Yesterday I completed the initial setup/config of my TH-D75A. I hit a snag with the RT Systems s/w import of the memory files and another with getting APRS to beacon and work properly. But I was able to debug both issues and now things are working as they should... Pretty soon I should be able to start investigating the many new-to-me features.
@kr1st I don't know that anyone would find them of value, but I am making brief notes as I go... I use the RT s/w on most every radio I have that it supports. It makes it simple to import my same list of memory channels, even from one maker to another. That consistency helps me know where to find a channel on any radio.
@kr1st And wow, so I just did a FW update with the TH-D75A. One just came out the other day. Applied it successfully, then you have to do a full reset on the radio which blows away ALL of your settings, memory channels etc.!!! Restoring things was pretty simple with the RT s/w but good god am I glad I had that file saved!
@kr1st@wd9ewk The RT s/w stores all of the saved settings, but not things like having APRS 1200 ON, Beaconing ON, which memory channels you had selected on A/B, etc. Not a big deal, just happy the s/w saves most of the other settings like callsign+aprs SSID, backlight, and so many others.
@kr1st@wd9ewk That's great to know! From the basic manual that came with the radio, as far as I could tell the only thing they said the microSD was good for was recording audio... Very happy to hear it has additional uses... With Yaesu the microSD can be used to do the FW update too, so that makes it pretty much OS agnostic.
And then I tried pairing my Bluetooth devices. I’ve been used to macOS where this isn’t even as much as trivial, and solid. It Just Works (and why wouldn’t it?) Windows 10 generally works, has a user interface that looks like arse, sometimes flakes out requiring a re-pair.
@M0CUV I have the same experience on all three OS... Although I find that my BT mouse of choice has a tendency to want suddenly to be re-paired with my Macs a couple of times a year. But I'm reasonably certain that it's the fault of the maker of cheap BT mice.
@N4JAW That's great! 😁 Do you have a speaker on when you're out there, or just a headset? I figure having a speaker and hearing the morse code might allow random people who approach you to figure out what you're doing there tapping something in your hand.
The last mini I'll be painting for a while as I'm heading to the airport in a few hours for a well-earned holiday. But as a last model, I painted this Tyranid for Hive Fleet Behemoth.
As much as I dislike power poles, and I do significantly dislike them, at this point it seems like trying to use anything else is like trying to use different AC electrical plugs and sockets. Seems like a lot of hams, well, went ham over them and made them into a de facto amateur radio standard.
@kilroy_was_here Simple is good! You can always evolve your setup if you feel you need to.... My Astron linear supply has the PP connectors on the front too. They're a nice option to have. I also found that a round rubber 3/4"? chair leg cap fit over the 2 sets of PP connectors to keep them covered up when they weren't in use.
The first negative I've discovered about the TH-D75A is a personal one: the official and RT Systems software is all Windows-only. Also "Reflector Terminal mode is supported by Windows or Android with 3rd party apps." I really dislike Windows and don't have any Android devices, so this is all unfortunate for me, al
though I've dealt with it on Kenwood radios before. #hamradio
@babetoduarte@VE2UWY@ai6yr Thanks, but I don't anticipate needing a logger with an HT. I already have a logger I use for HF and occasionally 2m on my Mac... Good to know if I ever decide to switch to Linux.
Out for lunch and we really like this place but they’re playing some heinous version of Bowie’s Rebel Rebel but with sh*tty country lyrics, what a nightmare.
@NeadReport I remember reading an article in a retail magazine back in the day, about music being piped into shopping centers. They did a study and the net result was that almost no matter what music was chosen, about half the people would like it while the other half would be slowly driven mad. 😆
I rearranged the power supply and body of my FTM-500 because I noticed that even if the radio had been off, if I left the PS on it created enough heat for the 500's fan to come on and stay on when powered up. That was with the radio body stacked directly on top of the PS... So I split them up onto their own shelves. I then also made #3Dprint risers that have a hex pattern for better ventilation, particularly on the PS which has most of its vents on the underside. #hamradio
My heart aches for the children who will no longer have access to their local library because some arrogant assholes decided to be offended by books with new ideas and different perspectives.
@amyfou At the time I live in Marin County, which is on the north side of the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. We had a lot of ash fall, which was amazing considering the distance, and I know it fell much further away. It was quite the memorable experience.
What about a print on demand service for QSL cards that replaces the bureau?
And do we have enough engaged, technically adept, and interesting hams out here in this Fedi space to put together a monthly web magazine of sorts filled with the stuff that we want to read?
I know there was talk before. I'm wondering if we really need to wait for the big org to fail before we start.
