I have this itch to build a PC for basic gaming connected to the TV (to free up the Steam deck).

If I’m being honest mostly just to do the build.

But man GPU prices are in a crazy place. And I’m too lazy to filter through used parts.

Guess it is time for some anti-itch creme.

Does anyone have a caliper brand they really like? I’m more than frustrated as I wasted about half a day on dimensional issues due to my Reed caliper deciding to start measuring wrong.

I have a Hauti which I dislike for several reasons (one of which being the analog scale measures wrong).
😖

I was this many years old when I learned XKCD has a “What If?” Video channel. Pure gold

youtube.com/@xkcd_whatif?si=7E

Today I designed a simple stand for my M4 Mac mini. The mini has two USB-C ports on the front and I didn’t like having the cables running off to the side. The stand has two cable recesses front-to-back and is designed not to interfere with the bottom cooling of the mini. I’m pleased with the clean look.
printables.com/model/1324315-m

I’m more satisfied with my Logitech MX Vertical mouse since discovering that if I want to move it on my desk I can simply tilt it and slide rather than needing to pick it up. With the slightest tilt, which is easy to do, the mouse doesn’t register the move.

The transition to the M4 Mac mini was completely trouble-free. I was surprised to find that even some command line hacks I did on the previous Mac worked straight away.

The only app that needed special treatment was tQSL which I knew ahead of time. Easy enough - if you know you know. In a quick test while the bands allowed I made 14 QSO including a couple of POTA.

Apparently I decided I need a headache.

I am replacing my M2 Mac Mini with a M4 Mac Mini. Many things transfer auto-magically but from past experience I know there are hoops to jump through for certain settings and for apps like tQSL.

I will still somehow enjoy the process. Masochist eh?

Is anyone using the Surf Social beta? I got an invite but I’m a bit lost on finding what to follow since I am averse to all the “fashionable” topics.

I used the NanoVNA app to sweep the bands on my EFHW after installing the antenna switch yesterday. Results were nominal vs pre-switch.

Then I put my 20m hamstick on a tripod in the backyard connected via the switch. A bit of tuning resulted in great SWR. Today the best results were with the whip relatively short and only 2 radials. Couldn’t test actual operation since thunderstorms decided to interfere.

Discovered the hard way that ants had nested in the housing of the balun😖

I stopped my procrastinating and installed an antenna switch in the backyard and moved the EFHW to port 1. Happily the SWR worked out. I wanted a convenient way to experiment with other antennas so the switch would be handy. Of course I did this today not knowing the bands were going to be crap tomorrow so testing is basically a no-go.

Over dinner and prompted by the looming Switch 2 our kids were talking about their disappointment in the games while expressing nostalgia for the Wii. They really miss the family games like Wii Sports. So they wondered if our Wii worked…

So we searched for the Wii and its parts. Discovered we only had one TV it could connect to (RCA cable) and were then delighted we could boot up and play. I expect playing the Wii will be a favorite summer activity. Sadly we only found 3 of 4 controllers🤷🏼‍♂️

Another good day for FT8. 26 QSOs including 5 confirmed POTA. I’m awkwardly poised at 299 Parks Hunted. One more may trickle in while I’m dreaming.

I did get from 7 to 6 states remaining this week. That is a slow slog.

In other news I got a HF mag mount for the top of my car. Hopefully I can put it on and do some initial tuning with my 20m ham stick this week.

With there being no signs of Icom doing an updated ID-5100, Kenwood’s convention update on next year’s triband D750 really caught my eye. I love my D75 HT so I’m sure there will be a lot of similarities. Gonna start saving my pennies. 😉

Welp, welcome to storm season. First tornado warning of 2025 with ARES net activation. Our ARES net has a direct tie to the NWS so is a great source of info.

— 30 minutes later

We are now on the other side of the warning and the ARES net condition is down to 3. Looks like I can get my beauty rest tonight. 😜

I had a good day using FT8 on and off, 20m and 40m. 28 QSOs nearly half, 13, POTA operators.

After a few years in the 3D printing hobby I discovered a new way to fail. I was a bit mystified and it was repeatable on two attempts.

When I loaded the STL into PrusaSlicer it complained about a thin part and recommend supports. There was no thin part and even when I selected "Supports Everywhere" the slicer didn't actually generate any supports. I figured I'd just print it…

Something between Fusion and PS was clearly screwed up. I re-created the model a different way and it printed fine!

I’m wondering how a 20m ham stick on a mag mount on a car compares to one on a tripod with radials? Is there much performance difference?

Using some automotive weights to add stability to a tall 3D print. Fun times.

A couple of layers later they disappear.

I’d like to add a somewhat stealthy HF antenna to the 4010 EFHW in my backyard to get a meaningfully different radiation pattern. I tried a ham stick on 20m and in practice the pattern wasn’t much different. Contemplating alternatives (no the $500+ kind either).🤔

Today’s 3D printing learning: now that I can dry PETG at a proper temperature the filament clips I’d printed using PLA are worthless. I’m going to print a different type and use PETG to avoid the deformation of the PLA clips.

Just realized that although I did use a hardened nozzle, as required, I used my .4 which a no-no with CF. Should have used my .6. Sometimes I don’t know what I know.

In the "they can't all be winners" category: this print using PETG Carbon Fiber failed at about 30mm. Not sure what happened - the model printed using PLA just fine. I'm wondering if our storm influenced the PETG-CF but I didn't notice a power glitch. The temp and humidity did fluctuate. Maybe a reminder to consider an enclosed setup (Core One 🙃?).

Trying it again with standard PETG 🤞🏻

It is bucketing down rain, nearly 2” an hour, and all I want to do now is sleep 💤

I may not have upgraded my printer (yet?) but I did upgrade my dryer this week. I have been using a Sovol SH01 dryer the past couple of years. It was still working but with a max temperature of 50C it was inadequate now that I use a wider range of filament types. Actually not even adequate to properly dry PETG.

This Creality dryer looks cool with nice presets and goes up to 70C. Still not enough for PC CF, for example, but it is close enough for me (I think).

I had expected to order a Prusa Core One by now yet I’m procrastinating. My MK4S is such a reliable workhouse I find I have a bit of an emotional attachment to it. It has been like a loyal friend. Kinda crazy.