The Ham Weblog

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Website Review

Volume II March 14, 2001

**Site Index**
	Home		The Trader		Get-in-Touch
	Hamfest & Events		Reflections & Memories		Archives

**Table of Contents**
ChromaSound		Rigblaster		CadSoft Online
Word - Drawing		The Rest		Computer Virus Resources

What's Old Sol up to today? Check WWV Propagation.

Morse

Another peak at Old Sol thru "different glasses"! WWDX Propagation Service Center (PSC)

Morse

That guy 3 Kc down bothering you? Need a "Q-Multiplier"? Got just the thing for ya:
ChromaSound
I read about this little gadget in last month's QST. It'll be just the thing for my old Drake TR-3! I haven't downloaded the Demo yet, but then...I haven't done a lot of necessary stuff yet, either....like put up that dream antenna [or other antenna for that matter, HI!].

Gee, lots of stuff at this site! I was expecting a "start-up" page with just the one item, but there's loads more here:

ChromaPIX SSTV Workstation
ChromaSOUND Audio DSP system
W95SSTV
Robot Helper

Morse

Rigblaster
Ok, this one's been out there awhile as well, but we didn't get around to it early-on.

Now, I seriously doubt that this accessory will work with the above TR-3, but.... what can I say? I guess you gotta upgrade sometime!!

Well now, where to start? Ok, I guess we can start by saying that West Mountain Radio (the actual company marketing RIGBlaster) has a new version out: RIGblaster nomic at a significantly lower price than the initial RIGblaster. Some $ 60 bucks cheaper; but, I guess having the "nomic" option would cut down on components. Also, it seems that the "nomic" version takes power from the computer, so it does not have its own power supply.

The QST review in PDF format is actually the magazine's review for the original product, though, not this new "nomic" version....or at least that's what it seems to me to be. A look at the spec's page does stipulate that this version doesn't support older, tube-type radios. So, I guess my TR-3 is "out to pasture" HI!

Be sure to check the FAQ page. It contains info regarding the "nomic" as well as general info, i.e., types of cabling, etc. information on the company's other products.

Morse

Also featured in February QST was a review of CadSoft USA.
What's interesting is that there is what appears to be an identical site in Germany CadSoft Online. I mention this because, first, QST makes note of a "German origin," and, we do have European readership on our Ham Weblog.

Both are a very organized sites! For our purposes, we'll check the CADSoft USA site. I believe the German site is virtually identical. CADSoft divides its site into four sections:

Newcomers

EAGLE Users

Fun Stuff

Miscellaneous

Each of these sections is then further sub-divided. For example, in Newcomers, we see:

Info

Tour

Freeware

Dealers

Prices

Well, I'm game! I'll try CadSoft's EAGLE out and report back, ok? Now, just one thing: I'm no engineer or designer, so....... Let's put it this way, if I can run it, anybody can!!!!

Oh! Almost forgot......CadSoft does offer a Professional version as well. I'll limit my thoughts and remarks to the Freeware version; that's probably what most hams would be interested in. For the Pro version, check the links under EAGLE Users.

Morse

Now, QST reviewed several schematic drawing programs in the February issue. I'm going to limit my review right now to the CADSoft package above. However, since the writer of that Hints & Kinks column mentioned using Microsoft Word, I thought I'd at least give that a try. After all, how hard can it be, right??? Well, lemme tell ya! One look at my attempt below will assure all that my claim of I'm no engineer or designer (above):

transistor 1

transistor 2

resistor 1

capacitor 1

Yeah....yeah.....I know. They don't really look all THAT bad, but ya gotta realize.......I spent better 'n 2 hours to get those!!!!! Honest!

Morse

Well, now I've got a dilema here. If I don't at least include the other sites mentioned in QST, then I'm gonna hear about it! Ok, so here goes:

TurboCad

Circad

KQ6QV

I'll try to delve into these other sites at a later date. I have a feeling that I'm going to be pretty busy just trying to absorb the EAGLE software, HI!

Morse

Been receiving emails about Viruses? Check here: CERTŽ Coordination Center
This is Carnegie Mellon University's Computer Virus Resources page. CMU has taken on the task of serving as the Internet's centralized virus reporting center. As such, they are a clearing house of info on viruses as well as hoaxes. Here you will find info on:

FAQs about Computer Viruses

Hoax and Chain Letter Databases

Virus Databases

Virus Organizations and Publications

Data Integrity Tool Vendors

Anti-Virus Vendors

Papers

Other Resources

Figured as active Internet surfers, we should have access to some sort of authoritative resources on viruses and scams. This seems to be the site for such info. By the way, I didn't make the above into hyperlinks because they are actually internal page links on the CERT page. Good reading here for all of us.

Morse

Well, that wraps it up for today. Please, drop me an email and let me know what you think about The Ham Weblog, ok? Also, I'm always open to ideas and suggestions for other content to publish on this site. What do you want to read about? It's easy; just Email K3LBP!

If you missed earlier editions, check out the Archives

73 for this time, de K3LBP

The Ham Weblog © 2000 by Larry O'Toole, K3LBP