Author Archives: Paul

Trying to work K5D

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I am not as active on the Radio as I should be.

I spend more time helping people with Hamtests.co.uk & hamradioforum.net than my own pursuits of that next elusive DXCC.

So have spent some time (and money) this week, trying to work K5D. But boy has it been tough.

To start with finding a place on the bands I can hear K5D. Usually I get static. The one time I can hear him he is working numbers. 5, 6, 7, 8 and that’s about an hour gone.

I also made a few purchases in case can try to work data as my setup wasn’t complete. From G4ZLP I ordered a Icom lead for my DigiMaster Comport, an Icom CI-V lead and a USB soundcard. All working great now, and good value at £31.47 ($45.50 approx) for the 3 items including delivery.

So hopefully with a few days left still of the K5D operation, I am still hopeful.

I also ordered (but not arrived) and CW key for my FT-817 & CW PC interface from BullDog iambic keys.

Finally sorted the blog out as an upgrade left the theme not working. Also my HRD (Ham Radio Deluxe) text thing stopped working.

This is now uploaded to my mini Linux server and the one file is served from there. It’s now proudly on display at the top of the page above the header image.

Viglen MPC-L

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viglen-mpc-lFinally I have got my Viglen MPC-L which I purchased last year for the grand some of £80 thanks to the fine people at Ubuntu UK Podcast and this episode, working!!!

I had a few problems with the Xubuntu that was installed and decided to replace it with a fresh copy. This didn’t work, and I was also having problem with not having enough Ethernet ports.

Last week this was solved when my Granddad brought a 8 port switch tha had been my uncles.

So, on with Xubuntu? No. A friend said I should try Debian, and after a few failed attempts, I eventually succeeded.

To install I had to use the following line:-

  • intall pnpbios=off pci=noacpi

Also there was a few hiccoughs with the partitioner, but finally it’s up and running.

So far have installed the following extra programs via apt-get

  • irssi (using this the most as box will be on 24/7)
  • lynx
  • elinks (after friend told me was better than lynx)
  • eggdrop (but still trying to figure this one out)
  • Some others I can’t recall right now

Box has been running more or less constant for few days now and so far seems to be happy. Will report back soon, with how it’s really going (ie if any problems show up).

Welcome WØTZO

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Well it’s been hard not to mention too many places, but in December at Martin Lynch during their Hog Roast event, I took 2 USA Ham Radio tests. The Technician and General exams.

I passed the Technician (31/35), but failed the General (19/35). Not surprising as I didn’t study for the General exam. Should have used our new site www.hamtests.net (although site wasn’t finished at the time).

Anyway, yesterday I was granted my vanity requested callsign.

I am now (when I visit the USA) WØTZO.

I must thank Adam, WY4N who suggested the callsign and also warned me when I mucked up the application for the vanity call.

I was for about 3 weeks KJ4ISR, but was not for me.

Hoping to use the WØTZO moniker in May as I am planning to go to Dayton.

Slingbox Pro

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slingboxproI was given some money by my Grandparents as my Uncle passed away last year, and amongst things like a new Ham Radio (see www.m0tzo.co.uk) I brought myself a Slingbox Pro. This was as my Slingbox Classic had stopped working.

Once the old Slingbox was removed and I was setting up the new one I realised I had made an error last time I moved the Slingbox. The Cable Modem and Slingbox had been moved to the same shelf. I wasn’t until I was packing up the old Slingbox I found it had the wrong power supply attached.

I checked and I had plugged the Slingbox 6v PSU into the Cable Modem, and the Cable Modem 12v PSU into the Slingbox. So for a few months I have been giving it 6v more than it needed. No wonder it was playing up. I haven’t actually tested if it will work, but offered it free to a friend who will have to test if it works.

So the New SlingBox Pro

The new box is working fine. I have also upgraded the firmware to the latest US version. Everything now seems to be working fine with one exception.

I now have a Nokia N95 8Gb phone. The Slingbox Mobile software works if I connect on the local network. I have also had friends (in Oxford and South Carolina) access the Slingbox, but I can’t use the mobile software if I use O2’s 3G service.

Shortly I will make a post on the O2 forum to see if this is a known problem (ie O2 is blocking) or my phone has a fault. I haven’t tested with my old O2 XDA Orbit phone, but not sure if this will help as it’s not a 3G phone. Guess I will have to live without day-time TV when on my lunch breaks.

Right,must get back to watching TV.

Think my Blog Needs more updates from me

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keyboardIt seems to me I am taking longer and longer in between posts on my blog, so although I rarely make New Years Resolutions, maybe I need one regarding my blogging.

Also I have changed the theme to a simpler design and added a plug-in that should be better at caching the pages on both my blogs.

The Akismet logo showing how many spam comments had been blocked has also been disabled as a friend noticed this was slowing the loading of the site as well. Akismet itself is still enabled though.

I am in the middle of a few posts, and hopefully within a week or so should have some more stuff posted here.