My APRS track for today (May 27, 2015)

I'm getting ready for my summer vacation trip, and I'll be taking an Amateur Radio (Ham radio) transceiver along to keep me company on the trip.

One of the things I can do with this radio is transmit my position periodically.  I wanted to see what the track looked like from the http://aprs.fi website. The system we use is called APRS, which is an abbreviation for Automatic Packet Reporting System (or, Automatic position reporting system; the original author of the concept doesn't like that)  Hams use it to inform other hams where they are. When my radio receives a signal from another ham who is on APRS, it displays information such as how far away from me he is, in what direction, and any messages he may have embedded in his transmission.  The embedded messages might be what frequency he is listening on.

Generous folks have put up devices known as iGates.  These receive the APRS signals and retransmit  them on the Internet.  Then, several websites take that information, compile it in databases, and display it on tracking maps.  An example of the track for my vehicle today is shown here clipped from the website http://www.aprs.fi

My ham radio callsign is NØSYS, (The second character is a zero) and for my truck I add -9 as my primary mobile station. The track is the light blue line.  You see my truck at the last position near Zirconia on the bottom of the map.

You can see on this plot that I went up I-26 to Arden to go to a restaurant, then to Harbor Freight, and then back home.  Then I went on another trip to NW Hendersonville, and returned via Howard Gap Road.

The track might lead you to believe that I also went through Hendersonville or somehow jumped from Zirconia to Naples.  That's a problem with APRS.  If nobody receives your signal and transfers it to the Internet, through an iGate, then the software just fills in the blanks as best it can.  Actually, on all of my trips, I used Route I26 almost exclusively, except for the Howard Gap segment.

For those interested in the detailed information about my radio and setup:   I'm using a Yaesu FTM-400DM with an external Globalsat BR-355 GPS (the GPS built into the radio works, but is slow to lock up, probably because it doesn't have a good view of the sky) 

My plan is to post either screen captures of the track, such as this one, or else links to the actual track for aprs.fi.  The problem with the latter plan is that the tracks don't last forever on the aprs.fi website.

Another annoyance: TigerDirect.com

I get at least one email a day, usually more, from TigerDirect.com, a electronics wholesaler in Miami. On the 8th of April their email advertisement offered a 240 GB Solid State Drive for an attractive price, including a $20 rebate coupon.

I ordered the drive.  It's something I have been looking for.  I also ordered a case for it from Amazon.  Several days later, the case arrived from one of the many companies that do business through Amazon.

I kept waiting for the drive.  I could go online to track the shipping progress, but every time I did, I received the notification that it had not yet been shipped.

Today, 20 days after my order, I again checked the status with the same results.  So, I called TigerDirect's telephone number.  At least it is easier to find than AT&T's.  After several "listen to the following..." choices, I got to the usual "Please wait for the next available representative" notification.  I waited for over five minutes - not too bad when compared to AT&T's responses, and listened to their statements of how important my call was, and oh by the way did I need printer ink, because they had great deals on it if I did.

Finally, Carlos answered.  I commented that I had been waiting for this device for 20 days, and added that it could have been shipped directly from Hong Kong in less time.  He asked for the order number, disappeared for a while and then came back and told me that the item would ship tomorrow.  I asked it had been lost, and his response: "No."

I can't help but be mystified that this item for which I've been waiting for 20 days can be shipped so quickly after my telephone call.

How many computers?

Someone recently asked me how many computers I have.  I didn't try to be be evasive, but it's a hard question for me to answer. Because my definition of a computer may differ from yours, counting is not as easy as you might think, but, here's an attempt:

iMac - Runs OS-X. My primary computer.  This is the one on which I do all my regular work - email, bills, doc preparation, etc., etc.

Macbook Air - Laptop, running OS-X.  I use it to do many of the same things as the iMac, and also use it for presentations and other stuff away from home.  In addition, I use it with a Windows emulator so as to have a portable computer for running Windows-specific communications software during communications exercises.

Home built PC - in my radio room.  This one runs Windows 7.  There are some programs for my radios that are only available on a Windows platform.  For example, I have a radio which is called a "Software Defined Radio." It has no front panel, and is basically a box with no controls and several high speed A-D/D-A converters, filters and other stuff of no interest to you.  The software to make it work only runs under Windows, on a relatively fast computer.  So, this computer is pretty much a single use computer.

RMS PC - This is a refurbished off-lease computer whose purpose is to run one software package.  That software has to be hosted on Windows.  It is a 24/7 communications server.  Other similar stations around the US communicate with this computer to forward message traffic.

Shuttle - This is a small computer, about the size of hardback book.  Currently it runs Linux, although it could run Windows.  Among other things, I use it as a personal webserver for web page development. At some point I may adapt it to use in my truck for GPS tracking and other jobs. Or not...  A while back I was having trouble with my Internet provider, and this computer, which connects with my local area network (as do all of the above) became a tool for me.  I wrote a small program to monitor and log my Internet connectivity, to prove just how bad my service was.

Linda's PC - A Windows machine which I will likely adopt for use as the controller for my 3-D printer.

Linda's laptop.  I may just get rid of this as it is rapidly becoming a dinasaur.

Beaglebones, Raspberry Pi's - these are tiny computers best suited for building special purpose devices. They run the Linux operating system.  I have several of each.  One of them might have been a better choice for the Internet monitor for which I used the Shuttle.

Arduinos - These are also tiny computers (2" X 3") which have microcontrollers.  They don't run operating systems per say, but can do all sorts of things when fitted with sensors and output devices.  For example, I have one set up to measure the speed of a rotating bicycle wheel as a project for the "Hands On" children's museaum in downtown Hendersonville.  I have several of these devices.

Tablets - I own several, all of which run the Android Operating system.  This includes a couple of Kindles, and a Samsung that I use for all sorts of stuff.  My cellphone is a Samsung which also runs the Android OS, and a lot of the apps on my phone are also on my Samsung tablet.

Notice that in spite of the fact that I use Apple computers, I have neither an iPhone nor an iPad.  Some of that is historical: I loved my old iPod, and I wanted an iPhone, but at the time that I was in the market for an one, my cell provider (Verizon) did not offer them.  And, I've already expressed my feelings about AT+T elsewhere in this blog.

I also have several defunct PCs, and two old Macs which are currently just taking up space.  I ought to get rid of them.

That's not all, but all I can think to enumerate at the moment.

I hate AT&T

If a large company really cared about their customers, they wouldn't make it so hard to get proper service.

Last May I cancelled all of my AT&T services except the basic landline telephone when we moved to a temporary residence in Durham, NC.  AT&T didn't provide telephone service there, so I couldn't just transfer my account.  I returned to my home in late July, and called AT&T to re-establish my services, including Internet.

I had had High Speed DSL when I left in May, and thought I would be able to get the same service when I returned three months later.  But, no, I was evidently considered to be a brand new customer, in spite of the fact that I already had an account.  After the usual rigamarole of "listen to the following choices" I got to a live human with a very thick accent that sounded asian to me.  I ended up restarting my Internet service after about an hour on the telephone.

Over the next couple of months I was very disappointed with the so-called high speed Internet service, and eventually got another provider, the cable people, to provide me with a better service.  Then, I tried repeatedly to cancel the AT&T service online.  Turns out you can't do that.  You have to telephone.

I finally decided that I had paid for services I wasn't receiving long enough and called the AT&T number.  After another string of "listen to the following..." I got a human and explained that I wanted to drop my Internet service.  The rep told me that she was not able to do that but would have to have me speak to a different person who would handle the service termination.  Would I mind holding while she got that person on the line.  Of course I wouldn't mind.  That was the reason I had called.

So, I waited. Waited.  Waited.  She came back to me several times telling me that SHE couldn't get hold of the appropriate rep, and would I mind waiting a little longer?  Finally, after something approaching a half hour, she said that SHE was unable to get the appropriate representative.  She asked if it would be convenient for her to call me later in the day, and she would have a rep available at that time and would transfer me then.  I agreed that she could call me around 2 pm.

Promptly at 2 pm the same person called me.  She then asked me to wait while she contacted the appropriate person.  I waited some more, and someone else finally came on the line.  I now regret that I didn't keep a record of the people with whom I spoke.  I explained again that I wanted to drop the Internet service.  I was asked numerous questions about why I wanted to drop the service, and told the rep that I was unhappy with AT&T's Internet service and that I had gotten another provider.  It took at least another half hour to finish the transaction.  I was certain that I had dropped the AT&T service, and that my bill would now be much lower, as I had only basic Landline service.

Several days later I received a letter from AT&T congratulating me on being an AT&T High Speed Internet Member.  I was advised in bold type to review the order summary to "ensure that it accurately reflects your account with the new changes."  Turning the letter over, I discover that I am signed up for AT&T High Speed Internet Xtreme at a cost of $41.00 per month, but I'm not being charged for Self Installation, Connection Charge, or an Early Termination fee.  How lucky I am.

Today (Sunday), I got an email telling me that my bill was ready.  It was higher than it has been in the past, by more than $20.00.  I went online and checked the bill, afraid that perhaps I had forgotten to pay last month.  Nope, there it was.  I was paid up and this was a new bill, including a charge for Internet service.

I went back to the welcoming letter to make sure I had read it correctly.  Yes, it was welcoming me to High speed Internet service.  On the letter it says that I can check my order status anytime online at att.com/orderstatus.  I tried that, and was informed that either my username or my password do not match their records.  It's funny, because I had just successfully logged in to another URL to check my bill.  Of course, AT&T has lots of URLs and IP addresses available to them, so I suppose I could have two different accounts, and not realize it.  After a couple of tries, I clicked on the "forgot password" button and was taken to another screen where I was expected to enter my telephone number, my service area zipcode, and a password!  I tried.  God knows I tried, but again I am told that my entries do not match their records. They expect me to enter a password in order to reset my password!  And, there's a note telling me that if I can't do what they are asking, I should contact them at a telephone number.

So I called the telephone number.  After listening to the unhuman voice asking me questions and telling me she didn't understand what I was saying, I drilled down to what I think was be the correct area.  I was informed that they are closed, as it is Sunday.

I admit to being elderly. I don't hear everything correctly, especially when presented to me in a heavy accent and through the low pass filter of a telephone.  Perhaps I misunderstood somehow in dealing with what I thought was the person who was going to help me cancel my Internet service portion of my account.  But, to ask me for a password to access the ability to reset a password?  Cumon!

I'm about ready to drop all services from AT&T.  The only reasons that I continue with the landline is that my telephone number is well known to the people I care about (and an awful lot of advertisers, in spite of the Do Not Call registry) and my alarm system uses it.   I also consider it to be a backup to the cell system in case of an emergency.  I believe the cell system has the potential to become overloaded and unusable in an emergency.  The landline system is battery operated, and doesn't rely on the power grid.  But, maybe I am approaching the point where I just don't give a damn.

When not to email

I have to remind myself that there are two times of the day when I should never read my email or do anything else that requires me to think or interact with other people.

One is when I first get up in the morning.  I find that I am worthless before breakfast.  This morning I got up, got a bowl out of the cupboard, and started to pour a nice bowlful of dog food for myself.  I realized what I was doing before I'd put much into the bowl, but it clearly illustrates the problem.

The other time is just before going to bed.  By late evening I am tired and very, very grumpy.  Beware ye who would ask a favor of me.  "Who the hell does he think he is?  What can I do about that at 11PM?"  The fact that the request was sent at 2 in the afternoon escapes me.  I fire off an angry response, only to regret it immediately after clicking the SEND button.  Then I lie awake for hours, stewing over the stupid request, and regretting my hasty response.

There are two solutions, of course.  One is to never, never, ever read email before going to bed.  I can't count the number of times I have read something just before going to bed that annoyed me so that I couldn't sleep, even though I knew that the email was really of no importance.

The other solution, and more important, is to never respond to any email without letting it "sit" for a while.  If it was really urgent, the person sending it would probably have called me on the telephone.

I actually have a signature in my email client that says:

Please be advised that I try very hard to read my email twice a day, at 11 AM and again about 4 PM.  That's not always possible, so please realize that I'll get to your message as soon as I can.  Thanks for your patience.

The problem is that I forget about that simple solution.

OEC AUXCOMM course

This past weekend (1/2 June 2013), I took the Office of Emergency Communications (OEC - part of Homeland Security) AUXCOMM course  at the Raleigh Emergency Operations Center. It was an excellent course.  It was well taught and a lot of good information was passed out. I would recommend the course to any amateur radio operator with an interest in assisting during emergency situations.

It was pointed out during this course that the Amateur in amateur radio means that a person does it for the love of it and not to be compensated in any way. "Doing it" is its' own compensation.  But it is also important to realize that amateur shouldn't mean un-professional.

The instructors stressed that we should leave our amateur radio organizations/positions/awards/badges/hats/t-shirts/etc. at the door when we report for an AUXCOMM assignment.  We become Auxiliary Communications personnel who have some special skills and knowledge which is appreciated by the emergency responders, but is not of any interest to them beyond how we perform the jobs they assign to us. In other words, do our assigned tasks, and don't try to impress the people for whom we are working with our knowledge about radios, etc.  That makes a lot of sense to me.  If you are very knowledgeable, it should be obvious by how you perform your assigned duties.

I've always found some of discussions among hams to be very tiring.  Flaunting equipment capabilities/hour of net participation/awards won/digital modes used/size of antenna/power supply model number/___________ (fill in the blank) seems to me to be similar to bumping chests or elk or moose or ram horn locking.  The same thing occurs among computer users - computer model number/size of hard drive/size of RAM/CPU speed/monitor size/______ (fill in the blanks). And the most insufferable of all is the amateur radio computer user.  It's ok to tell me if I ask, but not gratuitously.

Sorry.  I got off track there. But those are the kinds of things we do to try to impress the unenlightened with our prowess.  And those are the kinds of things that keep us out of EOCs and other emergency situations.

It occurred to me that I enjoyed this course more than the COML course I took last November, probably because it was pointed at amateur radio operators, and the jargon used was more understandable than that spoken by emergency people. Not being immersed in the emergency responder environment caused me during the COML course to have to think about "what did he just say?" That detracted from the course for me because I missed important points. But that's why we take these courses - so that when we are in the environment, we won't be in a total fog. This past weekend's course was a good "bridge" between the two environments.

A photo of the class is at http://goo.gl/Zhd7D or http://auxcomm.us/main/2013/06/oec-auxcomm-training-class-held-at-n-c-state-eoc-2/

The final note in the course was: "Train as you operate, operate as you train"

A walk in the woods, ticks, and some antenna thoughts.

For the last few days while we've been at our temporary residence, I've been walking with Sam after lunch.  We didn't walk yesterday, but did about 1.47 miles Monday.  Today we walked 1.42 miles.  It was pretty hot, and Sam got overheated, so I had to carry him for at least a quarter-mile.

I picked up some other hitchhikers along the way.  I found three tiny ticks on my legs.  One was large enough to feel it walking on my leg.  The other two were just tiny black spots, hardly larger than kiwi fruit seeds. I quickly took a shower.  I hope the Front Line flea and tick meds work on Sam.  I hate those things.

I measured the distance walked with a GPS device.  I had ordered a FitBit One  WIRELESS ACTIVITY & SLEEP TRACKER but didn't have it when we walked.  In fact, it arrived just before we got back to the apartment.  The UPS truck was just pulling away, and there was an Amazon box waiting outside our door.

So now we'll keep even closer tabs on our personal statistics.

In the meantime, I am investigating using a magnetic loop antenna to try to get on the radio while we are here.  The primary difficulty here is that the frequencies that we use for MARS require very large antennas - usually a long wire.  The "beam" antennas that many people associate with hams won't work for the frequencies we use for our MARS frequencies; at least not any one that the average person can afford.  I have not checked to see if there are antenna restriction in this apartment complex, and have decided that there probably are restrictions.

I've used a mag loop at home, but that one was too small to use on the MARS frequencies.  However, it  was/is a very effective antenna at the frequencies for which it was designed.  But it's too small for the lower frequencies generally used for MARS.