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ZL3AI > APRDIG 25.12.03 06:26l 286 Lines 10446 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: TAPR Digest, Dec 23, 2/2
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From: ZL3AI@ZL3VML.#80.NZL.OC
To : APRDIG@WW
Subject: KPC-3 does interesting things...
From: Earl Needham <needhame1@yucca.net>
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2003 18:01:59 -0700
X-Message-Number: 10
My mobile TNC got soaked last night in the middle of a thunderstorm when
the windshield on my truck leaked. I GOT WET, TOO! It was AWFUL!
Anyway, the TNC refused to talk to my HudVEE, and I got all the way home
without the tracker. Fortunately, I was able to connect the TNC to my
computer and get some things going, but take a look at what I get when I
type "RESET" and a carriage return --
>cmd:reset
> ERRO
>KANTRONICS PACKET COMMUNICATOR III VERSION 8.2
>(C) COPYRIGHT 1988-1997 BY KANTRONICS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
>DUPLICATION PROHIBITED WITHOUT PERMISSION OF KANTRONICS.
>cmd:
What the heck does the "ERRO" mean? Error, maybe? And, if so, is it
something I need to fix?
Thanks,
Earl
Earl Needham, KD5XB, Clovis, New Mexico DM84jk
KD5XB-2>APW251,PCSAT-1%:=3425.83N/10313.55W-PHG7150/WinAPRS 2.5.1
-EARL_CLOVIS -251-<630>
SETI@Home: 11188WU/7.25yrs
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: KPC-3 does interesting things...
From: "Mike Yetsko" <myetsko@insydesw.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2003 21:06:45 -0500
X-Message-Number: 11
>My mobile TNC got soaked last night in the middle of a
>thunderstorm when the windshield on my truck leaked. I GOT WET, TOO! It
>was AWFUL!
>
>Anyway, the TNC refused to talk to my HudVEE, and I got all the
>way home without the tracker. Fortunately, I was able to connect the TNC
>to my computer and get some things going, but take a look at what I get
>when I type "RESET" and a carriage return --
Did you dry it out totally before you tried to use it? Open it up and let
a fan blow on it for a day or more?
One year at the 4th of July I came home with the kids. My son was about 3
or 4 at the time, I can't remember, but I carried him from the car into the
house.
The next morning I couldn't find my Icom u4AT talkie. Looked everywhere.
Then just after lunch I was leaving, and there by the front door in a
puddle was my HT, under the water.
I was sick. I picked it up and water DRAINED out of it.
I took it apart and left it on the bench open. The next day, it looked dry
so I applied power. Nothing.
So I left it on the bench, propped up so it wasn't laying flat, and set up
a small computer fan to blow air on it. I left it there for about a week
with the fan blowing continuously.
I closed it up, threw on a spare battery pack (the submerged one was
toasted) and turned the knob.
It turned on! It worked! It's worked since! I STILL have that HT, and my
son is now 16, and it STILL works!
Mike
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: KPC-3 does interesting things...
From: Roger Grady <k9opo@comteck.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2003 22:03:20 -0500
X-Message-Number: 12
At 06:01 PM 12/23/03 -0700, Earl Needham wrote:
>What the heck does the "ERRO" mean? Error, maybe? And, if so, is
>it something I need to fix?
I have no idea what it means but it may be short for ERRor 0. Maybe they
were short on memory.
Roger Grady K9OPO
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: KPC-3 does interesting things...
From: David VanHorn <dvanhorn@cedar.net>
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2003 22:10:00 -0500
X-Message-Number: 13
Primary rule for drenched electronics:
Get all batteries OUT.
Rinse thoroughly in distilled water.
Dry thoroughly.
Most electronics these days is cleaned in distilled, de-ionized water.
However, you probably won't have a bottle of this handy.
Distilled is close enough, and WAY better than whatever you just drenched
it with.
Getting any batteries out is critical. Boards are never (almost never)
washed with batteries in, and the voltage will cause corrosion.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: KPC-3 does interesting things...
From: wes@johnston.net
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2003 22:33:19 -0500 (EST)
X-Message-Number: 14
I usually set my wet gear on a a/c or heat vent in the house...
palmpilot/cellphone once took a dunk in daughter's tub.
Wes
ham callsign: kd4rdb
find me: http://wesvan.zapto.org
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: SmartBeaconing and corner pegging
From: "Scott Miller" <scott@3xf.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2003 19:43:12 -0800
X-Message-Number: 15
I think 'off' by default is probably a good idea. Also, my implementation
has a 'minimum interval' setting so you can be sure corner pegging will
never beacon more often than you want it to. I'll probably set that fairly
high by default.
BTW, for anyone following along... the first batch of boards for the
OpenTracker came in today. They work, but need a couple of fixes to the
silkscreen and border before they're ready for general use. These will work
fine for beta testing, though, which will commence shortly. Got the first
one assembled and running already.
Scott
N1VG
-----Original Message-----
My comments were almost more about "software designer education" as the
first step. The key there is to turn the feature off by default. How many
things have we seen hit the amateur airwaves set up EXACTLY the wrong way,
by the software defaults?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: KPC-3 does interesting things...
From: "Germino" <mgermino@sbcglobal.net>
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2003 19:40:35 -0800
X-Message-Number: 16
>My mobile TNC got soaked last night in the middle of a
>thunderstorm when the windshield on my truck leaked.
Not sure about the ERRO. But you should rinse it out with distilled water,
and dry it completely. There will be a small amount of salt left behind
with any kind of water but distilled water. The salt may corrode some of
the circuit board. I have sometimes dried out electronics without rinsing.
I warm the oven, turned it off, turned on the light and leave the door
slightly open with a spoon in the door.
The oven was never HOT, just warm and dry.
Make sure you tell your other half what is in the oven.
Mike
73, AD6AA
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: SmartBeaconing and corner pegging
From: "Scott Miller" <scott@3xf.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2003 19:45:10 -0800
X-Message-Number: 17
For my OpenTRAC implementation, I'm thinking of optionally adding one or
more between-beacon fixes to each beacon... that way you can see a unit's
search coverage better, without cluttering up the airwaves more. Doesn't
help you in real-time, though.
Scott
N1VG
-----Original Message-----
In Search and Rescue applications, tracker teams ALWAYS report a change in
direction. The main reason why is to give the command post the ability to
possibly move other teams around based on information received from the
team on track. Many times an team can be moved to "Cut" or cross a track.
The idea is to reduce the amount of time it takes to find the subject. Now,
do all people need this? No.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: KPC-3 does interesting things...
From: "Scott Miller" <scott@3xf.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2003 19:49:20 -0800
X-Message-Number: 18
My former roommate used to have a habit of running her pager through the
washing machine. Tends to leave residue and not work even when dry. Plain
old distilled water would probably work, but I'd usually just drop it in a
baggie and spray in a bunch of contact cleaner, shake it up good, and drain
it.
I did have a user once leave a 2-gallon water jug on top of their computer
over the weekend, with a slow leak. Rusted the back panel and the video
connector a bit, but the rest dried out and worked just fine.
Scott
N1VG
-----Original Message-----
So I left it on the bench, propped up so it wasn't laying flat, and set
up a small computer fan to blow air on it. I left it there for about a
week with the fan blowing continuously.
I closed it up, threw on a spare battery pack (the submerged one
was toasted) and turned the knob.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: RE: Renamed - RJ45 vs DB9
From: "Shanon Lee Herron" <ka8spw@comcast.net>
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2003 22:51:53 -0500
X-Message-Number: 19
Group,
A given RJ type plug is made for one conductor with one size O.D. of cable
with one size conductor with one type of conductor (solid or stranded) AND
they are to be crimped by THE crimper from that manufacturer that costs an
arm and a leg. If you doubt this read the spec's for an AMP or any of the
other name brand MANUFACTURERS spec's, (not the spec's added by the
resellers). Any other use is asking for trouble. Sure they may work, for a
while. But will they perform at 100%? Will they take an occasional tug
without failure? Don't get me wrong they are great for SOME applications.
Flat wire the best. I'd like to see one carry a few amps like a DB
connector can. My AMP crimpers cost over $200, so now we add cost
prohibitive to the average user.
I also am not concerned with the time it takes. Someone once said of my
connections, "When Shanon attaches it, you can pull a Mac truck with it
before the connector will come off". By the way, I don't do an RJ crimp
without inspecting it with my pocket magnifying glass and or checking with a
meter or network test device. And I still don't trust it like a DB.....
But the most significant point I have not yet seen brought up, is the fact
that the RJ plugs are one timers. Go mod one in the field, go re-attach one
in the field when someone trips on a cable and pulls the wires out, (as you
watch in slow motion). ANYBODY can attach a DB!!!! May look like hell but
it can be redone later.
I carry a standard pouch when I am out. It always includes a 60 watt
temperature controlled pencil iron, solder wick and a roll of tried and true
Kester 60/40 solder. With my pouch and my SIMPSON 260 I can usually
diagnose and fix 99.9% of things.
Hey guys, put a temperature controlled soldering station on your Christmas
list. Also add a Pana-Vise and a Luxo Mag Lite. It never ceases to amaze
me just how many people don't have a good soldering iron on the bench....
It does make ALL the difference.
MERRY CHRISTMAS too all!
Shanon KA8SPW (Shanon's Packet Works)
---
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