tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034540Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:35:33 +0000If I'm thinking it, I'll write about it.http://www.mikey.com/mikey/noreply@blogger.com (Mike)Blogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034540.post-3155350103583862203Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:03:00 +00002009-12-16T22:35:33.508-08:00Cary showed me how he likes to do surface mount soldering. Mike uses highly activated liquid flux. Cary prefers a gel flux.Cary showed me 2 YouTube videos that shows the technique. Someone "borrowed" his smt kit.I went to Fry's and they had some. It worked like a charm. I tacked the part, put some flux down and it all worked as in the videos.My problem is that the Fry's stuff does not clean uphttp://www.mikey.com/mikey/2009/12/another-smt-soldering-technique.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mike)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034540.post-428136656698317798Mon, 14 Dec 2009 03:47:00 +00002009-12-13T19:57:25.426-08:00Why is it most sites, especially those that have good reason to require a secure password don't allow symbols?There are a lovely set of characters on the number keys and a couple of other places. But financial institutions don't allow them. At least not the 3-4 I've dealt with.I'll admit, I'm not a security hack. I know that some programmers allow certain characters to not be escaped correctlyhttp://www.mikey.com/mikey/2009/12/crappy-passwords.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mike)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034540.post-2346024793916000366Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:33:00 +00002009-12-09T10:50:16.944-08:00I put my Chumby guts together this week. They are available at the Maker Shed http://www.makershed.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKCH1 for $139. I took advantage of the initial offering of $99.The chumby is an interesting device. It is a device is like an iTouch or iPhone, but you leave it on all the time and have it flip through each application every 30-60 seconds. Granted there are onlyhttp://www.mikey.com/mikey/2009/12/chumby-guts-cool-but-can-be-better.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mike)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034540.post-6426555776320569027Tue, 08 Dec 2009 08:51:00 +00002009-12-08T00:56:06.733-08:00I am building the Small Wonders psk31 20M transceiver. I wound 4 torroids. t37 and ft50 sized.There really is a difference in magnet wire coatings. The wire supplied by small wonder did not tin by dipping. But what I picked up at the electronics store did.I dipped the tips in some flux and then into the solder pot for a few seconds and out came nice shiny tips.Now, I do not know if they work.http://www.mikey.com/mikey/2009/12/finally-used-my-solder-pot.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mike)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034540.post-1496300242513943793Tue, 08 Dec 2009 08:48:00 +00002009-12-08T00:49:37.620-08:0012/8/08 at 12:48PST I checked the ULS database and my new callsign showed as approved!!!NE6RD the NERD.http://www.mikey.com/mikey/2009/12/cq-cq-ne6rd-cq-cq.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mike)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034540.post-641890624404851536Sun, 29 Nov 2009 07:06:00 +00002009-11-29T00:39:23.343-08:00I picked this up for 2 reasons. One it is the one surface mount part of the bitx 20M kit sold by Hendtricks QRP Kits and I wanted to have an extra in case I screwed it up when I build my Bitx 20M kit. Second, I am building a series of QRP kits and I need to test the crystals to see how off they are. This kit has a mode where it will do that.The good news is that this all went together really http://www.mikey.com/mikey/2009/11/built-digital-dial-designed-by-steve.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mike)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034540.post-2369682067171993707Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:46:00 +00002009-11-22T10:00:42.809-08:00I have an application in for NE6RD. When I earned my license I figured I just stick with what the FCC gave me. By the time I earned my extra. I had already made a commitment to KI6QNZ. Logins, memberships, badges and business cards. Now with that my participation with 2 VECs, DSW cards, and using KI6QNZ for last years Maker Faire. And eQSL and Log book of the world.This is like moving. Worsehttp://www.mikey.com/mikey/2009/11/new-callsign-in-progress.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mike)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034540.post-12299196543918174Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:32:00 +00002009-11-02T18:38:46.859-08:00I talked with Bob Inderbitzen, ARRL Sales and Marketing Manager, this morning. He has offered support of our effort again. New volunteers and those who have worn out their shirts will get another this year.Bob has offered books and handouts this year again.I greatly appreciate the ARRL and Bob's effort to support us in educating people about amateur radio at the Maker Faire.I hope Bob can makehttp://www.mikey.com/mikey/2009/11/arrl-offers-us-support-again.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mike)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034540.post-4801131357932816678Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:49:00 +00002009-10-29T23:55:28.180-07:00Me and Joe met up to play with the bridgeport. We really just played. I find the milling machine one I could get used to using.Got to break in one of my new endmills. Using a sharp endmill really does leave a nice finish on the metal.What can I say not much to expand on except to say that setting up and using the milling machine was easy and pleasant. Just need more practice to play a bit. Findhttp://www.mikey.com/mikey/2009/10/bridgeport-milling-machine.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mike)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034540.post-6686390067070840628Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:31:00 +00002009-10-26T01:41:54.417-07:00I've been learning code for almost as long as I've had my license. I finally have the 26 letters of the alphabet down at a farnsworth speed of 15/5. I just tried to listen to a groupings of 5 letters at a true speed of 10wpm. Only got the first 1 or 2 of each. The program I used does not go down to 5wpm.After listing to the characters at 15 wpm speed, listening to them at 10wpm just sounds http://www.mikey.com/mikey/2009/10/morse-code-farnsworth-to-true-timing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mike)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034540.post-7358974485200208255Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:24:00 +00002009-10-22T00:14:11.709-07:00I have bought a bunch of kits that have toroids. Cleaning the magnet wire is a bit if a pain in the butt. Using a small propane torch to burn off the coating is one method. Running a blob of solder using a large tip on the magnet wire is another. Sanding off the coating is also done. But using sand paper on thin wire does not work well. Using a solderpot is the best. The issue is that http://www.mikey.com/mikey/2009/10/solder-pot-and-first-experience-with.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mike)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034540.post-4061219953719200294Sat, 17 Oct 2009 07:11:00 +00002009-10-17T00:25:19.128-07:00In drilling the new acrylic cover I learned a lesson very fast. Look at the bottom left corner. Yep, I busted that drilling it.I was smart enough to use the original cover to guide the drill. But with the corner hanging unsupported on the drill press, so the corner broke. For those who have never seen a drill press, do a search on google. The platform where you put your work to be drill hashttp://www.mikey.com/mikey/2009/10/i-learn-simple-lesson-on-drilling.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mike)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034540.post-6561889276739636104Sat, 17 Oct 2009 06:51:00 +00002009-10-17T01:17:03.741-07:00I built a rockmite 20 from Small Wonder Labs It is a nice simple little radio to build. I bought the accoutrement to go with it. I bought the connector kit so I would not need to search out the jacks and connectors. I bought the Mity Box from American Morse which is a beautiful enclosure for this transceiver. All holes predrilled and it is nicely anodized. I also got the pico keyer chip http://www.mikey.com/mikey/2009/10/small-wonders-labs-rockmite-20.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mike)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034540.post-3432631191550730502Wed, 12 Aug 2009 01:08:00 +00002009-08-11T18:13:07.401-07:00Jumpline changed my IP address and failed to tell me. No cause for leaving them, but I've been trying to sort out and email issue for a week. Why when I opened the ticket didn't they check things out more thoroughly? See that DNS did not match their records. I just do not understand the lack of pride some show in the work they do, or how they run their company.Gee, I think this really is just http://www.mikey.com/mikey/2009/08/cant-trust-folks.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mike)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034540.post-7758688225129356571Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:17:00 +00002009-06-28T17:46:34.383-07:00I participated in field day with the Foothills Amateur Radio Society this year. I was the GOTA captain. GOTA, Get On The Air. The site is great. It is at the Maryknoll seminary, which is very scenic. The GOTA tent is in the best location. It gets the most shade.The GOTA station is fun. Watching someone get hooked on HF or contesting is great. Some just getting to jump into HF might http://www.mikey.com/mikey/2009/06/my-field-day-2009-report.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mike)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034540.post-8885784057872678980Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:42:00 +00002009-06-18T00:49:48.409-07:00Lance finally got his IC-735. We went to a park close to work in Palo Alto. I put up my buddipole, he hooked up his radio and he called CQ. He got 2 QSOs, one in San Diego. I hooked up my FT-857D and got one in Missouri.On 20M we had a S7 noise floor outside. We relized that there was a large electrical junction box where we set up.Operating the radio is like fishing. A bad day on the radio ishttp://www.mikey.com/mikey/2009/06/good-lunch.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mike)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034540.post-7121537741752757657Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:30:00 +00002009-06-18T00:42:01.489-07:00numa numaHow often do you watch a you tube video, find it entertaining and follow the related videos? Worse, watch the related play list?I think I just over numa'd myself and lost 10 IQ points.I dare you.I double dare you.I triple dare you. Ok, Watch this one because she is hot.These are the guys to blame for this song. Incase you don't speak Romanian, here is their English verion. I think it looses http://www.mikey.com/mikey/2009/06/youtube-can-turn-your-mind-into-jello.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mike)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034540.post-352123706802092779Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:04:00 +00002009-06-16T13:15:50.332-07:00I live in the SF Bay area. There is a repeater, N6NFI, 145.230 pl100, that many people in the area use. Many of us who are active on the repeater also are active in our local emergency communications groups. I saw this come together this morning, 6/16/09.We have a net called the 9am talk net. It starts at 9am and runs for 1-3 hours Monday through Friday. This morning the regular netcontrol http://www.mikey.com/mikey/2009/06/proud-to-be-part-of-9am-talk-net.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mike)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034540.post-3636521356431427781Tue, 16 Jun 2009 05:38:00 +00002009-06-15T23:20:51.783-07:00I've finally dove into surface mount soldering, smt. I built a few kits. Mostly silly stuff.First I tried this basic SMT training kit that has a blinking red/green led.It had to get a second kit. Not sure what I did.The Executive Decision Maker by Elenco. It worked great. I did not do any rework.These first two kits I used a needle point soldering tip. It was just too fine.Then when I took a http://www.mikey.com/mikey/2009/06/learning-smt.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mike)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034540.post-6010451258343917603Sat, 13 Jun 2009 06:55:00 +00002009-06-13T00:05:42.278-07:00I have a ft-857D and a buddipole. But I only get out once or twice a month.I have gained access to 2 stations that use the w5mq software. I have the software loaded on my home desktop, my asus eee and the work computer. One is in New Mexico that lets me work the US very well. I have just gained access to a station in Pennsylvania. Hopefully this will let me start making contacts in http://www.mikey.com/mikey/2009/06/when-in-condo-rent-rig.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mike)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034540.post-1434900434016331959Thu, 11 Jun 2009 01:52:00 +00002009-06-10T19:04:12.453-07:00Oy. It's been almost 2 weeks since the faire. The house is mostly put back together. My stuff is put away. But some comes back out for field day in 2 weeks.It went really well. Found out that many of the makers are hams. The volunteers all had fun. The ARRL is really happy with the results. The show organizers received positive feedback.One more club wants to participate. So we might have 4 http://www.mikey.com/mikey/2009/06/maker-faire-2009.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mike)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034540.post-6556439179273084529Thu, 11 Jun 2009 01:48:00 +00002009-06-10T18:51:58.060-07:00I just read http://www.blackplasticglasses.com written by Evan Schnittman.Short well written entries. I have fallen into the trap of using twitter instead of making entries in this blog. Seeing Evan's blog kicked my in the pants. He has short well written 1 or 2 paragraph entries. Why aren't I doing this?http://www.mikey.com/mikey/2009/06/i-dont-need-long-entries.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mike)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034540.post-8341589112215197261Sun, 08 Mar 2009 00:33:00 +00002009-03-07T18:01:56.517-08:00Oh man. I went and spoke at my first small hamfest. It was at the Moose Lodge in Monterey. I was speaking in the main hall about the make faire.I felt like a lounge singer in a third rate bar. I was in one corner giving my presentation. About a dozen folks paying attention or eating lunch in front of the stage. Then everyone else was milling about on the "show floor". I should have worn http://www.mikey.com/mikey/2009/03/radiofest-in-monterey.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mike)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034540.post-8504288935756018569Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:49:00 +00002009-03-02T05:53:16.508-08:00Amateur Radio at the Maker Faire Sponsored by FARSWe need volunteers. Have fun. Get a free day pass to the Maker Faire. Get a free tee-shirt. Spend the day hanging out with fellow hams and talking to folks about Amateur Radio. Enjoy the unique experience of the Maker Faire.Those wishing to volunteer, please contact Michael Pechner, KI6QNZ, ki6qnz@arrl.net Friday 11AM-5PM for setup and http://www.mikey.com/mikey/2009/03/amateur-radio-at-maker-faire-vo.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mike)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034540.post-5079242343423797766Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:23:00 +00002009-01-29T12:30:24.803-08:00maker faireamateur radioARRLI started trying to get things going for the Maker Faire booth in July. As opposed to previous years I did not wait until a call goes out 2 weeks before again.The work has paid off. We will have an amazing array of Ham Radio demonstrations. We need to show the technology side of things. We need to encourage people in their 20's, 30's and earlier to take up the hobby. I'm 47 and feel like I'mhttp://www.mikey.com/mikey/2009/01/maker-faire-booth-ramped-up.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mike)1