Ahhh - I love a good unintended pun.

 

73
Pat N0HR

Our company has faced this USB compatibility issue as well. We make a line of solar USB chargers (with rechargeable AAs) and have had to tweak our circuit designs several times to allow the charger to charge most devices that can be charged via USB. Notably, Apple (requires some resistor magic between a few USB pins) and several smartphones ignore the USB standard. Sigh.

Anyway, it's a challenge for those of us trying to make a USB charger that will charge (most) anything when phone makers don't follow the standards published.

Let me know if I can help with the USB questions.

Pat NØHR
http://www.n0hr.com
http://www.powerfilmsolar.com

I have maintained my own ham radio links system with user reviews for several years now. I've witnessed this same phenomenon - although to a lesser degree than what I see for reviews on eHam.

I've wondered if this could be attributed to other webmasters trashing sites and being overly critical for the sake of actually making their site look better. That is, if someone trashes all sites in a category (except their own), then the average score drops - making their own look better. Seems like a lot of foolishness to me.

Of course, that's the hazard of any anonymous review system. 

Pat N0HR
www.n0hr.com

I've been reading the comments on this topic with interest.

I work for a company in Iowa (www.powerfilmsolar.com) that makes flexible thin-film solar cells for several applications. Many of our products were developed for the U.S. military to provide a reliable, lightweight, flexible alternative other power sources. For example, consider a remote base in Iraq using gas or diesel generators. By using a portable solar powered system for at least some of the electric demand, the need for fuel convoys is reduced (which has several advantages).

We also offer products for backpackers, hikers, and even hams. In fact, PowerWerx recently started to carry our line http://www.powerwerx.com/solar/  

Over the past week, we've shipped hundreds of our military products to Haiti where folks can't get power at remote locations by conventional means and getting fuel to generators is not yet reliable.

Solar electricity has definite applications and works well. I'm looking forward to seeing the industry advance in the days ahead.

(Sorry if this sounded like a plug for PowerFilm, but thought I'd offer another view of solar energy).

73 Pat
N0HR

In the most recent CQWW CW contest I recorded most QSOs using a beta version of N1MM that allows all audio to be passed via USB cable to my Icom IC-7600.

The setup was very fast & easy. It was pretty sweet to have a single USB cable that handled both the radio CAT control and the audio for recording all in one! The only shortcoming was that the IC-7600 design did not allow the CW sidetone on transmit to be passed out of the USB (hopefully this will be fixed in the future in firmware). On SSB & RTTY contests, that won't be a problem as the "monitor" function will allow the tx audio to be passed via USB.

For more on this setup check out the N1MM and IC7600 groups on Yahoo. I hope to post something about the setup on my website as well: www.n0hr.com

Pat

Another consideration is same call, different operator.

That is, consider a scenario where the call once belonged to a ham (now SK). Later, a new ham picks up that callsign (vanity system or otherwise).

The new ham hasn't worked that DX on that band...

I agree - that's a rude response.

This might be a stretch but you might look at a couple of pages I wrote on a similar subject (with PocketPC PDAs) awhile ago:
http://www.n0hr.com/tips/Remote_Ctl.htm

http://www.n0hr.com/PocketDigi/PocketDigi_Tigertronics_Interface.htm

GL & 73
Pat N0HR

I also find it interesting that they are both 43 ft. I wonder why?

The current offending ad is:

www.Newsmax.com


Perhaps the eHam staff will block it.

The HamLinks toolbar has recently been upgraded and now includes several new features. For example, the toolbar now offers direct access to the AmateurLogic.TV programs. The toolbar can be found on my website. As always, it's spyware, spam and virus free. Pat N0HR http://www.n0hr.com

I've created a free toolbar that works with Internet Explorer and Firefox web browsers. Unlike other toolbars, this one is focused on ham radio. It is completely free, doesn't contain any evil spyware or other annoying gotchas.

With it, you can simply select some piece of text in your web browser window, then choose (from a search menu) to find that item in: QRZ, eHam product reviews, eHam classifieds, QTH.com classifieds, DXWatch spots, or FindU APRS site. There are many more features - including a propagation gadget, RSS ham radio blog feeds, podcasts and more.

Check out the HamLinks Ham Radio Toolbar.

http://www.n0hr.com/Ham_Radio_Toolbar.htm

73
Pat NØHR

I've seen rumors that TenTec is working on something like this for their recently released Omni VII. It would be an add-on that would connect to your PC when using their remote control software package. Sounds cool. I'm wondering about latency issues though.

NØHR
http://www.n0hr.com

Hi Frank

Planning your dream station is fun - but not as fun as actually getting on the air. I've learned that the hard way as I'm stuck in the midst of delays in getting my own station up and running.

Only comment I might throw in is that I'd probably start with two rigs of the same brand. You've said that CW and digital aren't your top priority - but it might simplify things down the road. For example, learning the menus, using a computer interface (logging, spotting, etc.). Just a thought.

As for lightning protection, you should check out:
http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/pdf/0208053.pdf
and
http://www.polyphaser.com/NR/rdonlyres/C1565001-F81A-4AC2-A98F-E88B8037F988/182/TD1016.pdf

(The Polyphaser approach is quite a bit more than most guys install - but worth reading).

Finally, I have a few links to throw in as well:
https://www.n0hr.com/hamradio/76/10/ham_radio0.htm


73
Pat

First off, congrats on passing the test and welcome to the hobby.

I've collected a few links that might help you get started. I'd avoid that slinky thing - especially for beginners.

Here is a listing of stealth antennas and hidden antenna projects:
http://www.n0hr.com/hamradio/139/10/ham_radio0.htm
There you'll find links to flagpole antennas, projects to setup wire antennas in attics, etc.

Here is a collection of commercial portable antennas:
http://www.n0hr.com/hamradio/7/10/ham_radio0.htm

HF backpacking:
http://www.n0hr.com/hamradio/52/10/ham_radio0.htm

Especially, the HFPack group:
http://www.hfpack.com/

If you find your neighborhood to be too restrictive, you can always explore HF mobile, remote operation - or go on a dxpedition! Eventually, you'll find a niche or two (or 10).

Forums like this will be a great place to start. Once you land on a particular direction (for example, if you decide you want to backpack with a Buddipole), you'll find forums on your specific interest.

GL es 73
Pat

I have a collection of links on 160 meter antennas and projects. Check out:

http://www.n0hr.com/hamradio/63/10/ham_radio0.htm

I also highly recommend ON4UN's Low Band DXing book.

Asking a question like "is there a simple/easy to erect" antenna is not going to get you much more than references. The problem is that we need to know your desired application (DXing vs Local/ragchewing, unlimited $$$ and real estate vs stealth/HOA issues).

Pat NØHR