Curiosity Puts Morse Code in the Martian Dust

Jim, K1KJW, and others alerted me to this very cool move by the inventive minds at JPL.  They put a Morse Code pattern in the tire treads of the Curiosity rover.   So now as it drives around, it spells out JPL in the Martian regolith.  
 http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/news/msl20120829f.html

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Singapore Knack

Bunnie Huang has The Knack.  This was confirmed when, with obvious delight, he said that he'd found in China a book of schematic diagrams of a wide variety of laptops.  He then studied said schematics and endeavored to understand the role played by one transistor in the LED display of one of the computers.  KNACK CONFIRMED!  Somebody get Bunnie a ham license!  Cool video.  

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Give the Moon a Wink for Neil Armstrong

As I'm sure is the case with many of you, Neil Armstrong was one of my childhood heroes.   Neil passed away yesterday.   His family made a very nice request for those wishing to do something on the occasion of his passing:

"For those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil, we have a simple request. Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink."

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SolderSmoke on Tinkernation

SolderSmoke is on the Tinkernation web site: 
http://www.tinkernation.com/your-story/bill-meara-homemade-radios-and-magic-carpets/#more-698
(Note that SPRAT is in both pictures.)

Our book: "SolderSmoke -- Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics" http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

Curiosity's Descent to Mars

Maybe it's because I've done some parachuting myself... I was really blown away by this picture.  Taken by the Mars Orbiter as Curiosity descended.

And here is the initial low-res video from the rover itself.  Very cool.


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Completely Homebrew Cuban Ham Station

Wow, OM Orlando even homebrewed the rotor controller... AND THE ROTOR!  FB!  Thanks to Ernie, AJ4BP, for alerting us to this.  For more info and photos, go to CM6OMA's QRZ.com page. 

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Curiosity Goes for the Gold!

The Olympics are fun but the real big event tonight will be the rover Curiosity's landing on Mars.  
What an amazing machine!   The Atlantic has a collection of photos guaranteed to get you psyched for the descent to Mars and the exploration that will follow.  Fingers crossed!  

Our book: "SolderSmoke -- Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics" http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

How many hams in China? Not many.

I've been wondering about amateur radio in mainland China.  Given the very large population, and the high levels of technical and engineering activity, you'd expect to see evidence of more ham radio activity from that country.  Sure, there are plenty of commercial rigs manufactured there, but I've never seen an article about a Chinese homebrew rig, or a reprint from a Chinese ham radio magazine.   I did some Googling, and unfortunately found out that my suspicions are correct:  There are very few Chinese radio amateurs.  

What a pity!  Imagine the great rigs and circuits that would come out of that country.   


Here are the numbers from from a 2009 IARU report (authored by the Chinese Radio Sports Association:

The total number of individual amateur radio stations in the mainland of China is about 19,000, while the number of active club stations is 124， as counted in March 2009. In fact there are over 10,000 new comers get amateur radio station licenses each year, the total number of certified amateur operators during the past 10 years is accumulated as over 70,000. However, as the license is valid for 2 years and about the same number of previous licensees did not renew their license in time in each year, the net population of valid transmitting amateur radio station appears almost flat.

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Report from Dover Construction Club

GM Bill,

Dover Construction Club lads all send their regards! We're still gong strong but summer is always a bit slack.

Young Neil has built himself a HUNTER SDR receiver, the rest of us are involved on projects but often chin wagging takes preference and little gets done..... Merv is the big offender of course, not me!

I'm working on a big linear for my 160m winter fun.... using a Russian triode.... of course it will loaf along at 400W, our legal limit.

Nigel is now the other side of the country but he's still involved and considers himself an active member. Building like mad but still not doing the important thing of bashing on with his Morse. He's getting better and that was proved last night.

Peter came round with his new KX3 and we put it on the air..... We worked Nigel and he insisted that he did not use his morse reader..... I could be ingratious and say there may have been a little 'porky pie' (lie, sorry, London cockney slang!) It might have been running on the side of the bench but he didn't look at it!

I have a KX3 on order and expect that in the next few weeks..... I've gone for the kit.

While on holiday my ic 7200 burst into flames..... well, filled the house with smoke! The PSU had gone to 22v and the PA board did not like it. It's a real mess inside but surprisingly enough there are few internal problems.... a few charred caps on various boards and one 9v reg giving 8volts but the Rx still works!

The Tx works up to the PA board as well! It was insured and they have paid up so I might order a new PA board and keep that in the workshop as the rig down there.

I've started to downsize as well.... I have far too much gear.... I've got 160 Morse keys for a start and use four of them!

Sorry, in rabbit mode..... 73 for now

Ian, G3ROO and GB2SPY (oh, and KG3ROO and G0ROO).... and DCC lads

Our book: "SolderSmoke -- Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics"http://soldersmoke.com/book.htmOur coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmokeOur Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

SolderSmoke Podcast #145

SolderSmoke Podcast #145 (July 29, 2012) is available

http://soldersmoke.com/soldersmoke145.mp3

-- Derecho Storm hits Northern Virginia

-- Cappuccio impersonates a Pitt Bull

-- July 4 Fireworks

-- A 17 Meter QSO with W5JAY (QRP Hall of Famer)

-- Rules of Thumb for Decoupling Caps (.1 uF now suspect)

-- Heathkit: Mic jack? Or Mike jack? (Who is this Mike guy?)

-- On the air with the K2ZA DX-100

-- Saturnian Sidewalk Astronomy

-- NJQRP "Chat With The Designers" -- Mandatory Listening!

-- Back with the ARRL: Goodwill Transmitters and Herring Aid Receivers

-- Billy's computer build and Arduino adventures

-- Fixing up NE602 20 meter DC rig

-- Join G-QRP! Support our SPRAT!

-- MAILBAG

Our book: "SolderSmoke -- Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics"http://soldersmoke.com/book.htmOur coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmokeOur Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20