Dah Dit Morse Code Trainer Smartphone App

Check Out The Blog Post Here.

LINUX In The Ham Shack!

Hey Gang! Do any of you listen to Podcasts? What about Podcasts related to Ham Radio and LINUX? Speaking of Podcasts, LINUX in the Ham Shack is a site on exactly that topic.

When you have a chance, check out the LINUX in the Ham Shack Web site. Russ K5TUX (and Richard KB5JBV now on hiatus) host an awesome site and their shows (Podcasts) cover many subjects, and yes, believe it or not, once in a while they even talk about LINUX and how it’s related to Ham Radio! Only kidding of course.

Episode #102 focused on QSSTV. Go check it out!

Oracle Virtual Box and KB1IOQ’s Ubuntu Remix For Ham Radio Ops

Since I have plenty of time on my hands now, I have taken up experimenting with various LINUX distros again using the very cool Oracle Virtual Box software. If you are not familiar with this stuff, simply put it’s like running an operating system within an operating system. In this case, I have installed Oracle’s VIRTUAL BOX software under UBUNTU.

Once Virtual Box is up you can install any O/S in it (that I have run across to date). That is, as long as you have enough hardware on your system to run it effectively. I recently found out about KB1OIQ – Andy’s Ham Radio Linux CD. So, naturally I had to give it a go.  The installation under Virtual BOX was typical and ran flawlessly unlike some distros (such as Fedora release 18). Andy explains the basic hardware requirements for installation on his SourceForge page  As the case with other distros, you can create a LIVE CD and run his software that way without disturbing the current OS located on your system.

In summary, if you like to experiment with different distros of LINUX you may want to try out Andy’s software. As long as you know how to burn a .iso file to CD then the LIVE CD is the least invasive way to give it a go.

Please comment if you decide to try out Andy’s distro and more specifically what you liked about it!

LIMARC Hamfest

Getting back into blogging after a long layoff is starting to be fun again. Remembering how to spell and finding all the keys is another story. As you can see above I finally updated the Special Events and Hamfest Pages. Whoopee!

In addition, here’s a quickie about a local (to me) Hamfest  to get your 2013 Ham Radio Juice flowing. 

LIMARC is having its Next (2013) Hamfest on March 3rd. The Hamfest is located at the Levittown Hall in Hicksville, NY.

For detailed information click here.

Hope to see you there!

eBay Shopper’s Guide for Ham Radio Ops

 Now in its 5th year of operation, eHamStore.com is still offering the best of what eBay has to offer when it comes to Ham Radio and Police Scanner gear. Since many of you have probably not considered looking over The eHamStore as a place to bid on or purchase Ham Radio and Police Scanner gear, I wanted to put a quick buyers guide together to help buyers  navigate around the  eBay listings at eHamStore.com and to help potential  buyers realize that eBay offers buyer protection not found on other sites. Please take a few minutes to check out this buyers guide to eBay and take my short poll at the end of the article. Also please feel free to comment on your eBay / Ham Radio shopping experiences.  Thanks!

The Quick eBay Buyers Guide:

  eBay bills itself as an auction site.  The reality is that it’s more of a giant yard sale or never-ending Hamfest.  Go straight to the search bar on the eBay main page, type in anything you might be looking  for, and odds are pretty good that you will find at least one for sale. It’s rare when you don’t come up with at least one of what you are looking for. The downside is that spelling errors in listings can be a bit frustrating from time to time.

There are two types of eBay listings.

  Auctions feature an end time of anywhere from a few days to a week.  Entering a maximum bid is OK but the site only shows the maximum bid you need to win the item. Don’t do this unless you want to pay the top dollar for the item or it’s something you cannot live without. The best way to get the item you want is to become an auction sniper and pounce on the item during the last-minute. Place your final bid during the last few seconds of the auction.

  The other type of listing (the more popular these days) is Buy It Now.  These are basically simple for sale listings where you agree to buy the item for a specific price. There’s no drama, just a quick and smooth transaction. One thing to be aware of is to review shipping costs prior to placing a bid or buying an item.  Shipping costs vary wildly from listing to listing. It’s possible to purchase an item at a higher price and actually save a few dollars when you factor in the potential savings on shipping costs.

  Always remember that you are buying from a seller not eBay. Fortunately, eBay has a feedback system. What that means is that you can quickly review the seller’s trustworthiness.  The seller can leave feedback on you as the buyer as well. Once you submit payment, the type, size and location of the item will determine how fast you receive it.

  Since eBay owns PayPal, all credit card transactions are processed via PayPal. For reasons that are unknown to me, people don’t like opening a PayPal account.  My personal experience over the years has been 100% positive. Perhaps one time buyers see no need to open a PayPal account and think negatively about something they don’t understand. I have found it to be safe, secure and convenient. PayPal also offers extra protection on purchases when PayPal is used as the payment method.

  Using eBay as reference for prices is a huge reason to think eBay. If you want to know what an item is going for and you just want to shop around, what better place to look online than eBay.  Again, you need to have some idea of  what an item is really worth and what you are willing to spend before you start digging around on the site.  Patience is often rewarded with a reasonable price. Read all listings carefully , remember to keep your head and you’ll be fine.

  Like any system, eBay has its imperfections but remember that people all over the world buy and sell millions of items each and every day via eBay / PayPal. As a buyer you may pay a bit for an item but it’s far better to be protected that taking a chance and buying an item from a site like Craig’s List or other Ham Radio sites which offer no buyer protection whatsoever.

12th Annual Ham Radio University 1/9

Happy New year everyone! One of the first events out of the gate at the top of the year on Long Island is Ham Radio University. HRU is a day of learning for Ham Radio operators. This year will also be a day for scanner enthusiasts as well.

Located about 40 miles east of New York City, HRU is accessible from all the points on the compass. Come on, you do remember that analog device don’t you? Find the address and directions here: http://www.hamradiouniversity.org

This year looks like it’s going to be the best schedule of guest speakers to date. Guest speakers are there for you to learn from and to  ”pick their brains” for that info you just can’t seem to find elsewhere.

So here’s the line up as I received it. Look it over and make up your schedule for the day. Each moderator is well versed in the area of interest and I am sure all questions will be answered. Imagine, all of this learning and more for only 3 bucks! How can you go wrong?

Schedule:

9:00 – 9:50am
-Scanner Forum: Phil Lichtenberger W2LIE
-Intro to EMCOMM in NYC/LI: Mike Lisenco N2YBB and Jim Mezey W2KFV
-Operating Six Meters during Cycle 24:  Ken Neubeck WB2AMU
-Transmitter Hunting – locating hidden transmitters: Larry Berger
WA2SUH and Andy Kirschenbaum WA2CDL
-Remote Station Operation: Rick Bressler K2RB

10:00 – 10:50am
-Dealing with RF Interference during reception: Bill Lynch AB2UW
-The EMCOMM experience in Haiti: Ron Tom KE2UK
-Intro to DX’ing and contacting distant stations: Long Island DX
Assoc.
-QRP – low power fun: John Meade W2XS
-Ham Radio Deluxe: Bill Dahl W2ANQ

11:00 – 11:50am
-Grounding for the Ham Station: Don Kane WB2BEZ
-Intro to the National Traffic System: Mike Patino N2BMU and Jim
Kettyle KC2LEB
-DX and Ham Radio from Kuwait: Steve Hass N2AJ
-Working Satellites with your handheld transceiver: Peter Portanova
WB2OQQ
-HF Digital Modes: Neil Heft KC2KY

12 Noon
-Keynote Speaker: ARRL President Kay Craigie N3KN

1:30 – 2:20pm
-Antennas – how they work and how to build them: Walter Wenzel KA2RGI

-Wireless History – Friends of Long Island Wireless: Connie Currie
-Contesting: All your questions answered: Mel Granick KS2G
-Emergency Power for your home: Jeff Schneller N2HPO
-D-STAR – digital Amateur Radio operating: Randy Gutentag WA2RMZ
-Volunteer Exam Session – Amateur License testing: VE Team

2:30 – 3:20pm
-Antenna Building Workshop ($10 additional fee): Joe Mielko N2IMF
-Young Ham Forum: Lew Malchick N2RQ
-World Radiosport Team Championship (The Ham Radio Olympics): George
Tranos N2GA
-Software Defined Radios: Dr. Jeffrey Katz AC2BQ
-Internet Linking for Amateur Radio: Jonathan Taylor K1RFD

Here is the list of participating organizations at this year’s event:

ARRL
ARRL NYC/LI Section
American Red Cross ECS
Central Jersey D-Star Group
Civil Air Patrol
Friends of L.I. Wireless
Grumman Amateur Radio Club
Great South Bay ARC
Hall of Science ARC
Kings County Radio Club
Kings County Repeater Association (HRU 2011 Sponsor)
Larkfield ARC
Long Island DX Assoc.
Long Island QRP Club
Long Island Mobile ARC
MetroCor Repeater Coord.
Nassau County ARES
Nassau County CERT
Nassau Amateur Radio Club
Nassau County Police ARC
National Weather Service
New York City ARES
Peconic Amateur Radio Club
QCWA
Radio Central ARC
SATERN
Staten Island Digital Group
Suffolk County Radio Club
Tri-State SKYWARN Group
Wantagh Amateur Radio Club
US Coast Guard Auxiliary
CQ Communications
Briarcliffe College ARC

There are plenty of door prizes provided by:

ARRL
CQ Communications
DX Engineering
ELK Antennas
J&R
MFJ Enterprises
Radio Oasis

And lots of literature provided by:

ARRL
Amateur Electronics Supply
Ham Radio Outlet
ICOM America
Kenwood USA Corporation
Texas Towers
Universal Radio

Be certain to put this on your 2011 calendar!  Don’t miss this event! I expect that this year will top all previous attendance records.

So search around the Ham Shack and gather your loose change together. We all know Ham’s are among the cheapest individuals on the planet but 3 bucks won’t break you, promise!

73 and see you there – ke2yk!

A Chinese Invasion ???

TYT TH-UVF1

Now we all know that the Chinese government is buying up our government’s debt these days but it seems that the Chinese have no intention of stopping there.

I recently noticed that some of the better known Ham Radio stores like AES and Universal Radio now sell the TYT and the WOUXUN (pronounced Oh- Sheng) HT’s. I was also a bit surprised to see a full review of one of the WOUXUN radios in a recent QST.

So you might ask yourself; why are these radios gaining traction in the Ham Radio stores and what is so attractive about these radios anyway? I have to fess up and say that I don’t actually own one of these HT’s but have spent a fair amount of time chatting with Joe, w2ofd about his recent purchase. Joe recently bought the TYT TH-UVF1 dual band HT and has favorably commented about its features and functionality on several occasions.

Joe’s recent purchase from Lentini Communications included the desk charger, car charger (for a limited time), software and programming cable for under $150 (shipping included). When listening to his TYT, the audio is strong and sounds very natural. Joe happens to also own a few Yaesu HT’s and as far as I am concerned, the audio of his TYT is superior to those radios.

Like most (if not all) new radios sold these days, programming is best done via the computer. I own the Kenwood TH-F6A and find that the advantage of programming it with the computer adds a new dimension to the term “user friendly”.

Programming via the computer makes frequency updates and adding alpha-numeric id’s a snap. Loading different, preprogrammed (profiles) into the radio  is a real asset when away from the home QTH.

Rather than repeat the radio specs here, I have included a few links for your review.

http://universal-radio.com/catalog/ht/5565.html

http://universal-radio.com/catalog/ht/5541.html

http://universal-radio.com/catalog/ht/5547.html

Pros:

Wide Band Receive, Clean Design, Solid Construction, Included Extras, Programming Software, Audio Quality, Low Cost

Cons:

Poorly Written User Guide

Wrap Up:

If you are looking for a nicely designed radio (with extras) for a very reasonable price and you have the patience to decipher the user manual, then, in my opinion the TYT TH-UVF1 is a great buy for the money.

W2LIE.net releases a Web Controlled Radio and Other New Upgrades

Long Island Live Scanner Feeds

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For those who know me, you know that I am not a fan of newsletters. So, I only try and send them out when there is something important to say from the backroom at W2LIE.net. I can assure you that this is one of those notices!

W2LIE.net has been busy the last few months with some major upgrades. We redesigned parts of the site to make things easier to read, and to make things simple to find – from both the desktop and mobile applications. There are also a few more bolt-on’s to the website that I am very excited to tell you about.

Here are some of the new changes
to W2LIE.net:

• Automatic Archives
  • Several feeds are being archived to the website in 30 minute brackets.
  • Some of the archives will remain free, but the first 24 hours are a premium add-on.
    
  • Archives are located in the W2LIE.net download section
    

• Redesigned Forum Layout
  • The Forums are redesigned to make things easier to read
  • The default font for the forums have been enlarged
    

• Mobile Optimized Theme
  • The Mobile version of the site is being recreated to allow for easier viewing of the content in the Frequencies
    and Codes menu.
    
  • New master list has been created, instead of a confusing drop down menu.
  • This allows the same interface and path for Web versions and Mobile versions of the site
    

• WIKI
  • A WIKI has been added to W2LIE.net.
  • Goal – If it “transmits” on Long Island, we should build it into the database
    • Types of Radios, Apparatus, Phone Numbers
    • Add info BEYOND public service.. Again – if it transmits on LI, it belongs in the wiki
  • W2LIE.net users will have write access to the wiki.
    • Currently requires a new username and password
    • We are currently working to code the site so that the Wiki and main site use the same username
      

Online Shopping is now open at
W2LIE.net
Here are list if items that will be for purchase online

• Archived audio of select scanner feeds on audio DVDs
  • DVDs with a full Month of audio
    
  • DVDs with a full Year of audio
    

• DIY Programming files for BuTel Software
  • Purchase popular programming files so you can program your own radios at home
    • Don’t forget, W2LIE.net still offers “in house” programming packages.

• Nassau FD Signal 10 and Suffolk FD Signal 13/35 are now located in the online shop.

Premium Access Upgrades:

• Web Based Radio ( FREE FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST! )
  • Control a scanner via the web. This will allow scanning predefined Scan Lists, and putting in your own
    frequencies
  • Google-Ad Free website.
    • No more pesky ads in your way.
    • Other non-Google banners will have to remain on the site
  • Archived audio will be available to you for the first 24 hours
  • Additional Archived sections will be for Premium members only
  • Discounts on the Online Shop for Premium Members
    

Premium Upgrades can be purchased online at the W2LIE.net
shop.

** SPECIAL PROMOTION **

Users who upgrade their accounts for the YEAR in 2010 will also receive premium status for 2011 !! That is a savings
of almost 37% of the MONTHLY rate if you were to start paying now and continue monthly until December 2011 !

On top of all of those
additions, a Reward system is also in place to help earn credits for the online shop. If you contribute to the website, you can get discounts on
items, or even some free items from the new W2LIE.net store. Automatic rewards only work in the forums at this time.

W2LIE.net
also offers Premium membership to those who help the site. Anyone that supplies an online scanner feed to W2LIE.net will be upgraded to Premium
Status for free. What type of feeds are we looking for??

• Specialty Fire feed
  • Each Battalion in Nassau County
  • Each Division in Suffolk County
• General interest feeds
  • Aviation
  • Rail Road
  • Amateur Radio
  • GMRS Repeaters

For more details on the premium services now offered at W2LIE.net, please view this page.

If you would like to offer a live feed to W2LIE.net, please
send an e-mail to w2lie@w2lie.net

Also – W2LIE.net will attempt to scan the Coney Island Air Show during the weekend of August 28th and
29th. The Thunderbirds will be at this show, so there should be some interesting audio to feed to the website. Our busiest time of year is the Jones
Beach Air Show (audio is online), and this will be our first time trying for the Coney Island Show.

Don’t forget, W2LIE.net offers scanner
programming packages, sells BuTel software, and also sells scanners
and accessories as a Scannermaster affiliate.

Enjoy the upgrades, and have a safe
summer!

73
Phil / w2lie

GNOME 3 Project and LINUX in the Ham Shack

GNOME - 10 Years Of Freedom

Hey I got a chance to jump on USTREAM Tuesday  night and watch Russ and Richard do their thing over at LINUX in the Ham Shack. Yup they were live!

It was interesting to go behind the scenes to see what went on  during the breaks. Those are the spots where podcast listeners only hear the cool music that Russ provides.   The making of episode 35  took the better part of 2 hours to produce. Once again, Richard and Russ did an outstanding job of providing information to us information junkies and open source crazies.

Although Linux In The Ham Shack Episode 35 did not directly discuss LINUX or Ham Radio apps , the guys did conduct a very interesting phone interview with Stormy Peters the Executive Director of the GNOME (pronounced GA-NOME) Desktop Project.

Stormy  was very informative and talked a bit about her position and responsibilities as Executive Director and provided insight into how the not- for-profit organization operates its levers behind the curtain. I was unaware of the fact that about 40% of the GNOME developers are paid staff while the balance are volunteer,  open source crazies like you and I.

Another intersting point that Stormy made was that the GNOME  GTK (GNOME Tool Kit) is widely used to develop variations of the standard GNOME Desktop release and is placed on netbooks, cell phones and scientific (medical) instruments.

Stormy also provided some insight into the coming release of GNOME 3. BTW you can download and install the shell now but the official release date will be around Q3 of this year.

The GNOME project has no direct control over when a new release of GNOME desktop will be integrated into OS’es but you will most likely see it bundled in the next release of UBUNTU.

So if you have not taken the opportunity to check out LINUX in the Ham Shack, take a spin over to the site. Russ is constantly making improvements to the site and just like like fine wine, the site continues to improve with age.

LINUX In The Ham Shack? You Bet!

LINUX and Ham Software Podcasts

Even though I am a veteran ‘NIX Systems Engineer, I still enjoy messing around with LINUX and have been doing just that since the days when rolling your own kernel” was required. Mixing LINUX and Ham Radio applications together is a place where I like to go to get my hands dirty (like that 55 Chevy I owned a  lifetime ago).

Recently, I re-introduced myself to the awesome Linux In The Ham Shack Web site and their outstanding podcasts. Russ k5tux and Richard kb5jbv run LHS (among a number of other sites). How they manage all those sites and find time to create the LHS podcasts is beyond me! I have enough trouble trying to post something new to the blog on a monthly basis. I know, I know,  ”yeah… you can say that again!”

Richard’s Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) drawl and colorful expressions are a gas to listen to. Richard provides comic relief during the podcasts and Russ is the straight man who takes much fun poking (or is that cow poking) from Richard in stride.

Among the banter and Richard’s unusual expressions (at least they are unique up here in NEW YAWK), the guys do an outstanding job introducing newbies to LINUX. The reason I enjoy listening to their podcasts so much and reading over their show notes is the introduction I receive about the wide array of LINUX variants (varmints as I call them) and numerous Ham Radio apps that are discussed in detail.

Since I am way past the point of basics, I listen up to see what Russ and Richard are going to introduce in each espisode.  Recently, through one of their podcasts, I found out about Shackbox written by F0FAK. Shackbox is a work in progress but the quantity of working Ham Radio apps the author has packed into the  ”AIR” release is truly amazing. How much  packing you ask? Well as I remember, the “LIVECD” can only be burned to a DVD because it is about 2.4 Gb in size. I will cover some of the Shackbox details in a future post.

Like other live CD’s or should I say live DVD’s, the contents can optionally be installed on your hard drive. If you want to go that route (which is what I’d recommend), the disk partitioner packed with Shackbox offers an option to co-exist with your Windoze installation. Use caution here and proceed at your own risk!

In any event, if you are interested in LINUX and Ham Radio applications,  a visit over to LINUX in the Ham Shack will provide a wealth of information for both the LINUX newbie as well as the verteran interested in the happenings of the open source community.