was still 0403 but the PID was 0000 it had been bricked! Unfortunately not soft bricked as I have been unable to reset the chips PID using the FTDI utility.
I am not exactly sure what has happened but still a case of beware when it comes to FTDI devices and I shall be avoiding them from now on.
Yet another shack clean up
Back in January when I took delivery of the FT857D I reorganised the shack, disposed of lots of surplus junk and the resulting layout has served me well for most of the year.
As I've acquired more equipment I have found myself struggling for space and the cluttered workbench has prevented any proper construction.
Following a rearrangement in the house I had a spare 'desk' which I wanted to make of, so the plan was to move the workbench and put the new desk next to the existing desk. I had some bookshelves which were being used inefficiently and I almost threw them out but decided to make use of them by cutting them down and modifying to make new shelves to sit on the back of the desks.
I had another clean out and the remaining junk is now in large plastic storage boxes under the desk should it prove useful one day. It is still a little cluttered but I have much more room with proper access to my books and magazines.
It is a work in progress, but it is a much better place to work and operate in.
As I've acquired more equipment I have found myself struggling for space and the cluttered workbench has prevented any proper construction.
Following a rearrangement in the house I had a spare 'desk' which I wanted to make of, so the plan was to move the workbench and put the new desk next to the existing desk. I had some bookshelves which were being used inefficiently and I almost threw them out but decided to make use of them by cutting them down and modifying to make new shelves to sit on the back of the desks.
I had another clean out and the remaining junk is now in large plastic storage boxes under the desk should it prove useful one day. It is still a little cluttered but I have much more room with proper access to my books and magazines.
The workbench is at the end of the shack directly under the overhead light
It is a work in progress, but it is a much better place to work and operate in.
Joy and Disappointment
Last night, our Technician Licensing class formally came to an end. We held a VE Session which was at once extremely gratifying and at the same time, bittersweet.
It was a bit of a whirlwind evening for me, so I'm a bit shaky on the numbers. Of the 16 student we started with, about 10 showed up for exams last night. Two couldn't make it due to doctor appointments and one get held up at work. What happened to the other three is beyond me. I had everyone's e-mail and was sending out regular announcements. These three individuals haven't come to class for the last couple of weeks. There was no indication of a lack of interest, or lack of understanding the material - so maybe it's been personal issues. Life happens, we all know that, and most people are reluctant to talk about their circumstances.
Everyone who turned out last night earned their Technician class licenses with the exception of two. The two who missed, missed by very little - the bittersweet part. Just about everyone who passed took a stab at the General, and one actually earned it. That was very gratifying.
We have decided to hold another VE session this Saturday morning at 8:00 AM at the EOC. The people who couldn't make it last night will get their opportunity. The people who missed get the chance to dust themselves off and give it another go. And maybe some will return for a second crack at upgrading to General.
Everyone was invited to the monthly South Plainfield Amateur Radio Club meeting tonight. The real "Elmering", the real teaching starts now. It's one thing to help someone to get their license. It's another thing entirely to transform these newbie Hams into confident, knowledgeable, content and active Amateur Radio operators.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
It was a bit of a whirlwind evening for me, so I'm a bit shaky on the numbers. Of the 16 student we started with, about 10 showed up for exams last night. Two couldn't make it due to doctor appointments and one get held up at work. What happened to the other three is beyond me. I had everyone's e-mail and was sending out regular announcements. These three individuals haven't come to class for the last couple of weeks. There was no indication of a lack of interest, or lack of understanding the material - so maybe it's been personal issues. Life happens, we all know that, and most people are reluctant to talk about their circumstances.
Everyone who turned out last night earned their Technician class licenses with the exception of two. The two who missed, missed by very little - the bittersweet part. Just about everyone who passed took a stab at the General, and one actually earned it. That was very gratifying.
We have decided to hold another VE session this Saturday morning at 8:00 AM at the EOC. The people who couldn't make it last night will get their opportunity. The people who missed get the chance to dust themselves off and give it another go. And maybe some will return for a second crack at upgrading to General.
Everyone was invited to the monthly South Plainfield Amateur Radio Club meeting tonight. The real "Elmering", the real teaching starts now. It's one thing to help someone to get their license. It's another thing entirely to transform these newbie Hams into confident, knowledgeable, content and active Amateur Radio operators.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Skeeter Hunt Certificates
The first 3/4ths of the 2014 Skeeter Hunt certificates went out in the mail last night. I ran out of 9X12 envelopes and will get more. The remaining ten or so will go out Thursday night, as our Tech License exam session is tonight and our monthly South Plainfield Amateur Radio Club meeting is tomorrow night.
If you earned a certificate, it has been noted on the Scoreboard spreadsheet, in the "Notes" column:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1odmnlTAnQST7FgsEnsItHaT_ZO0e8yZpzLqxcsyGRkY/edit#gid=1768430587
Thanks for your patience, and I apologize profusely for the delay - but hey, like John Lennon said, "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans."
Look for the Skeeter Hunt to be making an appearance on Facebook in the near future! Oh ..... and there will be at least one change in the rules for next year. Look for that announcement in the Spring of 2015. (Hey, I gotta give you something to look forward to!)
BTW, I want to take an opportunity to mention something about the "QRP - When you care to send the very least!" and the "Skeeter Hunt" items that I offer through Cafe Press. There's no big markup there - each item is offered at $1 above Cafe Press cost. The proceeds (which ain't much - believe me!) go towards the purchase of ink, paper, envelopes and postage for the Skeeter Hunt certificates. Next year, I am hoping to offer plaques to the top three finishers.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
If you earned a certificate, it has been noted on the Scoreboard spreadsheet, in the "Notes" column:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1odmnlTAnQST7FgsEnsItHaT_ZO0e8yZpzLqxcsyGRkY/edit#gid=1768430587
Thanks for your patience, and I apologize profusely for the delay - but hey, like John Lennon said, "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans."
Look for the Skeeter Hunt to be making an appearance on Facebook in the near future! Oh ..... and there will be at least one change in the rules for next year. Look for that announcement in the Spring of 2015. (Hey, I gotta give you something to look forward to!)
BTW, I want to take an opportunity to mention something about the "QRP - When you care to send the very least!" and the "Skeeter Hunt" items that I offer through Cafe Press. There's no big markup there - each item is offered at $1 above Cafe Press cost. The proceeds (which ain't much - believe me!) go towards the purchase of ink, paper, envelopes and postage for the Skeeter Hunt certificates. Next year, I am hoping to offer plaques to the top three finishers.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
For any readers from the greater NYC region
The following came from Mike Lisenco NY2BB, our ARRL Hudson Division Director:
Gordon "Gordo" West, WB6NOA, author, lecturer and creator of many Ham Radio study guides and related products will be in town this weekend and next week.
He will be at KJI Electronics this weekend, where he will be holding Technician and General Class license review classes followed by an exam session. Advanced registration is required as space is limited. Go to www.kjielectronics.com for more information.
He is the scheduled guest speaker at the Suffolk County Radio Club Meeting on Tuesday, November 18 at 7:00 PM (Time change! From 8:00 PM to 7:00 PM!). Guests are always welcome so feel free to attend:
Grace Lutheran Church
240 Mastic Road
Mastic Beach, NY
For more information, the club website is: http://suffolkcountyradioclub.net/
He will also be at the Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club on Thursday November 20th at 8:00 PM:
Babylon Town Hall
220 East Sunrise Highway
Lindenhurst, NY.
Talk-in on the W2GSB repeater 146.685 MHz 110.9 HZ PL For more info go to the club website: http://www.gsbarc.org/
This information appears too good not to share - so I re-posted.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Gordon "Gordo" West, WB6NOA, author, lecturer and creator of many Ham Radio study guides and related products will be in town this weekend and next week.
He will be at KJI Electronics this weekend, where he will be holding Technician and General Class license review classes followed by an exam session. Advanced registration is required as space is limited. Go to www.kjielectronics.com for more information.
He is the scheduled guest speaker at the Suffolk County Radio Club Meeting on Tuesday, November 18 at 7:00 PM (Time change! From 8:00 PM to 7:00 PM!). Guests are always welcome so feel free to attend:
Grace Lutheran Church
240 Mastic Road
Mastic Beach, NY
For more information, the club website is: http://suffolkcountyradioclub.net/
He will also be at the Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club on Thursday November 20th at 8:00 PM:
Babylon Town Hall
220 East Sunrise Highway
Lindenhurst, NY.
Talk-in on the W2GSB repeater 146.685 MHz 110.9 HZ PL For more info go to the club website: http://www.gsbarc.org/
This information appears too good not to share - so I re-posted.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Review session
The last class of our Technician License course was held last night. We had what I guess you could call a review session. Drew W2OU provided me with two practice exams, which I printed out and distributed to the class members. We treated last night as the actual exam session. So not only did they get practice, but they also now know what to expect for next week.
After each exam was completed, we went over the tests together as a group. It appears that on both exams, no one got more than six answers incorrect. Since a passing grade allows for nine incorrect answers, it would appear that we are looking at a bunch of new Amateur Radio ops as of next Tuesday night.
To break things up a bit, we showed an Amateur Radio video in between the two exams. In all, I thought last night's session was exceptional. Our class members have proven to be eager, bright, inquisitive, and open to what we have been presenting to them.
It has been an honor and a privilege to work with them, as well as with my two fellow instructors, Marv K2VHW and Drew W2OU. These two are amazing Amateur Radio ops and have an amazing amount of experience behind them. The fact that Marv K2VHW is a retired broadcast engineer from WABC with a couple of Emmy Awards under his belt doesn't hurt, either!
I am looking forward to next week, and I just sent the group a final e-mail, detailing what to bring next week and basically telling how proud of them that we are. It's great to be able to help increase the ranks of Amateur Radio. I also reminded them to relax. This is supposed to be fun, and besides, in the scheme of things, it's not like we're looking to cure cancer or end world hnger.
Oh, and by the way, I did work John K4BAI in Georgia, one of the 40 Meter Foxes last night. I tried to work Kevin W9CF in Arizona, but I think the good props between NJ and AZ were over by the time I got home and wolfed down dinner. I see from his Fox log that Kevin worked some NJ stations, but that was while I was still in class. By the time I was trying to work him, he was 229 - 339 at best and I just couldn't make myself be heard. There is nothing more frustrating than calling a station who is sending a CQ in the clear, only to have them resume calling CQ after you send your call!
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
After each exam was completed, we went over the tests together as a group. It appears that on both exams, no one got more than six answers incorrect. Since a passing grade allows for nine incorrect answers, it would appear that we are looking at a bunch of new Amateur Radio ops as of next Tuesday night.
To break things up a bit, we showed an Amateur Radio video in between the two exams. In all, I thought last night's session was exceptional. Our class members have proven to be eager, bright, inquisitive, and open to what we have been presenting to them.
It has been an honor and a privilege to work with them, as well as with my two fellow instructors, Marv K2VHW and Drew W2OU. These two are amazing Amateur Radio ops and have an amazing amount of experience behind them. The fact that Marv K2VHW is a retired broadcast engineer from WABC with a couple of Emmy Awards under his belt doesn't hurt, either!
I am looking forward to next week, and I just sent the group a final e-mail, detailing what to bring next week and basically telling how proud of them that we are. It's great to be able to help increase the ranks of Amateur Radio. I also reminded them to relax. This is supposed to be fun, and besides, in the scheme of things, it's not like we're looking to cure cancer or end world hnger.
Oh, and by the way, I did work John K4BAI in Georgia, one of the 40 Meter Foxes last night. I tried to work Kevin W9CF in Arizona, but I think the good props between NJ and AZ were over by the time I got home and wolfed down dinner. I see from his Fox log that Kevin worked some NJ stations, but that was while I was still in class. By the time I was trying to work him, he was 229 - 339 at best and I just couldn't make myself be heard. There is nothing more frustrating than calling a station who is sending a CQ in the clear, only to have them resume calling CQ after you send your call!
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
