Tag: Linux

LHS Episode #108: Mumble in the Jungle

Posted on by Russ Woodman

thailand-jungleHello and welcome to the first episode to be released on schedule in quite some time! It looks like our contest to award a Beaglebone Black to some lucky listener is going well. Make sure to get your entries in before 10:00pm Central on June 16th, either by becoming a member or completing the thought "I deserve a Beaglebone Black because..." on our voice line at 1-909-LHS-SHOW (547-7469). The drawing will be held during our live recording of Episode #109 on June 18th.

In this installment, your hosts travel the world of Linux and Ham Radio, discussing the latest release of ArchLinux, hurricane and disaster preparedness, the free-software Mumble project, computers in education and more. We even have voice feed back from Lord D, addressing a philosophical topic discussed in Episode #101. Sit down with a drink and get comfortable. This episode will make you think--we hope.

73 de The LHS Guys

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LHS Episode #107: Sorry for Party Bedrocking

Posted on by Russ Woodman

Fred-Wilma-and-DinoThis is the first episode to be recorded since Hamvention back in mid-May. Russ gives his thoughts on the event and tells everyone about the contest that was held there, and also the new one that is being held for all of our listeners. Please get your entries in. You don't want to miss out on winning a Beaglebone Black! An interesting new Linux project that Russ heard about, called Bedrock Linux, came to his attention at Hamvention. The hosts interview the lead developer in the main segment of the program. On top of that, they discuss topics from milk shakes to retirement, announce the show's most famous listener to date and bring back The Badger. You don't want to miss any of this goodness.

73 de The LHS Guys

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Show Notes #102

Posted on by Russ Woodman

Episode #102 Audio (Listen Now):

  • [audio:https://bsmarchive.info/lhs/mp3/lhs102.mp3]

Introduction:

  • Rob from the MintCast podcast is on the show tonight filling in for the nomadic and enigmatic Richard.

Announcements:

  • The 2013 Dayton Hamvention is coming up May 17-19 in Dayton, Ohio. We are still in need of donations. Please keep 'em coming.
  • The Wouff Hong Podcast, member of the Black Sparrow Media Network, have released their first episode. If you don't subscribe to the BSM aggregate feed, you can find them at the link above. Good episode, and they mention LHS.
  • Rob and Russ use BeyondPod on Android as a podcast manager.
  • Roy, KK4ATD, will be in Atlanta at RARSfest as an ambassador for LHS. If you're anywhere near Raleigh, NC on Saturday, March 30, 2013, stop by and say hello. [LHS will NOT be present at RARSfest this year. Sorry for any confusion. -Ed]
  • The sponsored ads in the right column of the LHS web site actually make us a not insignificant amount of money when you click on them. If you want to help us out without donating your own money, please click on an ad when you visit our site. We get money in our donation box, and you don't lighten your own pockets. Thank you!

Topics:

  • Visit KE8P's blog. One of the articles documents using a Raspberry Pi as a temperature monitor.
  • KK4ATD has developed Hamux, a 64-bit, CentOS-based Linux distribution with ham radio applications. This is a "live" CD image, so you can boot it from CD and try it before installing. At 698MB, it just barely fits on a CD.
  • Our hosts embark on a brief digression about Douglas Adams.
  • Slow Scan TV (SSTV)SSTV is a method of sending still images using radio frequencies on the HF bands. FSTV (fast-scan TV), which is typically done on VHF and UHF frequencies at distances up to a couple hundred miles, is similar to broadcast TV.In order to operate SSTV, you'll need a radio (and a license to transmit), a computer, a sound card interface to connect them to each other, and software. For Linux, we have QSSTV. The current version is 7.1.7, released on January 4, 2012. It is compatible with the Ham Radio Control Libraries (hamlib) for controlling the radio.Russ gives a brief overview of the various configuration options and interface of QSSTV.
  • Rob is not a ham, but has considered obtaining his license. Unfortunately, he lives in an area with deed restrictions that prohibit outside antennas. What are his options? There are several resources on the web for ham operation with antenna restrictions. Some of these are:

    Though in Rob's case, with aluminum foil-lined roof tiles, attic antennas are not likely to work very well.

    Other possibilities: using EchoLink, IRLP, operating mobile or portable. Perhaps tossing up a temporary wire antenna in the back yard, operate, then take it down.

    Rob and Russ discuss the various options, potential for TVI, and VEC testing opportunities.

Feedback:

  • David, KE0AZ, writes to say he's sorry to see Richard to go, but will continue to listen.
  • Frank, K4FMH, would like to see more technical content in future episodes.
  • W. Lynn writes to say that the Belton HamExpo will be April 20, 2013 in Belton, TX.
  • Gary, KE2YK, will miss Richard, too. He also appreciates the mention of Linux Mint 14 as it reminded him to give it a try.
  • Pete, VE2XPL and the host of the wAVEgUIDES podcast, sends his congratulations on 100 episodes and best wishes for Richard.
  • Gary, KE2YK, also sent comments about episode 101, including a link to his review of the Raspberry Pi.
  • Brian, WB4ES, sends his thanks for Richard's introduction to JT-75 screencast. (Available to subscribers.)
  • There are more comments on LHS Facebook Page.

Contact Info:

  • Contact Russ at k5tux@lhspodcast.info or info@lhspodcast.info.
  • Listen to the live stream every other Tuesday at 8:00pm Central time. Check the LHS web site for dates.
  • Leave us a voice mail at 1-909-LHS-SHOW (1-909-547-7469), or record an introduction to the podcast.
  • Sign up for the LHS mailing list.
  • LHS merchandise is available at the Merch link on Web site. Check out the Badgerwear or buy one of the other LHS-branded items at PrintFection.com/lhs or Cafe Press. Thanks!
  • Thanks to Dave from Gamma Leonis for the theme music.

Music:

  • "Insanity" by Mad Mav from the album Black Sheep, courtesy of Jamendo.
  • "Strike the End" by Convergence from the album Points of View, courtesy of Jamendo.

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LHS Episode #102: Run, It’s George Lucas!

Posted on by Russ Woodman

darth_sidiousHere we are, two episodes past the Richardocalypse and the calendar hasn't run out yet! This time around, I'd like to thank Rob from MintCast for once again stepping in to be a co-host on the show, filling in the left big toe of the shoes once worn by The Richard himself.  Since I barely fill a pinky toe, myself, that's really saying something. In this episode we go a little ham nutty with Linux thrown in. Topics range from slow-scan television to licensing requirements to Rob asking, "What do I need another damned hobby for??" That question and many others answered in this fabulous installment of Linux in the Ham Shack.

73 de Russ, K5TUX

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Show Notes #101

Posted on by Russ Woodman

Introduction:

  • Russ flies solo on LHS! Well, almost. Harrison, VE2HKW, fills in as co-host.

Topics:

  • What's in a name? Russ talks about the philosophical ramifications of the phrase "Linux distribution", and referring to Linux vs. GNU/Linux. Richard Stallman prefers using GNU/Linux to refer to the operating system, and Russ seems to agree, but feels it doesn't go far enough. Share your thoughts via the usual communication channels.
  • hamqth.com is an alternative to QRZ.com for callsign lookups, and has an application program interface (API). Russ has programmed the gnorman bot in the LHS IRC channel to access hamqth.com. While in the chat, enter ".qrz some_callsign", and gnorman will return the info.
  • Another application that uses the hamqth.com API is QtLog. It's mostly in German, but there's enough English to allow you to use the program. It seems to require that you have a MySQL server running on the same computer. It also supports HamLib for rig control. You can use Google Translate to translate the website.
  • Harrison offers an overview of oscilloscopes, including what they are, the controls, and how you might use one in your ham shack. There are several instructional videos available on W2AEW's YouTube channel. (You can learn more about Alan, W2AEW, on his QSL.net page. There are also software-based oscilloscopes, like xoscope. Of course, you'll need a hardware interface to the computer's sound card.

Feedback:

  • Please make a donation to our Dayton Hamvention fund, like these fine people: Paul G. (annual membership and 2 donations), Ron E. (yearly membership), Jeremy H. (monthly membership), Scott P. (monthly membership), Bill A. (monthly membership), Bill H. (monthly membership and donation), Gary U. (monthly membership), John K. (yearly membership), and Jerome S. (donation). Thank you, all!
  • Gary (KE2YK) expresses his appreciation for Richard's screencast Introduction to JT-65.
  • Brian (WB4ES) sends his best wishes to Richard.
  • 100th episode audio feedback from Claudio of the Linux Basement podcast.

Contact Info:

  • Contact Harrison at ve2hkw@gmail.com.
  • Contact Russ at k5tux@lhspodcast.info or info@lhspodcast.info.
  • Listen to the live stream every other Tuesday at 8:00pm Central time. Check the LHS web site for dates.
  • Leave us a voice mail at 1-909-LHS-SHOW (1-909-547-7469), or record an introduction to the podcast.
  • Sign up for the LHS mailing list.
  • Sign up for the MAGNetcon mailing list.
  • LHS merchandise is available at the Merch link on Web site. Check out the Badgerwear or buy one of the other LHS-branded items at PrintFection.com/lhs or Cafe Press. Thanks!
  • Thanks to Dave from Gamma Leonis for the theme music.

Music: