Yeah, I know, this isn't really radio-related but it all plays into my ultimate goal. If I can't run my radio apps I can't fully make the switch. Granted, I'm playing with VMs so I guess that's cheating but I'm not having much luck with WINE. Now that that's out of the way I just got my 3rd Windows VM running on the desktop. I now have VMs for XP, Vista, and Windows 7.
For some reason the XP VM on my laptop quit working and now I can't get it to read the CD. I'm going to try again tonight since I trust XP more than the others. We'll see. Hopefully I'll get back to work on the TinyTrak and Motorola combo tomorrow.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
Perhaps I Spoke Too Soon
It turns out the fact that I got a successful update was, perhaps, a fluke. Something is amiss with the TT3 now and it keeps losing its mind. I'm thinking it's not stray RF since it still works fine when connected to the FT-8800. Perhaps something came loose in the cable, though, and that is throwing it off. Regardless, I'm back off the air until I can figure out the problem and come up with a solution. What a rollercoaster. :-/
Sunday, January 3, 2010
M120...It's aliiiiiiiiive!
Thanks to Gary, WD0BIA, I realized that the Motorola RJ-45 is wired different from a regular network jack. Turns out I had my wiring reversed. I put a new connector on and it works like a champ!!
2010-01-03 21:27:07 UTC: N4CDB-9>APT311,WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1,qAS,K4GDX:>TinyTrak3 v1.1
2010-01-03 21:27:10 UTC: N4CDB-9>APT311,WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1,qAS,K4GDX:!3017.66N/08129.97Wk000/000/
2010-01-03 21:27:13 UTC: N4CDB-9>APT311,WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1,qAS,K4GDX:!3017.65N/08129.96Wk337/000 [Rate limited (< 5 sec)]
2010-01-03 21:27:43 UTC: N4CDB-9>APT311,WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1,qAS,K4GDX:!3017.65N/08129.96Wk198/000
2010-01-03 21:28:14 UTC: N4CDB-9>APT311,WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1,qAS,K4GDX:>TinyTrak3 v1.1
I now have a dedicated APRS radio. I still need to run power for a permanent installation in the truck so until then I'll be working off some 12V batteries but I'm moving forward now. I couldn't be happier!
2010-01-03 21:27:07 UTC: N4CDB-9>APT311,WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1,qAS,K4GDX:>TinyTrak3 v1.1
2010-01-03 21:27:10 UTC: N4CDB-9>APT311,WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1,qAS,K4GDX:!3017.66N/08129.97Wk000/000/
2010-01-03 21:27:13 UTC: N4CDB-9>APT311,WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1,qAS,K4GDX:!3017.65N/08129.96Wk337/000 [Rate limited (< 5 sec)]
2010-01-03 21:27:43 UTC: N4CDB-9>APT311,WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1,qAS,K4GDX:!3017.65N/08129.96Wk198/000
2010-01-03 21:28:14 UTC: N4CDB-9>APT311,WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1,qAS,K4GDX:>TinyTrak3 v1.1
I now have a dedicated APRS radio. I still need to run power for a permanent installation in the truck so until then I'll be working off some 12V batteries but I'm moving forward now. I couldn't be happier!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Whole Hog Linux
Well, I bit the bullet and started jumping the Microsoft ship. I picked up a new hard drive after dinner and I'm now running Ubuntu 9.10 64-bit on my desktop. I also installed Vista to a VM like I did with the laptop. So far things are running pretty well.
It looks like the network issue I experienced with the laptop isn't just affecting the wireless. I don't have network access from the wired adapter in the desktop either. I need to do some more research.
I will have to say that I was very pleased with the seamless migration of the Firefox profile. In a matter of seconds all of my bookmarks, extensions, and customizations were in place on the new install. That's where I'm posting this from now. I'm looking forward to some increased stability.
I'm sure I'll have more later.
It looks like the network issue I experienced with the laptop isn't just affecting the wireless. I don't have network access from the wired adapter in the desktop either. I need to do some more research.
I will have to say that I was very pleased with the seamless migration of the Firefox profile. In a matter of seconds all of my bookmarks, extensions, and customizations were in place on the new install. That's where I'm posting this from now. I'm looking forward to some increased stability.
I'm sure I'll have more later.
More Linux News
Ok, so this isn't technically radio-related but since it involves the laptop I'll be using for my radio stuff I figure I can include the Linux stuff here. Besides, it's my blog and I'll do what I want. :-)
I actually do have some radio news. Last night I built a cable for what will hopefully soon by my new, dedicated APRS setup for the truck. I have a Motorola M120 that's programmed for 144.39 and hopefully it'll be mounted in the truck before long. Unfortunately something is amiss. I tried it last night but I don't appear to be keying the radio with the TinyTrak. The cable rings out ok. Not sure if it's a configuration issue with the TT3 or the radio itself. I'm hoping the latter since I don't have the software to look at the radio.
I'd hoped to spend some time troubleshooting it today but it's been raining all day. I have a feeling that trend is going to continue. Since it's put a damper on my ham activities I figured I'd try something new on the Linux front.
I spent this morning working on Linux virtualization. Last night I installed VirtualBox. I tried doing a quick install of straight Ubuntu but for some reason it crapped out. I don't think I set the initial virtual hard drive size to be large enough and it probably couldn't resize during the install. I also ran into another issue. I tried creating a VM for Windows XP but the laptop wouldn't recognize either the SP1 or SP3 CDs that I tried installing. This morning I finally had some success as it recognized my Vista CD. It took a while to install (enough for two cups of coffee and some breakfast at least) but it's now installed.
The install isn't 100% but it's a start. I can't seem to get the wireless adapter working (or even find it as a network option) through the VM. I'm sure it's something I've missed. I'm going to try to spend a little time with the manual. I'm sure I'll figure it out shortly. At least something seems to be going right for me today. :-P
I actually do have some radio news. Last night I built a cable for what will hopefully soon by my new, dedicated APRS setup for the truck. I have a Motorola M120 that's programmed for 144.39 and hopefully it'll be mounted in the truck before long. Unfortunately something is amiss. I tried it last night but I don't appear to be keying the radio with the TinyTrak. The cable rings out ok. Not sure if it's a configuration issue with the TT3 or the radio itself. I'm hoping the latter since I don't have the software to look at the radio.
I'd hoped to spend some time troubleshooting it today but it's been raining all day. I have a feeling that trend is going to continue. Since it's put a damper on my ham activities I figured I'd try something new on the Linux front.
I spent this morning working on Linux virtualization. Last night I installed VirtualBox. I tried doing a quick install of straight Ubuntu but for some reason it crapped out. I don't think I set the initial virtual hard drive size to be large enough and it probably couldn't resize during the install. I also ran into another issue. I tried creating a VM for Windows XP but the laptop wouldn't recognize either the SP1 or SP3 CDs that I tried installing. This morning I finally had some success as it recognized my Vista CD. It took a while to install (enough for two cups of coffee and some breakfast at least) but it's now installed.
The install isn't 100% but it's a start. I can't seem to get the wireless adapter working (or even find it as a network option) through the VM. I'm sure it's something I've missed. I'm going to try to spend a little time with the manual. I'm sure I'll figure it out shortly. At least something seems to be going right for me today. :-P
Hello 2010
Well, here we are. It's a new year. Doesn't seem much different. :-)
Last night I set about trying to put together my dedicated APRS setup. I have a Motorola M120 that I plan on mounting to the back of the truck cab behind the rear seat. Right now I'll be using battery power until I can re-run power to a distribution panel (probably a WMR Rigrunner). I whipped up an interface cable to go from the M120 mic jack and the TinyTrak serial connector. Everything rings out ok but I can't get the PTT to work. The TT3 shows the Tx indicator but the radio doesn't transmit.
We had somebody coming into town so unfortunately I didn't get to spend any time troubleshooting. I'm not sure if it's something with the Moto or possibly an issue with the settings I have for the TT3 config. I'm going to fiddle with it later today. That's my New Year's Day goal: get it working!
So that's it. Not a very exciting post to kick off the new year but at least it's something.
Last night I set about trying to put together my dedicated APRS setup. I have a Motorola M120 that I plan on mounting to the back of the truck cab behind the rear seat. Right now I'll be using battery power until I can re-run power to a distribution panel (probably a WMR Rigrunner). I whipped up an interface cable to go from the M120 mic jack and the TinyTrak serial connector. Everything rings out ok but I can't get the PTT to work. The TT3 shows the Tx indicator but the radio doesn't transmit.
We had somebody coming into town so unfortunately I didn't get to spend any time troubleshooting. I'm not sure if it's something with the Moto or possibly an issue with the settings I have for the TT3 config. I'm going to fiddle with it later today. That's my New Year's Day goal: get it working!
So that's it. Not a very exciting post to kick off the new year but at least it's something.
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