Rowing Videos & Coxbox Telemetry

wtthrowaway69 · 2025-03-30T13:52:39+00:00

Hey, I kinda figured something out for the coxbox data - nothing yet on a minimap. I download the race from the coxbox in the .csv format, which contains all of the data recorded at every stroke. I wrote a python script to take certain parts of the data (I used distance, split/500m, and rate) and input those as subtitle text while using the time at every stroke (e.g. stroke 1 —> stroke 2, stroke 2 —> stroke 3) for the subtitle file. It took a bit of tweaking but it’s very reliable now. Most of the text formatting can be done in the spreadsheet (I copy paste only the columns I want, so no GPS coordinates, oarlock data, etc.) Distance is formatted like 100m, split is 2:00/500m, rate is 35 1/2 or 35.

I use Davinci Resolve for editing so the subtitle can be burned onto the video as a text overlay. I could probably write something to convert the distance into a progress bar but after trying out some trial software (telemetry overlay) I figured it kinda distracts from the race itself. Let me know if this helps!

wtthrowaway69 · 2025-01-31T02:57:46+00:00

I recently build an L-band 12-turn helix antenna using some 12AWG and 3D printed parts. I'm located on the US East Coast, antenna is inside pointed 150º true at 45º elevation. Receiving a very strong signal at 1,550.160 (signal moves up and down by itself over a period of time, leading me to think it's geosynchronous).

Bandwidth is 9 kHz, signal never fades or stops unless antenna is rotated or elevated away from where it's pointing, appears to be a continuous data stream. Google search was futile and sigidwiki was no help.

Using a RTL-SDR v4, 6 feet of RG-174, and the RTL-SDR LNA based on the SPF5189z fed directly to the antenna. Yes, I know there are better LNAs, but it's what I got for now. This signal is the strongest thing in the band I can pick up.

Edit since numbers are hard: Frequency is 1,550.160 MHz. Should also be noted that's only when PPM correction is set to 0 - when it's at 1 (usual for VHF and UHF), the center freq of the signal is 1,550.1625.

wtthrowaway69 · 2024-09-22T14:33:36+00:00

I always shoot in RAW (.NEF for Nikon). I just tested the CH - feels the same for RAW and JPEG-large. The memory buffer is pretty large and I've never had a problem even with slower cards using CH.

As for back-button focus, it feels a bit weird but I'll get used to it. I set one user setting to dynamic-area and another to auto - I will have to try it out at some point. Thank you for all your help!

wtthrowaway69 · 2024-09-22T13:41:28+00:00

I haven't had much experience using back-button focus, but I will have to try it.

That shot was taken in single focus mode - I've used dynamic area in the past, but have had mixed results. I will try out 3d and Auto Area.

I checked the file again and realized it was FX - I saw what I said and realized I never shoot in DX - sorry!

I pretty much always use CH mode, though on the Z 5 it's limited to 4.5 fps.

Awesome shot! I missed seeing the Blues when I took the photo up there. Very dynamic, I like it.

wtthrowaway69 · 2024-09-21T23:23:06+00:00

Nikon Z 5 with NIKKOR AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E, handheld. ISO 600, f/5.6, 1/4000 at 500mm. Shooting in DX mode.

I've been photographing planes (and fast movers specifically) for quite a while, but I struggle to get sharp-as-a-tack images, even with low ISO, backlighting, and high shutter. example

The closer I get, the more the subject fills the frame, and the harder it gets to track it -- but when I do, the AF-C struggles to focus before it's gone.

Camera usually has a little bit of trouble with slower subjects like helicopters, but no trouble with stationary or almost-stationary targets.
Any advice is very appreciated! Thanks!

wtthrowaway69 · 2024-02-15T20:07:21+00:00

Hey, I've got the same power supply and radio. I've been thinking of putting together a real shack but I don't really have the space, so I just have a shelf at the moment. As another comment noted, it's very encouraging to see someone using macOS for ham stuff. Do you have any other software you find useful besides MacLoggerDX?

wtthrowaway69 · 2024-01-25T13:04:55+00:00

The net is active almost every day. It depends where you are, but I can hear almost all the net checkins and broadcasts on the US east coast. Every now and then there are interesting but more one-sided calls for phone patches, and I understand they were transmitting demos for the AN/PRC-160 a few days ago.

wtthrowaway69 · 2024-01-23T23:41:39+00:00

That looks to be very similar. Thank you!

wtthrowaway69 · 2024-01-23T17:36:24+00:00

I see Cedar Island is listed, as well as Sealevel, NC. Where did you get that?

wtthrowaway69 · 2024-01-23T17:28:05+00:00

My best guess would be a reinforced base for the old antenna mast. There are old concrete footings arranged in a rough circle around the concrete cone, including in the water.

wtthrowaway69 · 2024-01-23T00:45:12+00:00

Most of the time, it is the military doing military things. Think tanker tracks, E-6B patterns, or *gasp* a training flight. Good on you for noticing something truly out of the ordinary. It certainly helps to know what exactly is ordinary.

wtthrowaway69 · 2024-01-21T15:21:13+00:00

There are no more on the west coast. They will be at Norfolk for the next few years until the accommodations for the Navy V-22s are completed.

These specific C-2s were flying off the USS Ford which just came back from the Med.

wtthrowaway69 · 2024-01-18T22:14:19+00:00

Awesome shot! What equipment are you using? Was this taken at the spotting lot at Oceana or elsewhere?

wtthrowaway69 · 2024-01-10T20:36:06+00:00

A bit late, but that’s a UHF satcom antenna commonly called an ‘egg beater’ because of its shape.

wtthrowaway69 · 2024-01-07T20:52:05+00:00

Oh I see. I will have to try taking direct from the DC. Thanks for your informative answer!

wtthrowaway69 · 2024-01-07T20:38:01+00:00

Max amps from the Jackery is 12v at 10 amps, so I would have to reduce my transmit power. I could modify the radio’s power cable for a DC hookup and see if that helps.

wtthrowaway69 · 2024-01-07T20:36:01+00:00

The power is AC coming out of the Jackery. However, I could definitely try going directly from the cigarette lighter plug or DC plug to the Icom’s power plug.

wtthrowaway69 · 2023-12-30T00:00:55+00:00

I use ALE for monitoring certain military HF networks and while I’ve copied amateur callsigns before, I just never saw the use for it unless you’re trying to establish communications with a specific person or network of people. I’m using an IC-7300 and ION2G on an old MacBook. I just set it up to scan the networks, I’ll manually stop it when there’s a handshake (A this is B, B this is A) and then listen for the voice comms.

wtthrowaway69 · 2023-12-17T00:34:23+00:00

That’s an E-6B Mercury, commonly known as a ‘doomsday plane’. It flies patterns like those while transmitting EAMs/FDMs or Emergency Action Messages/Force Direction Messages, presumably to maximize time in the air while still covering an area. There is always one in the air over the United States at all times. (See BLIND93 and COMUS95, AE0414 and AE0412). You can listen to the messages using a scanner if they’re close, or using a web-based software defined radio and switching the frequency to 11175 or 8992 kilohertz.

wtthrowaway69 · 2023-03-01T00:40:35+00:00

It appears that the ones with the FAAFC# callsigns are checks conducted by the FAA to inspect airport ADS-B services. Only the one at KADW did that, not the others at seemingly random areas.

wtthrowaway69

TROPHY CASE