¿ªÔÆÌåÓýOn 11/30/2024 1:45 PM, Mike Berg wrote:
This winter I will be experimenting with using a cheap "stick" computer for VARA.?? If you haven't heard of these, they are a complete minimal Intel-type single-chip PC in a package similar to a flash drive but about twice as large.? They include WiFi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, HDMI video and a sound system.? They have a USB A or C connector sticking out one end ala flash drive.? They are used to drive the menus on 42" TV monitors over the counter at fast-food places, display schedules at airports & convention centers, and increasingly those annoying ads that blast you at self-serve gas pumps and supermarket check-outs. ? A stick computer is also the package used by the GeoChron 4K.?? Normally, these devices are powered by a USB phone charger.?? These devices can be had for as little as USD $100-$150, depending on the amount of built-in (non-expandable) ram and flash memory.? To initially configure them, you connect them to a monitor and
keyboard/mouse, install an OS and and usually a single application
configured to auto-start when booted.? I envision placing a
stripped-down version of Windows 7, VARA HF and an APRS client app
like DireWolf or UIview on the device configured to autorun
headless (no keyboard or monitor) on boot, with a GPS receiver
connected to the USB port.??? ? ? The sound card would be connected through the usual interface (or maybe directly) to the data port of an HF mobile rig, creating what would essentially be the equivalent of a TinyTrack III for VARA. If this works, I anticipate imaging the entire setup and making
it available as an ISO file on my website.? Stephen H. Smith??? wa8lmf (at) aol.com
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