With shipments projected to start on 21-Feb. This is the add-on card to an Elecraft P3 which will drive an external, wide-screen monitor to give a huge pan-adapter screen. But there’s more – decoded CW and RTTY/PSK will also be displayed on the external screen. Future firmware upgrades (free) will allow for a USB keyboard to be attached in order to SEND digital modes without an attached computer. This is the add-in card that I have been waiting for, since it will give wide-screen display of both spectrum and waterfall. Pictures below. Selling price is $259.95 – a steal..!!

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Disclosure statement : I am an Elecraft convert and have virtually everything that they manufacture. Although I have no financial interest in the company, I am biased toward spreading the news of Elecraft because of the quality of the products, the principles of the company and the quality of their staffs’ support of their customers.

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P3 SVGA Wide Screen Video Adapter with High Performance FFT Processor Click pictures to enlarge
P3_SVGA Large Screen Adapter for the P3 (Up to 1920 x 1080p)	P3_SVGA PCB (Plugs into any existing P3)
The P3SVGA adapter adds wide screen display capability to the P3 (up to 1920x1080p). It also has a dedicated high speed FFT processor that performs a 2048 point FFT in parallel with the P3′s existing processor, for a much higher frequency resolution per dot display on the larger screen. The P3SVGA adapter is a plug-in internal card to the P3 that can be easily added by the user.The P3SVGA also includes an interface for our future USB keyboard option that will allow direct digital mode operation via the K3 and P3, with data display on the P3 and P3SVGA screens. Currently supported native screen resolutions  (other resolutions may be added in the future): 1024 x 768 1280 x 1024 1440 x 900 1600 x 900 1920 x 1080 Note: Most other resolution flat screen displays also support the next lower P3 screen resolution. Like the P3, the P3SVGA is firmware downloadable and new features will be available over time. The P3SVGA is now available on our order page. Its estimated starting ship date is Feb. 21st.

A dear friend of the family passed away today – an old girl who had the best heart and was the best companion to a dear friend. We shall all miss her, but she suffers no more and can now play in doggie-heaven.

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Someone very dear to me shared an inspirational message a while back – to prepare me for the time when my own “son” would eventually be knocking on heaven’s door. It brought me to tears, but reminded me of the love that these 4 leggers have for us – unconditional love – nothing compares.

……  The Doggie 10-Commandments………
1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years – any separation from you will be painful for me. Remember that before you buy me.

2. Give me time to understand what you want from me, don’t be impatient, short-tempered, or irritable.

3. Place your trust in me and I will always trust you back. Respect is earned not given as an inalieable right.

4. Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment, I am not capable of understanding why. I only know I have been rejected. You have your work, entertainment and friends – I only have you.

5. Talk to me sometimes –  even if I don’t understand your words I understand your voice and your tone – “you only have to look at my tail”.

6. Be aware that however you treat me I’ll never forget it, and if it’s cruel it may affect me forever.

7. Please don’t hit me – I can’t hit back, but I can bite and scratch and I really don’t ever want to do that.

8. Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate, or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right foods or I’ve been out in the sun too long, or my heart is getting old and weak, or I may be just dog tired.

9. Take care of me when I get old. You too will grow old and may also need love, care, comfort, and attention.

10. Go with me on difficult journeys, never say, “I can’t bear to watch” or “Let it happen in my absence”. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Remember, irrespective of what you do I will always love you.

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Farewell, old girl.. Milk Bones forever..!!

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If you know of whom I speak, please give the “father” some time to grieve. This is a difficult time for him and as much as he would appreciate the phone calls and emails, he needs a quiet time of reflection even more.  Thanks..

the chase vehicles are in the middle of the forest and likely out of range for APRS relay

(click to enlarge)

in pictures..

Just in case anyone still thinks that D-STAR technology is proprietary to ICOM, check out Tetra Communications Ltd. at http://domain3110330.sites.fasthosts.com/default.asp Tetra sales both simplex and duplex GMSK nodes Amateur Radio Access Points and Repeaters based on Tait Radios. All Units are advertised as fully compatible with all current D-STAR Networks. D-STAR Digital Radio (GMSK) uses Tait 2020 type radios on 2m or 70cm along with a custom designed internal PCB which incorporates the Node adaptor. This solution is in use on a number of UK Repeaters and Nodes, including MB6EN a D-Star Northants Node on 2m based in Wellingborough. This solution includes Dutch*Star firmware.

Go to the Tetra site for full specifications on both the Repeater and the Access Point Node.

D-STAR Duplex Repeater less than $300 eu

I received this the other day from Gene Swiech – author of a new DStar Chat Program. I have not used this, but wanted to pass it along to those of you who are doing Digital data.

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Hi I thought I would just drop you a note and let you know that there is a new chat application available.  It is called DStarChatUSB.  You can download it at www.wb9coy.com.  Comes with a user manual.

Those of you who know me, know that I’m not a tree hugger by any stretch of the imagination – I am more for Personal Accountability, in all the forms that it might take. But some things really piss me off – aside from hate mongers and the concept of Self-before-Anything, some social issues rise to the top of the list. I ran across this movie trailer the other day while reading my morning cup of inspiration (daily blogs) and feel compelled to share. Subject: Child Sex Exploitation and Trafficking.

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I hope that it pisses you off as much as it did for me.

The Candy Shop Trailer from Brandon McCormick on Vimeo.

What a strange storm – Matthew looks like it will meander around the Yucatan Peninsula for a while, but at least two of the forecast models have it coming to Florida. There’s another low pressure system just off Nicaragua that may well pull Matthew back to the east, after which it’s possible that a northward turn may be in the cards.

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Max winds right now are only about 35mph, but the rainfall is reported to be torrential, with the storm moving at about 10-15mph.

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Stay vigilant – this storm could build strength if it comes back over the water and heads toward us – we may not get much advance notice.

Below is the most current forecast track (click to enlarge)