Content on House of Saahbs

Gleam Programming Language

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 12:50:00 -0700

(Benchmark Results Chart)

I found my new programming language to focus on: Gleam¹. I like to deep dive and learn new tools in depth, always looking for general purpose tools and ones scalable enough to be reasonably efficient to use for a wide range of applications. Gleam¹ is my new language of choice for writing internal tools, daemons and backend::frontend code. You too can try it at tour.gleam.run.

Haskell²

I have been a student of Haskell¹ for many years. Not professionally, but as a hobby. Whenever I needed a custom tool, I tried to use it as a vehicle for learning Haskell¹ and a few tools were written :) I learned a lot and fell in love with declarative and functional programming. Haskell¹ never became my default language, it almost never does that for anyone, but everyone learns a lot from it. I took these lessons and applied them in my professional “Big Data” work with MapReduce pipelines, SQL and Python³.

Gleam¹

Gleam¹ is a new functional language targeting Erlang’s Beam⁴ Virtual Machine and also JavaScript Runtimes (Node, Bun⁴, Browser JS engines). The feature-set and syntax is the best of Haskell¹, with a sprinkle of Ocaml practical impurity and backed by power of entire Beam⁴ ecosystem. The language is immutable, impure, static, and eager - quite a shift from Haskell¹’s immutable, pure, static and lazy!! It comes with an amazing toolchain which includes builder, very fast compiler with amazing error messages, LSP⁵ and great documentation.

Beam⁴ VM

Beam⁴ Virtual Machine was built for running high-availability massively multi-threaded (implicit mix of POSIX and green threads) functional software. Erlang was the original language for which Beam⁴ was build, but nowadays the other members of big-three are Elixir and Beam⁴. There is full module interoperability between libraries from each of these languages and a robust FFI⁶ for C/C++/others. Beam⁴ is behind highly scalable services such as WhatsApp, Discord, RabbitMQ and Pinterest.

Learning Gleam¹ Basics

As a vehicle to learn the language basics, Beam⁴ features, standard library, build system and runtime characteristics, I wrote a micro-benchmark representative of workloads I tend to run. Nothing super complex, but exercising enough of the runtime to reveal it’s good and bad sides.

The micro-benchmark:

streaming read of 16MiB chunks of 1GiB file to exercise system IO interface, memory allocation, GC
hand-off chunks to worker-pool (size limited to number of hardware contexts) exercising IPC overhead
each worker builds a histogram of values exercising (in)efficiency of the language for binary data handling
workers send results back to main thread exercising IPC latency

Benchmarks

The Gleam¹ benchmark implementation was structured as a shared library and I crafted two main() functions around it. One for running on Beam⁴ VM and utilizing a crew worker-pool, and another for running on Bun⁴ (JavaScript engine) single threaded. Additionally, I implemented a C-native (NFI⁶) inner function for calculating the chunk’s histogram and set it up to be optionally used by workers.

To compare Beam against other languages of interest to me, I implemented the same micro-benchmark in Zig⁷, Haskell¹ and two Python³ implementations: one with interpreter based histogram and another using str.translate() to produce histogram of the entire chunk (which Python³ implements in C).

Note that these implementations are fully serialized as a loop of: {read, process}, while my Gleam Beam implementation pipelines read with process even in the single worker mode.

The benchmark was run on a 1GiB random data file primed into Linux kernel cache to avoid measuring my disk IO speed/latency. Machine used is a 32GiB ram box running GNU/Debian ‘stable’ 13.6 Trixie with Linux kernel 6.12 on an Intel i7-4790K with four physical cores and the worker pool fixed at four (4) as not to skew cost reporting due to hyper-threading.

Here are the results from shortest wall_sec time to longest: [chart]

implementation	wall_sec	cpu_sec	cpu_num	max_MiB	binary_MiB	runtime details
gleam-c-th	0.61	1.64	2.69	163	0.45	Gleam 1.18 on Beam VM 29.0, worker-pool of 4, C histogram
zig	0.76	0.75	0.99	17	3.72	Zig 0.16
gleam-c-1t	0.85	1.48	1.74	154	0.45	Gleam 1.18 on Beam VM 29.0, worker-pool of 1, C histogram
gleam-native-th	6.67	26.28	3.94	306	0.45	Gleam 1.18 on Beam VM 29.0, worker-pool of 4, native histogram
py-c	9.29	9.20	0.99	58	0.00	Python 3.14, str.translate() C histogram
gleam-native-1t	24.86	25.11	1.01	161	0.45	Gleam 1.18 on Beam VM 29.0, worker-pool of 1, native histogram
haskell	25.30	25.05	0.99	61	14.07	GHC 9.14
gleam-bun	111.42	117.0	1.05	168	75.96	Gleam 1.18 on Bun 1.3.14
py-native	112.50	111.4	0.99	42	0.00	Python 3.14, native histogram

Gleam¹: functional, impure, static, immutable, eager

Multi-threaded Gleam¹ with C NFI⁶ histogram function is the absolute fastest beating Zig. The cpu_sec is higher than Zig by a factor of only 2x which is impressive! As project parallelism grows and locking and contention becomes a significant factor, Gleam should allow writing highly efficient and parallel applications much easier.

The native Gleam histogram version with full parallelism is not too far behind and keeps up respectably by loading all cores with native Gleam code.

To control for max_MiB I peppered the Beam implementations with explicit GC() to ensure runtimes show least inflated max_MiB results. With C histogram versions being so fast, it was not possible to utilize more than 2.69 cores, which also influenced low max memory footprint. The slowest native version shows max memory increase proportional to loaded cores, which is consistent with expectation of more in-flight data which can’t be GC-ed.

Gleam’s¹ single-threaded implementation using the Bun⁴ runtime was completely non-competitive for this type of (server) workload. It excels at client-side in-browser lightweight workloads.

Zig⁷: imperative, impure, static, mutable, eager

Zig is a modern take on C with more safety and can be considered running on bare metal. The benchmark shows most efficient execution and lowest memory footprint barely bigger than chunk size buffer. Disclosure: the Zig implementation was made with help of AI. I’m following Zig, but I’m not a a practitioner :)

Haskell²: functional, pure, static, immutable, lazy

Haskell² was surprisingly bad. I really needed AI to improve it from original implementation which suffered an even 5x slower performance due to inefficient immutable data handling.

Python³: imperative, impure, dynamic, mutable, eager

Python³ interpreter based histogram implementation was very slow, but using str.translate() to implement histogram processing on a chunk made it a good performer. The magic is in str.translate() being implemented in Python³ runtime as a C-function, so processing a chunk was done in bare-metal wrapped in py IO for reads. It still ended a bit slower than gleam-native-ht!

Winner is …

For me, the features of Gleam¹ language and Beam⁴ VM, combined with effortless and very safe parallelism constructs (compared to other languages) allow for trivially simple and very linear speedups on SMP systems. When workloads are dominated by IO, latency, and blocking, Gleam¹ is much simpler than async approaches and scales better. It’s raw data processing speed is impressive and when absolutely needed, inner loops can be implemented in C/Zig⁷ for bare-metal competitive processing costs without the complexity.

Language Features

My programming journey of over 30 years progressed through following languages: Basic, Pascal, Assembly, RPL, C, Java, C++, Perl, Python³, SQL⁸, Haskell¹ and now Gleam¹. I’m very excited about the future and feel we are programming in exciting times. Many languages are now adopting or making possible programming in functional style (tail recursion and functions being first-class values) even if they naturally skew towards imperative paradigms.

Different languages use different combinations of features to structure their execution. I mentioned following language features above - here is a bit more context:

Feature	Summary	Impact
Functional	describes how data is transformed	focuses on evaluating functions to produce values and passing functions as data
Imperative	describes how to perform a sequence of tasks	focuses on changing state

Pure	Results depend only on inputs	no side-effects and entire classes of complex bugs impossible, but requires use of more complex IO semantics
Impure	Allows side effects (global state mutation, IO)	pure vs impure is responsibility of dev, but allows normal IO semantics

Static	Types checked at compile time	entire classes of errors impossible, compiler enforces better safer code
Dynamic	Types resolved at runtime (strong or weak)	runtime errors and runtime cost, “but flexible”

Immutable	data cannot be changed after creation	changing data requires more memory and memory bandwidth, but sharing data between workers is easy and safe
Mutable	data can be changed in-place	lowest memory and memory bandwidth requirements, but sharing between workers requires complex locking and contention

Lazy	Expressions are evaluated as values are needed	values produced only when accessed, difficult to debug and can cause resource leaks, but simpler code in many cases
Eager	Expressions are evaluated immediately	more verbose code, but generators/IO_iterators can still be used to implement laziness where needed

Appendix

Disclaimer: I’m not trying to make this a serious-benchmark project, just a reasonably representative but simple micro-benchmark.

Gleam: a new functional programming language for Beam Virtual Machine. ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Haskell: an academic research programming language exploring frontiers of functional programming. ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Python: A very popular dynamic interpreted “glue” programming language. ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Beam VM: a virtual machine for efficiently running Erlang, Elixir and Gleam functional programs with high availability and massive multi-threading. ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
LSP: Language Server Protocol - a mechanism for programming language toolchain to communicate auto-complete, syntax errors, diagnostic messages, lint, hover documentation, etc, in real-time to one’s editor of choice. ↩︎
FFI: Foreign Function Interface - in Beam called NFI. ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Zig: A successor to C programming language with more safety and a great toolchain. ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
SQL: Structured Query Language: declarative language for manipulating large data. ↩︎

Vizor Lock

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 20:18:15 -0700

(Perfect Vizor Gap)

This weekend I went on a four hour 145 mile loop through mountains and valleys with the return leg on highways. For most of the ride, it was 35C (95F). While moving, the mesh jacket and pants did a good job, but my helmet didn’t. It only allows for vizor fully closed, unlocked with a tiny gap or fully open. Anything in-between doesn’t stay in position. I fixed it by designing a vizor lock.

For maximum comfort while riding, all I need is a 1cm gap (3/8"). The solution is a 3d printed piece which mounts on the face of the helmet below vizor with 3M VRB tape and provides a hinged block to swing into position between the top of the helmet vizor opening and bottom of the vizor. When in up position, it is held in place by the vizor and provides a predictable opening. When swung down, it is out of the way and vizor closes and locks unimpeded.

The model is fully parameterized using new (to me) FreeCad Variable Sets and is printed in PETG on the side in one piece using a living hinge.

So far no issues! At highway speeds, the hinged block stays down under the air stream. When up, it provides a ton of airflow while the vizor is protecting my face. If it ever fails and I have to re-print it, I’ll probably streamline it to be lower profile, but I can’t really see it while riding, so until then, it doesn’t matter 😁

Summary

$0.10 of materials, an hour of my time, and the helmet is comfortable in the hottest weather while still fully protecting my face and eyes. Here is the stl model if you wish to print one for yourself: link.

Gallery

(Long Ride)

(Close Up of Lock Design)

(3d Printed One Piece Model)

(Vizor Lock Stowed Away)

(Clean Helmet Look)

(Final Streamlined Version)

Motorcycle USB Power

Sun, 09 Aug 2026 10:00:00 -0700

(Closeup of Installation)

To ensure my Motorcycle Navigator stays charged and has power to run at maximum brightness, I installed a marine-grade USB charger near the handlebars. It uses leads running across the frame, under the tank, and tapping into the headlights fuse in the fuse-box. This ensures it runs only when key is turned and doesn’t drain the battery otherwise.

Installation

(Stock Image: 12V Marine USB Charger With Voltmeter)

The most complicated aspect of the design is how to mount the charger, so that it is secure and doesn’t look out of place. I wanted a clean, professional look. I ended up designing a PETG 3d printed adapter that is sandwiched between the USB charger and the front fork with a heavy duty zip-tie. Before getting sandwiched in place, few strips of vinyl tape ensure high friction and no movement.

Notes

Lithium batteries in electronic devices degrade when stored at 100% charge, but most phones have a setting for stopping the charging process at 80%. Since this charger is capable of 25W per port, even short rides can quickly re-charge the Navigator, hence enabling charge limits is very important.

I’m aware of many motorcycles having a USB port. Mine has a low power USB-C port under the rear seat, but utilizing it would require a long USB cable run. Instead, my solution provides multi-device charging, high power and even provides a voltage display.

Gallery

(Front Fork Holder)

(Running Wires Under the Tank)

(Fusebox Tap)

(Fusebox Closeup)

(Final Product Can You Spot It)

(Closer)

Motorcycle Navigator

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 21:55:06 -0700

(Components and Supplies)

I needed to replace my failed vehicle navigator. I use Android phone without a sim card, mounted in a heavy duty case and riveted to a Ram-Ball, then mounted on a handle bar or a suction cup in a car window. Organic Maps app preloaded with offline maps provides navigation when motorcycling, on road trips or car renting when travelling.

Old Navigator

The failed navigator was an eight year old Motorola E4 running Android 7, which I left in a locked car in the window for two hot sunny summer days. The battery puffed up, but fortunately did not vent nor caught fire. The device was ancient, but operated offline, worked well, and was setup using a throw-away account and with only a single application configured.

New Navigator

For replacement, I found a 2025 Motorola Moto G with 128GiB storage, 4GiB ram, Android 16 and a very bright OLED 900nits screen for only $135. That plus an otter-style three piece case (those work best), 5/16" rivets with washers and a composite ram ball base, can be turned into a dedicated offline navigator in about 30 minutes. Frankly, installing all belated Android patches takes MUCH longer! In offline standby mode, it can wait for 6 days until the next ride, where it will be recharged from my Hornet’s USB charger.

Q. What about live-traffic?

I ride for fun on twisty backcountry and mountain roads on evenings and weekends - traffic is not a factor. But, for the rare occasions when it is, I connect the navigator to a hotspot on my primary phone in my pocket, and use Google Maps to check traffic.

The Pros

At $135, I don’t worry about it falling off, getting stolen, getting damaged by debris, getting wet, etc. It is effectively a throwaway “burner” phone without access to any of my data. It serves one purpose, provide bright screen to display gps navigation. Organic Maps has Outdoor, Contour Lines, Hiking, Cycling and Public transport layers - all offline. It supports voice guidance via Bluetooth and multi-stop planning.

Pictures

(Case Drilled)

(About to Rivet)

(Inside View)

(Ram Ball Riveted)

(Final Product)

(Organic Maps Route Planning)

(Organic Maps on a Motorcycle)

Summary

For the price of a motorcycle Quad-Lock, you can use a free hand-me-down phone for navigation. The most important factors are bright screen, usable battery and ability to run Organic Maps - current F-Droid builds run on Android 7+.

C140 Cameron Park Visit

Sun, 21 Jun 2026 11:27:08 -0700

(Video Link: C140 Cameron Park Landing and Takeoff)

An opportunity came up on an SLSA aircraft as my next aeroplane. On paper, it met all my requirements: SLSA or ELSA or EAB, Rotax 912 ULS powered, taildragger, tandem seating, backcountry capable and with more payload, and shorter take-off than my C140.

(Cruise at 110mph Tas and 5.3gph)

(Green Central Valley Full of Water)

New Aircraft

This type (CRER) was on my short list to try out and one came up for sale in Cameron Park, CA, O61. A short 1hr flight later, I arrived - always a sporty landing at Cameron Park! The airport is in a bowl with a hill on one side and featuring a double-sloped runway “uphill both ways”.

The owners were very generous with their time, we reviewed logbooks, inspected the aircraft and everything was in order. During the test flight, it became apparent that this aircraft is too slow for my needs. 5300rpm cruise yielded only 86mph TAS and 5500rpm cruise would have pushed thermal cooling limits of this airframe.

Old Aircraft

I now appreciate my little Cessna C140 a little bit more. Even on a hot 100F Mohave day on a recent trip, I had no cooling issues and at 5-7k ft it will cruise at 110mph TAS all-day burning 5.3gal/h. I wish it was EAB, tandem seating, had shorter takeoff, more payload and Rotax smoothness :) I’ll keep looking. The list of aircraft, which at least on paper, could meet these requirements just got a whole lot shorter with elimination of CRER.

C140 Kern Valley Flamping

Wed, 27 May 2026 20:00:00 -0700

(Kern Valley Airport Surrounded by Kern River)

Finally, after two years since New Cuyama and Flabob flyins, and one engine overhaul later, I went Flamping¹ again!

CFI Michel from Aerodynamic Aviation has been organizing these fly outs and I joined upon learning of this one. Kern Valley airport L05 is a familiar campground to me, always a great destination, and a base for day trips. This campground has soft grass, trees for shade and super clean open-air showers with a view of the Kern River flood plain.

Flamping

Big Thank You to Michel for organizing, for hauling grilling supplies and for feeding us! Only a few airplanes flew from San Jose, but on Saturday lots of other new pilot friends arrived from down south, as far away as San Diego!

My little Cessna C140 doesn’t like to take off and doesn’t like to climb, but cruises at over 110mph at altitude while burning under 5.5gal/hr. With camping gear, water, food items and full tanks, it is a single person aircraft with dozens, I SAID DOZENS of pounds of remaining weight allowance!

My camping loadout includes 6-12L of water bottles under the seats, enough food for a few days, two alcohol burner stoves, mini table, chair and a stool, a comfortable lightweight tent, a cot, sleeping bag, extra blanket and changes of clothes. One comfort I always have, is a bag of freshly roasted coffee beans, hand-crank burr grinder and a foldable pour-over with filters. I’m well caffeinated!

The event Michel organized was informal; meet at the destination, camp, eat food, and folks are free to organize their own time. Some stayed in the warmth of Kern Valley and relaxed, some flew to demanding desert high density altitude landing strips and I flew up and down Owen’s Valley to Bishop.

On the way back, I stopped for ice cream at Independence, CA, and for fuel at Lone Pine Airport. The atmosphere was hot, it was churning with 14kt variable winds gusting to 22kt and there was turbulence. Now I understand why May is the end of the spring season in this area.

Back at Kern Valley, I flew a two-line kite wing for the first time - thank you Chad! This was exciting, as I want to get into Powered Para Gliders and such kites can be used to train for ground handling and muscle memory against collapses.

Sunday was easy, pack up camp in 1hr, drink my gourmet coffee, blast off into the Kern Valley, climb out, get fuel in Central Valley and beeline for RHV.

All in all, I put 10 hours on the hobbs, C140 performed very well, I defied the winds and I am already looking forward to the next flamping trip :)

Gallery

(Kitchen and Pantry Crate)

(6L of Water Under the Seat)

(Duffel the Passanger)

(Brunch at Paso Robles)

(Crossing Central Valley)

(Descending Into Kern Valley)

(Over Lake Isabella)

(Camp Set Up)

(My Accomodations Cot and All)

(Through Walker Pass)

(Fueling Up at Inyokern)

(Looking at R2515)

(Over Owens Lake)

(Over Old Manzanar Airfield)

(Touch and Go at Bishop)

(Alone at Independence)

(Best Ice Cream in Cali)

(Eastern Sierra Ice Cream Company)

(Back at L05)

(Showers With a View)

(Flying a 2 Line Kite Wing)

(Grilling Away)

(The Feast)

(Departure Morning Gourmet Coffee)

Flamping: short for an activity which combines Flying and Camping. ↩︎

Webcam Privacy Cover

Sat, 16 May 2026 19:00:00 -0700

(Webcam Uncovered)

I needed to replace a notebook webcam with an external unit. The one I had on-hand did not have a privacy cover, nor could I find a simple one on any of the 3d model repositories.

Requirements were minimalist design and functionality. While I found units specifically designed for this Logitech C525, they all featured intricate attachment brackets and required post processing after printing.

Instead, I spent half an hour to design a fully parameterized cover, one printed with in-place hinge and without supports.

Design

It consists of an L-bracket with a hinged flap, simply mounted to the back of a webcam using two vertical strips of 3M double-side tape.

All aspects of the design are parameterized to allow re-printing for different webcams: heights, width, depth, thickness and hinge sizing. The third prototype was perfect. Free moving in-place printed hinge, protrudes below webcam just enough to catch the flap with a finger, and has a backstop to hold the flap upright.

To reinforce that the webcam is uncovered, I placed a contrasting RED X label on the inside.

Gallery

(Webcam Covered)

(Back View of Cover Stop)

(Privacy Cover 3d Model)

(Printed With Moving Hinge)

C140 KSNS Flyin

Sun, 03 May 2026 20:00:00 -0700

(Salinas Foodtrucks Flyin)

This weekend was a low pressure, low ceilings VFR, windy and bumpy. Due to maintenance and weather, I couldn’t fly my aircraft for over a month, so I was excited to finally get into the air. Aircraft performed flawlessly, I did 10kt+ crosswind component landings and enjoyed hours in the air!!

To increase situational awareness and safety, I installed a Dynon D3 Pocket EFIS. It is a portable unit which is installed non-permanently into the aircraft. It has an internal IMU, internal backup battery and two GPSes which correct for drift. Not IFR certified, but good to have in case of an inadvertent flight into instrument conditions or night VFR flight.

Gallery

(It Was a Wings N Wheels Event)

(High End Wheels)

(Due to Low Ceilings Few Airplanes Attended)

(No Scud Running)

(Atmosphere Was Working See Convergence Line)

(New Instrument in the Cockpit)

(Old Honda Mini Bike With a Sidecar)

KTM Duke390 for Sale

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 17:12:56 -0700

(2017 Ktm Duke 390)

I’ve been 2nd owner of this KTM Duke 390 for over six years and put 9k miles on it. It never failed me and taught me a lot. This was my fourth motorcycle and now is replaced by sixth - the Honda CB750 Hornet.

My asking price is $2,900, but I’m realistic and flexible. This bike is ready to go, nothing needs work, just jump on it and enjoy. This is a perfect first bike or an extra bike for those after work but before dinner quick mountain “brrraaaps” 🏍️.

Details

2017 KTM Duke 390
14,063 miles
Title in-hand + two keys
Registered through October 2026
Recent tires
Oct 2025 Lithium battery
Power upgrades (48hp)
- PowerTronic ECU
- Leo-Vince resonator mid-pipe
- Delkavic muffler
- Top-airbox secondary air-filter
Recently replaced sprockets and chain
Puig touring windscreen
KTM crash bars
KTM upgraded comfort seat
TechSpec tank grips
Upgraded mirrors and levers
“Dad” owned 🧔 - responsible adult rider

Gallery

(Right Side)

(Right Rear View)

(Left Rear View)

(Left View)

(Front Left View)

(Top View)

(14k on Odometer)

(Forward View)

(New Chain Sprockets and Resonator)

(Resonator and Rumble Muffler)

(Secondary Air Filter Lithium Battery Powertronics)

(Documents Keys Title)

SOLD!! [edit]

(Last Picture Sold It)

Corbin Seat

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 19:00:00 -0700

(Corbin Seat and Mount Hardware)

(Close Up of Stud Assembly)

(Seat Frame Stud Installed)

Upon riding the new Honda CB750 a few times, I knew I made a great choice. A KTM-level-fun bike made by Honda :) It is not perfect, but light and nimble, with an excellent torquey engine, and an incredible value. The first component I upgraded, one on which Honda saved on to make their budget, is the seat.

I pulled all the stops and bought a Corbin! I never had any of their products, but their reputation made the sale. Within two weeks I got my custom seat in black with red stitching.

Installation

The OEM seat bucket is fitted perfectly to the frame and is mounted with two hex head bolts in the rear. Corbin did not come with installation hardware, so I tried to re-use the two hex-head bolts.

The Corbin bucket uses two metal bars attached to the fiberglass pan to reach the threaded frame locations allowing mounting with two rear bolts. Unfortunately, the two bars are not perfectly fitted and approach the bike frame at an angle. This causes bolts to be misaligned with threads and makes for a very difficult installation given tight quarters.

The solution I came up with, before inadvertently cross-threading the frame, was to buy M6x1.0 threaded rod, cut two 28mm lengths and pre-install them as studs. I used blue locktite, threaded them all the way into the frame and secured with a locktite-ed thin jam nut. Then I just lowered the seat onto the studs and secured it with nylock nuts. Easy, secure and removable.

I wish Corbin provided $3 worth of install hardware to make this process simple and quick. As-is, it took an evening of cursing, sleeping on it and a store trip in the morning to get the needed bits.

Seat Comfort

The seat feels amazing. It is very profiled and has a convex shape. There is a strange rounded hump in the front on which part of one’s tail bone rests - and it rests SO comfortably. When riding for hours, I don’t feel any pressure points. When stopped at a light, the rounder profile doesn’t present a seat edge pressure points on inner thighs. The seat is leather with the perfect amount of texture from stitching lines to provide ideal support, but still allowing for easy weight shifting.

Honda CB750 Hornet

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 16:00:00 -0700

(Honda Cb750 Hornet)

(First Fuel Up)

(Uvas Reservoir Stop)

(Mt Umunhum Stop)

When looking for a new bike to replace my KTM (baby)Duke 390, I wanted bullet-proof reliability, great value and strong after market support. KTM could deliver only the last requirement, but Honda stepped up to the challenge. The CB750 Hornet finally came to North America in 2025 and was universally hailed as the “bike of the year”. Nothing comes close to it and all the hype IS true!!

After market

Europe got the new Hornet in 2023, so by 2025 when it was released in North America, it already had a great after market parts selection. Puig, Probrake, Yoshimura, Corbin, etc. all have the good bits already available for it.

This is a value segment middle-weight bike and Honda had to save somewhere. It is understandable that one would have to upgrade a few things based on one’s priorities. The super competitive price and parts availability makes this an advantage to those that like to diy and mod.

The E-Clutch…

2025 Hornet comes with a quick-shifter which works well once sensitivity is setup to one’s preference and used within appropriate rpm range. I still prefer to clutch for smoothest shifts, but the downshift blips are insanely good.

2026 will get the E-clutch which is a electronically controlled clutch cable servo which operates the clutch when rider chooses not to use the clutch lever. No extra cost, extra weight, extra complexity and a giant ugly rectangular blob on the engine case. I decided to forgo the E-clutch and bought the brand new 2025.

Hornet first-take vs KTM

I initially wanted the all-black color scheme, but upon seeing both in the sun, side by side, I had to have the white one. This color DOES not come though pictures or videos, it is a combination Aspen White with a hint of Pearl, it just POPs in the sun and looks spectacular! Good for being noticed by other motorists.

At 409lb dry, and low center of gravity, while stationary it does feel heavier than my KTM, but the moment it starts moving, it feels very close, as if I have been riding it for years. This must be the KTM-like geometry and narrower rear tire making it feel so nimble.

The OEM exhaust is excellent, quiet as-is, but loud and serious sounding with dbKiller removed.

Seat is uncomfortable, as is every OEM seat on every bike I’ve owned. The sitting position feels more cramped than KTM, but strangely after 80mile ride - I’m not as tired. This may be due to much lower vibration of the Honda’s smooth running 270-crank twin vs 390 thumper.

The engine is linear, makes great power and various electronic settings make a large and meaningful differences. Set to highest power, lowest engine braking and mid-torque, makes it confidence inspiring and powerful without being too KTM snappy and tiring.

Brakes are good - I’ll likely go for a more aggressive pad when I wear the OEM pads. Suspension is comfortable and confident, but a bit under-dampened for my KTM-based taste. As the rear-shock has only the preload adjustment, I’ll get used to it for now. Thicker oil may be a simple future fix.

Handlebar feels just right, definitely NOT too narrow and vibration is lower than KTM, while the bike feels just as nimble and willing to turn.

After the 600mile post break-in service, the main service is at 15,000 miles!! Only oil and tire changes stand in the way of uninterrupted riding thanks to Honda’s legendary reliability.

Oh, gearbox, I though KTM gearboxes were nice, especially the 990 OG, which was positively, precisely teutonic, but Hornet is just as good, extremely crisp, easy Neutral and the cable operated clutch is very light.

My KTMs

I used to have a 2007 KTM SuperDuke 990 and for the past few thousand miles side-graded to a light and nimble 2017 KTM (baby)Duke 390. I did not appreciate the “Original Beast” trying to kill me on every ride (no ABS, no TC, no electronic assist nothing, 90lb-ft torque and 120hp). The BabyDuke had all those safety futures, only ~360lb dry, 49hp with the PowerTronic and very fun in the mountains.

After a decade of being a KTM fan and luckily never experiencing KTM unreliability, I decided to take it easy and get a Honda. Keep it “mostly” stock, quiet and predictable :) While neither KTM ever left me stranded, parts are almost always a week or two away and expensive. My Honda Grom was my Honda gateway drug, cheap parts, plentiful after market support, next day delivery and already built to last.

After hearing that Honda built a KTM :) - I had to get the Hornet CB750!!

HP48 Again

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 14:54:23 -0700

(Mint Hp48g)

(Emulated Hp48gx)

(Hp48 Library)

(Hp48 Street Dynamometer)

Back in the late 90s, when TI already ruled calculators in High Schools, I selected HP48 as my platform. It is a high-end engineering calculator with CAS capabilities, native units, stack based interface and programmable in RPL¹.

Recently I purchased a near mint HP48G and again have a physical calculator on my desk.

HP 48 Platform

Between rich library, various symbolic solvers and even UI building features, HP had a large following amongst power users. There were advanced editors, calendars (48G-series had RTC with hw wake-up alarms), organizers, system-RPL compilers, assemblers, games, and sophisticated engineering and especially surveying software suites.

The keyboard on these calculators is very satisfying, with a clicky, firm, crisp keys unlike anything since.

To improve the built in software, faster and more powerful stack environments were available which improved UI snappiness by a factor of 2x, while also providing faster text, object, equation and matrix editors. To save space, compression libraries were available to keep sizes of objects down.

The RPN² stack entry was very efficient once gotten used to. To calculate (2+3)/4, one would enter: 2 3 + 4 /. As the stack is limited only by available memory, partial calculations were left on the stack and used in later calculations. Similarly with RPL¹ being stack based, all functions take arguments from the stack and return results onto the stack. This applies both to programs and interactive UI (one would call it REPL³ today).

My HP48GX

My model back in high-school was a 48GX which featured 128KiB of SRAM and two expansion ports. There was also a 48G which had 32KiB SRAM and no expansion ports. Towards the end of the platform life, a HP48G+ model offered no expansion ports but 128KiB SRAM.

For communications, all models had a 9600 baud RS232 port and an IR port. Serial communications included a Kermit server and Xmodem protocol implementation.

Post College

Years later, powerful phones and tablets replaced purpose-built electronic organizers - which is how I used my HP48 - I put my HP on a shelf and forgot about it.

On Android, I continued to use my favourite calculator via Emu48. It is a full hardware emulator of HP48 using original roms and running at full arm speed.

To this day, whenever I need to quickly churn through some numbers, I reach for my Emu48. For unit conversions or unit sensitive calculations the HP48 is irreplaceable. On HP48 every numeric value can have a unit attached to it, so calculations will evaluate both values and units.

The built-in Constants and Equations libraries are a great reference, as are many solvers: multiple equation msolver, symbolic solver, financial solver, etc…

EPEC

(Video Link: 1998 EPEC Software)

During high school, I was flying radio controlled model airplanes and got into early electric aircraft. This was back in the days of AstroFlight⁴ 05 Cobalt brushed motors, early ESCs and 8-cell NiCd and Nimh cells. As these aircraft were very under-powered and heavy, I needed to carefully design the power system for optimal performance.

I used my HP48 with UI building functions and solvers to create EPEC - Electric Propulsion Evaluation Computer. It allowed entry of parameters of aircraft, propeller, batteries, speed controller and motor to calculate flight times, current draw, prop speeds and thrust. Based on the results one would iterate on parameters to reach one’s goal.

In 2020, running on Emu48, EPEC got it’s latest release 2.1.6, adding support for LiPo cells and multi-motor quadcopters.

Over the years, I used http://ecalc.ch which is a web-based equivalent to EPEC. In 2020 I reached out to its author and shared above EPEC on Emu48 video, and learned Markus was also a HP48(SX) user :)

Owning HP48 Calculator Again

Years ago I wanted to use my HP48GX again, but it has deteriorated and the LCD was corrupted. These devices are unfortunately very difficult to service and near impossible to put together after disassembly without scars. I threw mine out.

Fast forward to last week, when eBay offered me a mint HP48G for $50 which I promptly bought. I found my old RS232 cable (HP48 plug is non-standard form factor), setup CKermit on linux and installed EPEC on the HP. I even impressed myself by remembering the key combination for adjusting contrast (On+‘plus’/‘minus’) - something I haven’t used for nearly 20 years :)

One day, I’ll get a HP48GX with 1MiB SRAM upgrade card and install all the best system library replacements such as MetaKernel or Java36 or SpeedUI, with the latest editors, compilers and tools. But for now, I’m content with HP48G as a desktop calculator.

RPL: Reverse Polish Lisp - link. ↩︎ ↩︎
RPN: Reverse Polish Notation - postfix notation for algebraic expressions, see RPL. ↩︎
REPL: Read-Eval-Print-Loop - interactive mode environment of many languages, ie. Lisp, Python, Haskell. ↩︎
AstroFlight: an early electric flight innovation company - link. ↩︎

IoT Spyware

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 19:29:51 -0800

(Expired Iot Spyware)

Today, I uninstalled my Blink security camera. It is a cloud connected device controlled by Amazon Corporation with full access to my recordings. I decided that uninstalling the camera is the most reliable mechanism to ensure my footage cannot be accessed (in the future) for privacy violating use cases (AI training, government overreach, etc).

(Stock Image: Diy Camera Housing)

I already built a replacement using a rpi-zero-w with a board camera, wide angle lens and housed in a $5 fake security camera enclosure. That unit instead of being battery operated DOES require 5v power, so I am going through the hassle of running power to it. In exchange, I get:

24/7 video streaming (via wifi)
local recordings of motion activated footage
no overreach, no privacy violations

I am systematically replacing all privacy risk devices in my house. Having been a Linux user for decades, my computers are already Linux.

I used to have one Microslop Windows machine dedicated to gaming, but last year, I replaced it with Bazzite Linux¹. Faster, plays almost all Steam Powered² games and comes without AI and spyware.

There are no Echoes, Chromecasts, cloud-enabled thermostats or IoT power plugs in my house. My cell phone is a deGoogled /e/OS³ Android Open Source Project phone. Our big screen TV is not a “smart” screen, but effectively just a big monitor connected to an old laptop. Our microwave is capable only of heating food. Our light switches are activated by hand, internal timer or motion, but not via cloud.

Next on the chopping block is the Eero Wifi6E mesh router 😁

Bazzite: Linux Distribution for Gaming - link ↩︎
Steam Powered: gaming platform for PCs - predominantly for Windows games, but as of few years ago provides a runtime for running those games on Linux - link ↩︎
/e/OS: an Android Open Source Project based phone OS for privacy conscious users - link ↩︎

C140 Engine Dryer

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 20:00:00 -0800

(Complete Engine Dryer)

(Air Tight Container With Air Pump)

(6lb Dessicant Pile, Filter and Air Pump)

(Oil Filler Neck Coupler)

(Dry Air Flowing Into Engine)

(Upgraded 5psi Air Pump)

Aircraft engines need to be protected from moisture to prevent internal corrosion. As their overhaul intervals often exceed 10 years and it is not uncommon for an engine to not operate for months at a time, protecting them from corrosion can significantly extend their operational life.

Ideas

Over the years, I studied both self-built and commercially available engine dehumidifiers. Of the self built designs, none resonated with me. After my engine overhaul, I didn’t have much money left over to afford a commercial unit, so instead, I came up with my own for under $100.

Design

I started with a commercially available, clear, airtight container with sealed lid. I added an off the shelf humidity and temperature battery powered sensor - which I glued to the inside of the lid. Between the sensor and desiccant turning dark when saturated with moisture, I have redundant indications of operation.

The container is large enough to hold 6lb of color-turning desiccant and an aquarium style air pump. I added two air-tight through the wall couplers - the bottom one with an air-stone is the air-intake and top one is for exhaust. Next I cut the power plug off the pump and ran the cable through the wall with an air-tight gland.

Filling the container with desiccant, placing the pump on the top and utilizing a fuel filter on the pump output, ensures clean dry air will be pumped to the engine. This design maximizes simplicity and does not require complex air-tight pump modification. Instead the entire container is sealed with pump inside and the pump can ONLY pump the dry air within.

The oil filler neck on an O-200A is 2.25" OD, it is not threaded but does have a perfectly round outer diameter. I found a soft rubber pipe coupler for 2.25" to 2.0" pipes with nice 45 degree chamfer between the inside diameters, which will act as an additional sealing surface. I used a wide strap band with butterfly nut for easy adjustability for air-tight friction fit. The end was capped and a through coupler added.

To make this a closed loop system, I used 5/8" PVC pipe to extract engine air through the engine oil breather pipe. Once the engine is filled with dry-air, it only needs to periodically re-circulate this same air through the desiccant to remove any moisture which enters the engine due to daily temperature cycles.

Before the engine air can enter the desiccant pile, it is ran through an air-tight plastic jar which separates the oil and allows vacuum produced by the air pump inside the desiccant container, to draw from the engine.

Final piece of design is a simple 110V timer which is set to run at a fixed daily cycle to circulate the closed-loop dry air through the engine.

Testing

Using my lungs to push air into the engine through the desiccant pile tube, results in an audible air movement on the oil breather pick up tube. So far so good, but I’m capable of producing higher pressures than the aquarium pump.

Letting the pump push air to the engine, while plugging in the air intake of the desiccant container results in vacuum build-up and hissing when re-opened. The pump can definitely move air into engine (low air flow and low pressure)

Running it after a flight will confirm operation as hot moisture from oil breather tube will be observed moving into the separator (as will droplets of oil) and humidity read by the container sensor will get a bump until all moisture is recirculated and absorbed.

I will adjust the daily duty cycle to attain engine drying and maximize the desiccant life. Once the desiccant saturates with moisture it turns dark and needs to be baked to dry it and use it again and again. I expect at least two months between desiccant recycling.

Potential changes

If needed, this design allows for an easy upgrade to a higher pressure air pump (simple swap) and using a larger container with more desiccant for longer recycling intervals.

Summary

I added an affordable and simple engine dryer to my hangar for a fraction of the cost of commercial units. In 10+ years, when my engine it is overhauled again, I’ll learn how effective this effort was and if I get compliments how corrosion free the engine insides were :)

Update

The setup needed a higher pressure air pump. The original black one was approx 2.5psi and was marginal to force meaningful amount of air through the hoses and engine. Upgrading to an industrial 5psi unit resolved this.

C140 Windy Day Brunch

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 16:00:00 -0800

(Video Link: C140 Nice Short Landing)

Saturday was a post-frontal weather day - very windy with active turbulence Sigmets. Fortunately, only areas west of Sacramento had high winds at the surface, while most other area airports had only moderate winds. Up above I saw 30mph winds, moderate turbulence and mountain wave with 1000fpm ups and downs downwind of ridges.

Eggs Benedict from Petaluma’s excellent Two-Niner-Diner hit the spot, surface was dead calm and return leg showed 140mph ground speed! The trip wrapped up with a nice short 300ft landing into a steady 10kt head wind - not bad for a 79 year old :)

Gallery

(Dead Calm in Petaluma)

(Two Niner Diner Eggs Benedict)

(Saying Goodbyes and Flying Back)

(140mph With Nice Tailwind on the Way Back)

C140 First Flight of 2026

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 21:01:18 -0800

(Video Link: First Pattern Work of 2026 in C140)

I try to open the year with a January 1st flight, but this year I couldn’t make it due to maintenance. Once the airplane returned into service, I took it up for some pattern practice across three local airports. It was a calm hazy day with an inversion. Did three-pointers and wheel touch-and-goes on a warm 20C January day :)

(C140 Out of Maintenance)

(Golden Hour the Day Before)

(Departing Reid Hillview Airport)

(Near Byron Airport Looking at Altmont Pass)

(Byrons Caravan Jumper Plane)

(Entering Livermore Valley)

CWMouse Project Changes

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 14:00:00 -0800

(Microcwmouse and Cwmouse)

I embarked on sharing my CWMouse Iambic Paddle with others a year ago. I finalized the design, manufactured 100 units and sold all of them during 2025. The reviews on ebay, eham and amazon are overwhelmingly positive. I had only two “warranty” repairs - both due to exceeding PLA storage temperatures (both in locked vehicles in summer heat).

Lessons

Material Science

The biggest lesson is that I should have used PETG instead of PLA from the beginning. Having temperature warnings is not enough and I suspect a few more units have “melted”¹, but their owners didn’t contact me for a replacement.

After calibrating my 3d printer for PETG, I made a few special-order units in PETG. I learned that despite using same printer and optimal settings, there were dimensional changes making PLA-designed, but PETG-printed, paddles in need of tweaks to assemble correctly. Parameterizing the model for different materials, or maintaining a PETG fork, is more overhead than just switching all production to PETG.

A surprising finding was that while PETG does print slowly, it is much less significant impact on overall print time than that suggested by extrusion speed. A lot of time during a large bulk print is spent traveling between pieces and with Delta Printers it is very fast.

Mechanical strength, temperature resistance and (in my opinion) nicer surface finish are some of the PETG advantages over PLA.

Commerce

Different stores have very different reach and costs.

Ebay is very popular with Ham Radio Amateurs and provides not only a store, but also a search/advertising service. They have the best international shipping logistics and prices. I sold many CWMouse units to hams around the world! Ebay services are reflected by their high fees. The down side of Ebay is that they are very protective of their position and punish sellers for sharing their web site or email address - they want ebay exclusive lock-in.

Etsy sold only two units. It has lower fees, but does not appear to have many Hams frequenting it.

Amazon is painful. First I tried FBM² which had a few downsides and later switched to FBA³ which had ever more downsides.

FBM cannot offer prime shipping, as I’m responsible for packaging, dropping off at USPS and logistics. Amazon very aggressively nags about shipping within 24h and keeps a scoreboard. Even when shipment is delivered late due to USPS, they count it against the seller.

FBA requires sending bulk package of a dozen+ units, which is a lot of work at-once, but no more per-unit effort than when I make small batches on-demand.

Disappointingly, all of my FBA bulk shipments were delayed in warehouses for well over A MONTH, before Amazon started selling them. Offering Prime is convenient for customers, but all of this is reflected in high fees to Sellers.

My last FBA shipment was lost. This was extremely disappointing, as a large part of my motivation is knowing Hams are using my paddles. To add salt to the wound, Amazon offered to reimburse me for only a THIRD of my price for the units they lost. There is still a small chance that after the holiday rush, 12 units of CWMouse will be found and offered for sale. Suffice to say, once this situation runs its course, I’m stopping sales via Amazon.

Stripe is the best experience for a small operation like me. They are an online payment processor with a small fixed fee per transaction and very easy to integrate with web sites.

CWMouse is already “out there” and I rely on search engines and word of mouth for sales via Stripe from my web page. All prices reflect middle-man fees, as cost of my time is fixed. If customers find CWMouse via search engines and purchase using Stripe link on cwmouse.com, they’ll save as much as $10 per unit compared to other stores.

New Products

(Qrp Radio Cover)

In 2025 I built a QRP-Labs QCX-mini and bought an assembled QMX. I designed a protective magnetic cover that works with both. The cover doubles as an angled stand during operation which improves screen readability. I added this product to my web page and priced it competitively.

The production of the original CWMouse is coming to an end. I have enough components to build at most half a dozen more units in PETG. Separately, if Amazon finds my bulk shipment, a dozen more PLA units will be made available. After that, I’m switching to uCWMouse⁴.

(New Ucwmouse Half Case Model)

uCWMouse is the outcome of my CWMouse experience. It is designed to be printed in PETG only. It is based on the same switches and the same paddle geometry as CWMouse. It has the same finger-feel as CWMouse. What is different, is that I further reduced parts count, optimized it for easier+faster assembly and it is even smaller and lighter than the original. It will be available in 2026.

CWMouse has its own web site at cwmouse.com!

melted: PLA deforms at 140F which is easily reached in a locked car on a summer day - see post ↩︎
FBM: Fulfilment by Merchant - stock is managed, packaged and mailed by the Merchant -> me. ↩︎
FBA: Fulfilment by Amazon - prepackaged and pre-labeled units are sent in bulk to Amazon which ships them on-demand from their warehouses. ↩︎
u: micro: as in - an even smaller CWMouse :) ↩︎

Recycling Starter Batteries

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 15:00:00 -0800

(Assembled Unit)

Recently I found myself with three unused and slowly decaying lead acid starter batteries. Between these batteries and my fascination with “van-lifers” using solar and large battery banks, I wanted to do another baby project along those lines.

Prior Projects

I previously made my own batteries for camping and mobile use - smaller, lighter and cheaper than commercial “solar generators”. I still use my LiPo 2S unit and a BMS equipped LiFePo replacement for Lead Acid 12V uses. I standardized on APP¹ connectors and built my own cheap 25W portable solar panel with MPPT charge controller setup.

Building a Lead-Acid Battery Bank

I have one old starter battery battery from my bike, another is a working but aged-out starter battery from my plane, and the last one is a brand-new but oversized starter battery sent to me in error (I ordered a smaller one, but was shipped a wrong one).

While my batteries are starter units and not deep-cycle, they are otherwise unused and will be used only for emergencies, as such they will do fine in their new role. The entire bank has >400Wh of emergency power.

Lead acid batteries have a few desirable properties for emergency power:

they are cheap (in my case even free)
they do not thermal runaway
they need to be stored fully charged for long life

The last one is very important. In contrast, lithium chemistry batteries will deteriorate if stored at above 60% charge². Keeping Lithium batteries on a trickle charger at 100% for emergency use will prematurely wear them out, but for Lead Acids, that is exactly what one must do to keep them ready and healthy.

I measured the batteries and bought a marine grade battery box. I added a voltmeter and a small panel with APP¹ connectors, to integrate with all my existing DC equipment.

The voltmeter is an off-the-shelf circuit wired with a momentary switch and mounted in a 3d printed panel. Similarly, APP¹ plugs are epoxied into another 3d printed panel. Both are through the side of the box and permanently riveted in place.

Internal wiring is very simple. 12GA “bus” between three batteries in parallel with fuses between each battery and load. All connections are crimped for ease of assembly and long reliable life. Since these are all sealed style lead-acid, they can safely operate in a parallel circuit.

I expect ~eight full charges of my notebook from this battery bank with each charge allowing for over six hours of typical use!!

Summary

This was a very satisfying build. With minimal expense, I was able to not only provide an emergency power source for our needs, but to also keep these batteries topped-off and out of the landfill :)

Gallery

(Other Batteries With Anderson Plugs)

(Solar Panel With Mppt Controller)

(Solar Panel Diy Stand)

(Internal Fused Wiring)

(Voltmeter Plate 3d Model)

(App Panel 3d Model)

(App Panel Iterations)

(Marine Battery Box With My Upgrades)

(Battery Bank Charging a Notebook)

APP: Anderson Power Pole: an industry standard DC connector: I have all my 12V equipment using these; laptop psu, 110v inverter, tire inflater, MPPT solar charge controller, DC-DC chargers, ham radios, etc… ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Ideal long term storage charge for Lithium batteries longevity is 40-60%. ↩︎

Miata Wheels

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 20:00:00 -0800

(Wheels in the Garden)

(Clearcoated Wheels)

(Brake Fluids and Drive)

During a few rainy days, I took the time to complete belated maintenance on my Miata.

I told myself that when my rear pads finally start squealing - they did - I’ll replace all the rotors, all the pads, flush the brake system and refinish my badly scratched¹ rims.

The work

In the run-up to the squealing brakes condition, I shopped around for good quality rotors (Bosch Canada) and more aggressive street pads (Hawk HPS 5.0) than the noisy and not so effective ones I had on.

The old rotors came off, I de-rusted the hubs (very important step to avoid oscillation), cleaned everything and greased the caliper pins, and shims, with hi-temp silicone grease. After putting on new rotors and pads, I used one and a half bottles of dot4 to flush the entire brakes system.

Last item was the most dreadful - refinish the old rims - something I’ve not done before. The old curb rash was removed with 6" angle grinder and purple scotch-brite wheel. I used aviation Alodine process to protect against corrosion and to serve as a primer. Dupli-Color rattle can wheel paint for fresh look and their wheel grade clear-coat for final gloss. They came out great!!

Before the test drive, I dropped the wheels at a tire shop for re-balancing and reinstalled them afterwards. The tires are near end of their life (cheap tires) and were hard to get balanced, but they’ll be fine until spring.

Tip: use index cards stuck between tire and rim instead of masking tape. Saves tons of time!

Summary

Hawk HPS 5.0 are a big step-up from their older HPS pad. The latter was only a bit more aggressive than OEM and noisy. This one has much sharper bite and no noise. TBD how quickly it will eat rotors or itself, but for spirited driving, it really gets excellent marks!!

Interestingly, it feels like two-pads in one, when operating under normal heat conditions it performs very well, but when it gets heated up (auto-cross or presumably track), it gets a sharper initial bite and even more friction - reminds me of Hawk Blue 9012 pads feel.

I badly scratched my wheels and removed stress risers back in April 2023, but they still needed to be repainted. ↩︎

Gaming on Linux

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 19:00:00 -0800

(Bazzite Linux Running Kde and Steam Client)

(Steam Deck Console)

(Steam Powered Games Web Site)

I recently posted about upgrading Windows 10 to 11¹ to continue receiving security updates. Even after such upgrade, there are numerous problems with Windows. It is not open source, it is full of spyware, it is burdened by unnecessary background processes, it is technically inferior to its competitors and it is controlled by Microsoft - a company convicted of anti-competitive anti-consumer practices.

I’ve been running Linux on the desktop and server for past 30 years and my remaining use case for Windows was to run games. This is no longer necessary - let me show you how!

How we got here

The company behind making gaming on Linux is Valve. For past 20 years, it built up the Steam Powered store, where PC games can be afford-ably purchased, installed and managed.

Steam started on Windows, but Valve invested in porting Steam to Linux to future-proof their platform. A few years ago they created a portable PC running Linux+Steam called Steam Deck which became the most powerful portable gaming platform.

In order to make Steam Deck viable, Valve invested in Proton which is a gaming optimized fork of Wine². Proton includes ability to efficiently abstract DirectX 9-12 calls into Vulkan³ calls. Between Vulkan, efficiency of Linux, no heavy background processes and good Radeon graphics drivers, many Windows games run better on Linux than they do on Windows!!

Linux for gaming platform

To run games on Linux, following need to be met:

A computer with Radeon graphics card or an AMD APU ⁴
- 16GiB ram
- SSD storage
- decent CPU
A Linux distribution⁵ including software components necessary to run games
- Bazzite Linux is the top go-to distribution for gaming on Linux
  - comes pre-configured with necessary graphics drivers
  - comes with Steam, Proton and choice of Desktop Environment (I use KDE)
  - it is based on a variant of very popular Red Hat Fedora, the Fedora Atomic Desktop
- many Linux distributions can meet this requirement, even GNU/Debian, but more effort is required
Steam Client
- which will provide games and run them appropriately using Proton
- with Bazzite Linux, Steam comes pre-installed

From Linux to Bazzite

I am fan of GNU/Debian Linux and have ran it on my daily driver machine and servers for almost two decades. While it is rock stable and very predictable, it doesn’t have most recent libraries, drivers and apps.

In the past I made use of other Linux distributions - notably of Red Hat Linux, a very popular enterprise distro. Red Hat created a branch called Fedora Linux which is known for catering to power users and being very leading edge but at the expense of stability.

To improve on the stability and ease of use for non-Linux users, Fedora project created Atomic Desktops which are based on immutable container images based on Fedora packages. The entire base-system is installed read-only as a pre-tested container. Upgrades involve getting a new version of this pre-tested container and running the new instance while keeping the previous version for rollback. Since users normally cannot modify this container, it is very resilient to accidental corruption or mis-configuration.

The user directory is writable and additional applications can be installed using a system called Flatpak which is independent of the base container. This allows installing additional applications not dissimilar to App Stores available on other platforms. Flatpak is predominantly open-source, but it also supports commercial software.

So what is Bazzite?

A: It is a Linux project that takes Fedora Atomic Desktop and provides container images with additional pre-configured drivers and software necessary to run preinstalled Valve’s Steam client. This new distro optimizing for gaming, but also very capable as a normal general purpose desktop, is Bazzite.

Experience of gaming on Bazzite

I installed the KDE desktop variant of Bazzite for AMD/Radeon graphics on my previously Windows gaming machine. Since Bazzite is immutable, one chooses the desktop and driver branch before installing. After installation, this will become the rolling immutable container image.

Bazzite feels just like most modern, polished Linux desktops. Most users from Windows will rely only on Flatpaks and Steam, while the immutable nature of Bazzite will prevent them from accidentally breaking their system. I am very impressed how well it is engineered.

As long as one uses Flatpak for additional software and Steam for games, it nearly manages itself. I use it as a gaming appliance, I don’t want to chase newest drivers and let Bazzite do it for me while using Steam for all games.

The game compatibility is very high. Some games require a different or experimental version of Proton which is configurable per-game in the Steam Client. There is protonDB web site where gamers collect compatibility information and Proton versions which work best for each game. Most single player games without Windows-kernel anti-cheat requirements work very well.

Watch YouTube Overview of Bazzite Linux.

Appendix: Immutable distro for daily driver machine

A daily driver machine with Bazzite can offer power comparable to normal Fedora. One can layer additional Fedora packages into the container to allow similar flexibility. Due to container-ization, this involves building new container with changes and rebooting into it. The process is very simple and robust, but for a single machine, it is quite time consuming to install or remove just a few extra packages. An office or lab full of workstations that need to be supported and used by multiple users, is where immutable desktops really shine in my opinion.

post: Upgrading to Windows 11 ↩︎
Wine: a Windows emulation layer for Linux. ↩︎
Vulkan: a modern low-level 3D API which is well supported by Linux graphics card drivers. ↩︎
Radeon graphics card or an AMD APU: technically, a non-ATI/AMD graphics chips are supported, such as Nvidia, but their drivers are not as well engineered and not open-source. A $200 Radeon RX 6600 suffices for 1080p gaming. ↩︎
Linux Distribution: (distro): A specific approach and a project behind it to prepackage and manage Linux. All of distros are capable of (eventually) running all the same software, but out-of-the box different distros optimize for different use cases. ↩︎

First Fly-in of 2025

Sat, 11 Oct 2025 16:42:54 -0700

(Nearby Hollister)

The 140 now has over 20 hours after engine overhaul. While continuing the break-in process, I finally had an opportunity to make it to a Fly-in!

I attended an annual Fly-in organized by EAA Chapter 376 out of Sierra Sky Park (E79) in Fresno, CA.

First a pancake breakfast was served, immediately followed by lunch in the EAA hangar.

The organization was top notch, all visiting airplanes were put on display and the event also featured a car show. There was a mini spot landing contest. Local businesses were in attendance as was Sheriffs Aviation unit with three (3!) helicopters.

Interesting fact, E79 was founded in 1946 and is the first residential airpark¹ in the world. Now over 500 airparks exist world-wide.

On the way there, while doing at 3000ft WOT engine break-in leg, with some help of tail-wind, I attained a 147mph ground speed in the old 140. 147mph = 128kt = 236km/h = Mach 0.193 :)

Gallery

(C140 Ground Speed Record)

(Santa Cruz Mountains)

(Parked in Main Row)

(Eaa Chapter 376 Welcomes)

(Flyin Breakfast and Lunch)

(Chilli Dog Corn Chips Boat)

(Rc Club Ka8 Glider)

(Simulators Setup for Kids)

(Flight Home With Lines of Convergence)

residential airpark: a housing development combined with an airport, where residents can taxi their aircraft between homes and runways. ↩︎

Honda Grom for Sale

Sun, 21 Sep 2025 17:43:49 -0700

(Sf Grom)

facts

2020 Honda SF Grom with 2,359+ miles
The best looking Grom generation (2nd)
I’m the second owner and ride it regularly
- see my posts about it here: #grom
- synthetic-motorcycle-oil changes every 500mi
- everything best for my bikes
- registered through Aug 2026
This example is better than new for less money than new!

(Engine)

(Intake)

(Exhaust)

(Stunt Bar)

(Direct Shifter and Rear Savers)

(12bar and Tail Tidy)

(Levers)

(Shift Shaft Saver)

(New Front Pads)

(Odometer)

upgrades

DHM stage 2 performance upgrades:
- M4 full exhaust
- Chimera intake
- DHM S1 hi-power camshaft
- DHM stage2 ecu tune
mechanical upgrades:
- Kitaco oil filtered engine side case
- Oil Spinner delete
- 60% over springs
- 6-bolt clutch plate
- Grombeardo rear-pickup high flow oil pump
  - better cooling and safer for wheelies
- quiet X-chain
- new front and rear sprockets
  - geared for acceleration
- Speedo Healer
- Throttle tube with quick-cam
- CNC chain adjusters
- HR shift-shaft saver
- frame stiffener rods (not installed yet)
quality of life upgrades:
- direct shifter lever
  - not a KTM, but easy gear shifts
- lightweight lithium battery for quick starts
- gripper seat with gel pad (sooo comfy)
- cushioned grips (no numb fingers)
- 1-finger clutch lever
- 2-finger brake lever
safety:
- EBC front brake pads
- Grombeardo rear-set savers
- AngryStuntz 12bar with titanium block (virgin)
- End-bar weights
- Real mirrors
  - I’ll throw in some end-bar mirrors
bling:
- flush LED front blinkers
- low profile LED rear blinkers
- tail tidy
- matching red side-panel insert

why?

I bought this bike to have fun installing all these mods and making it mine. It was a fun experience and I got it to a reliable Stage2 setup likely making around 11hp :)

Anything more and it’ll need brakes, ARacer+O2 and a big bore kit or a CBR300R swap. I strongly considered the latter, but in Cali, I can’t buy auction bikes and other options are cost prohibitive. I intended to learn to wheelie on it, but never got there, so the bike is ~mint - not one scratch on the 12bar titanium block :)

The buyer will get to skip dealer fees and get a turn-key Stage 2 Grom. This one gets to surface street speed limits in no time, it is nimble, loud and stupid fun. No other bike taught me as much in as few miles as this Grom!!

what next?

I had a Suzuki DRZ400SM, KTM SuperDuke 990, (Honda Grom), still have my KTM Duke 390 and now am looking for a Honda CB650R. I’ll learn to wheelie one day - probably on a dirt bike on grass (softer falls).

SOLD!! [edit]

(Grom Sold)

CWMouse Melting

Sat, 23 Aug 2025 21:00:00 -0700

(Melted Cwmouse)

CWMouse is printed in PLA material. Since mid-2025, I’ve been including in packaging a note with storage temperatures reminder.

PLA softens at 140F, which is easily exceeded in a locked vehicle (or Pelican case) in direct sun on a hot summer day.

(Card Reminder)

Through experimentation, I determined that on a hot 100F day, in free-air, sitting on a bench or in a breathable backpack, the temperatures are very unlikely to reach 140F and CWMouse will be unaffected.

One of my customers left his CWMouse inside a locked RV on a hot 100F summer day and found it melted, twisted and no longer functioning as the storage temperature was exceeded.

I am working towards offering a paddle printed in PETG, which is a more expensive material, which prints slower, but does not soften until 180F.

(Twisted Lid and Arms)

(Lid Deformation)

(Bowed Arms and Base)

CWMouse has its own web site at cwmouse.com!

CV-10 Yorktown Museum

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 20:00:00 -0700

(Ea6b Prowler)

Last week my Daughter and I flew to Charleston, SC for college move-in. Everything worked out, she is all settled-in and started school. With a few hours to spare on my last day, I made a trip to the USS CV-10 Yorktown aircraft carrier museum.

This warship served in WW2, in Korean War and in Vietnam War. It’s purpose is sad, but such is history.

All aircraft showcased, except F14 Tomcat, were those which served from this carrier. I enjoyed touring it from engine room, to the top of the island, and comparing the experience to USS CV-41 Midway in San Diego, CA.

Before entering the CV-10, on the shoreline there is a very well done Vietnam War exhibit with helicopters, an army base and even a PT boat.

Highly recommended to visit if you are in town!

Gallery

(Cv10 Uss Yorktown)

(Flight Deck)

(F4 Phantom)

(Ea3b Heaviest Regularly Flown Carrier Aircraft)

(F8 Crusader)

(S2 Tracker)

(F14 Tomcat Not Vietnam War Era)

(The Deck)

(View From Above)

(Tbm Avenger)

(F4 Corsair)

(A1 Skyraider)

(Mission Briefing Room)

(The Bridge)

(Engine Control Room)

(Engine Room)

(Radio Room)

(Radar Room)

(Sanitary Facilities)

(Bunks)

(The Kitchen)

(Pantry)

(Medical Facilities)

(Bakery)

(Workshop)

(Vietnam War Guard Tower)

(Vietnam War Chinook)

(Vietnam War Pt Boat)

C140 is Back In the Air

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 22:48:35 -0700

(Engine Break in at 3000 Ft)

In May 2024, I needed to overhaul my engine. It wasn’t entirely unexpected and I even purchased Lycon prepared cylinders to have them on-hand. I was still hoping I will get a few hundred more hours out of it.

Yesterday, I took my in-annual 1947 Cessna 140, with an overhauled Continental O-200A engine for a series of engine break-in flights. Everything went very well, engine makes great power and runs very smoothly. Temps were good and after three hours of flying, I still have another 22 to complete the break-in process :)

(Accessory Case Behind Baffles)

(Overhauled O200a Engine)

It is exciting to be back in the air!! :)

VCF West Computer Show

Sat, 02 Aug 2025 18:00:00 -0700

(Amiga Ball)

(Mac Plus and Lisa and Amiga1000)

(Amiga Video Toaster Booth)

(Atari St Midi Powerhouse)

(Atari St Professional Machines)

(Msx Was Well Represented)

(Atari 8 Bit)

(New Mega65 8bit Machine)

(Polish Junior 800 Micro Z80)

(Polish Meritum Micro Z80)

(Polish Cobra Diy Micro Z80)

(Symbos on Cpc464 Was Amazing)

(Ez80 With Old Terminals)

(S100 Bus Platform)

(Vectrex Vector Graphics Console)

(Symbos on Cpc464 Was Amazing)

This year I finally attended the Vintage Computer Festival West at Computer History Museum in Mountain View, CA.

My own computing roots are in the Atari 8-bit, which during my childhood was the most popular machine in Poland. Today my vintage interests revolve around nostalgia and working on small hardware/software projects recreating some of the 8-bit feel.

8-Bit impressions

The 8-bit Atari tables were well represented with XL models including THREE rare 1450XL prototypes, some 1200XL and 600/800 machines. None of the later XE (considered lower quality) were showcased. I was looking forward to see FujiNet in action, but alas, it was not demoed. The Ataris demoed were fairly stock.

I was surprised that there were zero Commodore C64, no breadbins, no wedges, no C128, no VICs (it is almost as if I missed an entire section of the show). There was Mega65, which WAS impressive (Amiga like visuals and sound)!

MSX line of machines were well represented through their 80s offerings showing longevity and increasing capabilities. Next to them were very impressive X68000 platform machines.

eZ80 based DIY computers with old-skool serial terminals and S100-bus based computers have caught my interest as fun project machines capable of running CPM2.2. Maybe one day! :)

The big surprise of the show was a table of Polish made computers including Elwro Junior which was used in education and some lesser known designs from the 80s.

The most amazing demo of the show was internally stock Amstrad CPC464 with external ram extender, serial wifi and SD interface running SymbOs. A modern 8-bit multi-tasking preemptive operating system for Z80 platforms, with 90s like win95 interface! It was very smooth and a big step-up to what Geos attempted.

A mention goes to Vectrex vector display gaming machine which I read about and finally saw in person running a 3d platformer. It was retro-impressive!

16-bit impressions

This year was the 40th anniversary of Amiga and a lot of presentations and talks focused on Amiga. Amiga ball and red-white checkerboards everywhere! Saw so many 1000s in one place, few 1200s and only one 500. The video-toaster booth had a locked-up and decked-out 4000T doing live video green-screen demos :)

Atari 16-bit line was very well represented with many blasting tunes via MIDI into Roland MT-32s and speakers - they were louder than Amigas :) The late Mega, TT and a Falcon30 showed business software and Amiga competitive games.

Lots of Macs were shown, from multiple Lisas, to original Mac, through SE/30, III and Quadras.

Hardware impressions

I saw S100 machines in person for the first time. This is an old IO bus standard with cards interfacing CPU of one’s choice as an add-on. Z80 seems to be most popular, but there are even 486 cards for S100 bus. Seems like a nice way to build one’s own home-brew and gain access to a lot of pre-made IO peripherals (video, serial, sound, SD, wifi, etc..)

eZ80 booth was impressive from the same DIY angle as S100 - easy to use, reuse and home-brew. eZ80 on S100 bus, with lots of IO cards running modern OS would be an impressive combination.

Summary

It was nice to see all these working vintage machines, some period stock, some respectfully upgraded with modern add-ons to reach capabilities unimaginable to their original owners. That CPC646 running a Chat-GPT client via wifi in a window, while having a text editor and few smaller apps open in other windows, all with a mouse UI was amazing.

My interests today are in embedded hardware applications for my complementary hobbies where Arduino shines. It is fast, super cheap and with 2k ram and 32k code, it is comparable in feel to old 8-bit micros (although using harvard architecture instead of von neumann). No recapping necessary :) There is a lot of RT-like operating systems (embedded runtimes really) for it and the development environment is very friction free. I guess I like simple hw constrained platforms, but without legacy baggage.

CWMouse on Amazon

Sat, 26 Jul 2025 20:40:01 -0700

(Cwmouse Available on Amazon Prime)

I’m still producing CWMouse Iambic Keys based on mouse micro-switches and pivots supported by four ball bearing for exceptional precision and smoothness.

The process of on-boarding Amazon took much more time and patience than anticipated, and almost two months!!

Since I had to send out a large batch to get started, all my stock at this time is on Amazon. Until it mostly sells, I’m not motivated to make more, hence eBay may be out of stock for a while.

Do note that Amazon price is very competitive, as Prime members get free shipping!

I hope you try it and share a review with #cwmouse tag :) 73!

CWMouse has its own web site at cwmouse.com!

New ActivityPub Server

Sat, 26 Jul 2025 19:07:26 -0700

(Stock Image: Burning Match)

I made the right choice of setting up a personal web page with rss and using “social media” only to re-share content and exchange comments.

ActivityPub turned out to be a set of feudal (but federated) warring fiefdoms, blocking, spamming and moderating each other. BlueSky is slowly spiraling down while FB and legacies are ever more infested with AI agents and slop.

My previous ActivityPub home started malfunctioning, so I decided to jump ship while I still can and let the server migration process run its course.

Migration

On the new ActivityPub server, I noted that I’m migrating to it, which enabled an alias for the old account. In turn on the old server, I noted I’m migrating to the new one - which switched it to serve “migration notice”. This makes my followers’ ActivityPub servers rewrite my account’s contact thus switching them to follow me on the new server. This migration happens for each of my followers independently, whenever they login and my outbox on the old account is fetched. I’m seeing the count of followers slowly trickling over.

The worst part of migration is that full account export from the old server does not contain the Followed Hashtags nor Filters. One has to manually re-add them one-by one. This is a pretty big pain point in the migration process.

Mastodon.social

I picked Mastodon.social as it is the biggest server (too big to fail), with all the newest features and most users. The federated promise of ActivityPub did not deliver, so I picked the most practical server to reach the most like-minded people. The down side of this server is much more moderation, hence I cannot monitor all political and social trends. Fortunately any Mastodon user on any server can be followed in a RSS reader by appending .rss to their profile URL.

What next?

I’ll continue to re-share my content from personal web page. Folks can follow me on ActivityPub, BSky or via my RSS feed. I’m also likely to increase my usage of an RSS reader to follow people outside of ActivityPub.

Field Day 2025 and Projects

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 19:00:08 -0700

(QRP HF Station on the Air!)

Amateur Radio’s Field Day ¹ is the last weekend of June. And this year it was my deadline to build and get my HF QRP station on the air. I’ve been working towards this goal on and off, slowly but surely for over two years. While SSB and digital modes are interesting, I found the basic low power CW and minimal equipment to be fascinating.

The Goal

When I resumed Ham Radio activities in early 2024, I set my sights on CW, QRP and very portable operations. I wanted something that I can pack in between clothes in a travel bag, something I can setup anywhere on short notice and make contacts hundreds of miles away. While at it, I wanted to learn and not buy my way into this goal.

5W QRP CW was my target.

Projects and sub-projects

Antenna

I selected the EFHW ² antenna design and built my own. To set it up I used a 24ft finishing rod I already had, which I also use for fetching quad-copters stuck on trees. I modified it by designing an antenna isolator to pass through the peak of the inverted-V and use velcro straps to affix it.

Since I needed 5W QRP only, I used a lightweight 26awg stranded wire with hi-viz red silicon insulation and even made my own wire winder. The 49:1 transformer is from a kit by KM4CFT and I used bullet connectors to plug it into the antenna. Feed line is RG174 with a choke.

When I was building it, I didn’t have an HF radio, but I tuned it for 1:1 SWR using NanoVMA. At that time, I was just listening on 40m band using an SDR.

(Antenna 40m Efhw Element)

(Antenna Fishing Rod and Isolator)

(Qrp 49:1 Transformer)

(My Own Antenna Winder)

Power

I built a 120Wh LifePo4 based power supply with panel of my own design attached directly to the top of the battery. It has an on-off switch, volt meter, 20A fuse, 3x Anderson Power Pole connectors and 2x USB fast charge ports. I use it for camping and even have 12V DC laptop charger and MPPT Solar panel setup for it.

As an even more QRP friendly power option, I learned that USB power banks with PD ³ port can supply 12V DC to a barrel plug. Turns our my power bank was already capable and could deliver up-to 1.67A at 12V (plenty for QRP).

(My Own Power Panel)

(Power Bank Pd Power)

Paddle

(My Own Cwmouse)

While I was transceiver-less, building antennas, tuning, SDR listening, I was learning CW. I’m still learning CW, certainly learning to hear, but I can send half decently now at 25wpm. I went through various paddles and once I reached the $150 price point while still disappointed, I designed my own.

I call it CWMouse. It uses mouse micro switches and ball bearings for smooth movement. For keyer, I’m so accustomed to the very customizable Morserino-32, that I find other keyers not responding well to my inputs. I’m sure it is me, but for now I just use the Morserino.

Transceiver

In early 2025, after proceeds from CWMouse paid for this hobby, I bought QRP Labs QCX-mini kit on 40m and this month finally built it. I finished one week before the Field Day!

The build was very satisfying with excellent instructions. I did make a few mistakes, such as soldering a pin-header on the wrong PCB side, and swapping some sockets for headers, but otherwise it went smoothly. Everything is very tight in the mini and requires full disassembly for any re-tuning - now I understand why people opt to build the full case single board versions :)

In order to get maximum power I bought second-hand AWN-30B power meter and tuned the QCX windings for maximum output. At 13.2V I’m getting 5.6W, while with the smaller lighter weight 12.0V power bank I output 4.8W \o/

To protect the screen, I designed a magnetic cover - much like that which is available for other QRP radios. Nobody offers one for QCX, probably because there aren’t ferrous screws on the front. There is an internal ferrous frame around the LCD and with strong enough magnets I got the cover to stick.

(How It Began)

(How It Was Going)

(Qcx Mini Final Assembly)

(Tuning for Max Power)

(Qcx Mini Cover)

(Look Ma No Hands)

Next Steps

I have a few quirks to work out of my QCX.

There is a problem with the controls board where after first assembly, it made intermittent button contacts, while on a later re-assembly, it is making clicking noises when touching right knob or right button (but not left!!). I suspect this is a bad connection or solder joint somewhere around the 4x2 header. It could also be that boards are making contact with components, or case, when operating the right side controls. Careful investigation and kapton tape should resolve it :)

There is more equipment kits in my queue, I want to make use of JS8 again, but I really really need to get on the air and make contacts every week!

Summary

(I Built Almost Everything on This Table)

I built, crimped, soldered, assembled, tuned or designed most of the equipment on this table. It works, RBN ⁴ shows I’m getting picked up 600-1200 miles away on 5W and I can hear everything that local WebSDR ⁵ station can. It was a fun journey getting here.

CWMouse has its own web site at cwmouse.com!

Field Day is an annual event for amateur radio operators where participants set up temporary radio stations to practice emergency communication skills and demonstrate ham radio’s capabilities. ↩︎
EFHW - End Fed Half Wave - an antenna which is connected to from an end-point instead of the middle, making it very easy to setup. ↩︎
PD - power distribution, a mode in USB3 power devices where a DC voltage can be provided on demand, 4.5V, 5V, 9V, 12V, 19V are some of the possible voltages. 12V is perfect for QRP Ham Radio :) ↩︎
Reverse Beacon Network - a network on internet connected radio receivers that record stations they heard. They allow observing range of one’s own transmissions. ↩︎
Web SDR - a network of internet connected radio receivers that allow users from internet to receive as if they were physically at that receiver. They allow voice, digital or CW reception of signals on one’s computer. ↩︎

Upgrading to Windows 11

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 22:00:00 -0700

(Stock Image: Flyby11 for Older Machines)

Microsoft Windows 10 will be unsupported as of October 2025. The upgrade requirements will effectively obsolete a lot of older still performant machines OR expose their users to security vulnerabilities.

While the upgrade from Windows 10 to 11 is free, Microsoft is forcing unreasonable requirements. I go over the important ones and work around others to upgrade my living room SteamPowered gaming computer.

Is continuing to use an older machine viable?

(Processors Comparison Overview)

(Processors Comparison Details)

While I am not a fan of Microsoft, there are many business or gaming uses which do not yet have alternatives in Linux or OSX. Certainly throwing into the landfill perfectly usable machines and spending money on new ones is also sub-optimal.

I compared the eight year old processor of my Window10 machine with a $900 machine I walked by in Costco that comes pre-installed with Windows11.

feature: \|	AMD Ryzen 7 8700G \|	Intel Core i7-7700
release year	2024	2017
price today	$295	$160
TDP	65W	65W
cores	8	4
threads	16	8
memory latency	/	+
single core	1.7x	1.0x
dual core	1.7x	1.0x
quad core	1.7x	1.0x

While the newer machine is certainly faster, one would be hard pressed to see a 70% real-life improvement between the older and newer of these already ~fast machines, when browsing the web, watching videos, doing office work or running non-demanding games. This assumes one’s older machine has comparable RAM, SSD storage and graphics (mine does).

Official Requirements

“Recent” 2-core CPU
- this appears to be an arbitrary list of recent processors
4GiB RAM
- unreasonably low - 8GiB is a more realistic bare minimum
SecureBoot
- arbitrary requirement for UEFI boot with GPT partition
TPM 2.0
- arbitrary requirement to lock down the computer
DirectX 12 video card
- reasonable
64GiB of storage
- bare minimum

Real Requirements

2+ core CPU with SSE42 and OPTCNT instructions.
- An i7-7700 with 4-cores and 8-thread contexts, released in 2017 meets this requirement.
8GiB RAM for reasonable usability.
- Best to upgrade to at least 16GiB (ram is cheap now).
Legacy BIOS booting from MBR partition works.
TPM is not required today.
- May be a forced requirement in the future.
250GiB of SSD storage.
- This makes a world of difference in Windows and its IO inefficient NTFS filesystem.

The Upgrade Process

Get and Run Microsoft PC Health Check App to see requirements status.
If PC Health Check shows all green, then use the NORMAL upgrade process.
If PC Health Check fails, address as many of the requirements as possible:
- Make sure you meet ram, storage and graphics Real Requirements.
- If TPM is not detected, go into BIOS (DEL on boot) and turn it on.
  - If unavailable, TPM can be worked around today.
- If SecureBoot is red, this means machine uses legacy BIOS to boot.
  - Switching to UEFI boot requires GPT partition table.
    - MBR partition table can be converted to GPT using windows mbr2gpt tool.
    - Follow the mbr2gpt instructions at link.
  - Once GPT partition table is in use:
    - Change BIOS setting to enable SecureBoot.
    - Note: this can also be called UEFI or an option to disable CSM/Legacy boot.
  - If unable to convert to GPT or enable SecureBoot, it can be worked around today.
Use FlyBy11 installer
- This is an open-source tool utilizing official Microsoft Windows11 ISOs to install on older otherwise unsupported machines.
- Watch this FlyBy11 overview for details: link
- Download FlyBy11 Win11 installer: link
- Run the FlyBy11 installer.
  - Stop if SSE42 or OPTCNT instructions are unsupported by your CPU
    - This is a HARD stop, your PC is truly unsupported.
  - Make sure to select ‘English (US)’ language pack and not ‘English (International)’ (wrong selection will prevent upgrade in-place in next step).
  - Use the “keep files, settings, and apps” option to upgrade in-place.
Use your “new” machine as you did before, while receiving security updates.

Tested system - upgraded using above process \o/

i7-7700 “unsupported” CPU.
- Released 8 years ago, but still faster than most entry level consumer CPUs in 2025!!
- Supports the required SSE42 and OPTCNT instructions.
No TPM.
- BIOS had an option to enable Intel security module and this passed the TPM check.
Legacy BIOS boot.
- The complex legacy MBR partitions on this machine could not be converted in-place to GPT without a lot of effort, hence UEFI boot was not enabled.
32GiB RAM.
- As much as most upper-mid-range computers today.
1TiB Samsung EVO SSD storage.
- As fast as most upper-mid-range computers today.
Nvidia 1060 6GiB DirectX 12 graphics card.
- Better than most onboard video chipsets with DirectX12 capability.
- Enough to run most games at 1920x1080 with graphics turned down.

Summary

Many older PCs with reasonable specs can be successfully upgraded from Windows 10 to 11 by following a few additional installation steps to bypass arbitrary “soft-requirements” dictated by Microsoft. Since the process I outlined is an upgrade in-place, given sufficiently fast older machine, it makes more sense to upgrade in place, than to get a new machine and spend time moving all the data and reinstalling all the applications.

CWMouse Process Improvements

Sat, 24 May 2025 17:00:00 -0700

(Parts for 24 Cwmice)

(Simplified Front Face)

(Cwmouse on the Underside)

(Optional Callsign)

(Business Card Front)

(Business Card Back)

CWMouse is a precise, lightweight, micro-switch based and affordable Iambic CW Paddle.

In previous posts Refining CWMouse and Coverage and E-Commerce Changes, I explored design changes to ease assembly, keeping costs down and noted efforts to diversity Sales.

Below I share what worked, what didn’t and provide project updates.

Design Changes Explored

Design a through-hole PCB - alternative found.
- This was to ease soldering of wires to audio-jacks.
- Instead, I experimented with a different jack designs and found one which allows easy direct soldering.
- Design will be updated once I run out of my stock of audio-jacks.
Offer unassembled kits - not taken.
- There is 0 interest in this option.
Switch parts suppliers - completed.
- I made orders in bulk and saved on unit costs.
Switch bearings from 14mm to smaller units - not taken.
- Competitively priced, high quality bearings could not be found in sizes below 14mm OD. All units I located were either more expensive or lower quality.

One area identified for improvement was less than 100% yield on printed parts. It was completely solved by:

a) Refining my print plate preparation process.
- Involves strict clean, degrease and application of adhesion agent.
- This eliminated lifting of corners preventing deformed and unusable parts.
b) Refining the design of lettering on the CWMouse.
- The small below surface lettering was a source of print failures.
- The solution was to move the "CWMOUSE" text to the back and use a larger bolder font.
- Any print deviations are now minor, on the back and less noticeable.

Two areas of limited value and high time commitment were identified:

i) Lids printed with custom callsign required printing after customer placed an order.
- This is very inefficient from production point of view, as it requires 3d printer-time ON-DEMAND for printing just one lid.
- I switched to making a small plate with the callsign which prints reliably in 2min.
- The custom callsign is offered only via ‘Stripe direct payment’ option.
ii) Personalized notes overhead.
- Cannot be done for Amazon.
- Many customers don’t care.
- My handwriting is not the most legible.
- The note doesn’t make a good “leaflet” to hand to a friend.
- Solution: I designed a business card with all necessary information.

E-Commerce Changes

Today I offer CWMouse through four stores:

Stripe direct payment
- Lowest fees.
- Custom callsign is available with this option
  - Make sure to provide your callsign on the order form!
- Includes a personalized “Thank You” note.
Amazon
- Reasonable fees.
- Bulk fulfillment - no possibility of personalization.
Ebay
- Highest fees.
- Very popular option with lots of reviews.
- This is the only option with international shipping.
Etsy
- I tried - but haven’t yet made a sale on Etsy :)

Every box now includes a business card with a big “Thank You”, contact info, QR code, a picture of CWMouse and an ask to please leave a review. Handing this card to your friends is another way to support CWMouse.

Future work

I’m exploring 3d printing in PETG, considering color options, including translucent paddles and wood-fiber, but I need your input (link in bottom-right of this post) to know what folks will buy.

Summary

CWMouse taught me a lot how to run a (very) small business and how to refine a product with customer, and manufacturer in mind. If you are an existing customer, please drop a review on the site where you purchased your CWMouse and consider reviewing on eHam.net.

Thank You again, 73 KN6FQM :)

CWMouse has its own web site at cwmouse.com!

PG&E Utility Guilt Emails

Sat, 17 May 2025 17:00:00 -0700

(Pge Guilt Email)

(Pge Guilt Comparison)

Our Family lives in San Jose, CA. which is one of the more expensive housing markets in the country. We cannot afford to buy our own home, hence we rent.

Everything in the state of California is expensive including Fuel, Electricity and Gas. While we continue to live here, we are mindful of our energy usage and save where we can.

The local Electricity and Gas PG&E monopoly in their infinite wisdom sends guilt emails every month pointing out how inefficient the house we rent is.

The house is rated only “Fair” and consumes almost twice the energy of new construction homes in the area. To make it even more infuriating, the emails note how I can save energy with LED light bulbs (done long time ago to avoid heating up the house in summer) and not using dishwasher with half-load (obvious) or by taking shorter showers. NONE OF WHICH will bring this old house energy usage down anywhere near a modern construction.

Why?

the windows are old and leak
the walls are old and not well insulated
the air-conditioning unit is old and inefficient
the appliances are what they are (older)
we work from home so naturally use a bit more electricity

There is absolutely no way this house can move from “Fair” to “Good” rating without a renovation. But since this is a rental property, there is no incentive for owner to renovate, as housing is in high demand, and it will easily rent as-is. Also, as it is the tenants who pay high utility bills, it is not landlords’ problem.

With 1-year leases, there is no mechanism for me to spend my own money on this place and be guaranteed I’ll come ahead financially, therefore I optimize for my overall cost.

So here we are, in California, claiming to be so green, where there are 0 incentives for landlords to make homes more efficient. Where tenants can’t afford to move into their own homes which they WOULD be incentivized to make more efficient.

The Cause

Q. How did California get here?

A. 1978 California Proposition 13 which limits property tax reassessments.

Between inflation, not enough housing supply and Prop 13, investing in real-estate in California became extremely profitable. The real estate market is stagnant and favors owning multiple properties for rent. This reduces supply, driving prices up and pricing a lot of people out of home ownership. Without owners paying utility bills, the ever increasing energy prices are not an effective mechanism to force green improvements.

Family Trip

Sun, 04 May 2025 22:00:00 -0700

(Dinner Near Charleston)

We recently made a week long trip to Charleston in South Carolina and Oklahoma City in Oklahoma. Both were full of surprises and great destinations we visited for the first time.

From Midwestern+West_Coast perspective, these locations were different and in all the best ways!!

Charleston

One of the oldest cities in the country, lots of brick, very green and so so walk-able. We visited Museum of Charleston, two rice plantations and learned of the area’s history. Alligators and swamps were the biggest surprise, as was 100+100 summer weather (100F and 100% humidity).

Atlantic ocean and the beach on Sullivan’s Island were amazing with gentle slopes and clean warm water.

Charleston cuisine was solid, heavy but unsurprising. They sure know how to make good Biscuits!

I heard of southern hospitality, but never experienced it (Florida doesn’t count). People in Charleston were the friendliest, most relaxed and patient folks in recent memory. “Thank You”, “Please” and friendly calm demeanor was everywhere.

The city is growing, is very clean, is very safe and green. Major employers in the area include Boeing, Bosch and Mercedes along with a shipping port.

Oklahoma City

We didn’t know what to expect, but found a very modern, spacious, extremely clean and safe city. We stayed downtown, where a large selection of cafes and restaurants were located.

Stitch Cafe had amazing local roasted coffee, Tayta Latin Restaurant had the best Ropa Vieja I ever had. The Jones Assembly offered a large indoor space serving as restaurant during normal hours and live music venue at night. FlashBack RetroPub offered drinks and old arcade games!! Perets Dessert & Coffee Bar was a 1930s style lounge specializing in affogatos packed with people of all ages, talking, doing homework, playing board games all to 1930s music in the background 😄.

We also visited Oklahoma City Zoo, National Cowboy museum and toured Oklahoma University in town of Sherman. Sherman, OK. itself is know for very good restaurants - Benvenuti’s Ristorante and The Winston were very good!

The weather gave us fireworks - spectacular dark weather fronts moving-in each evening with overnight “go big or go home” thunderstorms. Despite that, the summer weather temperatures are said to be in 80s with low humidity!!

Random Gallery

(Downtown Charleston Main Street)

(Swamp Near Chaleston)

(Spanish Moss Is Neither Moss nor Spanish)

(Suprise Charleston Has Alligators)

(Sarcastic Child Pretend Drawing I Left in Cafe)

(Charleston Beach With Warm Atlantic)

(Flight Near Charlotte With Power Plant Plume)

(Flight Over the Mighty Mississippi)

(Oklahoma City Land Run Monument)

(Oklahoma Citybrick Canal)

(Oklahoma University Library)

(Oklahoma University the Stacks)

(Oklahoma University Stadium)

(National Cowboy Museum General Store)

New Hobby Shop in Town

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 22:00:00 -0700

When getting coffee at lunch today, while running an errand to the post office, I noticed there is a new¹ Hobby Shop downtown - Sheldon’s Hobbies! In 2025! With RC² Nitro³ airplanes hanging from the ceiling for sale on consignment :) It offers kits and supplies for builders, ARFs⁴, lots of RC car items, and scale plastic models. Even includes an indoor car drifting track. I was impressed - it reminded me of Venture Hobbies in Wheeling, IL :)

(Arfs and Cars)

(Nitro Planes Parts and Fuel)

(Indoor Drift Track)

(Scale Models)

“new” - they moved from Milpitas, CA. ↩︎
RC - radio controlled. ↩︎
Nitro - a type of fuel composed of alcohol (75%), nitro-methane (10%) and oil (15%) used in two-stroke combustion engines for model aircraft and cars. ↩︎
ARF - All-Ready-to-Fly models, require only final assembly instead of building/gluing from discrete parts. ↩︎

Grom Speedo Healer

Sun, 06 Apr 2025 16:00:00 -0700

(12oclocklabs Speedo Healer)

(Location of Tail Lights Plug)

(Location of Engine Speed Sensor Wire)

(Close Up of Engine Speed Wire)

(Complete Grom Specific Instructions)

I haven’t ridden the Grom since I got ABS faults¹ caused by my non-OEM final drive ratio. To resolve it, I ordered the 12oClockLabs SpeedoDRD Healer.

While the unit is well made, well priced and simple to configure with a single button and a single dual color LED - the instructions were lacking.

Preparation

The Honda Grom specific wiring instructions were just a paragraph long, without any pictures and relying on pre-existing knowledge of where each connector is located. I wished they pointed out exact location and which fairings need to be taken off to complete the install.

It turned out that on a second generation SF GROM, one needs to take both left and right fairings to get to the necessary wiring locations. This is about a 30min job to remember locations of and get all the fasteners and plastic body rivets removed and disengaged.

Finding the “white wire with green tracer next to 3-pin connector with empty center cavity”, for the speed sensor wire, took a bit of exploration, as most connectors are under rubber boots and not clearly visible. The sole installation diagram made sense only after I found the wire. haha.

Installation

The install itself was 5min.

plug the 3-pin connectors on the right side of the frame, to pick up power, then zip-tie in place.
plug the bullet connectors into “white wire with green tracer” on the left side of the frame, to correct sensor readings before they get to the ECU, then zip-tie in place.

Speedo Healer configuration was real easy. Hold for 5 blinks to enter “percentage correction mode”, hold until ‘red’ for negative correction or until ‘green’ for positive correction, then enter the three digits by holding the button down for number of blinks each digit is to represent. I needed negative(red) 1(blink) 2(blinks) 1(blink) - which is -12.1% correction.

Short ride later I confirmed with GPS that the speedo is within +-1mph. The ABS system should now be happy¹.

It took another 20min to put all the fairings back on, make sure no fasteners were left over and that no 10mm were lost in the process.

Summary

The 12oClock SpeedoDRD Healer works really well and is easy to configure. I wish the manufacturer spent 10minutes to prepare a flyer with pictures, like mine here, to help clarify and speed up the installation.

ABS faults/unhappy = I run non-stock gear ratio. The rear wheel rpm is based on engine speed sensor which no longer matched front wheel sensor rpm. Speedo healers adjust the engine speed reported to ECU thus preventing rpm disagreements and ABS faults. ↩︎ ↩︎

EAA 241 Revisited

Sun, 23 Mar 2025 21:00:00 -0700

(Eaa Chapter 241 Website From 2018)

I did an EAA thing this week. I made a small contribution to help revive EAA¹ Chapter 241 in DeKalb, IL.

I was the web master of EAA241 chapter website from 2008 to 2012. The setup was a freebie wordpress site which our chapter secretary could easily edit and add content. It worked well and I can still remember editing the banner image from various photos of our events.

How I got here

EAA¹ was created in 1953 to promote the hobby and educational endeavor of construction of Amateur Built Aircraft. Chapters exist all around the country and every year in July-August in Oshkosh, WI. the largest flyin in the world takes place. As many as 10,000+ aircraft fly-in and people camp under the wings of their aircraft. The airport also hosts a large campground for those who arrive by car.

I was involved in EAA Chapter 241 by volunteering at pancake breakfasts, helping logistics of Young Eagles events² and by setting up and running the chapter web site.

Memories

Aside from getting to be around pilots (I wasn’t one at the time), listening to their stories, getting to see their projects built, I also got to spend a fair bit of time at KDKB (Dekalb, IL) and OC2 (Hinckley, IL) airports. These two airports is where most pancake breakfasts, BBQs and Young Eagles events took place and whose owners, and tenants I got to know.

Alan, one of the folks foundational to EAA241 and involved with 0C2, gave me a bit of life advice while showing me a warehouse full of unfinished projects, cars and airplanes: “complete your projects and follow your dreams while you can!” At the time he was struggling with health issues.

In 2009, a number of chapter members went to Oshkosh, WI and camped together at Camp Scholler. Our RVs, tents and cars formed a circle and in the center we had a common area. I attended with my 2 year old daughter. Everyone took us under their wings, we were fed and felt like we were camping with family 😄.

In 2011, under helpful suggestion of my Wife, I got my Sport Pilot License and followed my dream of being a pilot. Shortly after, we moved out of Illinois on a new adventure.

Help rendered

EAA Chapter 241 continued to operate until 2018 at which time the web site updates ceased.

Last week, Hinckley Airport manager reached out to me expressing interest in reviving the chapter. The old web site is still up at wordpress.com, it contains a wealth of historical records of chapter activities and would make a good resource to new members.

Fortunately, I was never removed from the web master emeritus position - I was able to log-in and added new admins. I hope the chapter makes a comeback and one day I’ll be able to eat a pancake for breakfast at their future flyin ✈️.

Gallery

Some photos from my time at EAA 241:

(Dekalb Flyin)

(Dekalb Eaa Young Eagles Event)

(Dekalb Pancake Breakfast)

(Guess This Aircraft)

(Eaa241 Pancake Breakfast)

(Friends Sonex Project)

(Friends Experimental Project)

(Oshkosh 2009 Our Camp)

(Oshkosh 2009 Eaa241 Camp)

(Eaa241 Judging Landings)

(Pedal Planes for Kids)

(Cricri Child Sized Experimental)

(Dc3 at Oshkosh)

(Daughter and I Try on Sonex)

(Subsonex Jet Announced)

(Eaa241 Represents)

(Eaa Chapter 241 Website From 2018)

EAA: Experimental Aircraft Association - an organization supporting builders of experimental aircraft. ↩︎ ↩︎
Young Eagles - an EAA program to promote aviation/STEM amongst kids by giving them free airplane rides. ↩︎

E-Commerce Changes

Sun, 16 Mar 2025 20:00:00 -0800

(Stock Image: Online Store)

The online store where I sold the CWMouse Iambic Paddle blocked my listing this Sunday morning. They didn’t like that I was answering questions from a potential buyer and interpreted our conversation using their own messaging system as me funnelling people to a competing online store.

Problem

There was not a single problem in sight. Due to a family travel I suspended sales by reducing the number of units to 0. One of the potential customers watching CWMouse on this site, asked when I’ll have more in stock. I responded that I will contact him when I make more units available.

(Cwmouse With Penny)

Today I reached out with a note that more units are available and edited the listing. The conversation was plain and simple. No links, no phone numbers, nor email addresses were exchanged.

Within minutes, I received a violation and my listing was suspended. Vague language noted no sharing of contact info. As I didn’t share any contact info via site’s messaging system, I eventually reasoned that they took offense to my listing having cwmouse.com in plain text. I removed the .com and got my listing re-instated.

My own web site http://cwmouse.com/order/ previously ALWAYS linked to this very large and popular four-letter online store whose logo is red-blue-yellow-green.

Solution

Diversify, diversify, diversify. Same answer for investing, media presence and for commercial endeavors. While this online store had somewhat high fees, it was effective, convenient and worked for me - at least until they got in my way. I was content to just cruise-control and sell exclusively via their site.

Now I have Etsy, I am working on setting up Amazon Marketplace but will keep the former store listing active. May the market decide which of them will win most middleman fees.

(Preview: Etsy Listing for CWMouse)

CWMouse has its own web site at cwmouse.com!

Motorcycle Season Starts

Sat, 22 Feb 2025 19:00:00 -0800

(Ktm Baby Duke Mountain Bike)

(Ktm Baby Duke Spring)

(Hayes Service Manual With DTC Tool)

(Retrieving Honda Grom Dtc Codes)

I checked the calendar - the last time I rode was at the end of October 2024 when I installed new different ratio front and rear sprockets on my Honda Grom. I only test rode it and afterwards put it on trickle charger, added fuel stabilator and the weather rolled in. The KTM (Baby) Duke 390 was treated similarly for the winter.

Fast forward to today.

Spring

Today was a sunny warm day and I have been seeing bikers out for the past few days. During the week I double checked my batteries are alive - they were. Today was the day to resume riding again.

Before riding, I completed basic checks:

tire pressure
oil level (KTM needed some)
lube the chain
triple check brakes
inspect everything
ensure ATGATT¹
top off the tank with fresh fuel

Honda Grom

Grom was first, the little fun mini-moto street fighter, 125cc and all of 12hp (mine is tuned up) weighting in at 215lb. Started up fine, rode great and I stopped by the post office to drop off boxes of #cwmouse units. All in all rode it for 20 miles.

The ABS warning light started blinking twice 😞 - it never did that before…

After returning, I whipped out my Hayes service manual, found DTC tool and retrieved all the codes. All related to ABS and ranged from front wheel sensor, vehicle speed, IMU unit, brake modulator, wrong tire or sprocket size, low battery and wheel locking.

Ok, the last three are all me, either due to upgrades (sprockets), winter (low battery) or just having too much fun (wheel locking). All the others are likely correlated symptoms. Most likely sprocket changes I made in the fall, are too aggressive to not upset the ABS without a “speedo healer”.

On Grom, the front wheel speed signal is based on a wheel ring and sensor counting revolutions. The rear wheel speed is based on assumed OEM gearing and ignition impulses. Since I didn’t change tire sizes that wouldn’t throw anything off, but changing sprockets DID! “Speedo healer” is an electronic device which lies to the computer how many ignition impulses there were so both wheels report matching speed making ABS happy.

Just to be sure, I reset DTC codes and will check again when it blinks again.

KTM 390 (Baby Duke)

KTM was second. Did a big loop through twisty mountains, got a lot of fresh air, saw two deer, saw horses, no turkeys today, and passed washed out sections of the road and a bit of gravel and sand in places after recent rains. Another two weeks and riders should push it all off to the side.

I stopped at a few familiar spots to take pictures of Baby Duke and all the lush green scenery before the sun burns it all out in summer.

For all the drama of KTM the company, my KTM is the most predictable no surprises bike. On the way back, I got on highway and gave it some Italian tune-up². 42 miles later I was back home just in time to start cooking dinner!

Summary

Despite self-inflicted maintenance issue with my Honda (of all brands), the Grom ride was fun and DTC codes will be resolved soon enough. KTM did well and the ride was safe.

ATGATT - All The Gear All The Time - refers to always wearing full protection when riding: boots, helmet, armored pants and jacket, gloves, and I also wear chest and back protectors. ↩︎
Italian tune-up - refers to driving a combustion engined vehicle hard, to get everything lubricated, heated up, de-carboned, re-seated and operating like new. It is surprising effective!! ↩︎

Refining CWMouse and Coverage

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:00:00 -0800

(3d Printing Batch Smooth)

(3d Printing Batch Textured)

(Wiring Work)

(Assembly Desk)

(Two Units Nearing Completion)

(Assembled Paddle Before Buttoned Up)

Since Jan 2025 when I started CWMouse, I sold enough units to print and manufacture a number of batches. The reviews are good and folks are starting to post YouTube videos mentioning it! 😁

Now I’m exploring how to reduce my time needed to assemble CWMice and making them even more price competitive.

CWMouse media coverage

I reached out to a number of hamradio bloggers, podcasters and youtubers, if they would like to take a look at CWMouse.

Jim “Ham on a Bike” N4JAW responded and was the first to review it on his blog and shared a YouTube video of CWMouse in action.

(Youtube Video)

Yesterday I found a YouTube video review by Bruce AA7AR who discovered CWMouse via eBay, bought his own and was kind enough to post a review.

(Youtube Video)

Design: existing time saving features

printing in batches
- 8 hours of print time is needed for six units
- completed in two steps: a) textured parts, b) smooth parts
printed parts require no supports and no post processing
soldering in batches
- cutting and pre-tinning all jumper wires
- soldering audio-jacks to micro-switches
epoxying in batches
- micro-switches to switch-trays
- audio-jacks into cases
using only three bolts for assembly
- fewer bolts¹ means less assembly time
- using electric screwdriver
- no inserts or nuts, all holes are engineered for one-time self-tapping by machine bolts

Design: more changes

create through-hole PCB for audio-jacks
- solder pads on PCB will be much faster to solder wires to than pins
offer unassembled kits at a discount
- Q. is there a demand?
  - let me know via Comment on this page link below
switching parts suppliers from Amazon to DigiKey
- lower prices
switching bearings from 14mm to smaller units
- 14mm x 8mm x 4mm is a common RC car size
- unnecessarily heavy, $$$ and strong for paddle use
- smaller ~10mm bearing will be cheaper and functionally equivalent

Summary

I already consider CWMouse a success. I created it for myself and it works well for me, but it turns out others also appreciate it and have kind words to say about it. Lets see how long it takes to sell 100 units!!

CWMouse has its own web site at cwmouse.com!

Note: only one bolt holds the case together, while remaining two bolts are used to prevent inter-layer shearing of paddles at bearing pivot area. ↩︎

Federated Social Media

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 22:00:00 -0800

(Stock Image: Federated Social Media Contenders)

Three federated social media protocols are vying for users. They are ActivityPub (Mastodon), ATproto (Bluesky) and Nostr.

Nostr is the simplest with best data ownership story, ATproto is most sophisticated and scalable, while ActivityPub is most mature, but also most complex.

I explore and think about their approaches, features and limitations from the point of view of an individual user considering sharing one’s own content.

Activity Pub protocol - Mastodon

Background

I moved out of Facebook in 2023 and have since on-boarded a smallish freedom of speech oriented Mastodon server.

While each server has its own policy on content moderation, these separate policies are also applied across server lines. Server A owner can ban entire server B, can ban a number of accounts on server C and thus hide content from thousands of their own server A users. For the largest of servers such as mastodon.social, this amounts to Facebook-like content moderation powers.

This often ideologically motivated over-banning of servers, is the weakness of Activity Pub and source of concerns for freedom of speech.

Tech

Activity Pub is a many-to-many distributed push-pull mesh of servers which exchange posts, likes and follow requests. Users are IDs within each server and subject to server rules. Modulo blacklists and shadow bans, one can access posts of any other user on any server transparently. In this respect each server is monolithic and provides all services for its users and interacts on their behalf with external servers. Client applications connect to server with one’s ID and through it interact with the entire federated network.

Activity Pub is based on JSON messages and can be thought of as a bidirectional RSS with push support. Today there exist dozens of server and client implementations of Activity Pub all interoperable with each other.

ATproto(col) - Bluesky

Background

Bluesky is owned by a single commercial entity, but is built on an open protocol intended to allow for scalability and delegation of functionality to distributed servers.

Tech

Bluesky foundation is that of PDS servers which store, own and authenticate content for a set of users. These can be easily ran as a single user instance, where the operator has complete ownership of their own data.

Relays are the next layer of distributed servers. They are responsible for crawling, monitoring and indexing PDSs. Additionally they shield PDSs from high traffic load. Bluesky runs their own Relays and independent Aggregator operators can run their own as well.

Aggregators are the next layer of distributed servers. They are responsible for providing ‘Feeds’ by crawling Relays and PDSs and aggregating them for followers. They make opinionated decisions as to which PDS content to act on and which to ignore. Top Aggregators today are provided by Bluesky themselves (such as ‘Following’ and ‘Mentions’ feeds), but many independent topic-focused feed aggregators also exist.

Lastly, applications such as bsky.app visualize content from followed feeds (produced by aggregators) and searches (from relays), and commit posts, likes and comments to PDSes.

ATproto is based on JSON messages exchanged through web-sockets with each of the layers of the network.

Today Bluesky controls the main relays and aggregators effectively having near full centralized control to moderate any and all PDSes and their content.

Nostr protocol

Background

Nostr is an open protocol intended to allow for scalability and delegation. No single entity “owns” Nostr and there is no centralized infrastructure.

Tech

Nostr is the simplest of the three. It is based on independent relays which store and forward messages sent to them by users. Users themselves own cryptographic keys which define their identity and allow sharing content with arbitrary sets of relays. Relays themselves do not exchange data with each other and only interact with users connecting to them.

To be “heard” by a recipient, a sender needs to utilize at least one relay which is also utilized by the recipient. This palaces high value on the few performant, large and popular relays to ensure reach. Each relay can in principle make opinionated decisions as to which content to store and forward, and which to ignore.

Nostr is based on JSON messages exchanged trough web-sockets between clients and relays.

Today there are half a dozen relays to which one has to forward messages to ensure very good reachability. This fan-out of messages makes centralized content moderation near impossible, but also makes running a good relay very expensive due to each such relay needing to store the entire set of recent messages for ALL users.

Clients need to make connections to all of their utilized relays which places high demand on key relays and will likely lead to them becoming the choke points for content moderation. Without user-network partitioning, it may be too expensive for there to exist multiple global-reach performant relays.

Summary Notes

… from an individual user wishing to gain more control over their content:

Nostr provides best ownership control over data and least content moderation, at the expense of user<->user interoperability problems due to relay design and scalability bottlenecks as the global network grows.
Nostr provides good search capability (subject to choice of relays and their data retention).
Bluesky allows for very easy and affordable data ownership via single user PDS, but has the most centralized content moderation powers.
Bluesky provides good search capability (subject to data retention of relays).
Activity Pub provides good ownership control ONLY when self-hosted, which is much more involved and costly to run than bsky PDS. Content moderation is not centralized but a common problem for users on large shared servers.
Activity Pub does not have a good search capability as it only indexes content from “follows” of its users. The smaller one’s instance is, the less useful search is for new content discovery.

Filament Spool Roller Design

Sun, 02 Feb 2025 10:00:00 -0800

(Flsun Sr Ball Bearing Spool Roller)

The filament spool roller on FLSUN SR 3d-printer (their base-model) is nothing more than a simple metal tray against which the spool will loudly overcome the friction and skid around.

(Stock Image: Rainy Evening)

During one cold evening I designed and printed a replacement roller using supplies I already had in my workshop.

Problem

Factory provided spool roller is a metal tray causing noise and extruder imprecision.
I don’t want to leave the house to get components for already available rollers on Thingiverse.

Opportunities

Have 14mm OD, 8mm ID, 4mm high, sealed ball bearings on-hand.
Have #10-24 bolts and hardware on-hand.
Have a working 3D printer.
Aching for a one evening project.

Design Process

(Assembled Unit Without the Spool)

To maximally simplify the project, the vertical tray support was reused. It is made of high strength steel already sufficient for supporting a full spool of filament. Additionally, any modifications of this OEM part needed to allow for reverting to factory configuration in case of project failure.

As is true of many of my projects, I used composite¹ construction.

Core of the design is a 3.5" #10-24 bolt acting as the axis for the roller. It is affixed to the vertical tray through a hole and secured using flat washers and a nut.

Overview

(Freecad Model of the Spool Roller)

The spool is designed to be printed vertically without supports. To that end, all would-be unsupported horizontal faces are replaced with 45° faces. Note the two 45° tapers on bottom of the freecad model picture.

(Model Ready to Print in Cura)

Two 3d printed bearing-holders are threaded onto the bolt. Ball bearings are then held captive on the bearing-holders by the main spool from inside and bearing-holder lips on the outside.

Note the out-of-round inner diameter of bearing-holders to provide material for the machine bolts to “self-tap” into the PLA.

(Bolt Threaded Bearing Holders)

Additionally, the bearing-holders are tapered by 0.2mm to allow for easy installation of bearings and for tight no-play fit.

Assembly

(Flsun Bracket With Drilled Hole)

The assembly starts with:

drilling hole in the vertical tray
#10-24 3 1/2" bolt
washer on the bolt
installing bolt+washer into the drilled vertical tray
second washer
nut
self tapping the inner bearing-holder (with bearing) onto the bolt against the nut
- the 3d printed spool is then slid onto the inner-bearing
self tapping the outer bearing-holder (with bearing) into the bolt against the spool
- this will hold the outer bearing in position in the spool

(Close Up of New Spool Holder)

(Stock Image: Flsun Sr 3d Printer With My Spool)

Summary

Using simple hardware, ball bearings and three 3d printed parts, I created a quiet, smooth and robust composite¹ construction filament spool roller without leaving the house 😄.

If you have a FLSUN SR printer, or one which uses similar vertical tray to hold the filament spool, you can print my spool roller using these STL files. Thingiverse share.

composite - noun - /kəmˈpɑː.zɪt/ : (engineering) made up of more than one substance that is used for building things. ↩︎ ↩︎

Fixing Trunk Cover

Sat, 25 Jan 2025 22:33:36 -0800

(Trunk Cover Sliding Pins)

Our family car has a roll-up trunk cover which protects its contents from prying eyes. The sliding mechanism relies on two pins, protruding from brackets in the cover, to slide forward and backward within the trunk.

Recently one of the pins broke and I replaced it with a 3d printed part.

No affordable replacement

I searched online for just the bracket but couldn’t find it. The entire cover OEM assembly was $150. Looking on Amazon, knock-offs were $60, but I already tried them before and knew they are very flimsy.

Design

It took less than two hours to remove original bracket, dimension it and design in FreeCad a functionally equivalent replacement. After three design+print iterations, it fit perfectly.

(Clockwise: Original Part, 3d Model, 3d Printed Part)

Most of the time was spent getting the dimensions right, ensuring openings are big enough, but not a loose fit. Pin length, position and shape also needed to be precise.

The grain and layers of the extrusion process are aligned with workloads in tension, maximizing the strength of the piece.

If you are in a similar predicament, you can print your own bracket for <$0.20 - I shared it on: thingiverse.

CWmouse Released

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 19:50:51 -0800

(Collage of CWmouse Pictures)

I’m making available my CWmouse iambic paddle for purchase.

I designed it for my own use as a lightweight, hand-held, portable paddle based on micro-switches. Use of these switches gives it a crisp action not unlike that of a mouse button or a mechanical keyboard.

I’m so happy with the final result, that I decided sell them.

For more information, high resolution pictures and to order one, visit cwmouse.com.

Description

The CWMouse has a very positive feel and no false symbols. You’ve never used a paddle like this before. Imagine crisp mouse button action or mechanical keyboard in a paddle! I built it for me, but I’m selling to everyone looking for a lightweight and precise paddle on a budget price!

It is designed in FreeCAD and pre-assembled from seven 3d printed parts:

main case
top cover
2x paddles
2x paddle bottom posts
micro-switches tray

Additionally, following components are used in the assembly:

three machine bolts
four sealed ball bearing races
two sealed micro-switches
an audio jack
ruberrized compound for paddle movement dampening

Ordering

Available for purchase on ebay via link on my web page.

CWMouse has its own web site at cwmouse.com!

Old is New

Sat, 04 Jan 2025 23:03:57 -0800

(Stock Image: Have to Do This Myself)

I returned back to Internet’s roots, to a personal web server.

Back to the basics from the world of centralized, controlled and censored platforms.

Decision

Instead of running Mastodon, or any of alternative ActivityPub servers, I elected to stand up (again) my own personal web site. Requirements are: control, simplicity and ability to integrate with ActivityPub and other future open protocols.

How I got here

I used to rely on Facebook, but almost two years ago “moved out” due to censorship and partisan nature of algorithms. I still maintain an account, I participate in groups related to my interests, but no longer share my own content there.

Between “move out” and “now”, I on-boarded ActivityPub (fediverse). It is a viable alternative as it is federated, it is decentralized and there is no mechanism for censorship. The feature set is sufficient, but one still needs to rely on an instance server or run one’s own.

Implementation

Simplicity: Nginx + Hugo for a static web site.

Nginx is extremely resource efficient and performant in serving static content, reverse proxy-ing (to application web servers), and has excellent track record.

If I ever need to generate content dynamically at serving time, a purpose application server API via js will do the job via Nginx.

Content is handled by Hugo - a static site compiler. My instance uses a heavily customized ananke theme. Hugo handles content resizing, cross linking, indexing, taxonomies, content cards, RSS and uses Markdown for content.

Writing a blog post is as simple as dropping a Markdown file into a new directory along with a few images and running $> make install.

Interoperability: HTTPS + RSS + Previews + API-push

Blogs using HTTPS and RSS are a well established approach to sharing one’s content. Hugo handles RSS generation out of the box.

Similarly, when an URL is shared, web sites will utilize one of:

OpenGraph metadata
Twitter_Card metadata
Schema_Itemprop metadata

to produce Previews of the shared URL. Hugo provides all of them.

To automatically share my content via ActivityPub, I’m relying on Previews and Mastodon API to write a daemon to push my new RSS feed content into my ActivityPub account.

Open Issues

Comments are hard. They require buy-in into shared infrastructure for authentication to prevent spam and to build relationships.

This is to say, I’m not actively trying to solve this problem on my web site. Instead, I’m relying on my API-push process and comments on ActivityPub as the primary mechanism for interacting.

Users not on ActivityPub can send me a comment email by clicking on unique link on the bottom of every content page.

As I already read my ActivityPub stream and my emails, I consider the comments “solved enough” 😄

Ownership / Summary

In above approach, the personal web page remains the source of content, is under my ownership, it is low overhead and it automatically propagates to followers. It is accessible to anyone with web browser, RSS reader or ActivityPub client.

Last day of 2024,

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 06:49:33 +0000

(Picture of the Cwmouse Iambic Cw Paddle Next)

Last day of 2024, 22:46 and I just launched #cwmouse This is my high precision 3d printed #iambic #paddle . It is based on mouse micro-switches, magnets, quad ball bearings and 3d printed case along with integrated 3ft cable. All comfortably fitting in a palm of your hand and weighting only 2.1oz (60g). If interested, drop by my web page and order one! #amateurradio #cw #cwkey #ham #hamradio https://cwmouse.com/ cwmouse.com/

CWMouse has its own web site at cwmouse.com!

#Merry #Christmas and Happy New Year!

Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:30:14 +0000

(Picture of Christmas Eve Table With Traditional Polish)

#Merry #Christmas and Happy New Year! Good health, prosperity and peace for everyone.

Year is ending and we all

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 07:17:35 +0000

Year is ending and we all make end year summaries. Here is a great presentation on personal #project #priorities , choices and #finishing . Make #2025 projects finish!! #diy #engineering https://youtu.be/4jgTCayWlwc?si=AiufutZmCuLV19pv

Great summary of where the old

Sun, 22 Dec 2024 20:56:31 +0000

Great summary of where the old school #rc #aircraft #hobby is at. I’ve been #ama member for 15 of last ~30 years but now see them as mostly hindrance but Im agreeing with authors that they still provide some value to the hobby. The #flitetest and various #fpv #racing organizations are taking over initiative to get new people into the hobby. #radiocontrol #drones #aviation https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iT5GEMxR0Jk

Ham Update Late 2024

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 20:20:00 -0800

(Collage of Cwmouse Photos)

With Meshtastic radios emitting at most 100mW, line-of-sight frequency and the protocol being robust ONLY when mesh density and node reachability is at an IDEAL sweet spot - it wasn’t very usable beyond experimentation. In my area I couldn’t reliably exchange messages 20mi away :/ I ended up taking down my Meshtastic node and selling all equipment to another ham wishing to get a head start :)

While at it, I sold my Xiegu G90. I am still experimenting with SDRs for HF receiving and still learning CW on Morserino-32… :)

In December after trying multiple Iambic paddles, I designed my own which I call CWmouse. It is based on mouse micro switches, ball bearing races and 3d printed parts. It has very crisp action not unlike mouse buttons or mechanical keyboard.

If you would like one, check out cwmouse.com.

CWMouse has its own web site at cwmouse.com!

#cwmorse aluminium #cw key feels great,

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 03:40:00 +0000

(Two Cw Paddles Top Cwmorse Us Aluminium Magentic)

#cwmorse aluminium #cw key feels great, but I’m not happy with missed symbols. I suspect it is sensitive to debris in contacts. I decided to design my own using #3dprinting . Four ball bearings for paddles, magnetic tension and top secret switching components :) I intend to make more of these if youtube key reviewers give it favorable feedback.It is designed for quick no post processing assembly. I learned a lot to go from “one time piece” to no-post processing.

Content on House of Saahbs

Gleam Programming Language

Haskell2

Gleam1

Beam4 VM

Learning Gleam1 Basics

Benchmarks

Gleam1: functional, impure, static, immutable, eager

Zig7: imperative, impure, static, mutable, eager

Haskell2: functional, pure, static, immutable, lazy

Python3: imperative, impure, dynamic, mutable, eager

Winner is …

Language Features

Appendix

Vizor Lock

Summary

Gallery

Motorcycle USB Power

Installation

Notes

Gallery

Motorcycle Navigator

Old Navigator

New Navigator

Q. What about live-traffic?

The Pros

Pictures

Summary

C140 Cameron Park Visit

New Aircraft

Old Aircraft

C140 Kern Valley Flamping

Flamping

Gallery

Webcam Privacy Cover

Design

Gallery

C140 KSNS Flyin

Gallery

KTM Duke390 for Sale

Details

Gallery

SOLD!! [edit]

Corbin Seat

Installation

Seat Comfort

Honda CB750 Hornet

After market

The E-Clutch…

Hornet first-take vs KTM

My KTMs

HP48 Again

HP 48 Platform

My HP48GX

Post College

EPEC

Owning HP48 Calculator Again

IoT Spyware

C140 Engine Dryer

Ideas

Design

Testing

Potential changes

Summary

Update

C140 Windy Day Brunch

Gallery

C140 First Flight of 2026

CWMouse Project Changes

Lessons

Material Science

Commerce

New Products

Recycling Starter Batteries

Prior Projects

Building a Lead-Acid Battery Bank

Summary

Gallery

Miata Wheels

The work

Haskell²

Gleam¹

Beam⁴ VM

Learning Gleam¹ Basics

Gleam¹: functional, impure, static, immutable, eager

Zig⁷: imperative, impure, static, mutable, eager

Haskell²: functional, pure, static, immutable, lazy

Python³: imperative, impure, dynamic, mutable, eager