Ham Radio Technician Test in XML and XForms, redux
Chris Wallace saw my
Ham Radio Technician Test in XML and XForms post and pointed out a few simplifications that could be done:
- eliminate syllabus (I mechanically produced the XML from the original NCVEC document, and left in the syllabus, which as Chris points out is redundant.)
- Changed some obviously unique element values to ID attributes
- Fixed a few typos
I've taken Chris's data and fixed one more typo (question T7C09 wasn't RNC valid), and re-indented it back to two spaces. I have updated the RNC schema and Ham radio technician tests to use the new data. Thanks, Chris!
Adding the images would be a good next step. Probably I will split them out into individual files and add relative URI references to them within the document; the XForms display can use the XForms output element with a mediatype of "image/*" to display.
Chris also has on his page an XQuery presentation of the test, plus some starts at interactive versions. I believe XForms is more suitable for the interactive version, and XQuery and XSLT for a static presentation; so in some sense, Chris and I are doing things backwards, as I started from a static version and he's started from an interactive version. But I'm sure we'll all learn something fun.
A bit of background: Dan McCreary and Kurt Cagle are strong promoters of the XRX approach, combining XML, XForms, XQuery, and XSLT with REST. I do this in my Day Job, which is coincidentally at Xerox, but there's no connection between the name XRX and Xerox, nor is Xerox interested in my ham radio work!
I'm going to continue to use this test pool as a use case for XForms 1.2 Future Features for making the interactive part of the testing easier to author. XForms 1.1 has some features (such as the ability to add nodes) that will make it possible to update the test instance with spaces for answers, even without the cooperation of the original test author, but ideally XForms 1.2 would capture this use case and make it easier to describe declaratively.
Ham Radio Technician Test in XML and XForms
With the
release of the new Technician (Element 2) test data from NCVEC, I've produced an
XML version of the test data (with
schema). It doesn't yet include the figures.
I also created an a XForms page (works in most browsers) that will let you view the
questions and answers.
Chinese OTH Radar
With the events in China, it seems likely that the interference on 40m and 60m is from either Chinese or Taiwanese Over-the-Horizon Radar.
Shown here are images from
fldigi for the close-in spectrum and
quisk with the 96 KHz spectrum, both from an
Elecraft K3.
It definitely occurs in bands. There's a strong one in the 60m range, and another just below 40m (shown). It extends into the lower portion of 40m as well, though about 20dB less strong.
Labels: DX, QRM
K12G (K12M) audio amplifier tube kit
I built an
S5 Electronics K12G amplifier kit, a new version of the K12M kit. The kit came without a chassis. Though S5 does offer a chassis, the style wasn't one I wanted, so I built it on an LMB box as others have done. I need to do a little more painting, but it's in use and working now.
This page describes some of the choices I made.
QRPacificon / Norcal QRP / HFPack Dinner
Although the
Norcal QRPacificon 2009 page doesn't say the location, there is a dinner tonight according to James KA5DVS:
Location is the Hometown Buffet in Milpitas:
212 Ranch Dr
Milpitas, CA 95035
This is just across 237 from the hotel.
There is a reserved area for Norcal QRP starting at 5:30PM and
the HFPack folks are most welcome to join us.
(previously reported)
Difference Engine 1
A copy of the portion of Babbage's first Difference Engine that was built. This one is under glass, and was made by IBM in the 1970's.
Babbage's Difference Engine
Babbage's 2nd Difference Engine, built in London in modern times and on display at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View. You can see them operate this one daily.
Europe Beam Pattern
Today in celebration of sunspots I pointed my beam at 30 degrees (Europe) and left fldigi and PSK Reporter running. When I got home I saw signals throughout Europe and Asia and the US, but a particularly strong line through Europe. Sure enough the line is at 30 degrees. I know the SteppIR pattern isn't that tight, but what a coincidence!
QRPacificon October 9/10 2009 in Milpitas
Pacificon is likely not to be with us next month, but the Norcal QRP is having an activity in Milpitas, and HFPack group will also be participating. The event will take a recess for the ASVARO Flea Market on the Saturday 10th in the morning and resume in the afternoon.
For more information, read below or visit
http://norcalqrp.org/pacificon09.htm
-------- Original Message --------
QRPacificon 2009 will be held October 9 and 10th this year in Milpitas at the Crowne Plaza Hotel:
Crowne Plaza Hotel
SAN JOSE-SILICON VALLEY
777 BELLEW
MILPITAS, CA 95035
Hotel Front Desk: 1-408-3219500 | Hotel Fax: 1-408-3219599
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hotel/sfomp
The hotel is located in Milpitas just a short distance from the San Jose Airport has a complimentary airport shuttle.
Free parking for guests and attendees of QRPacificon 2009.
Hotel booking link for QRPacificon 2009 rate of $65 per night :
https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=1457326
If you do not wish to book online, please call 888-233-9527 to make reservations and ask
for the Norcal QRPacificon 2009 rate of $65
QRPacificon 2009 Events schedule
Silicon Valley surplus store tour Friday afternoon
No host dinner Friday evening at 5:30 (location to be announced)
Meet and greet in the hotel ballroom along with vendors and swapmeet ~7-11PM
Saturday morning is the De Anza College Electronics Fleamarket: http://www.electronicsfleamarket.com/
Folks often arrive with flashlights before daylight to get the best bargans. The location in Cupertino is about a 20 minute drive from the hotel.
We will start presentations at 10:30 and will have a great lineup of speakers. Presentations will run through the day
Lunch will be 12:30 to 2PM with presentations following until 5PM
Saturday evening is dinner on your own 5-7PM
At 7 we will regroup in the ballroom for an auction. Due to time constraints, we will limit it to one item per
seller. So bring something surplus to you that needs a new home.
We will also have door prizes and lots of fun so come out and join us for QRPacificon 2009.
Doug, James and the Norcal QRP Club
USB 5V Car power adapter converted to APP
I got a 5V USB power adapter for my car, but it broke and fell apart. I retrieved most of the parts, but the tip was lost. So I took it apart, and found broken wires and bad solder joints. I replaced the tip with an Anderson PowerPole connector.
Read more about my
USB car adapter converted to Anderson PowerPole.
HP5216A Frequency Counter
At the
ASVARO Electronics Flea Market I bought an HP-5216A frequency counter. It needed a new power cord, and some other TLC.
Read my
HP5216A Frequency Counter Saga.
Arduino - High Sierra Sidekick Antenna Controller
I'm building an Arduino-based
High Sierra Sidekick antenna controller.
See
current status.
