Ham Radio License – General Class

Ham Radio License – General Class

In August 2017 I took and passed the Ham Radio License test for Technician Class.  As soon as I completed that I decided I’d take a study break before pursuing the General Class license.  That study break lasted about 7 years.

I recently purchased the General Class License Manual, 10th Edition.  As I began to study I started hitting harder and harder material and just paused.   To my surprise the local Amateur Radio Club offered a free 8 week General class (2 hours a week) and administered the exam at the end of the course.  The book can cost about $25 to $35 depending on where you get it from and the exam costs $15.

The book has the actual test bank with answers in the back.  Additionally, the ARRL website has a practice exam that uses the actual questions found on the final exam.

Ham Radio License

ARRL Practice Tests

A combination of attending class and taking the practice exams a few times a day allowed me to pretty easily obtain my General Class License.   I highly recommend having at least one person in your circle getting and maintaining a ham radio license.  After the last hurricane in Western NC and other states we proved that ham radio is still viable and works when nothing else does.

John – KN4FMV

Choyong LC90 Radio Review

Choyong LC90 Radio Review

Choyong LC90

Choyong LC90 MW/FM/SW/Internet Radio

It is pretty clear that I have a radio addiction.  I’ve lost track of how many I have.  I’ve been eyeballing the Choyong LC90 since it dropped in China early in 2023.  To be honest I hadn’t yet purchased it because of the price.  The other day though, I saw the Black Friday price which seemed much more palatable to me.  So I struck.    I’m impressed with the fit and finish of the Choyong LC90 and it is pretty feature rich.

But I have a couple of complaints right out of the gate.  These should not be construed as dealbreakers.  It is more along the lines of me saying “Really?”
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Algolaser Rotary Chuck Review

Algolaser Rotary Chuck Review

Algolaser Rotary Chuck

Algolaser Rotary Chuck

The nice folks at Algolaser recently sent me their  Algolaser Rotary Chuck (ARC) ($139 currently) to review.  Additionally, there is a hot promotion from Nov 5-13, 2024.

I own a lot of rotary tools which range from home made, 3D printed ones to extremely expensive rotary devices for my CNC and fiber lasers.

I can tell the good ones from the bad ones.  So far, I am liking what I see here.  When desktop lasers hit the scene in 2019 soon after rotary devices made their appearance.   The first rotary devices were, and are still good, but configuring the software settings was crazy.  Things have gotten so much better in the rotary world since then.

Algolaser branched off from Ortur and I for one am glad they did.  My last couple Ortur lasers had serious quality issues.  Algolaser has exceeded my expectations since they stood up their company.   I’ll be using this rotary chuck on the Algolaser Alpha MK2 laser.
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SmartWings Motorized Window Blinds

SmartWings Motorized Window Blinds

SmartWings

SmartWings Motorized Blinds

I love Tech things. Some years ago I jumped on the home automation bandwagon with a new program called Home Assistant.  I automated a huge chunk of my old house.   At that time I considered getting some smart blinds or curtains.  People were pioneering DIY solutions and I just never pulled the trigger.  Fast Forward to 2024 and the company SmartWings contacted me and asked me if I was interested in reviewing their smart blinds.

You betcha I was interested.  They told me I could build up one set of blinds in any configuration  and send them a screenshot and they would send me one.   So I did just that.  My wife picked out the fabric and style and I picked out the hardware configuration.

SmartWings

My Blind Configuration

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XHDATA E-100 Ham Radio Review

XHDATA E-100 Ham Radio Review

XHDATA E-100

XHDATA E-100

One of my favorite radio manufacturers just entered the amateur radio game.  Introducing the XHDATA E-100. ($24.98 with a 15% off promotion currently).  I was provided a pre-release radio about a month earlier to review and to provide feedback to XHDATA.

The official release date is 22 October 2024.

XHDATA has been making GREAT shortwave radios for ages and I think I own most of them.  I’ve never had an issue and I’ve even reviewed a couple of them here on my blog.

So, after testing the radio for a month, I will tell you what I think.
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Ergonomic Chair SIHOO Doro C300

Ergonomic Chair SIHOO Doro C300

SIHOO Doro C300

SIHOO Doro C300

I get to review a lot of cool things here at my Tech Blog.  I was ecstatic when the Marketing folks at SIHOO offered to provide me an Ergonomic Chair to review.  The model they provided is the SIHOO Doro C300 ($299).   To sweeten the pot SIHOO currently has a “Buy One, Get Two” hidden promotion.  That is an amazing deal!

Why was I so excited?  The timing of receiving this chair was exquisite.  After about 50 years of sitting on a wallet my back developed a visible knot in the lower area which sometimes HURTS.  For about 2 years now I have been getting deep tissue massages.  Lo and behold the knot has seemingly gone away just recently.  I have no desire for it to return.  An ergonomic chair is EXACTLY what I needed in my office.

I currently have a garden variety black leather office chair with wooden arms.  It is a nice chair, certainly attractive, however it kills that spot on my back.  So much so that I bought a standing desk.
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TOPDON CarPal OBD2 Scanner Review

TOPDON CarPal OBD2 Scanner Review

topdon scanner obd2

TOPDON CarPlay OBD2 Scanner

So you are driving along and your “Check Engine” light comes on.  What do you do?  What you shouldn’t do is go to the mechanic with no information about the maintenance issue.   In 1996 On Board Diagnostics (OBD) scanners were made mandatory for all vehicles made in the United States.  Today I’ll be reviewing the TOPDON scanner (OBD2),  the CarPlay, currently $39.99.

When that Check Engine light comes on you simply plug this device into the OBD2 port, connect via Bluetooth to an app on your smart phone and run a full diagnostic test of your vehicle.   The results will be displayed as a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC).   This means any average user can know exactly what is wrong with their vehicle before talking to a mechanic.

Having said that, this is a device that EVERYONE needs in their car just like you need a tire gauge.  Walking into a repair shop and saying “I don’t know what’s wrong” could end up getting you taken for an expensive ride.

OBD2 (2nd generation) ports generally sit just left of the steering wheel in most vehicles.  On my  2018 Toyota Tacoma it is literally a loose wiring connection near my fuse block.

topdon scanner obd2

OBD2 Port Connector

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New Best Budget Laser ACMER S1

New Best Budget Laser ACMER S1

Best Budget Laser

Acmer S1

I am beyond lucky to test and review some of the biggest, baddest, and most expensive desktop laser engravers.  So why am I so excited about the Acmer S1?  Why am I calling it the Best Budget Laser?

Answer:  Because it is.  It costs $100 for the 2.5 watt version and $119 for the 3.5 watt.  It can also be purchased from AliExpress for a bit cheaper.

I think that a lot of prospective new laser owners  think that they’ll make a ton of money doing crafty things.   People will spend a thousand dollars or more to buy the best laser they can find.  Shortly after you’ll see them on a forum saying they don’t know how to get started.

Or my personal favorite forum post is, “My machine broke and I have orders to fill.  This is unacceptable”.  Read on as the Acmer S1 is the cure for both of those problems.

The ACMER S1 comes fully assembled and costs $100 (for the 2.5 watt version).

Additionally, it operates as any other desktop laser engraver that uses GRBL code.   It has a respectable, albeit small, working size of 130 x 130 mm.
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Rongta PN81 Portable Thermal Printer Review

Rongta PN81 Portable Thermal Printer Review

Rongta PN81

Rongta PN81 Thermal Printer

Oddly enough I don’t own a printer.  I have lots of label printers.  However, every once in a great while I need to print something.  Every time I go in the big box stores I eyeball the printers but hate that “cheap printer, expensive ink” game.  Imagine my surprise when Rongta contacted me to review their Rongta PN81 A4 Portable thermal  printer.

It can be purchased at Amazon currently for $99.99. Use coupon code  EJPWZGEC until 26 September for 20% off.

The PN81 uses rolls of thermal paper and comes with one roll which makes it ready to use.   A USB C cable, and a USB drive and manual are also included.  It is extremely simple to use which should make this blog entry short and concise.

No more than I print, the PN81 is perfect for my needs.  If I do print something it is some kind of document to sign which means black and white is all I need.

Since it is a thermal printer no ink is ever needed and it does not require proprietary rolls of thermal paper to be utilized.
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Longer Nano Pro Laser Review

Longer Nano Pro 12W Laser Review

Longer Nano Pro

Longer Nano Pro

I was recently provided a Longer Nano Pro 12W ($799) by the nice folks at Longer3D.  The Pro version is a 12 watt blue diode laser and a rotary extension and slide extension are included.

The Nano Pro  looks fairly similar to a Laser Pecker but I assure you this is a different beast.   The Nano only has one laser and does not contain the IR (1064 nm) laser as does the LP.  Consequently, that makes it quite a bit less expensive than the LP.

Without drudging up the past too much I went on record on my blog saying how much I disliked the Laser Pecker 4.   Because of the similar looks I kind of expected the Nano Pro to shake out the same way.  File this under “Don’t Judge A Book By Its Cover”.

SPOILER ALERT:  I really, really like this machine.  It is simple, effective,  and the included Lightburn device file is exceptional.  I did find a quirk or two which I’d categorize as “Learning Curve”.  I’ll discuss that later.  This machine is the right size, the right power, and has the right amount of portability.  If you are a crafter or a scrapbooker the Nano or Nano Pro is custom made for you.
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