InfoSec, Electronics, and Japan
This page is a logging of my security analysis, electronics projects, Japan insights, and comment otherwise. I often rant, so please comment and provide different views or ideas.
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Going For The GROL
Posted on October 5th, 2009 No commentsYes, in a couple of weeks will be sitting for the US FCC General Radio Operator License test. Have spent a good chunk of the past couple weeks studying for the test, especially Element 3, which covers a lot of formulas that I studied in the Marine Corps, college, the studied again for the amateur Extra certification. However, the GROL Element 3 takes it to the next level by covering just about every angle of every formula related to AC electronics out there. Not only is this a good intellectual challenge, it is a very good review of the basics that will provide a solid foundation of ‘understanding’.
A couple of people have asked about what I am going to do with such a certification….. well, in the IT world and in the related security issues that surround such a world, I do not think that the technology is going to get less wireless. In fact, I see wireless connections further propagating the corporate environment, including further use of satellites, greater use of microwave links between buildings, and greater wireless LAN implementation as the protocol security improves.
Have been fairly lucky with call sign assignments in that I have liked the call signs that get assigned – NH2GX and JG1FXZ, but was wondering what kind of call sign gets assigned when one becomes a commercial operator. Whoa! Study for the test and past the exam first…. don’t count your chickens before they hatch…. and all that.
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JG1FXZ…. Ham Fair 2009 In Tokyo
Posted on August 23rd, 2009 No commentsLast Friday, after exactly six weeks had past, I finally received my Japanese call sign. So now in the US I can operate as NH2GX and in Japan, can operate as JG1FXZ. So, of course, I get on the radio first thing Saturday morning and not a soul is broadcasting. Read a couple emails and find that the Japan Ham Fair. It was a great event! Here’s a picture of the Yokohama DX Club booth. A lot of new and used equipment for sale, different clubs with booths. I personally am not much of a ‘club’ kinda guy – Japanese love moving in groups, waiting in lines, and not enjoying privacy and solace. I do things like mountain climbing and experimenting with electronics/radio to break away from people; not to meet more of them. All that said however, going to the Ham Fair was very interesting since it is refreshing to see what other people are up to and exchange ideas when possible.
Here is a picture of yours truly. I picked a small used element holder that I turned into a 50 MHz dipole yesterday, but may find it’s way to a driven element of a bigger yagi antenna over the next couple weeks.
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Hamming and Rigging
Posted on April 27th, 2009 1 commentWe’ve got the DX bug…. but are stuck waiting on a few things. All the rigs are set for myself and a friend. The friend went into the ham shop this past Saturday to buy a nice antenna for all the HF frequencies and 50 MHz, intending to at least get all of his scanning equipment setup to at least hear more than he has in the past. After almost three hours in the ham shop in Yokohama, we walked out of there with over $2,000 worth of gear. He picked up an IC-7400 while there, then of course, had to grab a power supply, extra SWR meter, cables, and the antenna he originally set out to buy.
Now he’s waiting to get his Japan station license, but wants to sit for the Extra examination this Sunday before going through the application process. At the same time, I will sit for the General exam, then apply for the Japan station licenses. We are all set in gear, now we need to legalize so we can transmit.
If you are looking for a cheap CI-V interface for an Icom radio, go to Sengoku in Akihabara and pickup a UP-12C cellular phone to computer interface cable for 570 yen, then pickup a 3.5 monorail plug for 40 yen right next door. Cut off the cell phone adapter end and splice. Solder the black wire and shielding wire together, then solder the green and white (send, receive) wires together. Then solder the shielding and black combined leads to the grounding outside part of the 3.5 connecter, and solder the green and white leads to the center 3.5 connector. Walla! A 610 yen CI-V interface. If you are using an IC-7000, do not worry about the PTT interface, since Ham Radio Deluxe will take care of that for you. If you cannot get to Akihabara or Sengoku, order on online here.
After sitting for the exam this Sunday, I’m going to head out to Okutama for a couple days of mountain climbing, serenity, exercise, and listening to clear signals with great line-of-site for the VHF bands.
