[time-nuts] ThunderBolt Display - Update

[Joseph Gray]

Do all of us have to continue to be subjected to this pissing contest?
Please quit or take it offline.

Joe Gray
W5JG



On Thu, Sep 12, 2013 at 7:13 PM, wb6bnq <wb6bnq at cox.net> wrote:

> Dear Mr. Adam Maurer (VK4GHZ),
>
> It really has nothing to do with your accolades, accomplishments or the
> number of posts made on a list, chat room, forum, or even Youtube videos.
>  Your attitude is an entirely different issue, however.
>
> Mr. Robert Atkinson (G8PRI) treated you with respect and merely questioned
> why you posted if you do not bother participating (which you openly
> admitted) in the list.  Hardly a rebuke of your persona, let alone any
> accolades or accomplishments.  Yet you felt, in a most disrespectful way,
> compelled to drag him through the mud as though he was mere trailer trash
> without the slightest of merit.
>
> This is far more telling of your character then Roberts.  I especially
> liked your "tall poppy syndrome."  Referencing it shows you have serious
> narcissistic issues with your pedigree.
>
> The Time-nuts list has a stated purpose with the intent being a high SNR.
>  That is, a high signal to low noise concept.  Admittedly it has been
> getting out of hand more often than not lately.  Using the "Email
> Reflector" as a communication medium for Time-nuts was chosen because it
> required the least amount of maintenance and served the purpose intended.
>  It was not intended to be a chat room or forum.  Just for the record this
> "list reflector" was established after the year 2000, even though you think
> it is so 1990's.
>
> Notably, your apparent supposition that someone's worth should be graded
> by the number, as apposed to the quality of the posts, is quite
> illuminating.
>
> Sharing, one of your claims of renown, is something we do on the Time-nuts
> list.  Is it because they are looking for handouts ?  Possibly some, but
> for most it is an educating effort or a peer review sort of thing.  A kind
> of comradery, that is, openly sharing a common interest.
>
> As for "free enterprise," no, I have nothing against it.  A number of list
> members produce items and have mentioned them on the list.  The list was
> and is not intended for one's captive audience for marketing purposes.
>  Your three messages and admitted non participation violate the previous
> sentence.
>
> Your petty, vindictive, verbally abusive and very nasty attack on Mr.
> Robert Atkinson shows a serious lack of maturity and was totally uncalled
> for.  So, my NO vote still stands as you are not worthy of our company.
>
> Bill....WB6BNQ
>
>
>  Robert Atkinson wrote:
>
>  Hi Adam,
>> I have copied this to our outmoded reflector. At least it's low noise and
>> high quality.
>>
>> Sorry but dispite having been a licenced amateur for 35 years, I don't
>> meet your 55+ demographic.
>> I am aware that amateur radio has an aging demographic. That is why I
>> have tutored for the UK licence for 30 years with student ages as low as
>> 10.Â
>> If you paid $3k for 50 double sided PTH PCBs you need to find a new
>> supplier.
>>
>> I HAVE invested my own money in group projects (not time nuts), in one
>> case an PIC driven LCD display add on for an instrument. I was able to sell
>> these on ebay for $75 and to list/group members for $50. Circuit, source
>> code and Hex file are published and freely available. I also supplied
>> programmed PICs on request. So you are wrong in your statement "I seriously
>> doubt somebody like you would" (invest in making up kits for a group. I do
>> value my own time which is why I don't waste it on email forums full of
>> people who have lots of opinion but no knowledge.
>>
>> You are correct, I don't contribute much to Time Nuts, I'm here to learn.
>> I have contributed the odd manual PDF (originals purchased and scanned by
>> myself) and some bits and pieces to members off-list.
>>
>> I also sell support software on PROM for other equipment, again at
>> discount to relevant list members and with full details available. Many
>> people do prefer to pay me to program devices, but at least I give them the
>> option and assistance to do it themselves.
>>
>>
>> Don't know what you typed into google, but when I put g8rpi in the third
>> item was an open design for a low noise high voltage power supply of mine.
>> You don't have to waffle on on youtube to contribute! You seem very fond of
>> your voice and face.
>>
>>
>> You imply your display is not a commercial product. I guess its not as it
>> does not appear to comply with C-Tick, FCC or CE requirements :-)
>>
>>
>> I'm aware of the time and effort required to make webpages, I've had
>> formal training on the subject.
>> I don't have a webpage, I contribute directly to specific groups. I don't
>> need to boost my ego online.
>> Your main website looks like a shop to me. Your other webpage
>> http://www.qsl.net/vk4cp/ is "interesting"
>> Your other "product" the Icom Multi-send looks a great design, or not.
>> $79 for a PIC 3 Sil relay a few connectors and an undrilled case.
>>
>> Â On your display, why no circuit? looking at the pictures it has TWO 28
>> pin Microchip devices. If these are both MCUs I don't think much of your
>> coding skills My display used a single 14 pin PIC.
>> And a rotary SWITCH for mode selection, how quaint and old fashioned.
>> Also why the 3.3V regulator?
>> You claim 0.02V accuracy. Really? I see no voltage reference and if you
>> are using the PICs internal ADC thats only 10 bits so about 0.015V
>> resolution for 0-15V input. With no other errors that's 0.03V (+_1 LSB) at
>> best. I guess you could have a Vref and offset circuit on the other side of
>> the PCB though.
>> Couldn't you have included your "commander" functionaliy? This would save
>> users from the messing about with programmers that you seem to think they
>> hate (yes I know you said you have supplied programmed chips).
>>
>> Don't know what problem you have with engineers, without them you would
>> not have much equipment.
>> For the record I'm a Chartered Engineer, Member of the Royal Aeronautical
>> Society. I've been a licenced aircraft engineer for 30 years and currently
>> design avionics and systems. That includes work on VH aircraft, this grumpy
>> old engineer may have designed a critical part on the next aircraft you fly
>> on!
>>
>>
>> I did not "initiate a personal attack on somebody," nor did I say that
>> you do not contribute anything (I said you did not contribute to the Time
>> nuts list, by your own admission you don't). I asked three questions.
>> Obviously these touched a nerve.
>>
>>
>>
>> G'day,
>>
>> Robert Atkinson CEng MRAeS G8RPI.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ______________________________**__
>> From: Adam Maurer <misc at vklogger.com>
>> To: Robert Atkinson <robert8rpi at yahoo.co.uk> Sent: Thursday, 12
>> September 2013, 13:13
>> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] ThunderBolt Display - Update
>>
>>
>>
>> Robert, I donâEUR^(TM)t bother with email reflectors, because they are
>> too last century.
>> email reflectors are ok if you are 55+, but they do not do anything
>> positive to engage the much needed younger demographic into ham radio.
>> Â In case you havenâEUR^(TM)t noticed, ham radio is literally dying of
>> old age.
>> Do you honestly think younger people with smartphone these can get
>> interested in these 1990âEUR^(TM)s text based email reflectors?
>> They want something more engaging these days.
>> IâEUR^(TM)m sorry (for you) that your demographic fails to appreciate
>> this.
>> Â I posted about the display because it was suggested by another ham (who
>> is a timenuts member) that I might be able to help others with a solution.
>> Quite a few timenuts members now have this display, and they absolutely
>> like it.
>> Â The fact that you have this expectation that everything will be served
>> on a silver platter for nothing, and obviously place ZERO value on your own
>> time to develop something like this, donâEUR^(TM)t automatically assume
>> everybody else is the same.
>> Â Would you put up over $3k of your own money to kick start a production
>> run of boards with no guarantee they will all be sold, let alone get your
>> money back.
>> I seriously doubt somebody like you would.
>> But people like you are quick to shoot down those who do take risks.
>> Â If you want to tinker and develop something, great.
>> Others can be time poor and just want the opportunity to purchase a ready
>> made solution.
>> People like me fill that void.
>> Â I must say, you come across as a typical grumpy old ham who expects
>> everything for nothing.
>> And, are you familiar with the term âEURoeTall Poppy SyndromeâEUR?
>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/**Tall_poppy_syndrome<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tall_poppy_syndrome>
>> Â If you had bothered to spend a few minutes to find out, you would have
>> come across my ThunderBolt Commander project.
>> PICAXE code is there, suggested Veroboard layout is there, schematic is
>> all there.
>> Whether you have one of my displays or something else, I couldnâEUR^(TM)t
>> care, and itâEUR^(TM)s freely available to any ThunderBolt user, and many
>> have found it useful.
>> IâEUR^(TM)ve even supplied pre-programmed PICAXEs free of charge to those
>> who have contacted me that do not have the ability to do this.
>> Have you done something like this recently for fellow hams?
>> Â And you have the nerve of publically saying I do not contribute
>> anything.
>> If you could let me know what ThunderBolt related projects you have
>> shared and made available.
>> My Google searches are not finding much at all.
>> Â And what have you made available to the wider ham community?
>> I canâEUR^(TM)t find your website.
>> You do have a website to openly share information, donâEUR^(TM)t you?
>> Â If you go to vk4ghz.com, which was only launched 2 months ago, you
>> will see how much info I share on projects.
>> Being web illiterate, you may not appreciate how much time it takes to
>> take photos, Photoshop them, and write things up.
>> Of course, I could just do what the typical grumpy old man does, and not
>> publish anything on the internet... and just moan about others on some
>> 1990âEUR^(TM)s email reflector.
>> I donâEUR^(TM)t wish to stereotype, but this is all too common for hams
>> in the 50+ demo.
>> Â I still canâEUR^(TM)t find much from you on the internet though?
>> Perhaps Google is broken.
>> Why wonâEUR^(TM)t YOU share things and contribute to the broader
>> community?
>> Â I also run a ham radio forum, with almost 2,000 members.
>> ItâEUR^(TM)s relatively large for this region, and many non-VK members
>> have stated how useful it is.
>> It has literally cost me many of thousands of dollars to run over the
>> last decade, and the pitiful donations have never covered the running costs.
>> So again, what have you done, and how much have you contributed back into
>> the ham community?
>> Have you personally spent several thousand of your own Pounds helping
>> hams, and creating a community.
>> Probably not.
>> People who whinge about things not being free arenâEUR^(TM)t usually the
>> types to help others. They consume, they donâEUR^(TM)t contribute.
>> Period.
>> Â Next time you initiate a personal attack on somebody, try and do a bit
>> of basic research first to see how much they may have put back into the
>> community before trolling for supporters.
>> Â If you honestly think sending a few emails within a closed email group
>> has helped the wider ham radio community more than I, then I salute you.
>> Â I see you havenâEUR^(TM)t contributed one post on the Audi-sport forum
>> since joining.
>> Why is that?
>> Â You havenâEUR^(TM)t contributed anything to the Aviation Forum either
>> since joining.
>> Why is that?
>> Â âEURoeI'm a professional engineer, electronics by training but have
>> also done systems, mechanical and robotics.âEUR?
>> Â We have all heard the jokes about âEURoeengineersâEUR?.
>> Â So if you want to start some public debate on how much we have both
>> contributed to the wider ham community, IâEUR^(TM)m up for it.
>> My digital footprint is out there, and the time investment back into the
>> hobby can easily be appreciated.
>> Â And if you honestly think 50 hand built units is some âEURoecommercial
>> productâEUR?, we need to redefine some terms.
>> And IâEUR^(TM)m hardly about to get rich by this, BTW.
>> Do you have any idea how time consuming it is to manage a project like
>> this?
>> I could have just ignored the on going requests to make another batch.
>> Some guys have been waiting since last December for more units, and they
>> appreciate the value adding.
>> Do you understand that concept?
>> Â In fact, the next time I tell somebody I canâEUR^(TM)t be bother
>> helping them, I will remember your callsign, and your nasty public email.
>> G 8 Really Pathetic Individual.
>> Easy phonetics to remember.
>> Â WB6BNQ obviously has issues in allowing free enterprise, which is a bit
>> strange for a Yank.
>> A 5 second search reveals that WB6BNQ is a member of âEURoethe Island of
>> misfit hamsâEUR? forum.
>> https://forums.hamisland.net/**member.php/914-WB6BNQ?tab=**
>> activitystream&type=all&page=7<https://forums.hamisland.net/member.php/914-WB6BNQ?tab=activitystream&type=all&page=7>
>> Guess what?
>> No posts. No contributions. No effort spent in sharing things there.
>> Â HeâEUR^(TM)s also a member of the PICAXE forum, but guess what?
>> No posts, no contributions there either.
>> http://www.picaxeforum.co.uk/**member.php?10054-WB6BNQ<http://www.picaxeforum.co.uk/member.php?10054-WB6BNQ>
>> Just another hypocrite.
>> I should contact the relevant administrators and suggest he be removed
>> from a lack of postings.
>> Â You two make a great pair.
>> Â I could on and on, but itâEUR^(TM)s rather pointless.
>> Â I could have also easily CCed this to the TimeNuts reflector, but I am
>> not going to stoop down to your level.
>> Both you and I know how much you HAVENâEUR^(TM)T done for others, and
>> that is enough for me.
>> Although very tempting, I donâEUR^(TM)t need to put you down and question
>> your moltives on a public resource.
>> Â So what circuits and code can you make available to me?
>> Â If you could spend a week or so in taking pictures, creating web
>> content, writing up manuals, and doing videos, that would be great.
>> Not to mention, IâEUR^(TM)d like you to spend several months in R&D at
>> absolutely no cost to me as well.
>> IâEUR^(TM)d also like you to subsidise the postage costs to me, even
>> though a round trip to the PO is about an hour, and I could have spent this
>> time doing something else.
>> Can you also give some units away at ham conventions?
>> Â What else can you do for me, for absolutely free, because I place no
>> value on your time and expertise, Mr Engineer.
>> Â How many other people have you pre-judged, and questioned their motives
>> in public?
>> Â If you and WB6BNQ want to remove me from the TimeNuts forum, you go for
>> it.
>> No skin off my nose at all.
>> It just demonstrates how petty people like you really are.
>> Â Enjoy your hobby.
>> A very sincere 73.
>> Â Â Â Â Â From: Robert Atkinson Sent: Thursday, September 12, 2013 4:22 PM
>> To: Adam Maurer ; Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement
>> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] ThunderBolt Display - Update
>> Â  Hi Adam,
>> If you "do not normally monitor this email reflector" or contribute to
>> it, why are you using it it promote your commecial product?
>> Are you going to make the circuit and code (or programmed MCUs) available
>> to list members?
>> Â Robert G8RPI.
>> Â From: Adam Maurer <misc at vklogger.com>
>> To: time-nuts at febo.com Sent: Thursday, 12 September 2013, 6:56
>> Subject: [time-nuts] ThunderBolt Display - Update
>>
>>
>> Hello all
>>
>> An update:
>> ThunderBolt Display started shipping over a week ago.
>> 31 out the 50 have already been sold.
>>
>> I have made a video on the display, and you can see a working example
>> here:
>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?**v=BSSZ6BcggBo<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSSZ6BcggBo>
>>
>> Any new orders for the  âEURoejumboâEUR? sized green and standard sized
>> inverted blue variants will incur a 2 week wait, as these LCDs are only
>> ordered in as-required.
>> I do have a number of standard sized green units available for immediate
>> shipping though on a first-in basis.
>>
>> I am away for 3 weeks in October, so if you want a display sooner than
>> later, you should consider placing an order in the next few days, as it
>> take 2 weeks for the LCDs to arrive.
>>
>> For more information of this device, please refer to:
>> http://vk4ghz.com/thunderbolt-**display/<http://vk4ghz.com/thunderbolt-display/>
>> You will find the latest revision of User Guide and Tech Supplement PDFs
>> available as well.
>> PayPal is welcome on the proviso I receive the full amount and you take
>> care of any PayPal fees, if applicable.
>> (This changes from one region to another)
>> One way to avoid fees is to make sure your PayPal account has funds in
>> it, and never draw upon other accounts (especially a credit card).
>>
>> Once these are gone, they are gone, and 130 units will be out there in 12
>> countries (so far).
>>
>> I do not normally monitor this email reflector, so please email me
>> directly, if you want to obtain a ThunderBolt Display.
>>
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Adam, VK4GHZ
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>>
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