Damn. I’ve been playing with radios for years, and I have to say, these units are sweet. I’ve been trying to think of things that can be improved on them, and failed. The radios can do free-input text messages between units, and even allow a lead-in delay for sending 1200/2400 baud FFSK data through standard analogue repeaters. Best of all? It actually works.

So lets see, it’s a Dual mode radio (Conventional/Trunking), 1000 channels, free form text messages, Voting, scanning, excellent RX sensitivity, great RX/TX audio, 25W output (selectable via software - no winding screws!). The actual unit is basically a huge DSP. I like it. Details of the units can be found here at TMC Radio’s site. I’m still looking for things to pick on the radios for - so I can submit feedback for improvement, but it’s not easy!

I’m still putting together all the info to send off to Consumer Affairs. There’s currently around 200-250 pages (give or take :)) and I’m adding in a heap of diagnostics to prove that it’s the actual drive - not the media as Apple have been quick to blame. This includes cross referencing all the data between various burners on PC and the SuperDrives on the Mac Mini and Powerbook G4.

It’s taking a while, but hopefully, it should all be an open and shut case after it’s all done! In case you have no idea what I’m talking about, look here.

It’s been a busy last few weeks, so I thought I’d do a quick update before heading off to work (yes, working 7am on a Sunday should be illegal!).

I’ve decided to splash out on the radio front and replace some of my aging PRM80 radios with new SRM9000 series units from TMC Radio. The specs on these units are great! They will even do radio to radio SMS messaging on simplex or duplex channels :) Should be a heap of fun to play with.</p></body></html>

Now this is cool. I have to say that this is a relief from all the news stories about the DCMA screwing away consumers rights in favour of the mega-corps. The Australian IT is reporting that the High Court of Australia has unanimously ruled that mod-chips are legal.

As this is now the second case to rule this way, a nice legal precedent has been set for any type of modchip for any system - ranging from Xboxes to DVD players. Of special mention in the article is this:

However, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) intervened in the case and argued that region-coding was detrimental to consumer choice. It said that mod chips created artificial trade barriers between Australian and overseas games and DVD markets.

I wonder what long term implications this case will have - especially with the ACCC’s view on region coding…

Update: This has been covered on Slashdot</p></body></html>

Yay. After 5 weeks under repair, my BenQ LCD monitor is back! :) Man it’s nice not to be doing everything off a laptop! The size and high res is just a relief. Now if only Apple would give me some relief and give me some kind of feedback about the SuperDrive issue…