Posts Tagged ‘qst’
I’m going out on a limb
July 22nd, 2015 | 
Author: But did you know that if you're a paid up member of QRP-ARCI, that you can get QRP Quarterly as a .pdf file, sent to you? Yes. you can! And it's real easy to do - here's the actual snippet from the QRP-ARCI Website:
Personally, I think this is fantastic and I offer kudos to Steve and QRP-ARCI. I already get QST, CQ and the K9YA Telegraph in digital format, and now I can get the "Best of the Best" in digital format, too.
I know a lot of you prefer to have actual paper in your hands, but I like being able to have all four publications easily with me on my tablet. It takes up a lot less physical space, and I don't have to store back issues after the fact. And I've read so many books on my kindle and via the kindle app on other devices that swiping, enlarging, and dragging motions are almost like second nature to me now.
I suppose the fact that we save some trees in the process is a bonus too. Although, selfishly, I'm all in for the convenience! As far as storage goes, I have a dedicated USB memory stick where I already store back issues of the K9YA Telegraph. There's plenty of space on there for issues of QRP Quarterly.
Yes, I know there are downsides to digital formats of magazines. Of course, you need "juice" for the device's battery, and it's not as easy (or possible) to share or donate old issues to libraries or friends. But again, IMHO, these "cons" are minor compared to the "pros". Whether we like it or not, it's more economical for the providers not to have to purchase paper, ink, binding, postage, etc. I would never say that actual paper publications will disappear forever, but this is (to use an overused phrase) "the wave of the future". And besides, if you're as old as I am (or older) who can forget the astronauts in "2001: A Space Odyssey" reading their news on a tablet like device. Back in the 60s, when the movie came out, we all thought that would be so neat. That time is now, baby!
On another topic, remember how I mentioned in yesterday's post about FOBB that the weather forecast for Sunday would probably change between yesterday and then? It already has! Now it's looking like only clouds with no rain forecasted until well after FOBB 2015 is in the books. Looking better and better for heading out to Washington Rock State Park.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
This would be great!
From Jim Massara N2EST:
"Eric Nichols, KL7AJ, and I are pitching the idea of returning Gil's classic "Jeeves" character in new cartoons to the pages of QST as a Rip Van Winkle character -- the hobby's changed, but he hasn't. We think it would be a great way to celebrate the League's centennial by connecting the hobby's past to its future. If you like the idea, email QST managing editor Becky Schoenfeld, W1BXY at [email protected] and tell her so -- and share this post of a sample cartoon in as many places as possible."
Jeff goes on to comment further:
"Fellow ham cartoonist/QSL artist Jim Massara N2EST and his partner in crime Eric Nichols KL7AJ are promoting the idea of a returning Gil Gildersleeve's Jeeves to the pages of QST. I think it would be swell to see Jeeves back where he belongs, trying to keep up like the rest of us geezers. It's a grand tradition. Many classic newspaper comics were carried on by other artists far far after the originals passed on. We grow up with cartoon characters like Jeeves, and they become little parts of of lives, and the continuity can be a small but real comfort."
Back to W2LJ - If I am not mistaken, 2015 is the Centennial of QST. I, for one, would love to see this. I am going to send Becky an enthusiastic e-mail. I hope you'll do the same.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
I was asleep at the wheel
Jim shared his thoughts on the changing face of Amateur Radio in celebration of the ARRL's 100th anniversary, but yet focused on the things that remain the same through the changes. The joy, the excitement, the satisfaction, the fun.
Good article, Jim and I'm glad the Newington Bunch had the good sense to publish it!
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Show Notes #095
Introduction:
- Welcome to episode 95 of Linux in the Ham Shack. Episode 100 looms on the horizon, and we’d like to do something a little special. Call in to the LHS voice mail line at +1-909-LHS-SHOW (1-909-547-7469), or send an email, and share your thoughts about the show.
- LHS recommends this LOL Cat image.
Announcements:
- Kevin O’Brien, Publicity Director of the Ohio LinuxFest, is looking for someone to step up and take on the role of Volunteer Coordinator. If anyone is interested please reply to [email protected].
- We now digress into a ramble about censorship.
- On page 45 of the December 2012 issue of QST has an article on vertical vs. horizontal antennas, a topic we discussed in episode 91. In the same issue, on page 52, there is also an article about the NorthWest Digital Radio UDR56K, a topic we discussed in episode 90. Are we seeing a pattern here?
- Also in that issue is a description of several FCC Proposed Rule Changes, and our hosts discuss each of them:
- Reduction of license expiration grace period from 2 years to 6 months.
- Reduction of vanity call waiting period from 2 years to 6 months.
- Reduction of the number of Volunteer Examiners at test sessions from 3 to 2.
- Possible allowance of “remote testing” facilities using video and audio over a network that allows for proper administration of tests.
- Allow single-slot TDMA transmissions.
- The 2012 Fort Wayne Hamfest is this weekend, November 17-18, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This is also the ARRL Convention for Indiana. This launches Richard into reminiscing about the presentation of The Last Voice from Kuwait.
Topics:
- Symbolic (or soft) Links vs. Hard Links
- Russ and Richard offer a discussion of the difference between soft, or symbolic, links and hard links in Linux.
- A symbolic link is a pointer to another file name. Symbolic links can be created with the ln -s command:
ln -s [original file] [link name]
- Symbolic links can point to files on other volumes or file systems.
- Hard links, on the other hand, are pointers to the data of another file, just like a directory entry is a pointer to the first block of data for the file. Hard links are also created with the ln command, but without the -s switch.
- Hard links can only be used on the same file system.
- A symbolic link is equivalent to a Windows shortcut, a pointer to the name of another file. A hard link is a reference to the data (first inode) of another file, and thus must be created on the same file system.
- When the original file with associated hard links is deleted, the data remains until all of the hard links are also deleted. Deleting the original file with associated soft links will delete the file and the data, but the soft links will remain, now orphaned.
- More information about links is available here.
Feedback:
- Listener Dave left a comment on the web site expressing his appreciation for the show, and also became a subscriber. Thanks, Dave!
- Jeremy, KD5HQN, also commented on the web site, claiming he’s actually learning something from the shows! He also corrected Richard about the proper location of Orthanc. Thanks, Jeremy.
- Bill, KJ4KNI, asked, via Richard’s Facebook page, for suggestions about the best Linux distribution for a beginner. (Linux Mint 13 is a good choice.) He also wonders why a ham might use 75-ohm RG6 coax as an antenna feedline. Our hosts discuss the possibilities.
Contact Info:
- Contact Richard at [email protected], Russ at [email protected], or both at the same time at [email protected].
- Listen to the live stream every other Tuesday at 8:00pm Central time. Check the LHS web site for dates.
- Leave us a voice mail at 1-909-LHS-SHOW (1-909-547-7469), or record an introduction to the podcast.
- Sign up for the LHS mailing list.
- Sign up for the MAGNetcon mailing list.
- LHS merchandise is available at the Merch link on Web site. Check out the Badgerwear or buy one of the other LHS-branded items at PrintFection.com/lhs or Cafe Press. Thanks!
- Thanks to Dave from Gamma Leonis for the theme music.
Music:
- “Easier As Us” by Michael McEachern, courtesy of Jamendo.
- “Wicked” by Fresh Body Shop, from their album Bring Me Down, courtesy of Jamendo.
QST Going Digital
You’ve probably heard the news by now. Last week the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) announced what many of us hoped would eventually happen. In June 2012, QST will be available in an on-line, digital edition version. Now before anyone panics, QST will still be available in the same print version we all know and love. So in addition to receiving the print version, ARRL members will also have access to the digital version at no additional cost.
This news truly excites me. There are a few monthly publications which I subscribe to in digital only format. Some of these publications are only available this way. However, many other magazines (and some supporting our very own hobby) have recently introduced digital content. CQ Magazine is an example of this. However, even if you subscribe to the paper version you must still pay extra for the digital version.
Our hobby is unique (so are those individuals who participate in it) and as I stated, while some of the monthly publications I subscribe to are just fine in digital only versions, I must admit that for now I still want QST, CQ, RadCom and Practical Wireless delivered to my mailbox in paper form. However, if you think I won’t use the new QST digital version, you would be wrong.
The ARRL is going to do more with the digital version of QST than simply scan the magazine in and create a .PDF. There will be content available via the digital version (and methods of delivering that content) which won’t be available in the paper version of QST. Want a magazine article to jump out at you? With the additional features available in digital content delivery, readers will have access to click links from articles, watch video, listen to audio, print, share and search across the entire edition. All of this included in the regular cost of membership.
Again, while other magazine publishers charge (and charge full price as well) for both a print and digital version. I proudly take my hat off to the ARRL for doing this the right way and making both editions available. This is another example of why I’m proud to not only be an ARRL Member, but a Life Member.
Until next time…
73 de KDØBIK
A startling reminder
I always look forward to receiving my QST and CQ magazines each month, and I dutifully run to the CQ web site every month when the latest PDF of Worldradio News is made available for download. I really do enjoy reading about our hobby and appreciate the authors who contribute to these publications (for very little money in return). Shoot, I even study the ads, including those that have not changed in decades. (Why do some vendors insist on showing the faces of every radio by every manufacturer, as if we make our purchasing decisions based on those tiny thumbnails? And will MFJ ever change the full-page Hy-Gain rotator ad?)
However, as I opened the current edition of CQ, I could not help but notice that the lead article is about all the new gear unveiled at Dayton this year. Dayton. As in May! And it’s August. We once took such delay in a story’s content as the norm. It is, after all, the nature of the magazine publishing biz that there must be considerable lead time.
But as I read the short writeup on the Elecraft KX3, I recalled that there was a YouTube video posted way back on May 20 featuring Wayne Burdick K6XR giving a very enlightening ten-minute demo of this interesting bit of kit. In color. With sound. Old news in CQ? I’m afraid so.
ARRL recently did a major update on their web site, but it is still clunky and hard to navigate. It does offer some video (welcome to the 21st century) and plenty of archived articles and reviews, all of which is much more current, colorful, and searchable than the magazine could ever be. CQ is also trying, buying World Radio News and offering it as a free download.
But I have to worry that the day will come when it is no longer economically feasible to mail me a magazine every month. I still prefer taking that paper-and-stapled pub out on the deck to read, or to Subway at lunch to peruse while I enjoy my Black Forest ham sandwich.
Won’t happen, you say? The traditional magazine will never go away. Okay, can I see your latest copy of Look or Life? Mind if I borrow your Saturday Evening Post?
I rest my case. Truth is, media consumers want their content in a wide variety of ways, and will choose such media on three primary criteria: 1) How easy it is to consume in all those myriad ways, 2) How compelling the content is, and 3) How cheap it is to access.
I’m afraid that does not bode well for QAT and CQ.
73,
Don Keith N4KC
www.donkeith.com
www.n4kc.com
http://n4kc.blogspot.com
