9 Year Old DIY Cardboard Arcade

Check out this 9 year old's cardboard arcade.

http://vimeo.com/nirvan/cainesarcade

I would invest in the fun pass for 500 plays.
Great job Caine.

A future Entrepreneur in the making!

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

This has turned out to be the perfect Sunday, a cloudy cool slight drizzle outside and some good reading, Tick Tock by James Patterson. Exciting detective story in New York City trying to catch a killer. Just finished Sail by the same author, great read all the way!

Over the past few weeks I have been reviewing my code using Just Learn Morse Code, wonderful program. I try and do 20 minutes plus a day, my spring training for future outdoor portable operating.

Yesterday I wired up a QRP circuit on a bread board but smoked the first resistor when power is hooked up. Glad resistors are very cheap, went through a handful so far. It must be the schematic, can't be me. :)

Enjoy what is left of the weekend!

WNEW Channel 5 New York

Memories of WNEW Channel 5 New York!!

Watching this video makes me wonder what happened to the great TV shows we all watched as kids. No comparison to what is on the tube now.

Classic good family shows.

Enjoy!

Intro Loop Video

A very good video on how loop antennas work.

Loops

The magnetic loop antenna has always fascinated me with its small stealth appearance. I have been doing some homework on adding a loop to my assortment of antennas. Plus it would fit in with my small lot in NJ.
The easy way is to purchase one but that comes with a rather large price tag which I would rather not do at this time. The MFJ 1788 Hi Q Loop is $469.00 or the Alex Loop with shipping is $266.00. I have read very good reviews on both.

Which leaves me option B, pick up a capacitor, copper pipe/tubing and make my own. Plenty of information on the web to get me started, if I finish with a working antenna is another story. This will be an interesting warm weather project.

Years ago I picked up a 2M loop for SSB for around $79.00, still have it and works well.

In the meantime here are a few interesting loop links for your reading pleasure.

www.alexloop.com
http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-1788
http://www.antennex.com/hws/ws0201/nonmag.htm
http://www.aa5tb.com/loop.html

Resistor Color Code Calculator

Here is another handy (lazy) way to find your resistor values.

http://www.csgnetwork.com/resistcolcalc.html

I used it this week when bread boarding a transmitter circuit and it is useful if your meter is not around.

Now if I can only get that first resistor in my QRP circuit to stop smoking I will be set.

Paper Airplanes

This is one well built paper airplane.
Enjoy your Friday!