[time-nuts] ThunderBolt Display - Update
Tom Knox
actast at hotmail.com
Thu Sep 12 18:03:34 EDT 2013
What makes Ham Radio and the Time Nuts site successful is the comeradery and respect we feel for those with a mutual interest. Time Nuts allows everyone novice to industry professionals in the Time and Frequency community to freely exchange ideas, and perhaps more importantly meet others with a common passion. I have already meet people on this site that have developed into friendships that I will value for the rest of my life. Lets respect those loft ideals of those who created this irreplaceable resource. I look forward to this site continuing to be a place I go for both knowledge and enjoyment. In addition I enjoy seeing new products that may be of interest to us "Nuts" like the Time Pod and these TB displays, but perhaps an additional link where everyone from individual inventors to giants like Agilent could present T&F products and post research papers would be a cool idea and perhaps lead to a revenue stream that could help fund the site to insure it will be here for generations to come. So lets say Agilent shows off the New 53230A, we could then post comments on our impressions of it strengths and weaknesses.
Thanks again to all that contribute on this site.
Best Wishes;
Thomas Knox
> From: GandalfG8 at aol.com
> Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2013 17:12:48 -0400
> To: time-nuts at febo.com
> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] ThunderBolt Display - Update
>
> Oh dear, was it something you said?
>
>
>
> In a message dated 12/09/2013 21:01:42 GMT Daylight Time,
> robert8rpi at yahoo.co.uk writes:
>
> Hi Adam,
> I have copied this to our outmoded reflector. At least it's low noise and
> high quality.
>
> Sorry but dispite having been a licenced amateur for 35 years, I don't
> meet your 55+ demographic.
> I am aware that amateur radio has an aging demographic. That is why I have
> tutored for the UK licence for 30 years with student ages as low as 10.
>
> If you paid $3k for 50 double sided PTH PCBs you need to find a new
> supplier.
>
> I HAVE invested my own money in group projects (not time nuts), in one
> case an PIC driven LCD display add on for an instrument. I was able to sell
> these on ebay for $75 and to list/group members for $50. Circuit, source code
> and Hex file are published and freely available. I also supplied
> programmed PICs on request. So you are wrong in your statement "I seriously doubt
> somebody like you would" (invest in making up kits for a group. I do value my
> own time which is why I don't waste it on email forums full of people who
> have lots of opinion but no knowledge.
>
> You are correct, I don't contribute much to Time Nuts, I'm here to learn.
> I have contributed the odd manual PDF (originals purchased and scanned by
> myself) and some bits and pieces to members off-list.
>
> I also sell support software on PROM for other equipment, again at
> discount to relevant list members and with full details available. Many people do
> prefer to pay me to program devices, but at least I give them the option
> and assistance to do it themselves.
>
>
> Don't know what you typed into google, but when I put g8rpi in the third
> item was an open design for a low noise high voltage power supply of mine.
> You don't have to waffle on on youtube to contribute! You seem very fond of
> your voice and face.
>
>
>
> You imply your display is not a commercial product. I guess its not as it
> does not appear to comply with C-Tick, FCC or CE requirements :-)
>
>
> I'm aware of the time and effort required to make webpages, I've had
> formal training on the subject.
> I don't have a webpage, I contribute directly to specific groups. I don't
> need to boost my ego online.
> Your main website looks like a shop to me. Your other webpage
> http://www.qsl.net/vk4cp/ is "interesting"
> Your other "product" the Icom Multi-send looks a great design, or not. $79
> for a PIC 3 Sil relay a few connectors and an undrilled case.
>
>
> On your display, why no circuit? looking at the pictures it has TWO 28 pin
> Microchip devices. If these are both MCUs I don't think much of your
> coding skills My display used a single 14 pin PIC.
>
> And a rotary SWITCH for mode selection, how quaint and old fashioned. Also
> why the 3.3V regulator?
>
> You claim 0.02V accuracy. Really? I see no voltage reference and if you
> are using the PICs internal ADC thats only 10 bits so about 0.015V resolution
> for 0-15V input. With no other errors that's 0.03V (+_1 LSB) at best. I
> guess you could have a Vref and offset circuit on the other side of the PCB
> though.
> Couldn't you have included your "commander" functionaliy? This would save
> users from the messing about with programmers that you seem to think they
> hate (yes I know you said you have supplied programmed chips).
>
> Don't know what problem you have with engineers, without them you would
> not have much equipment.
> For the record I'm a Chartered Engineer, Member of the Royal Aeronautical
> Society. I've been a licenced aircraft engineer for 30 years and currently
> design avionics and systems. That includes work on VH aircraft, this grumpy
> old engineer may have designed a critical part on the next aircraft you
> fly on!
>
>
> I did not "initiate a personal attack on somebody," nor did I say that you
> do not contribute anything (I said you did not contribute to the Time nuts
> list, by your own admission you don't). I asked three questions. Obviously
> these touched a nerve.
>
>
>
> G'day,
>
> Robert Atkinson CEng MRAeS G8RPI.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Adam Maurer <misc at vklogger.com>
> To: Robert Atkinson <robert8rpi at yahoo.co.uk>
> Sent: Thursday, 12 September 2013, 13:13
> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] ThunderBolt Display - Update
>
>
>
> Robert, I don’t bother with email reflectors, because they are too last
> century.
> email reflectors are ok if you are 55+, but they do not do anything
> positive to engage the much needed younger demographic into ham radio.
>
> In case you haven’t noticed, ham radio is literally dying of old age.
> Do you honestly think younger people with smartphone these can get
> interested in these 1990’s text based email reflectors?
> They want something more engaging these days.
> I’m sorry (for you) that your demographic fails to appreciate this.
>
> I posted about the display because it was suggested by another ham (who is
> a timenuts member) that I might be able to help others with a solution.
> Quite a few timenuts members now have this display, and they absolutely
> like it.
>
> The fact that you have this expectation that everything will be served on
> a
> silver platter for nothing, and obviously place ZERO value on your own
> time to
> develop something like this, don’t automatically assume everybody else is
> the
> same.
>
> Would you put up over $3k of your own money to kick start a production run
> of boards with no guarantee they will all be sold, let alone get your
> money
> back.
> I seriously doubt somebody like you would.
> But people like you are quick to shoot down those who do take risks.
>
> If you want to tinker and develop something, great.
> Others can be time poor and just want the opportunity to purchase a ready
> made solution.
> People like me fill that void.
>
> I must say, you come across as a typical grumpy old ham who expects
> everything for nothing.
> And, are you familiar with the term “Tall Poppy Syndrome”
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tall_poppy_syndrome
>
> If you had bothered to spend a few minutes to find out, you would have
> come
> across my ThunderBolt Commander project.
> PICAXE code is there, suggested Veroboard layout is there, schematic is
> all
> there.
> Whether you have one of my displays or something else, I couldn’t care,
> and
> it’s freely available to any ThunderBolt user, and many have found it
> useful.
> I’ve even supplied pre-programmed PICAXEs free of charge to those who have
> contacted me that do not have the ability to do this.
> Have you done something like this recently for fellow hams?
>
> And you have the nerve of publically saying I do not contribute
> anything.
> If you could let me know what ThunderBolt related projects you have shared
> and made available.
> My Google searches are not finding much at all.
>
> And what have you made available to the wider ham community?
> I can’t find your website.
> You do have a website to openly share information, don’t you?
>
> If you go to vk4ghz.com, which was only launched 2 months ago, you will
> see
> how much info I share on projects.
> Being web illiterate, you may not appreciate how much time it takes to
> take
> photos, Photoshop them, and write things up.
> Of course, I could just do what the typical grumpy old man does, and not
> publish anything on the internet... and just moan about others on some 1990
> ’s
> email reflector.
> I don’t wish to stereotype, but this is all too common for hams in the 50+
> demo.
>
> I still can’t find much from you on the internet though?
> Perhaps Google is broken.
> Why won’t YOU share things and contribute to the broader community?
>
> I also run a ham radio forum, with almost 2,000 members.
> It’s relatively large for this region, and many non-VK members have stated
> how useful it is.
> It has literally cost me many of thousands of dollars to run over the last
>
> decade, and the pitiful donations have never covered the running costs.
> So again, what have you done, and how much have you contributed back into
> the ham community?
> Have you personally spent several thousand of your own Pounds helping
> hams,
> and creating a community.
> Probably not.
> People who whinge about things not being free aren’t usually the types to
> help others.
> They consume, they don’t contribute.
> Period.
>
> Next time you initiate a personal attack on somebody, try and do a bit of
> basic research first to see how much they may have put back into the
> community
> before trolling for supporters.
>
> If you honestly think sending a few emails within a closed email group has
> helped the wider ham radio community more than I, then I salute you.
>
> I see you haven’t contributed one post on the Audi-sport forum since
> joining.
> Why is that?
>
> You haven’t contributed anything to the Aviation Forum either since
> joining.
> Why is that?
>
> “I'm a professional engineer, electronics by training but have also done
> systems, mechanical and robotics.”
>
> We have all heard the jokes about “engineers”.
>
> So if you want to start some public debate on how much we have both
> contributed to the wider ham community, I’m up for it.
> My digital footprint is out there, and the time investment back into the
> hobby can easily be appreciated.
>
> And if you honestly think 50 hand built units is some “commercial product”
> ,
> we need to redefine some terms.
> And I’m hardly about to get rich by this, BTW.
> Do you have any idea how time consuming it is to manage a project like
> this?
> I could have just ignored the on going requests to make another
> batch.
> Some guys have been waiting since last December for more units, and they
> appreciate the value adding.
> Do you understand that concept?
>
> In fact, the next time I tell somebody I can’t be bother helping them, I
> will remember your callsign, and your nasty public email.
> G 8 Really Pathetic Individual.
> Easy phonetics to remember.
>
> WB6BNQ obviously has issues in allowing free enterprise, which is a bit
> strange for a Yank.
> A 5 second search reveals that WB6BNQ is a member of “the Island of misfit
> hams” forum.
> https://forums.hamisland.net/member.php/914-WB6BNQ?tab=activitystream&type=a
> ll&page=7
> Guess what?
> No posts. No contributions. No effort spent in sharing things there.
>
> He’s also a member of the PICAXE forum, but guess what?
> No posts, no contributions there either.
> http://www.picaxeforum.co.uk/member.php?10054-WB6BNQ
> Just another hypocrite.
> I should contact the relevant administrators and suggest he be removed
> from
> a lack of postings.
>
> You two make a great pair.
>
> I could on and on, but it’s rather pointless.
>
> I could have also easily CCed this to the TimeNuts reflector, but I am not
> going to stoop down to your level.
> Both you and I know how much you HAVEN’T done for others, and that is
> enough for me.
> Although very tempting, I don’t need to put you down and question your
> moltives on a public resource.
>
> So what circuits and code can you make available to me?
>
> If you could spend a week or so in taking pictures, creating web content,
> writing up manuals, and doing videos, that would be great.
> Not to mention, I’d like you to spend several months in R&D at
> absolutely no cost to me as well.
> I’d also like you to subsidise the postage costs to me, even though a
> round
> trip to the PO is about an hour, and I could have spent this time doing
> something else.
> Can you also give some units away at ham conventions?
>
> What else can you do for me, for absolutely free, because I place no value
> on your time and expertise, Mr Engineer.
>
> How many other people have you pre-judged, and questioned their motives in
> public?
>
> If you and WB6BNQ want to remove me from the TimeNuts forum, you go for
> it.
> No skin off my nose at all.
> It just demonstrates how petty people like you really are.
>
> Enjoy your hobby.
> A very sincere 73.
>
>
>
>
> From: Robert Atkinson
> Sent: Thursday, September 12, 2013 4:22 PM
> To: Adam
> Maurer ; Discussion of precise time and frequency
> measurement
> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] ThunderBolt Display -
> Update
> Hi Adam,
> If you "do not normally monitor this email reflector" or contribute
> to it, why are you using it it promote your commecial product?
> Are you going to make the circuit and code (or programmed MCUs)
> available to list members?
>
> Robert G8RPI.
>
> From: Adam Maurer
> <misc at vklogger.com>
> To: time-nuts at febo.com
> Sent: Thursday, 12 September 2013, 6:56
> Subject: [time-nuts] ThunderBolt Display -
> Update
>
>
> Hello all
>
> An update:
> ThunderBolt
> Display started shipping over a week ago.
> 31 out the 50 have already been
> sold.
>
> I have made a video on the display, and you can see a working
> example here:
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSSZ6BcggBo
>
> Any new
> orders for the “jumbo” sized green and standard sized inverted blue
> variants will incur a 2 week wait, as these LCDs are only ordered in
> as-required.
> I do have a number of standard sized green units available for
> immediate shipping though on a first-in basis.
>
> I am away for 3 weeks in
> October, so if you want a display sooner than later, you should consider
> placing
> an order in the next few days, as it take 2 weeks for the LCDs to
> arrive.
>
> For more information of this device, please refer to:
> http://vk4ghz.com/thunderbolt-display/
> You will find the
> latest revision of User Guide and Tech Supplement PDFs available as
> well.
> PayPal is welcome on the proviso I receive the full amount and you take
> care of any PayPal fees, if applicable.
> (This changes from one region to
> another)
> One way to avoid fees is to make sure your PayPal account has funds
> in it, and never draw upon other accounts (especially a credit
> card).
>
> Once these are gone, they are gone, and 130 units will be out
> there in 12 countries (so far).
>
> I do not normally monitor this email
> reflector, so please email me directly, if you want to obtain a
> ThunderBolt
> Display.
>
>
> Cheers,
> Adam,
> VK4GHZ
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