I recently obtained a new Samsung Android phone from work, so of course I had to see what Ham Radio related applications might be available. I found two very useful applications, and the best part is that they're FREE.
The first application I found is called "Callsign DB". As the name indicates, it's just a basic callsign lookup. Here is a print screen of the icon and also of the main lookup screen:
As you can see from the main screen, you can press the Address link, which will show you the location on Google Maps. The FCC.gov and QRZ.com links give you the callsign page from each of those sites, as well. This application requires internet connectivity to do look-ups, so it won't be the tool to use when you're operating in the sticks. However, if you're mobile and around civilization, it should work quite well for you.
The other interesting application that is available is... [Read More]
Friends, family,and random people always ask me, "Why?" when I tell them about my interest in ham radio. For some, the whole concept of ham radio just doesn't make sense in the cell phone and internet age. Tonight, I was able to demonstrate to my family how some simple ham radio skills can be put to practical use and also save you money at the same time.
This is a simple problem; the solution would not be complicated for the vast majority of radio operators. My Motorola Bluetooth ear piece stopped charging two days ago after working reliably for almost a year. My first assumption was that the internal battery had reached its end of life. Before I tossed in in the trash, I decided to take it apart to see if I could spot anything obvious.
My first test was the earpiece charging dock using my DMM on the DC power setting. I found that it was delivering about 5 volts, just as it should (standard USB power). Then I looked at the inside of the earpiece and saw that two power wires connected from the charging terminals to the main board, and then from the main board to the battery. A careful inspection of these tiny wires showed that the negative wire had broken from the main board terminal. ... [Read More]
As a result of the Haiti earthquake disaster, Navy MARS has been deployed to assist with communications needs on the ground in Haiti. Navy MARS is also requesting for additional Navy MARS members that can volunteer to deploy there to assist. Here is the summary of the communication that was sent out from Chief, NAVMARCORMARS:
Teams from the University of Miami and Nassau University are already on the ground.Conditions are difficult as there is currently no power or internet during hours of darkness and there is only , there is spotty wifi access during the day.Two relief teams for the University ofMiami team are active, but there are none for the Nassau University at this time.
Conditions for volunteers are very spartan. Here is a direct quote from one of the MARS volunteers on the ground concerning the conditions and what they are asking volunteers to bring and expect:
I temporarily installed the Yaesu FTM-350 in the car today to show the GPS and Navi features. The GPS functions work great, but the Navi feature is...well....flawed. Basically, the Navi feature doesn't work at all. I don't know where or how Yaesu tested this function, but they obviously didn't test it very thoroughly. This will, of course, be the subject of an inquiry to Yaesu.
Here's the video; watch and see for yourself. Let me know if I can answer any questions.
I don't know where or how Yaesu tested this function, but they obviously didn't test it very thoroughly. This will, of course, be the subject of an inquiry to Yaesu.