Category Archives: Product Reviews

DeLorme maps: some grumbles

Posted on April 3, 2011 by

I just updated from DeLorme Topo USA 8 to DeLorme Topo North America. (The name change implies Canada.) The same map appears on my GPS unit as appears on Topo North America. I don’t know where DeLorme gets their road … Continue reading →

Posted in GPS Tracks, Product Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

DeLorme Topo North America’s enlightened web policy

Posted on April 3, 2011 by

Fellow folks who use GPS: I collect all the tracks using my DeLorme PN-40SE. Although it’s not perfect, it’s pretty doggoned good. I’ll do a product review someday after I figure out a few more features. In the meantime, it … Continue reading →

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The 12-vdc Power System at KEØOG

Posted on March 21, 2011 by

I just wrote a post about powering your HF radio or VHF mobile radio. The two basic ways are with a deep-cycle battery or with a standard plug-into-the-wall power supply. So what do I use? Primarily solar power. The solar … Continue reading →

Posted in Ham Radio blog entries, Product Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Ham Radio: How much does it cost?

Posted on March 17, 2011 by

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE! VIEW THE VIDEO ADDED 17 FEB 2016: I’m often asked a simple question: how much does it cost to become a ham? The answer, of course, is “it depends.” But there’s a pretty basic path that most … Continue reading →

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Wouxun KG-UV3D: Inexpensive Dual Band Handheld

Posted on March 17, 2011 by

I recently purchased the very inexpensive ($119.95) new Chinese-made Wouxun (pronounced OH-shing) KG-UV3D radio and am quite delighted with it. However the user interface is drastically different from the Japanese equivalents. I put this presentation together for the Montrose Amateur … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer Tips, Ham Radio blog entries, Product Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Hy-gain 14-AVQ—My First Amateur Radio HF Antenna

Posted on February 16, 2011 by

What should I use for an HF antenna? I received this query from a friend who has recently passed his amateur radio General Class exam. My usual answer is: a homebrew dipole, but that got me to thinking. What was … Continue reading →

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Yes you can have an AT&T Microcell but no you can’t

Posted on September 13, 2010 by

I’ve been using AT&T cell service for nigh onto ten years. In the seven years we’ve been in the Ridgway area, our AT&T service works fine. Well, maybe not always fine. Sometimes we get four bars; sometimes we get none. … Continue reading →

Posted in Product Reviews | 4 Comments

Nice Colorado Wildflower Guide

Posted on July 12, 2010 by

As I’ve noted in many posts here on dcasler.com, my mother loves the wildflower pictures. That’s a good thing, because now I keep an eye out for them. So riding in the Colorado high country is not just about trails … Continue reading →

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The (apparently secret) 2.7 firmware upgrade for the DeLorme PN-40

Posted on June 11, 2010 by

My DeLorme PN-40SE is not behaving quite as advertised (see post here), so I inquired of their customer service via e-mail. They suggested a “low level format” followed by an “update” to the firmware. Hmmm….the device was at firmware level … Continue reading →

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The DeLorme PN-40SE GPS that Wouldn’t

Posted on June 6, 2010 by

This past Christmas I found a DeLorme PN-40SE GPS under the tree. It’s much faster and has more capabilities than my “old” DeLorme PN-20 GPS. Nearly all the tracks on this website have been taken with the PN-40SE. But it … Continue reading →

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