Author: Scott Westerman
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The Raspberry Pi Zero and D-STAR
For those without a D-STAR repeater in the neighborhood, the Raspberry Pi is a highly serviceable solution. With a number of SD Card images available and the ease of interface to the ubiquitous DVAP Dongle, talking digital is a breeze.Now comes the Raspberry Pi Zero, a $5.00 iteration that’s smaller and faster than it’s larger…
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Coping with a Meltdown
Few things are more singular than being on the receiving end of a meltdown. We learn to take them in stride when children are involved. We take a deep breath and ride it out when our soul mates “flip a nut”. But what do you do when it happens to your boss?For three years, I…
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Working Through a Slump
Losing your mojo is not fun. And eventually it happens to all of us. Events compound and all of a sudden we’re questioning our abilities. This is the definition of a slump.The best of us will eventually stumble. We’re tempted to leave the team, quit the game, give up. Real winners understand that we are…
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The Cobweb Antenna
It’s small, lightweight, strong, only requires a single support, needs no rotator, gives full size dipole performance on all 5 HF bands, is fed by a single 50 ohm coax, and produces a horizontally polarized signal that minimizes RF interference.Introducing the Cobweb Antenna.Actually it’s been around for some time and is a favorite for those of us…
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Here’s a New Year’s Resolution: Quit Complaining and Be Epic
It’s time for those New Year’s resolutions. But before you make your list, let’s begin with a reality check.You have to step up your game.What got you by last year won’t be enough to get you by this year. Your competition will be tougher, smarter and more agile. The rules will probably change and you’ll have to…
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In Praise of Carl Izzo
I never had the honor of getting to know Carl Izzo personally. But I’ve had the opportunity to study a few of his greatest creations. And they reflect an exceptional human being.Italian culture so mixes the elements of devotion and passion to create strong family bonds, deeply rooted in tradition, loyalty and personal accountability. These were just a few of…
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Letters Home
W. Scott Westerman, Jr. was just 16 years old when Pearl Harbor signaled America’s engry into the Second World War. When the army offered young men a chance to enlist and get a year of college under their belts, my father graduated a semester early from Gallia Academy High School in Gallipolis, Ohio and entered Ohio Wesleyan…
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Build KP4MD’s Halo Antenna for 2 Meters
The Construction and Analysis of a Low Cost Omnidirectional Horizontally Polarized Antenna for 144 MHzby Dr. Carol F. Milazzo, KP4MD
