Chris - Dadmin²
@chris.mcmahon.co.uk
Proud geek, radio ham (G6FCI), amateur meteorologist and astronomer, IoT dabbler, server manager, web site developer/manager. Retired after 40 years working in various IT roles from developer to cybersecurity manager.
#Blackpool #BlackpoolFC #Hamradio
#Blackpool #BlackpoolFC #Hamradio
Melted UnUn 0 G6FCI 1
I've fitted a replacement for the melted cheese UnUn this morning. Looks to be working OK - SWR is 1.2:1 on 20m which is about what it was before, and I'm being heard 8500km away in China.
I hope that's the end of my UnUn melting career 🤣
#HamRadio
I've fitted a replacement for the melted cheese UnUn this morning. Looks to be working OK - SWR is 1.2:1 on 20m which is about what it was before, and I'm being heard 8500km away in China.
I hope that's the end of my UnUn melting career 🤣
#HamRadio
November 6, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Melted UnUn 0 G6FCI 1
I've fitted a replacement for the melted cheese UnUn this morning. Looks to be working OK - SWR is 1.2:1 on 20m which is about what it was before, and I'm being heard 8500km away in China.
I hope that's the end of my UnUn melting career 🤣
#HamRadio
I've fitted a replacement for the melted cheese UnUn this morning. Looks to be working OK - SWR is 1.2:1 on 20m which is about what it was before, and I'm being heard 8500km away in China.
I hope that's the end of my UnUn melting career 🤣
#HamRadio
That's my HF vertical off air for a few days. The UnUn didn't like me using the antenna on 160m when it's not designed for that band. Oops.
I'll pay more attention to which antenna is connected to the transceiver in future 😱
#HamRadio
I'll pay more attention to which antenna is connected to the transceiver in future 😱
#HamRadio
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 AM
That's my HF vertical off air for a few days. The UnUn didn't like me using the antenna on 160m when it's not designed for that band. Oops.
I'll pay more attention to which antenna is connected to the transceiver in future 😱
#HamRadio
I'll pay more attention to which antenna is connected to the transceiver in future 😱
#HamRadio
Strange events - an air ambulance landed on Layton Rec in Blackpool this afternoon. No road ambulance there. No police to clear the landing area. No paramedics seemingly nearby. It flew back to Blackpool Airport afterwards.
#Blackpool
#Blackpool
October 24, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Strange events - an air ambulance landed on Layton Rec in Blackpool this afternoon. No road ambulance there. No police to clear the landing area. No paramedics seemingly nearby. It flew back to Blackpool Airport afterwards.
#Blackpool
#Blackpool
Another goodie from the archive.
A Sharp Zaurus SL-5500 Linux touch screen handheld from 2002-3. It has a WiFi SD card in it too. I'll have to see if I can find the power supply to see if it still works.
#RetroComputing
A Sharp Zaurus SL-5500 Linux touch screen handheld from 2002-3. It has a WiFi SD card in it too. I'll have to see if I can find the power supply to see if it still works.
#RetroComputing
September 5, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Another goodie from the archive.
A Sharp Zaurus SL-5500 Linux touch screen handheld from 2002-3. It has a WiFi SD card in it too. I'll have to see if I can find the power supply to see if it still works.
#RetroComputing
A Sharp Zaurus SL-5500 Linux touch screen handheld from 2002-3. It has a WiFi SD card in it too. I'll have to see if I can find the power supply to see if it still works.
#RetroComputing
I can see the origins of my interest in Home Assistant.
14 Dec 1979 - Algol-W code to automatically log temperature data - see the comment. I had lots of fun as QXEC4 back in the day!
#RetroComputing #HomeAssistant
14 Dec 1979 - Algol-W code to automatically log temperature data - see the comment. I had lots of fun as QXEC4 back in the day!
#RetroComputing #HomeAssistant
September 5, 2025 at 9:36 AM
I can see the origins of my interest in Home Assistant.
14 Dec 1979 - Algol-W code to automatically log temperature data - see the comment. I had lots of fun as QXEC4 back in the day!
#RetroComputing #HomeAssistant
14 Dec 1979 - Algol-W code to automatically log temperature data - see the comment. I had lots of fun as QXEC4 back in the day!
#RetroComputing #HomeAssistant
Sorting through my 'archives' this morning and found an original 1981 Microsoft Macro-80 manual for CP/M. Well over 40 years since I last used it!
#RetroComputing
#RetroComputing
September 5, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Sorting through my 'archives' this morning and found an original 1981 Microsoft Macro-80 manual for CP/M. Well over 40 years since I last used it!
#RetroComputing
#RetroComputing
20m long bent inverted-L antenna installed. I was worried initially that it wasn't performing well, but that proved to be a dodgy coax switch.
Without the switch I'm getting good contacts - up to about 10,000km tonight on 17m tonight.
#HamRadio
Without the switch I'm getting good contacts - up to about 10,000km tonight on 17m tonight.
#HamRadio
September 1, 2025 at 9:43 PM
20m long bent inverted-L antenna installed. I was worried initially that it wasn't performing well, but that proved to be a dodgy coax switch.
Without the switch I'm getting good contacts - up to about 10,000km tonight on 17m tonight.
#HamRadio
Without the switch I'm getting good contacts - up to about 10,000km tonight on 17m tonight.
#HamRadio
My vertical antenna picks up too much noise so I'm going to experiment with a ground fed inverted-L with a bend in it. The garden isn't big enough to get a straight run in avoiding obstructions.
Time to climb some trees when I can trust the weather a little more.
#HamRadio
Time to climb some trees when I can trust the weather a little more.
#HamRadio
August 30, 2025 at 11:07 AM
My vertical antenna picks up too much noise so I'm going to experiment with a ground fed inverted-L with a bend in it. The garden isn't big enough to get a straight run in avoiding obstructions.
Time to climb some trees when I can trust the weather a little more.
#HamRadio
Time to climb some trees when I can trust the weather a little more.
#HamRadio
We're pushing HF packet hard!
I'm working with Alan, G0WDA of GB7ESC at implementing an HF port on his BBS. We've implemented a NinoTNC and pushed the speed as far as we can. We're sccessfully running 1200baud/2400bps QPSK modulation using IL2Pc. It flies! Faster than his 2m port now.
#Hamradio
I'm working with Alan, G0WDA of GB7ESC at implementing an HF port on his BBS. We've implemented a NinoTNC and pushed the speed as far as we can. We're sccessfully running 1200baud/2400bps QPSK modulation using IL2Pc. It flies! Faster than his 2m port now.
#Hamradio
August 22, 2025 at 7:17 PM
We're pushing HF packet hard!
I'm working with Alan, G0WDA of GB7ESC at implementing an HF port on his BBS. We've implemented a NinoTNC and pushed the speed as far as we can. We're sccessfully running 1200baud/2400bps QPSK modulation using IL2Pc. It flies! Faster than his 2m port now.
#Hamradio
I'm working with Alan, G0WDA of GB7ESC at implementing an HF port on his BBS. We've implemented a NinoTNC and pushed the speed as far as we can. We're sccessfully running 1200baud/2400bps QPSK modulation using IL2Pc. It flies! Faster than his 2m port now.
#Hamradio
My packet radio boundaries have expanded further.
I've been working with Alan (G0WDA of GB7ESC) at setting up an HF port on his BBS. He's now active on 14.1075MHz (300 baud). I've also got an HF packet installation now, to allow us to test the new port.
#hamradio
I've been working with Alan (G0WDA of GB7ESC) at setting up an HF port on his BBS. He's now active on 14.1075MHz (300 baud). I've also got an HF packet installation now, to allow us to test the new port.
#hamradio
August 12, 2025 at 3:29 PM
My packet radio boundaries have expanded further.
I've been working with Alan (G0WDA of GB7ESC) at setting up an HF port on his BBS. He's now active on 14.1075MHz (300 baud). I've also got an HF packet installation now, to allow us to test the new port.
#hamradio
I've been working with Alan (G0WDA of GB7ESC) at setting up an HF port on his BBS. He's now active on 14.1075MHz (300 baud). I've also got an HF packet installation now, to allow us to test the new port.
#hamradio
AI is going to have to try harder to convince us that it's not incredibly stupid. It's just told me that a radio has a standard 6 pin interface with connections on pins 1, 2, 3 and 8.
It needs to shut up when it doesn't know the answer and not make up something that's clearly wrong.
It needs to shut up when it doesn't know the answer and not make up something that's clearly wrong.
July 24, 2025 at 5:04 PM
AI is going to have to try harder to convince us that it's not incredibly stupid. It's just told me that a radio has a standard 6 pin interface with connections on pins 1, 2, 3 and 8.
It needs to shut up when it doesn't know the answer and not make up something that's clearly wrong.
It needs to shut up when it doesn't know the answer and not make up something that's clearly wrong.
Stupid AI!
My laptop speakers face up and get dust in the small holes so I searched to see if there was an optimum way to clean them.
Google AI gave some cleaning suggestions followed by "If the problem persists, consider reinstalling audio drivers and software as a troubleshooting step." 🤪
My laptop speakers face up and get dust in the small holes so I searched to see if there was an optimum way to clean them.
Google AI gave some cleaning suggestions followed by "If the problem persists, consider reinstalling audio drivers and software as a troubleshooting step." 🤪
July 1, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Stupid AI!
My laptop speakers face up and get dust in the small holes so I searched to see if there was an optimum way to clean them.
Google AI gave some cleaning suggestions followed by "If the problem persists, consider reinstalling audio drivers and software as a troubleshooting step." 🤪
My laptop speakers face up and get dust in the small holes so I searched to see if there was an optimum way to clean them.
Google AI gave some cleaning suggestions followed by "If the problem persists, consider reinstalling audio drivers and software as a troubleshooting step." 🤪
Well there's an offer I can refuse.
Google is offering me the AI Ultra service for just £120/month for the next 3 months. Normal price £235/month.
Google is offering me the AI Ultra service for just £120/month for the next 3 months. Normal price £235/month.
June 25, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Well there's an offer I can refuse.
Google is offering me the AI Ultra service for just £120/month for the next 3 months. Normal price £235/month.
Google is offering me the AI Ultra service for just £120/month for the next 3 months. Normal price £235/month.
First connection attempt using 9600 baud packet radio - and it worked. The parameters need adjusting but I'm amazed it worked first time in air (excluding dummy load testing).
June 24, 2025 at 7:21 PM
First connection attempt using 9600 baud packet radio - and it worked. The parameters need adjusting but I'm amazed it worked first time in air (excluding dummy load testing).
Nearly succeeded in doing something wanted to do 30 years ago - 9600 baud packet radio! I tested at my local BBS and got a fairly reliable IL2P connection on 70cms using two rigs on dummy loads in the same room.
I need to get my rig attached to my antenna and try some real tests now!
#HamRadio
I need to get my rig attached to my antenna and try some real tests now!
#HamRadio
June 23, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Nearly succeeded in doing something wanted to do 30 years ago - 9600 baud packet radio! I tested at my local BBS and got a fairly reliable IL2P connection on 70cms using two rigs on dummy loads in the same room.
I need to get my rig attached to my antenna and try some real tests now!
#HamRadio
I need to get my rig attached to my antenna and try some real tests now!
#HamRadio
Aurora - Keep a lookout for me tonight.
Clouds - Don't worry, you can go to bed early.
Clouds - Don't worry, you can go to bed early.
June 2, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Aurora - Keep a lookout for me tonight.
Clouds - Don't worry, you can go to bed early.
Clouds - Don't worry, you can go to bed early.
I just heard a girl saying to her dog (round a corner where I couldn't see them) "Richmond, heel". I thought that was an odd name for a dog.
Then the dog came into view. It was a sausage dog (Daschund).
Very clever naming!
Then the dog came into view. It was a sausage dog (Daschund).
Very clever naming!
June 2, 2025 at 4:29 PM
I just heard a girl saying to her dog (round a corner where I couldn't see them) "Richmond, heel". I thought that was an odd name for a dog.
Then the dog came into view. It was a sausage dog (Daschund).
Very clever naming!
Then the dog came into view. It was a sausage dog (Daschund).
Very clever naming!
I've made my first HF radio contact in over 20 years. A 200+ mile FT8 contact on 40m. Thank you M1CBK 🙂
Hopefully I'll make some more contacts tonight.
#HamRadio
Hopefully I'll make some more contacts tonight.
#HamRadio
May 2, 2025 at 5:29 PM
I've made my first HF radio contact in over 20 years. A 200+ mile FT8 contact on 40m. Thank you M1CBK 🙂
Hopefully I'll make some more contacts tonight.
#HamRadio
Hopefully I'll make some more contacts tonight.
#HamRadio
Reposted by Chris - Dadmin²
Took my (non-ham) wife to her first radio rally at the weekend. Talked to a dealer about an HF antenna. Since we got home she's actively looking for places that an antenna could be mounted.
Is this the definition of a keeper?
#HamRadio
Is this the definition of a keeper?
#HamRadio
April 18, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Took my (non-ham) wife to her first radio rally at the weekend. Talked to a dealer about an HF antenna. Since we got home she's actively looking for places that an antenna could be mounted.
Is this the definition of a keeper?
#HamRadio
Is this the definition of a keeper?
#HamRadio
I'm back on packet (AX25) radio after nearly 30 years away. 1200 baud BBS access is fun!
Already looking at plans to upgrade to 9600 baud and following NPR3.0 with potential for 500kbaud.
#HamRadio
Already looking at plans to upgrade to 9600 baud and following NPR3.0 with potential for 500kbaud.
#HamRadio
April 18, 2025 at 7:26 AM
I'm back on packet (AX25) radio after nearly 30 years away. 1200 baud BBS access is fun!
Already looking at plans to upgrade to 9600 baud and following NPR3.0 with potential for 500kbaud.
#HamRadio
Already looking at plans to upgrade to 9600 baud and following NPR3.0 with potential for 500kbaud.
#HamRadio
Not a happy bunny today 😡
A BSOD on my laptop and it won't even load the BIOS diagnostics with the boot SSD fitted 😥
I already had an RTX50 laptop on order, but the delivery date on that keeps on going back.
Waiting for a new SSD and hoping a bare metal restore works.
A BSOD on my laptop and it won't even load the BIOS diagnostics with the boot SSD fitted 😥
I already had an RTX50 laptop on order, but the delivery date on that keeps on going back.
Waiting for a new SSD and hoping a bare metal restore works.
April 11, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Not a happy bunny today 😡
A BSOD on my laptop and it won't even load the BIOS diagnostics with the boot SSD fitted 😥
I already had an RTX50 laptop on order, but the delivery date on that keeps on going back.
Waiting for a new SSD and hoping a bare metal restore works.
A BSOD on my laptop and it won't even load the BIOS diagnostics with the boot SSD fitted 😥
I already had an RTX50 laptop on order, but the delivery date on that keeps on going back.
Waiting for a new SSD and hoping a bare metal restore works.