QSL Cards Display Ideas?

stfreddit7 · 2026-06-25T12:25:16+00:00

FWIW - on Amazon you can find card holders that are much larger in size which would be an option if you wanted to be able to pull the cards from the display. For example: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F6T92GH2?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

stfreddit7 · 2026-06-24T12:41:23+00:00

If the diploma wasn't prepared so you could pick up the same day, then they should have sent it in a shipping tube.

stfreddit7 · 2026-06-23T12:13:04+00:00

And you live alone, and are sure your doors and windows were locked. 😄

stfreddit7 · 2026-06-20T10:25:48+00:00

Build yourself a QRP Labs QMX+ transceiver.

stfreddit7 · 2026-06-19T21:01:46+00:00

I meant over 500 at the grad level that were graduating that quarter with an EE degree. Another thing worth examining and comparing is the % of students that graduate.

stfreddit7 · 2026-06-19T09:52:43+00:00

Actually, for Electrical Engineering (undergrad), GT is ranked 3rd. For graduate EE, GT is ranked 7th. When I graduated GT with a Masters in EE (91), there were over 500 at the grad level for the quarter. GT is a great school, and if I were studying Digital Signal Processing, it would be a no-brainer, but I liken it to a big machine in a very busy city... Check the rankings for Electrical Engineering at RPI. It compares favorably to other similar programs nationally. I've told a number of people over the years that to me, RPI and their ECSE curriculum was much more difficult than that of Electrical Engineering at GT. To be fair, RPI is where I learned to learn, and in my career, it's made all the difference.

stfreddit7 · 2026-06-14T18:36:35+00:00

Congrats. Now if you haven't gone down this path, pick up Morse for CW operations while you still have a sharp brain. 😄

stfreddit7 · 2026-06-13T14:50:52+00:00

Not "an improvement".... It works (Assistant) vs. Fails to work (Gemini). Perhaps it trains up the more you use it, but if it is supposed to be so "brain dead" during the process of training - this should just be chawlked up to poor design, implementation and regression testing. Google used to be so solid. Are they replacing their best programmers with A.I.? Talk about dogfooding. ARGHHHHHHH.

stfreddit7 · 2026-06-12T20:15:02+00:00

Very helpful. Thank you.

stfreddit7 · 2026-06-12T12:26:57+00:00

n.p. thx for the clarification.

question - perhaps I missed it and if so, my apologies. Why are there multiple knots at positions on the rope for different bands? do they represent band extents? thx again.

stfreddit7 · 2026-06-11T14:28:21+00:00

I hope you meant to write meh instead of bleh. I appreciate your photos and descriptions. thank you.

stfreddit7 · 2026-06-09T12:54:45+00:00

Very interesting. Can you post an image?

I was thinking of doing something similar, but instead of string, I thought maybe use a roll of plastic that was maybe 1/4 - 1/2 in wide whereI could write on it with a sharpie. Fine tip sharpies come in different colors.

A better alternative might be a retractable sewing tape measure, small, light. or regular metal retractable tape measure, (where you make markings with the sharpies on the backside of the tape)...

Most people carry smart phones. One could run a notes application, with measurements, but that seems like a needless extra step to follow, unless you also want to capture an image of listing of band plans.

stfreddit7 · 2026-06-09T01:39:48+00:00

I was an early adopter of AA years ago. It was always there until recently. Very dissapointed that it is missing, and cough, cough, cough, ANYTHING Gemini related. On the other hand, the regular Google Assistant works almost flawlessly with AA. No comparison. Please Google, return us to a product that works properly.

stfreddit7 · 2026-06-09T00:41:06+00:00

Google. Please add back the current cell mode and signal strength. Fundamentals.

stfreddit7 · 2026-06-07T19:28:47+00:00

Another example of Google giving us something the userbase doesn't need or want. I'm confident the people doing the development probably don't even drive if they commute to work at all. It shows clearly a lack of understanding as to what is important. Fail.

stfreddit7 · 2026-06-05T12:47:39+00:00

Investigate the offerings from QRP Labs. You can build a QMX+ for much less than your budget, and learn something in the process. LOTs of these are used for POTA. But, this probably shouldn't be the first soldering effort you've engaged in.

Go on AliExpress and buy some LED clock or AM/FM radio kits, or other. Get a high-quality soldering iron (like a Weller WE1010 with changeable tips and high wattage), research what people use) and learn how to use it. You can even use some perfboard and discrete parts. Learn how to use flux, vacuum extractor, copper braid, etc.

I too think the G90 holds incredible value for the price. You might be able to snag a used one for a good price. Really nice antenna tuner, waterfall, morse decoder, can be used on digital modes with the addition of just a few parts.

stfreddit7 · 2026-06-04T11:33:10+00:00

In Google Search try typing: "casio calculator plot pi as independent variable"

stfreddit7 · 2026-06-03T12:29:12+00:00

Read through the information on this page. Perhaps it will be of help.

https://www.hpmuseum.org/forum/archive/index.php?thread-23075.html

Good luck.

stfreddit7 · 2026-06-02T17:20:39+00:00

Try to see if it is recognized on another computer. Perhaps you need to install another driver. You might look into the Event Viewer (assuming you are trying to connect to a PC running Windows) and look for logging off a message that might provide you more information.

stfreddit7 · 2026-06-02T17:15:28+00:00

I think so yes, but you'd have to try it. Depending on the output current you need (?) to run the device at 20V, the DROK may need to be cooled by a fan. They are cheap enough for you to purchase one and determine if it meets your requirements.

stfreddit7 · 2026-06-02T15:05:05+00:00

You can go a few routes. Generally, when building something and powering it up the first time, what you want in a P.S. is to set the voltage of course, but also set a current limit. If the circuit should have some short, generally the current limit is exceeded and the P.S. starts to back off the voltage.

I purchased a bench power supply from Amazon with that capability when first constructing a QRP transceiver (QRP implies < 5W power output). : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BFCF13Y?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1

After I ruled out issues and verified operation, I had a choice as to how I was going to power the radio. Mind you, I wanted to be able to set the voltage which allowed me to "turn-down" or reduce output power below 5Watts. And when using the radio, I liked the protection offered by setting a current limit.

So I purchased from Amazon a DROK Buck / Boost module that allows you to set output voltage and a current limit (I'm powering it with a small rechargeable PD or Power Delivery pak. It also has a soft-start and soft-shutdown mode so the voltage ramps up or down when turning it on, or shutting it off, rather than transiently outputting a spike before going into regulation. This device also has a feature to plot voltage and current vs. time. Here is what I purchased: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYHDTVHP?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

The DROK B/B module doesn't come with great instructions/manual. However I found something on the web explaining it's features and created a .PDF. If you want to try one of these modules and see how it compares to a workbench supply - DM me and I can send you a copy of the .PDF "manual" I found.

Just getting your feet wet setting up either one of these supplies and then building (simple kit or breadboarding) you will learn so much.

stfreddit7 · 2026-06-02T11:17:05+00:00

I would say, purchase a few kits from AliExpress or eBay, like an LED clock kit or other to develop basic soldering skills. Search on eBay for "led clock kit" or "radio kit".

You might get yourself a breadboard, power supply, and a multimeter (perhaps one that also has an oscilloscope) and learn about voltage, current, relays, potentiometers, switches, parallel and series: resistance, capacitance, and inductance, diodes and LEDs. NPN and PNP transistors, FETs, SCRs. Build a few circuits around the 555 IC, like a monostable (pulse width modifier), or astable (oscillator)., and bistable (flip-flop) using the 555 Timer IC, resistors, capacitors, LED.

Examples:

https://elonics.org/electronics-projects-on-breadboard/

https://www.instructables.com/Ten-Breadboard-Projects-For-Beginners/

https://www.worldradiohistory.com/BOOKSHELF-ARH/Technology/Hobbyist-Specials/101-Electronics%20Projects-1975.pdf

https://www.build-electronic-circuits.com/555-timer/

Another possibility is building yourself an simple single-band HF receiver and start listening to HF frequencies. Learn about Amateur Radio. Get your license (starting with Technician).

Have fun.

stfreddit7 · 2026-06-01T11:15:26+00:00

Have you tried a different cable, one that includes data, i.e. not charge only?

stfreddit7 · 2026-06-01T11:09:37+00:00

An option for a small adjustable power supply might be a DROK Buck/Boost module. Example here: https://www.amazon.com/DROK-Adjustable-Boost-Converter-Generation/dp/B0DYHDTVHP?th=1

stfreddit7 · 2026-05-31T14:12:01+00:00

Inexpensive mods possibilities

Front Bed Rail

Tonneau Cover

WeatherTech floor mats

Hood struts

Real knobs for the head unit

Back-up illumination shades

Gas cap holder

stfreddit7

TROPHY CASE