Random Wire℠ Reflections

About Random Wire℠ Reflections

Interviews, radio audio, opinions, and news of upcoming issues of the Random Wire newsletter. #AmateurRadio #RandomWire #KJ7T www.randomwire.us (https://www.randomwire.us?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Tom Salzer KJ7T

Category

science · technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

15 Jun 2024

Latest episode

22 May 2026

Latest episodes

17 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   22 May 2026

   Random Wire Reflections: 183

   The NotebookLM AI hallucinated a few things that made me chuckle. One was working satellites by connecting your radio to your computer. I didn’t write that. The AI pulled that from some source I neither used nor named. The other was something about requiring manufacturers to include the ST-Link v2 dongle to “democratize” electronics. Nope, I didn’t say that, either. Nevertheless, there is some value to be had from this interpretive verbalization of my written content. If nothing else, it can be humorous to listen to the AI voices pronounce technical words incorrectly and then make leaps of logic that are invisible to the rest of us. I hope you enjoy this. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.randomwire.us (https://www.randomwire.us?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

2. 

   15 May 2026

   Random Wire Reflections 182

   This Random Wire issue 182 podcast is AI generated for those who would rather listen than read. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.randomwire.us (https://www.randomwire.us?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

3. 

   1 Jan 2025

   Random Wire Reflections for Issue 117

   Issue 117 of the Random Wire Review publishes on Friday, January 3, 2025. Contents for issue 117 include: * ALLSTARLINK: Version upgrade of AllStarLink cloud node * RADIO: Radios organized and stored * RADIO: Updated homemade YSF hotspot * COMPUTING: Added utility to bash shell * COMPUTING: New antivirus software installed * TECH: NVMe storage gadget with USB-C * CATCH-ALL = little things * CLOSING: farewell 2024, hello 2025 Find issue 117 at https://www.randomwire.us (https://www.randomwire.us) .-. .- -. -.. --- -- / .-- .. .-. . / .-. . ...- .. . .-- / -... -.-- / -.- .--- --... - Credits * Intro and outro music (https://pixabay.com/music/corporate-the-northern-inoutro-15-sec-edit-152514/)by RedhatMike on Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/music/corporate-the-northern-inoutro-15-sec-edit-152514/) * Morse Code clips from the Morse Code Translator (https://morsecode.world/international/translator.html) * The (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/)cover art (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/) for the podcast stream is by Wallace Chuck (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/) * The other cover: If you see a photo of a person with a headset, that is a selfie of Tom Salzer KJ7T using a Heil headset .-. .- -. -.. --- -- / .-- .. .-. . / .-. . ...- .. . .-- / -... -.-- / -.- .--- --... - This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.randomwire.us (https://www.randomwire.us?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

4. 

   15 Dec 2024

   Random Wire Reflections for issue 115

   Tom Salzer KJ7T explores AI-generated insights from Random Wire Review issue 115, uncovering surprising accuracy and added context in the latest Random Wire Reflections episode.

5. 

   24 Sept 2024

   Random Wire Reflections for Issue 109

   Topics in Issue 109 1. Following Up on Thrift Purchases 1.1 Grundig AM/FM/SW Table Radio 1.2 Heathkit HM-11 Reflected Power Meter 1.3 Heathkit Hybrid Radio Patch HD-15 1.4 Audio-Technica AT2020 Microphone 2. Following Up on New Devices 2.1 TD-H3 handheld radio 2.2 muziWORKS H2T Meshtastic device 3. Gear for the Wichita trip 3.1 Mount adapter 3.2 Tri-mag mount 3.3 Multi-band VHF/HF compromise antenna 3.4 Magic carpet for groundplane 3.5 Other trip preparations 3.5.1 Extra microSD cards 3.5.2 Camera tripod and primary lens 3.5.3 HF radio and antennas 4. Not Radio 5. Closing .-. .- -. -.. --- -- / .-- .. .-. . / .-. . ...- .. . .-- / -... -.-- / -.- .--- --... - Credits * Intro and outro music (https://pixabay.com/music/corporate-the-northern-inoutro-15-sec-edit-152514/)by RedhatMike on Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/music/corporate-the-northern-inoutro-15-sec-edit-152514/) * Morse Code clips from the Morse Code Translator (https://morsecode.world/international/translator.html) * The (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/)cover art (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/) for the podcast stream is by Wallace Chuck (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/) * The other cover: If you see a photo of a person with a headset, that is a selfie of Tom Salzer KJ7T using a Heil headset .-. .- -. -.. --- -- / .-- .. .-. . / .-. . ...- .. . .-- / -... -.-- / -.- .--- --... - This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.randomwire.us (https://www.randomwire.us?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

6. 

   12 Sept 2024

   Random Wire Reflections for Issue 107

   Topics in this issue 1. Featured: Heltec T114 Arrived, Easy Config 1.1 Assembly 1.2 Installing Meshtastic 1.3 Running on a power bank 1.4 Changing the antenna 2. Flashing Meshtastic 3. Radxa E20C Router/Computer Arrived 4. BEARS Meeting Winlink Presentation 5. WIRES-X Error (Again) 6. Old Power Station Power Supply 7. “Trials and Errors” Blog 8. Interesting Links 9. Closing .-. .- -. -.. --- -- / .-- .. .-. . / .-. . ...- .. . .-- / -... -.-- / -.- .--- --... - Credits * Intro and outro music (https://pixabay.com/music/corporate-the-northern-inoutro-15-sec-edit-152514/)by RedhatMike on Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/music/corporate-the-northern-inoutro-15-sec-edit-152514/) * Morse Code clips from the Morse Code Translator (https://morsecode.world/international/translator.html) * The (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/)cover art (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/) for the podcast stream is by Wallace Chuck (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/) * The other cover: If you see a photo of a person with a headset, that is a selfie of Tom Salzer KJ7T using a Heil headset .-. .- -. -.. --- -- / .-- .. .-. . / .-. . ...- .. . .-- / -... -.-- / -.- .--- --... - This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.randomwire.us (https://www.randomwire.us?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

7. 

   26 Aug 2024

   Random Wire Reflections for Issue 105

   Featured content in this edition of the Random Wire Reflections podcast focuses on choosing the radio package for a long road trip, information about a new microphone-preamplifier setup for podcasting, a new AllStarLink audio board underdevelopment, and the ASL “restomod” audio interface project. Topics in Issue 105 1. What Radio(s) for Upcoming Road Trip? 2. Podcast Recording Combination 3. News: A New ASL Audio Interface Under Development by NR9V 4. Project: ASL/PC-1A “Restomod” Project Wiring 4.1 Project box 4.2 Wiring 4.2.1 Masters Communications RL-20 DB9 pins 4.2.2 Microphone jack 4.2.3 Audio amplifiers 4.2.4 Capacitors 5. Review: XHDATA D-220 AM/FM/SW Radio 6. Alternative to Groups.io and Google Groups 7. Interesting Stuff: Zero Retries Newsletter 8. Grab Bag 8.1 Allstarlink Notify (ASLNotify) 8.2 Allstar Neo II 8.3 Asteroid mining? Really? 8.4 I flipped for this pocket knife 8.5 Wirecutter recommends walkie talkies 8.6 Wedding anniversary Credits * Intro and outro music (https://pixabay.com/music/corporate-the-northern-inoutro-15-sec-edit-152514/)by RedhatMike on Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/music/corporate-the-northern-inoutro-15-sec-edit-152514/) * Morse Code clips from the Morse Code Translator (https://morsecode.world/international/translator.html) * The (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/)cover art (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/) for the podcast stream is by Wallace Chuck (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/) * The other cover: If you see a photo of a person with a headset, that is a selfie of Tom Salzer KJ7T using a Heil headset This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.randomwire.us (https://www.randomwire.us?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

8. 

   21 Aug 2024

   Random Wire Reflections for Issue 104

   Featured content in this edition of the Random Wire Reflections podcast focuses on AllStarlink and includes the audio interface project being built into a Kenwood PC-1A phone patch controller box and how to determine what you just upgraded in your AllStarLink node. Following are the topics currently planned for The Random Wire issue 104 publishing early on Friday, August 23, 2024. TOPICS IN ISSUE 104 1. ASL: Restomod of PC-1A Phone Patch Controller 1.1 Master Communications RL-20 board 1.2 Microphone connections 2. ASL: How To Know What You Just Upgraded 2.1 Find what is upgradable 2.2 Find what you just upgraded 2.3 Confirm your Debian release 2.4 Find your Asterisk/ASL version 3. RF: Scout 555 Received 4. Musings 4.1 QRZ renewed 4.2 Should have been writing 4.3 Skywarn operations on network radios 4.4 Heltec mesh node T114 first look 4.5 Snakebit with RAK-based Meshtastic devices 4.6 Module 17 developments 4.7 Lightsaber news 4.8 Radxa ROCK 320C palm-sized computer 4.9 ARRL News on your AllStarLink node 5. Closing Credits * Intro and outro music (https://pixabay.com/music/corporate-the-northern-inoutro-15-sec-edit-152514/)by RedhatMike on Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/music/corporate-the-northern-inoutro-15-sec-edit-152514/) * Morse Code clips from the Morse Code Translator (https://morsecode.world/international/translator.html) * The (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/)cover art (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/) for the podcast stream is by Wallace Chuck (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/) * The other cover: If you see a photo of a person with a headset, that is a selfie of Tom Salzer KJ7T using a Heil headset This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.randomwire.us (https://www.randomwire.us?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

9. 

   14 Aug 2024

   Random Wire Reflections for Issue 103

   This is the audio preview of the Random Wire Review issue #103 that will be published on Friday, August 16, 2024. The topics in issue 103 look to be shaping up like this: 1. AllStarLink Audio Interface “Restomod” 1.1 What is a restomod? 1.2 Parts 2. Tools 2.1 Two inexpensive multimeters purchased 2.2 Comparing the two multimeters 3. XHDATA Radios 4. Random Observations 5. Security 5.1 0.0.0.0 Day bug 5.2 Multilayered attacks 6. Miscelleneous 6.1 Inline switch (DC) 6.2 Replacement WishMesh Pocket arrived 6.3 New-to-me Ten-Tec Scout 555 on the way Credits * Intro and outro music (https://pixabay.com/music/corporate-the-northern-inoutro-15-sec-edit-152514/)by RedhatMike on Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/music/corporate-the-northern-inoutro-15-sec-edit-152514/) * Morse Code clips from the Morse Code Translator (https://morsecode.world/international/translator.html) * The (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/)cover art (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/) for the podcast stream is by Wallace Chuck (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/) * The other cover: If you see a photo of a person with a headset, that is a selfie of Tom Salzer KJ7T using a Heil headset This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.randomwire.us (https://www.randomwire.us?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

10. 

    8 Aug 2024

    Random Wire Reflections for Issue 102

    This is the audio preview of the Random Wire Review issue #102 that will be published on Friday, August 9, 2024. The topics in issue 102 look to be shaping up like this: 1. AllStarLink Build Progress 1.1 Parts and supplies 1.2 Wiring notes 1.3 Plan 2. Tools & LInks 2.1 BeeStation backup and cloud service 2.2 Adding telemetry to a Meshtastic node 2.3 Desk microphone for the Yaesu FTM-300DR 3. WisMesh Pocket (photos in issue 102) Credits * Intro and outro music (https://pixabay.com/music/corporate-the-northern-inoutro-15-sec-edit-152514/)by RedhatMike on Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/music/corporate-the-northern-inoutro-15-sec-edit-152514/) * Morse Code clips from the Morse Code Translator (https://morsecode.world/international/translator.html) * The (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/)cover art (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/) for the podcast stream is by Wallace Chuck (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/) * The other cover: If you see a photo of a person with a headset, that is a selfie of Tom Salzer KJ7T using a Heil headset This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.randomwire.us (https://www.randomwire.us?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

11. 

    29 Jul 2024

    Random Wire Reflections for Issue 101

    This is the audio preview of the Random Wire Review issue #101 that will be published on Friday, August 2, 2024. The topics in issue 101 look to be shaping up like this: * Featured Content: Climate Change and Amateur Radio * Radio Every Day * Tools * Bookmarking content * Where are the radios with assistive systems? * On The Bench * Parts for AllStarLink build * Two consumer radios received for review * Unhappy about SIM cards * Microphones: unhappy and excited * M17 Project * Errata Credits * Intro and outro music by RedhatMike on Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/music/corporate-the-northern-inoutro-15-sec-edit-152514/) * Morse Code clips from the Morse Code Translator (https://morsecode.world/international/translator.html) * The (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/)cover art for the podcast stream is by Wallace Chuck (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/) * The other cover: If you see a photo of a person with a headset, that is a selfie of Tom Salzer KJ7T using a Heil headset * The “doink” sound effect at the end of the podcast comes from Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=42633) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.randomwire.us (https://www.randomwire.us?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

12. 

    22 Jul 2024

    Random Wire Reflections for Issue 100

    This is the audio preview of the Random Wire Review for Issue 100 publishing on Friday, July 26, 2024. Credits * Intro and outro music by RedhatMike on Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/music/corporate-the-northern-inoutro-15-sec-edit-152514/) * Morse Code clips from the Morse Code Translator (https://morsecode.world/international/translator.html) * The (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/)cover art for the podcast stream is by Wallace Chuck (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/) * The other cover: If you see a photo of a person with a headset, that is a selfie of Tom Salzer KJ7T using a Heil headset This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.randomwire.us (https://www.randomwire.us?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

13. 

    15 Jul 2024

    Random Wire Reflections for Issue 99

    This is the audio preview of the Random Wire Review for Issue 99 publishing on Friday, July 19, 2024. Credits * Intro music: Positive Uplifting Music For YouTube Videos by UNIVERSFIELD — https://freesound.org/s/702873/ (https://freesound.org/s/702873/) — License: Attribution 4.0 * Fades between segments: Atmospheric, ambient fade by waveplaySFX — https://freesound.org/s/384695/ (https://freesound.org/s/384695/) — License: Attribution 4.0 * Closing music: Unforgettable Moments by UNIVERSFIELD — https://freesound.org/people/UNIVERSFIELD/sounds/698550/ (https://freesound.org/people/UNIVERSFIELD/sounds/698550/) — License: Attribution 4.0 * Cover art: The cover art for the podcast stream is by Wallace Chuck — https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/ (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/) * The other cover: If you see a photo of a person with a headset, that is a selfie of Tom Salzer KJ7T using a Heil headset. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.randomwire.us (https://www.randomwire.us?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

14. 

    8 Jul 2024

    Random Wire Reflections for Issue 98

    Credits * Intro music: Positive Uplifting Music For YouTube Videos by UNIVERSFIELD — https://freesound.org/s/702873/ (https://freesound.org/s/702873/) — License: Attribution 4.0 * Fades between segments: Atmospheric, ambient fade by waveplaySFX — https://freesound.org/s/384695/ (https://freesound.org/s/384695/) — License: Attribution 4.0 * Closing music: Unforgettable Moments by UNIVERSFIELD — https://freesound.org/people/UNIVERSFIELD/sounds/698550/ (https://freesound.org/people/UNIVERSFIELD/sounds/698550/) — License: Attribution 4.0 * Cover art: The cover art for the podcast stream is by Wallace Chuck — https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/ (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/) * The other cover: If you see a photo of a person with a headset, that is a selfie of Tom Salzer KJ7T using a Heil headset. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.randomwire.us (https://www.randomwire.us?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

15. 

    1 Jul 2024

    Random Wire Reflections for Issue 97

    Good afternoon. KJ7T is in the booth! This is Tom Salzer with some Random Wire Reflections for Issue 97 of the Random Wire Review that will publish on Friday, July 5th. And I have to laugh a bit when I saw I'm in the booth, because the reality is I'm at my messy sit-stand workstation at home, early in the morning when it is quiet, and just pretending that I have a recording booth! I actually recorded this podcast inside the passenger compartment of my Honda Ridgeline truck while waiting for my daughter’s prescription to be filled. I captured audio on my Zoom H4N Pro Handy Recorder with a “dead cat” filter over the sensitive microphones. The audio was later imported into Audacity for final editing. I exported the audio in mono to save space, making this podcast a bit more friendly for folks using cellular bandwidth to listen. Overview OK, let's take a dive into Random Wire Review issue 97. Topics in issue 97 include: * Independence Day; * a new (to me) Dakota Lithium battery; * the Digirig Mobile and Digirig Lite devices; and * a terminal node controller by MFJ. I also offer some reflections on encryption of radio traffic and on APRS. The closing notes include a short bit about cloning my hotspot microSD card, a sound clip from an AllStarLink net, and a few photos from the Hillsboro Hops baseball game. If you are interested in AllStarLink, you’ll want to stay tuned to the very end where late-breaking news is shared about a major version upgrade for AllStarLink! Independence Day Edition Since issue 97 will publish on July 5th, I'm calling it the Independence Day Edition. On July 4th, my wife and I will attend a baseball game that pits the Hillsboro Hops against the Eugene Emeralds. We'll try to eat a few hot dogs, have a beer, and watch the fireworks show that will be featured at this game. Usually we get together with family, but having a night out for the two of us seems like a great way to celebrate Independence Day this year. In issue 97, I refer readers to a Reddit thread about the First Amendment and ham radio. Reading through those comments helped me appreciate the many privileges we enjoy as licensed amateur radio operators even more. New Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery I succumbed to a deal on Facebook for a 12-volt, ten amp-hour battery from Dakota Lithium, for $69. That’s a nice price for a portable battery. This little guy is a bit larger than my off-brand 12.8V 6 amp-hour battery by TalentCell. I'm surprised the Dakota battery doesn't weigh much more than the TalentCell battery. I tested the battery by clipping the power leads from my Ten-Tec Scout 555 to the spade lugs on the Dakota battery. It worked great and I can tell this is going to be a mainstay in my ham radio kit. Digirig Mobile and Digirig Lite devices I have a Digirig Mobile device that I bought because I couldn't get an MFJ TNC some time ago. The Digirig device works great. It's about the size of a large thimble, as in the protective device you put on your thumb when sewing. Actually, the Digirig kind of blows my mind. Essentially, it's an external sound card that is just tiny. The catalyst for me to look again at the Digirig products was an issue of Steve Stroh's great newsletter titled Zero Retries. Steve included a bit about the new Digirig Lite device that incorporates some of the needed cabling into the device. I love a tiny and complete solution so the Digirig Lite is on my "must acquire" list. If you like content that is interesting and future focused, produced by an experienced and capable ham, I recommend Steve's newsletter to you. A subscription button is included in issue 97 of the Random Wire. A New TNC Arrived in the Shack And speaking of terminal node controllers, Steve's mention of the Digirig Lite caused me to remember why I bought the Digirig Mobile, so I went looking for an MFJ 1270X TNC again. Most vendors I checked list this device as out of stock, but Ham Radio Outlet had some in Sacramento. I very swiftly logged into my HRO account and ordered up another 1270X. It arrived a few days later. I include unboxing photos in issue 97. Encryption of Radio Traffic I overheard an interesting conversation from an east coast reflector while on a morning drive for the coffee that fuels the start of my day. Somehow, those hams got onto the topic of encryption of radio traffic by city, county, and state agencies. I reflect a bit on this in issue 97. I'm of two minds. Normally I would prefer radio be open to all. But I've been in the public safety arena and I understand the need to protect people, families, businesses, and public officials. If encryption makes public safety officials safer and better able to do their jobs, then I support it. How Do You Do APRS? I actually did laugh out loud when this title popped into my head because it echoes a line in the 1980s movie The Last Starfighter. In that scene, an alien astronaut is meeting the hero's friends and family on Earth, and when one of the people asks him "How do you do?" he responds with: "I do WELL! How do YOU do?" That's the intonation I hear in my mind when I read How do YOU Do APRS? I run APRS in my mobile rig: a Yaesu FTM-300DR on VFO B. I also have APRS enabled on my desktop AllStarLink node and on my Yaesu System Fusion hotspot. These latter two devices simply report the position of the devices. They aren't digipeating or igating APRS traffic. I'd love to know how you use APRS, and if you don't, why not? The technology has been around for a while but I consider that a strength because it means there are a significant number of APRS digipeaters around the world. I've been kinda sorta thinking of adding a digi on my home network, and that means either getting a pre-built device like the WX3in1 Plus or building a fill-in digipeater. There are links to some interesting digi projects in issue 97. Notes I did clone my hotspot microSD card as I suggested I should a few weeks ago. The clone is currently in the hotspot and running fine. The original card is labeled and in my workstation drawer. The image file that I can use to burn more microSD cards is stored on my file server. That's about as backed up on this system as I need to be. Something I'd like to do in Random Wire Review issues is include a sound clip of a particular operating mode. In issue 97, I link to a seven-minute clip of an AllStarLink net that let's you hear the wide range of audio quality among the participants. Audio ranges from smooth and clear to completely broken. One of my goals is to help subscribers who have not used some of these modes experience the kind of audio you might hear. I think I'll throw in a few photos from the Hillsboro Hops game, just for fun. Getting away from radio for a few hours can be a refreshing change that helps provide a bit more perspective when you come back to it later. LATE BREAKING NEWS Hours after Random Wire 96 was published last week, AllStarLink announced the availability of ASL 3. This is presented as a Beta release. If you take a look at the online manual, this is a big step forward for ASL: * Supported Hardware & Software * Any x86_64/amd64 hardware device * Any emulated x86_64/amd64 virtual machine * Any arm64-based device such as Raspberry Pi * Any emulated arm64 virtual machine * Debian 12 I welcome this big version change but I think it should come with a caution. Many of us will want to upgrade to the latest and greatest version which is now ASL 3 Beta. If your node is running fine, I suggest waiting a bit to see if undiscovered bugs or problems come to light, especially if your node is publicly accessible. Despite my sense of caution, I must say well done to the AllStarLink folks. I feel like my financial support of AllStarLink is helping to make a difference. AllStarLink is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization so your donations may be tax deductible. I’m sure I’ll give it a try soon. My cloud node is definitely a public-facing system so I’ll capture multiple backups of the working node before I go down this path. Step one, though, is to read the user manual! With that, I'll say thank you for taking the time to listen and to comment. 73 to all. This is KJ7T and I'm clear. Credits * Intro music: Positive Uplifting Music For YouTube Videos by UNIVERSFIELD — https://freesound.org/s/702873/ (https://freesound.org/s/702873/) — License: Attribution 4.0 * Fades between segments: Atmospheric, ambient fade by waveplaySFX — https://freesound.org/s/384695/ (https://freesound.org/s/384695/) — License: Attribution 4.0 * Closing music: Unforgettable Moments by UNIVERSFIELD — https://freesound.org/people/UNIVERSFIELD/sounds/698550/ (https://freesound.org/people/UNIVERSFIELD/sounds/698550/) — License: Attribution 4.0 * Cover art: The cover art for the podcast stream is by Wallace Chuck — https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/ (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/) * The other cover: If you see a photo of a person with a headset, that is a selfie of Tom Salzer KJ7T using a Heil headset. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.randomwire.us (https://www.randomwire.us?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

16. 

    24 Jun 2024

    Random Wire Reflections for Issue 96

    KJ7T is in the booth! This is Tom Salzer with some Random Wire Reflections for Issue 96 of the Random Wire Review. Condenser microphone this week This week, I’m using the Blue Yeti Nano condenser microphone. It is more sensitive. I’m trying to talk across the mic rather than in it to help reduce the sibilants (the hissy “S” sounds) that are normal to my speech. I’m also recording into Zoom instead of Audacity, using the Zoom background noise filter to help quiet the sounds coming in from my environment. The final mix was done in Audacity. WIRES-X Nets A schedule of WIRES-X nets will be in issue 96 of the Random Wire Review publishing on Friday, July 28th. I found good nets for every day of the week. YSF Hotspot Died When I got home from several days of travel, I found that the hotspot I use for Yaesu System Fusion was not responding. I burned a fresh image to a microSD card and restored a previously saved configuration to get it back on the air. What is Your Legacy? “What is your legacy?” was a question posed during the Worldwide Friendship Net on June 8th. This got me thinking about my own legacy and I share my thoughts in this podcast. Node Remote App for AllStar Nodes I’m testing the Node Remote app for AllStar nodes. It isn’t working perfectly, but it does work. More on that in issue 96 on Friday. SHARI AllStar Node Telemetry I learned a tiny new thing with my SHARI AllStar nodes: the telemetry settings are not where I expected them to be. Differences in Generations This topic is not contained in Random Wire issue 96 — it is special to this podcast. One of the topics in a training last week was about how different generations view the world, how they were shaped by events of the time, and how they think and speak differently. I’ve been thinking about that, and perhaps this helps explain the division that I still hear when people talk about learning CW and about those of us who did not learn CW. Credits * Intro music: Positive Uplifting Music For YouTube Videos by UNIVERSFIELD — https://freesound.org/s/702873/ (https://freesound.org/s/702873/) — License: Attribution 4.0 * Fades between segments: Atmospheric, ambient fade by waveplaySFX — https://freesound.org/s/384695/ (https://freesound.org/s/384695/) — License: Attribution 4.0 * Closing music: Unforgettable Moments by UNIVERSFIELD — https://freesound.org/people/UNIVERSFIELD/sounds/698550/ (https://freesound.org/people/UNIVERSFIELD/sounds/698550/) — License: Attribution 4.0 * Cover art: The cover art for the podcast stream is by Wallace Chuck — https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/ (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/) * The other cover: If you see a photo of a person with a headset, that is a selfie of Tom Salzer KJ7T using a Heil headset. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.randomwire.us (https://www.randomwire.us?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

17. 

    15 Jun 2024

    Audio Preview of Issue 95

    The audio intro is Unforgettable Moments by UNIVERSFIELD -- https://freesound.org/s/698550/ (https://freesound.org/s/698550/) -- License: Attribution 4.0. The cover photo for the podcast is by Wallace Chuck: https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/ (https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-headset-on-condenser-microphone-3587478/) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.randomwire.us (https://www.randomwire.us?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

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