New Server

• Author: DigitalMind
• Filed under: Uncategorized
• Date: Mar 31,2008

techienation.com has left my home based server and is now in a real datacenter.  Please let me know if you encounter any problems or issues.

Thanks,

Digital Mind

digitalmind@techienation.com

Urban Exploration - The Wellington Tunnel

• Author: DigitalMind
• Filed under: Uncategorized
• Date: Mar 24,2008

“the Wellington Tunnel was abandoned in 1994, having been closed for security reasons. Plunging under the Lachine Canal, the entrance to the tunnel is situated at the tip of Wellington Street, its exit on the other side having been buried. In the past, the Wellington tunnel was used by tramways, vehicles and pedestrians, but was eventually replaced by a bridge. It inhabits one of the rare pieces of fallow industrial land in the area that isn’t undergoing renovation given its vocation (a tunnel), its placement (under a highway) and the state it’s in.”

I realize that urban exploration doesn’t seem that techie, but if you think about, it really is. Techie’s want to know things other’s don’t, go places other’s can’t. In short, techie’s are naturally curious people.

The Wellington tunnel is in Montreal not far from where I live. Not long ago I didn’t know it existed. There’s a bridge at the end of Wellington, and i’ve never seen a tunnel.

One day in between customers in that area, I parked the car near the bridge, and looked around. Sure enough, one side of the tunnel is still very visible, although caged off. It’s tucked away in a corner, but it’s there. I was lucky enough to have my camera and a flashlight in my pockets !! (Ahhh the life of a techie, we’re like boyscouts ! )

It was March at the time, and a very warm day, but INSIDE the tunnel everything was frozen. It was the strangest feeling walking through an abandoned tunnel. My Mini Maglite saved me but still didn’t light up the place that well. It seemed never ending. I eventually turned back as I got spooked by strange noises coming from the far end of the tunnel. (I was alone, there was no cell phone reception, and there were serious safety hazards, so I turned around and left) I really wonder what is at the end of the tunnel though. I know it doesn’t open up into the world like the end I found, so is it just a wall of dirt all of a sudden?!

How to anger your service Technician 101

• Author: DigitalMind
• Filed under: Uncategorized
• Date: Mar 23,2008

I’m a phone technician, and a good one at that. However, it never ceases to amaze me how rude and ignorant some people can be to someone who’s going to your work / house / cousins best friends 2nd nephew’s house to fix some problem that many others have come to try and fix, and failed. I’m starting to think some of you are doing it on purpose. If you are, here are some tips you may have neglected!

1 ) Make sure the employee who is in charge of calling the service technician has no knowledge of anything technical, lacks verbal skills to explain why they’re calling in the first place, and ideally will be replaced within a month with someone else who has the same skills mentioned above.

2 ) When a problem first occurs, it is best to try and fix it yourself with the help of any other employees who have noticed the problem or who happen to be around you at that particular moment. Flipping switches, turning knobs, removing screws, unplugging anything that can be unplugged are all helpful things. (Although don’t forget to deny doing any of it when the technician shows up)

Read the rest of this entry »

Geek Porn

• Author: DigitalMind
• Filed under: Techie Cartoons
• Date: Mar 13,2008

Caution : This Blog is not suitable for geeks of all ages. Geekie Parental Discretion is advised.
(not really … )

The Amateur’s Code

• Author: DigitalMind
• Filed under: Ham Radio
• Date: Mar 11,2008

The Radio Amateur is

CONSIDERATE…never knowingly operates in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others.

LOYAL…offers loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local clubs, and the American Radio Relay League, through which Amateur Radio in the United States is represented nationally and internationally. (In my case the Canadian and Provincial Equivalents)

PROGRESSIVE…with knowledge abreast of science, a well-built and efficient station and operation above reproach.

FRIENDLY…slow and patient operating when requested; friendly advice and counsel to the beginner; kindly assistance, cooperation and consideration for the interests of others. These are the hallmarks of the amateur spirit.

BALANCED…radio is an avocation, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school or community.

PATRIOTIC…station and skill always ready for service to country and community.

–The original Amateur’s Code was written by Paul M. Segal, W9EEA, in 1928.

Solar Power Installation Update

• Author: DigitalMind
• Filed under: Solar Power and Off-Grid Living
• Date: Mar 9,2008

Last weekend was my sisters Birthday. Mum, Marina and I drove down to Kingston for the weekend to enjoy some supper, Karaoke, and then 1.5 days of “simple” life. I obviously took the time to Check up on my Solar Install to see how things were going.

I guess things are going more or less as expected. The power they use and the power that gets put back in the batteries seems to equal itself out, which is good AND bad. The Batteries seem to be always between 11.9 and 12.3. When I first installed it, the batteries were at 12.5 . They definetly need a little extra charging power, whether it be another solar panel or a Generator to charge the batteries here and there.

I installed a By-Pass switch for the charge controller (I’m wondering if it might be hurting more than helping, and the panels have built in anti-blocking diodes to prevent discharge through the panels) and i’ve also changed the angle of the solar panels to a more winter-friendly angle. (I was able to spent the full day tracking the sun and examining the angle I should have it at) I’m not sure if any of these things will make much of a difference though.

Ps : The picture of the Solar panels above is from BEFORE I changed the angle. Now they’re much for tilted towards the south.

Take care from TechieNation.Com !

Ham Radio Update

• Author: DigitalMind
• Filed under: Ham Radio
• Date: Mar 9,2008

I have had my Ham Radio now for a couple of weeks. I’m very happy with the Yaesu Ft-2800m. I have discovered a bunch of new repeaters, since I am ideally located in the southern tip of Montreal Island, near the water, so I have access to the south shore and west island.
One of the more interesting repeaters for me, is on Mount Sutton, which enables me to talk to people in Vermont and Burlington. I’m not used to doing Ham Radio in english, (since I only do VHF and that’s more local) but it’s very very nice.

I was worried about my J-Pole, since it’s the first antenna i’ve ever built myself, but the results have been extraordinary. I have yet to get a single BAD SIGNAL report from anyone, however I look forward to testing / tuning it with a proper SWR meter.

I would really like to contact the International Space Space, and have tried a few times, but so far I have not picked up ANYTHING on the ISS frequencies when it’s passing over me. (Although I only have access to the VHF frequencies, UHF would help alot) Every time it’s passed over me so far has been during the day, which is not the best time for Satellite / space communications.

It’s also been very nice talking to a few people that I remember (and they remember me) from 10-12 years ago when I was a very active Ham Radio operator. (And one of the youngest in Quebec, at the time using the callsign Ve2 JAZ .

There was a large snowstorm last night (March 8, 2008) and the city’s of St-Jerome and Dorval called for Ham Radio operators to be onsite at Transport Quebec locations and City Hall’s for emergency communications. I was unable to participate since those cities are kind of far, and the road conditions were VERY VERY bad. (Which is why the Ham Radio operators where called in in the first place) . Too bad though, I love those kinds of events. I’m not quiet ready to pack-up and leave to do emergency communications yet anyways.