Tag: itunes

LHS Show Notes #033

Posted on by Russ Woodman

All of us at Black Sparrow Media wish to express our sincere condolences to Richard on the passing of his mother. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Richard and his family. He won't be joining us this time, so we'll carry on with a round table episode.

Contributors:

  • Ted WA0EIR, in snowy Iowa, Andy aka Integgroll on IRC, and Bill KA9WKA join us for a round table discussion.
  • Jay writes in about the Linux Journal episode (#029) and the analysis of the Amazon Kindle and DRM issues. Our panel talks about the Kindle , e-readers in general, and DRM issues. Russ mentions how Amazon retracted a couple of George Orwell titles.
  • Google alert tells us that Linux in the Ham Shack and other amateur radio podcasts are being played over a local repeater by Tony VK7AX for the enjoyment of listeners in SE Australia and Tasmania. Good on ya', mate!
  • LHS was mentioned on Joe's (WN2SYZ) blog. Thanks, Joe!
  • Dave, KG4GIY, posted another mention of LHS at Linux Journal when we talked about software-defined radios (SDR) in Episode 26. Thanks, Dave! Check out the Linux Journal amateur radio content.
  • Chris, Twitter ID WOKNSS, tweeted about catching up on back episodes of LHS. Thanks, Chris!
  • LHS was mentioned at the Low SWR podcast website. Low SWR is an amateur radio podcast produced by Rich KD0BJT and Brady KD0BJS. They're up to eight episodes already! Good job, guys!
  • The Axis wrote to us, Mint Cast, and The Linux Link Tech Show to thank us all for content about the Linux program screen. We're glad you enjoyed it. A possible application might be operating digital modes remotely. (Bonus Show Notes Content: The February 2010 issue of QST has a Short Takes article about the Glentek Radio-to-Ethernet Controller. Glentek has a variety of products to facilitate remote operation of an amateur radio station. -Ed.)

Announcements:

  • Texas Linux Fest is April 10, 2010 at the Monarch Events Center in Austin, TX. You might find Richard or Russ there, so say Hi!
  • Donations: We've achieved our goal! Walter, KV6M, made a second donation (thanks, Walter!), and the remainder was supplied by Beth Lynn Eicher of the Ohio Linux Fest. Thank-you, Beth Lynn! Look for the Linux in the Ham Shack booth at Dayton Hamvention 2010. (Note: the podcast incorrectly identifies Walter as WN3LIF, another Walter that also contributed.  We apologize for the confusion. -Ed.)

Links and Notes:

  • From the chat room, Ronnie K4RJJ, asks what PDAs would work with sound card digital modes. There's i-PSK31 that will allow you to use PSK31 with your iPhone and radio. It's also available via the iTunes store. (Note: I mistakenly said the price was $1.99. The actual price is $5.99. Sorry. -Ed.) There is also some documentation on how to wire the headphone plug for the iPhone for connection to your radio.
  • Ted rants about the use of macros in digital conversations, and the panel discusses.
  • The panel discusses the appropriate power levels for digital modes. Lower power, say less than 35W, is usually enough. There are devices, such as the PSKMeter, that attaches to your transmitter output and, along with software, will display your signal so you can avoid splatter. PSKScope is another program for the PSKMeter that provides additional functionality, such as automatic audio drive level control, but only in the Windows version. A Linux version of PSKScope is available, but does not have the automatic drive level control. The other device discussed is the IMD Meter, which is a standalone device that displays your IMD while you are transmitting. No computer or software is necessary.
  • Next, the panel talks about operating via VHF/UHF satellites. (There's a good introductory article on the AMSAT web site. Randy, K7AGE, has produced several YouTube videos of various amateur radio activities, including this one where he operates AO-51. Another video from the 2007 Dayton Hamvention shows a similar system.
  • Bill introduces the microHAM USB Interface III. (That's the Americas website. There is also a site for Europe. The panel discusses the merits of the device.
  • We then move to a discussion of Linux Mint 8 "Helena".
  • Bill rants about Yaesu microphones on their VHF/UHF radios.
  • Russ talks about some cloud computing applications: Ubuntu One and Dropbox. The panel discusses the relative risks and advantages of using such services.

Music:

  • "Don't Go" by TenPenny Joke from the album "Ambush on All Sides".
  • "Mirror of Humans" by Amity in Fame from the album "Dinner for One".

LHS Show Notes #022

Posted on by Russ Woodman

Contributors:

  • Email exchange with Herve, of Shackbox Linux.  If you found it useful, please consider donating something to the project.
  • Voice comment from Rodney (aka R0dzilla) KJ4OHH: he asks for more information on Echolink and Echolinux. Our hosts respond with CQiNet and QTel.
  • Rod, KJ4OHH, postsin the forum:  If you install a 32-bit program under 64-bit Linux Mint 7, then install a 32-bit application, getlibs may not find the 32-bit libraries, so you have to get them from the Ubuntu repository: 
    $sudo getlibs --distro Ubuntu --release jaunty nameof32bitprogram

    And congratulations to Rodney on getting his license!

  • VK5HZ in IRC says Echolink does work in Wine, at least for him.
  • Joe, NE3R, runs packet and uses an old TNC with firmware from the 1980s.  He runs XASTIR with an MFJ TNC and minicom.
  • Ken, WA3FKG, posts in the forum:  Acer says if you replace windows with Linux on one of their machines, you've voided the warranty.
  • Tony Malloy re-Tweeted on identi.ca when Episode 019a came out.  Thanks, Tony.
  • Damon, NN7B, asks "Which packet program do you use for Linux?"  It's probably easier to use a TNC in KISS mode, rather than trying to do software packet.
  • David, KF5BCM, wants a noise gate on Richard. 🙂 He says hears Richard breathing loudly on Episode 15.  (Make a donation and maybe that will help fund the equipment.)
  • turtles7, in the forums, suggested a topic for a future show: mobile installation hints. He recently installed a mobile in a minivan, and still has high SWR.

Interview:

  • Interview with Beth Lynn Eicher of the Ohio Linux Fest.
  • Beth Lynn talks about the training opportunities at OLF, exhibitors, and the history of OLF.

From the chat room:

  • Why don't we do shows on Linux basics? We did. Check out the older episodes. If there's something we haven't covered, let us know.
  • What is a "Crank"? See Linux Cranks.  (ogg format, explicit)
  • How to play .ogg files in iTunes.
  • KJ4OHH just bought a 8GB Sansa Fuze for $39. Refurbished Sansa Clips are often available at buy.com and newegg.com for good prices, too. They play OGG files natively.
  • Check out Shackbox Linux, too.

Music:

  • "Out of It" by Brad Sucks from the album "Out of It".
  • "Fallen from Grace" by Shawn Harris from the album "Temptation".

LHS Show Notes #016

Posted on by Richard KB5JBV

Contributors:

  • KI6FEN – Likes keeping older equipment alive with Linux
  • Rob VE3FRJ – Rob had a little trouble finding his apps after an install
  • Jeff KB5WCK – Left a comment thanking us for mentioning his website and Russ mantioned 73's.org. Then Richard turned it into a real commercial for everybody's websites
  • Gene K8EE – Thinks Linux is in practical, He listens to the podcast but can't figure out why we use Linux and everybody knows we are just Microsoft haters. Russ and Richard respond in kind with extreme prejudice and packet for flavor.

Announcements:

  • Paul M0TZO and Pete M3PHP want everybody to check out https://hamtest.net we want to take it Viral. Put hamtest.net on your blogs, websites, talk about them in the forums you visit. Talk about them in IRC and you other podcasters talk about them on your shows. Spread the word.

Links and Notes:

  • This time we talk about stuff that just works after a Linux install since one of the emails intimates that everything works in Windows and nothing works in Linux.
  • Web Browsers: Firefox, Iceweasel, Epiphany, Opera, etc. (NO IE)
  • Mail Clients: Evolution, Thunderbird, Icedove, Claws, etc.
  • Word Processing: OpenOffice.org, gedit, abiword, etc.
  • Media Players: Rhythmbox, Banshee, Amarok, Totem, mplayer, xine, etc.
  • CD Burners: Brasero, Gnomebaker, K3B, etc.
  • After trying to sort out chickens and eggs and carts we agreed that talking about stuff that works and from now on we will go back to fixin' problems.
  • We wrapped up by answering some questions for the live audience in the chat room. Check the show schedule at https://lhsinfo.org for the next live recording

Music:

LHS Show Notes #014

Posted on by Richard KB5JBV

Contributors:

  • Tim KI6BGE tells us he is finally up and running with Ubuntu on his laptop
  • Jerry KD0BIK thanks us for mentioning Practical Amateur Radio Podcast
  • Blog post from Tim VK5FNET at the Homebrew Blog Talking about Linux in the Ham Shack and Solder Smoke
  • XE1GXG  in Jalisco Mexico tells us by way of 73's.org that he enjoys the show and there is no swine flu in Jalisco
  • Thanks to the Japanese Blog Atworld.jp/radioshack for the mention
  • A New five star review at Itunes for the show
  • KI6FEN Would like to know why Linux is better than the alternatives because everybody tells him to use something different
  • Myron KC5OHG Downloaded Ubuntu and wants to know how to install it.
  • Alex OZ9AEC with corrections to Episode 12 concerning Grig. An icon for Grig can be found at "/usr/share/pixmaps/grig/ic910.png" ( I am Russ, I am! )
  • Jeff KB5WCK tells us he put a link on his website for us at kb5wck.com and ask what software we use to record the podcast
  • KI4YMD uses xlog for logging and a signallink usb with FLdigi but needs help with SSTV

Announcements:

  • Resonant Frequency is now running on Drupal check it out www.rfpodcast.info Russ even likes it and does a mini review
  • We did not mention South East Linux Fest

Links and Notes:

  • You can get Linux for free
  • Most of the more common software is open source and there is a Linux version
  • You don't have to go to best buy to get Linux. You can download it from Home
  • Windows and Apple application are closed source. In Linux you get the source code and are free to modify it to fit your needs
  • Richard runs a couple of windows machines and has to reboot them very often. He also runs Linux machines he doesn't have to reboot for months
  • The myth of support is that Windows online support is helpful and you can't get support for Linux. The truth is Windows support people are inept and Linux support can be found in community forums, online tutorials, Howto's, and some distro's allow you to sign up for online tech support at a cost that is much lower than the cost of a copy of Windows or OSX. Yes if it is pre-installed you are still paying for the operating system.
  • Issues with QSSTV
  • Problems finding usb0
  • lspci and lsusb commands
  • An alternative to QSSTV for Slow Scan TV
  • The current version of QSSTV seems to be a little deaf
  • Use a piece of software written for Windows
  • Enter WINE
  • Add WINE from the Repo's or from Winehq.org
  • At WINEHQ you can find an application database of programs that are known to run under WINE. If it is not in the database that doesn't mean it doesn't run under WINE.
  • When WINE is installed then download MMSSTV from
  • at the command prompt in a terminal type "wine program-name" Probably mmsstv.exe
  • Don't be afraid of the wine configuration area
  • Change your station information in MMSSTV
  • Set your audio levels
  • You will need a copy of MS paint to install in wine to edit pictures for MMSSTV but we would never tell you to do so 🙂
  • If you choose to use Windows. Please use a legal copy.

Music: