50th Birthday of the Silicon Integrated Circuit

Robert Noyce got his IC patent on April 25, 1961.

Of course, wave soldering would be something to come out of California.

Free Kindle Reader for your PC

This link will take you to the download site. The software will allow you to use your PC as a Kindle reader.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=kcp_pc_mkt_lnd?docId=1000426311

Then be sure to get a copy of SolderSmoke -- The Book
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004V9FIVW

SolderSMOKE APRS symbol

I've been setting up my satellite APRS station. This weekend I finally got the UI-view software running. I had to pick an icon -- this would be the symbol that would show up on the mapping software. In the Azores I had a nice little island with a palm tree. Here in Virginia, well, as I scrolled through the options, suddenly I saw something that seemed appropriate. The coordinates are a bit off, but that, my friends, is a smoke stack emitting 60/40 fumes.

How to Join G-QRP (and get SPRAT) in the USA

From the G-QRP web site:

Formed in 1974, the GQRP Club is a non profit organisation run entirely by volunteers to promote Low Power Radio. Whether you have a ham licence or not - everyone is welcome. Our quarterly magazine SPRAT provides a fascinating read containing articles of varying complexity, from simple test equipment, to fully functioning radio transmitters and receivers. Membership fees are about as low as you will find anywhere and our club sales service to members is second to none.

Indeed. Joining G-QRP and getting SPRAT is something all QRPers and homebrewers should do!

Some SolderSmoke listeners have asked me how they can join G-QRP from the U.S. Bill Kelsey is the club's man in America:

Bill Kelsey - N8ET 3521 Spring Lake Dr., Findlay, OH 45840 U.S.A.

$18 paid in USA.

Bill's e-mail and more info here: http://www.gqrp.com/memb_usa.htm

OR... You can pay directly via PAYPAL:

http://www.gqrp.com/paypaldx.htm

Messages (for me!) from space station

Mark KB1GVR

When I started receiving packets via the International Space Station earlier this month, I noticed a familiar call: KB1GVR. He was one of the few North American stations who could pick up my packet beacons via PCSAT -- he would then relay them to the internet. This month, when I sent my sigs through the ISS, OM GVR spotted them, and sent reply messages to me via the packet system. I didn't get them via the satellite -- they came to me via the "Stations Heard Via ISS" web site. But still, it was fun to run into an old friend via the space station.

The Novice License: Two Years on PROBATION!

Somehow I remembered it as being one year, non-renewable, but Neil, WA4CHQ, wrote to tell me that he remembered a two year term. I think Neil is right. The excellent web page of the Novice Historical Society provides the details and many really nice stories from our days as novices. http://www.novicehistory.org/

555 Contest Finale

Jeri Ellsworth's 555 contest is in the home stretch, and I've got my acceptance speech all ready. "I'd like to thank the members of the Academy... and above all the people of the Azores, who were put at risk by the large kite that carried my 555 timer circuit and 35 mm camera over their unprotected heads..."

Here's my entry: http://www.gadgeteer.us/KAP.HTM

Forrest Mims is one of the judges. Here is what he had to say:

[The participants] displayed an absolutely remarkable range of engineering skills, creativity and dedication to meet the deadline. Also impressive was the use of video and photography to illustrate many of the entries.

This contest helps restore my confidence in analog designers, who have become a very small minority in electronics these days. Some of these projects do with great simplicity and efficiency what exclusively digital designers would have great difficulty emulating. Moreover, a number of these projects have potential commercial merit. Hopefully the developers will be able to pursue this.

The winners will be announced tonight at 9 pm Eastern Time:
http://www.555contest.com/news/

(Oh no! There must be some sort of mistake! I checked the list of finalists and my kite entry is not there!)