Embedded

APRS Fun!

by W4JDH
Hi folks! I’ve got a bit to report! I’ve been migrating my Linux servers to Debian from RHEL-derived distributions, and the last one to be migrated was the APRS node. I’ve had W4JDH-1 connected to APRS-IS for a long time: at least since 2011 and possibly earlier. For the longest time it was Xastir in ... Read More

Scaling Back

by W4JDH
Every year I’ve looked at Anime Weekend Atlanta as more than a chance to hang out with friends from out of town because of the rather unique situation having several laptop wielders in the same hotel room can present. Therefore, I come up with all sorts of hair-brained network schemes to get everyone online from ... Read More

Building a Better Cradlepoint

by W4JDH
A random search of “T-Mobile Rocket Linux” on Google retrieved a post showing how to make the T-Mobile webConnnect Rocket Stick HSPA+ device work in Linux. This is relevant because as of June 17, the Atlanta metro area has HSPA+. In my adventures with embedded computing, I’ve come across the PC Engines ALIX boards. These ... Read More

Project Update

by W4JDH
Sometimes I dislike slow days at work as I start reading and reading and reading. I reread the EVDO Stompbox Project and something clicked with me: I remembered the mini-PCI slot in my net4501. While I’ve only used mini-PCI cards in notebook computers over the years, I never had a need to use it in ... Read More

Mobile Connectivity +α

by W4JDH
Earlier this week, I read on TmoNews.com that T-Mobile was making another promo on their webConnect (aircard) service. I had cashed in on a promo plan towards the end of last year for $50/mo instead of $60/mo, but this one is even more awesome: “Overage Free” rate plan for $40/mo. What this means is that ... Read More

Phase One Complete

by W4JDH
I decided to dig out the big plug strip and hook all the materials up to see if they worked together before I begin the pure DC phase of the experiment. After massaging pf a little bit to make the bridge work, I managed to get an IP wirelessly with the WAP plugged into the ... Read More

Project Update

by W4JDH
I loaded OpenBSD on the Soekris and did the necessary configuration tweaks to get all the interfaces assigned properly and the like tonight. I also adjusted the Cradlepoint (turning off WiFi, adding DMZ, etc.) for the system. Now to get it all hooked up and tested at some point.

Portable Connectivity or How DC Power Is Our Friend

by W4JDH
A few years back, some friends and I had the crazy idea to utilize my MFJ-1800 2.4GHz Yagi antenna and a PC set up as a “reverse AP” to allow us all to use the hotel’s free wifi at a convention. The only downside to this was that we didn’t have wireless for ourselves, but ... Read More

AWA WiFi Setup, or How to Avoid Needless Fees

by W4JDH
It’s fairly common knowledge that most hotels these days have free WiFi in at least part of the hotel. The hotel in question is the Renaissance Waverly that Anime Weekend Atlanta has been at the past three years. Their free WiFi is in the lobby/convention center area (basically the first two floors of the hotel) ... Read More
by W4JDH
Would someone like to explain to me how PalmOne’s new Tungsten E2 got by me? Really, I’m satisfied with the Treo, but wow that thing looks cool. Now if it only had a thumb-board instead of Graffiti 2. Then I might sell my Treo and get one. But, for now. I sleep. (z_z).｡o○ｚｚｚ…