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
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).
The eclipse has started. Can you tell?
March 29, 2025 at 10:12 AM
The eclipse has started. Can you tell?
Spring has arrived. The frogs are spawning in both of our ponds. Hopefully lots more frogs this year to eat the slugs and snails in our garden and spread further around the neighbourhood.
March 27, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Spring has arrived. The frogs are spawning in both of our ponds. Hopefully lots more frogs this year to eat the slugs and snails in our garden and spread further around the neighbourhood.
@steveunofficial.com The QR codes don't scan from this distance.
March 11, 2025 at 7:17 PM
@steveunofficial.com The QR codes don't scan from this distance.
After 39 years I'm using a Tatung Einstein again. I'm having to use the RF input on the TV (remember them?) because the RGB output is analogue and the HDMI converter I have is for TTL signals. The picture isn't too bad for 40 year old electronics though.
#retrocomputing #tatung #einstein
#retrocomputing #tatung #einstein
February 19, 2025 at 4:00 PM
After 39 years I'm using a Tatung Einstein again. I'm having to use the RF input on the TV (remember them?) because the RGB output is analogue and the HDMI converter I have is for TTL signals. The picture isn't too bad for 40 year old electronics though.
#retrocomputing #tatung #einstein
#retrocomputing #tatung #einstein
Bringing back memories!
A Tatung Einstein TC01 computer from 1984. I last used one in early 1986 before I moved into corporate IT. I did quite a bit of work with the Einstein in the couple of years before that so I've long wanted one of my own.
#retrocomputing #tatung #einstein
A Tatung Einstein TC01 computer from 1984. I last used one in early 1986 before I moved into corporate IT. I did quite a bit of work with the Einstein in the couple of years before that so I've long wanted one of my own.
#retrocomputing #tatung #einstein
February 13, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Bringing back memories!
A Tatung Einstein TC01 computer from 1984. I last used one in early 1986 before I moved into corporate IT. I did quite a bit of work with the Einstein in the couple of years before that so I've long wanted one of my own.
#retrocomputing #tatung #einstein
A Tatung Einstein TC01 computer from 1984. I last used one in early 1986 before I moved into corporate IT. I did quite a bit of work with the Einstein in the couple of years before that so I've long wanted one of my own.
#retrocomputing #tatung #einstein
Post a photo of yourself from another era:
January 7, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Post a photo of yourself from another era:
Snow - This is an unusual sight in Blackpool!
January 5, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Snow - This is an unusual sight in Blackpool!
Are BSky Recommended Feeds personalised? I hope not because I wouldn't recommend 17 out of the current 24 to myself.
December 26, 2024 at 8:34 AM
Are BSky Recommended Feeds personalised? I hope not because I wouldn't recommend 17 out of the current 24 to myself.
As a rule I find IPAs too acid to drink much of, but this one is very easy to drink and only 2.8% so easy to drink more than one if I want to.
December 13, 2024 at 9:22 PM
As a rule I find IPAs too acid to drink much of, but this one is very easy to drink and only 2.8% so easy to drink more than one if I want to.
Finished soldering the RC2014 Digital I/O board and installed it onto the now complete backplane.
Too late to start testing tonight though.
#Z80 #Retrocomputing
Too late to start testing tonight though.
#Z80 #Retrocomputing
December 13, 2024 at 8:56 PM
Finished soldering the RC2014 Digital I/O board and installed it onto the now complete backplane.
Too late to start testing tonight though.
#Z80 #Retrocomputing
Too late to start testing tonight though.
#Z80 #Retrocomputing
Easy to remember and sing along to.
December 13, 2024 at 8:53 AM
Easy to remember and sing along to.
I'm using a Min-eZ eZ80 based device. I've got an RC2014 almost built and ready to go and if I get bored I can try to figure out how to get the Z80 co-pro on the BBC Master working.
December 9, 2024 at 2:02 PM
I'm using a Min-eZ eZ80 based device. I've got an RC2014 almost built and ready to go and if I get bored I can try to figure out how to get the Z80 co-pro on the BBC Master working.
You have to restart somewhere.
My first assembly program to run on a Z80 in 40+ years. Written using ED.COM on CP/M 2.2 and assembled using ASM.COM.
My first assembly program to run on a Z80 in 40+ years. Written using ED.COM on CP/M 2.2 and assembled using ASM.COM.
December 9, 2024 at 10:55 AM
You have to restart somewhere.
My first assembly program to run on a Z80 in 40+ years. Written using ED.COM on CP/M 2.2 and assembled using ASM.COM.
My first assembly program to run on a Z80 in 40+ years. Written using ED.COM on CP/M 2.2 and assembled using ASM.COM.
Penultimate board built for the RC2014 Z80 kit computer - real time clock module
December 8, 2024 at 6:23 PM
Penultimate board built for the RC2014 Z80 kit computer - real time clock module
ESP8266 WiFi module for the RC2014 Z80 kit is built. 2 more cards left to build.
December 8, 2024 at 5:42 PM
ESP8266 WiFi module for the RC2014 Z80 kit is built. 2 more cards left to build.
I didn't realise the Z80 was invented in the 17th century.
December 7, 2024 at 8:55 PM
I didn't realise the Z80 was invented in the 17th century.
More soldering this afternoon to avoid the bad weather.
Built the RC2014 dual clock/reset and dual serial modules. That's the main modules built now. 3 more addon boards to do then I can try turning it on.
I've a spare 3.3K resistor. I hope it's not important!
#Z80 #RetroComputing
Built the RC2014 dual clock/reset and dual serial modules. That's the main modules built now. 3 more addon boards to do then I can try turning it on.
I've a spare 3.3K resistor. I hope it's not important!
#Z80 #RetroComputing
December 7, 2024 at 4:38 PM
More soldering this afternoon to avoid the bad weather.
Built the RC2014 dual clock/reset and dual serial modules. That's the main modules built now. 3 more addon boards to do then I can try turning it on.
I've a spare 3.3K resistor. I hope it's not important!
#Z80 #RetroComputing
Built the RC2014 dual clock/reset and dual serial modules. That's the main modules built now. 3 more addon boards to do then I can try turning it on.
I've a spare 3.3K resistor. I hope it's not important!
#Z80 #RetroComputing
We're enjoying watching our robin hop around the garden. He follows my wife hoping she will dig up some worms.
November 28, 2024 at 12:02 PM
We're enjoying watching our robin hop around the garden. He follows my wife hoping she will dig up some worms.