Customizing arrangement of RCForb windows

Based on discussion and screen shots shared this morning on 75 m, I explored some additional options for arranging and customizing the contents of components displayed in the RemoteHams  RCForb client window.

Below is a screen shot of the arrangement (active portions) I normally use when connected to the w4uoa remote.  These screen shots where made while the station was powered off.
(Click on any image below for a larger view.)

This arrangement has the KPA and KAT windows pinned to remain visible alongside the K3 graphic, as shown in the close-up view below.

This arrangement can be tailored by adjusting the boundaries among the 3 tiled windows, as illustrated below.

It is possible to drag the KPA window or the KAT window (or both) away from the pinned position to any other place on the Windows desktop.


The next screen shot shows the KPA window overlapping the K3 and KAT windows -- not a useful arrangement.  The window can be dragged away from the RCForb window completely, if desired. The pinned arrangement is probably preferred by most users.











A floating window like the above can be returned to the RCForb main window by drag-and-drop as shown below.

Click and hold on the top of this floating KPA window and move the mouse pointer toward the top right. A blue shaded area shows the current position based on the mouse pointer. A cross icon appears indicating possible landing positions for the window when the mouse button is released.

This view shows the selected landing position of the window.
















Another display option is to auto-hide the KPA and/or KAT windows.

This view shows both windows auto-hiding. When the mouse pointer is moved onto one of these tabs, the window will open for viewing, until the mouse pointer is moved away.

This view shows the KPA window pinned, so it displays full-time, while the KAT window is auto-hiding.










Comments and questions are welcome.
WA5MLF

Cryptocurrency and Blockchain

Here are some informative links about cryptocurrency (Bitcoin is the first and best-known) and the enabling Blockchain technology.


Cryptocurrency
The introduction and Overview in this article provide a good quick view of the topic, including the concept of a production cap that limits the ultimate amount of the currency in circulation.


Cryptocurrency Mining
In the early years of Bitcoin, computer users were able to run software to "mine" new Bitcoins. Over time this has become much harder, requiring great amounts of electrical power and computer processing power. This article from 2015 describes the  futility for an average PC user.

Update - January 11:
The large-scale mining of Bitcoin was explored in a visit by CNBC to the Wenatchee, WA location of Salcido Enterprises. This facility takes advantage of cheap electrical power to operate 1800 servers that mine 5 to 7 Bitcoins per day. The current power consumption is 7.5 MW, costing $200,000 per month. The CEO hopes to mine 50 Bitcoins per day by July, consuming 40 MW. Salcido is one of 12 companies in the area who are mining Bitcoins. Four companies have requested 100 MW of electrical power from the local utility.

You can view one of the CNBC video segments at this link.


Coinbase
This is probably the best-known site for exchanging ordinary currency into Bitcoin and other popular cryptocurrency.

Special Report: Blockchain World
This series of articles from IEEE Spectrum has LOTS of detail on the subject and its application to transactions far beyond cryptocurrency. 

Test of blog post from outside email

Test of blog post from outside email. Sent by John on 10/31/17.

Test of email post to blog

Test of posting to blog via email. 10/31/17

 

 

WiFi Analyzer Apps

Here is a collection of some links to apps that enable you to analyze and troubleshoot your WiFi configuration and coverage at a given site.

iOS

Network Analyzer - wifi scanner, speed test, tools
For iOS devices, but does not have all the WiFi details that are available on other platforms

Mac OS
7 Best Wifi Analyzers for Mac OS

Windows and Mac
9 free Wi-Fi stumbling and surveying tools
Slides 3 and 9 are Mac apps

Android
8 Best WiFi Analyzer And WiFi Scanner Apps For Android

Linux

• Kismet Wireless
• LinSSD
• Wavemon
• Network manager command line interface: nmcli d wifi
• Wireless LAN Sniffer Applications and Scanners for Linux
  -- a long list that includes some of the above

Also see:
How to Find the Best Wi-Fi Channel for Your Router on Any Operating System

VOACAP 7191 kHz - Aug 24 at 0715

 

Best signal would be indicated by green and blue contour lines, but they are missing today. Not the best conditions.

HF Radio Propagation Modeling

Below is a series of cropped screen shots I collected at 0830 CDT today from the VOACAP map feature of the KE9NS PowerSDR software that I am currently using. My station location is marked with the red star. The predicted signal level scale ranges from blue (strongest) to green to yellow to orange to gray (weakest). Only the 30 m plot has gray contour lines. The 60 m plot has vertical lines that mark two of the defined frequency channels.

During earlier discussion of this topic, Tom KQ5S told us about the VOACAP propagation modeling presented on the K6TU web site. The link I provided here gives an overview of what's needed to run the model program on the web site.

A little web searching today about "do-it-yourself" VOACAP usage brought the following article from 2004:

An Introductory Tutorial to VOACAP

Two other search results raised my awareness of the VOACAP dependence on sunspot data and how it is defined and published:

• VOACAP Quick Guide  See the notes under the red text.
• The Sunspot Number

My searching today reminded me that the VOACAP capability is also a plug-in built into the 4nec2 antenna modeling software that I use. I've seen it in one of the program menus, but have not digested the documentation enough to use it.

John WA5MLF