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recent blog posts by eli

SOTA Mt. Davidson de KO6BCW March 9th 2024: My First SOTA Activation - Monday, March 11, 2024 at 21:30 UTC

I enjoy climbing the various hills of San Francisco and seeing who I can contact over VHF/UHF radio. There are many hills throughout the city which are great for making radio contacts, but only one is actually indexed as a SOTA summit, Mount Davidson (W6/NC-423). What better place to attempt my first proper SOTA activation? I had been here before many times, but never to attempt a SOTA activation.

One of the great things about Mount Davidson is its accessibility via public transit, at least in theory. I started my journey from downtown Market Street where I took the BART to Glen Park. From there I waited for the 36 bus, but it's only scheduled to come every 30 minutes, and there was a delay that day, so I walked a few stops along the path then thankfully caught it for the rest of the way up the hill. Walking the whole way from Glen Park BART station would have been too far. In total, the transit journey there took me over an hour when it should have taken me about a half hour according to transit apps. If you’re looking to activate this summit and are short on time, I recommend taking your preferred rideshare app.

Arriving at the bus stop there is a well-trodden trail up to the summit that can often be quite muddy after a rain. From the bus station to the peak is a very small hike. There were a lot of mosquitos, as always, but the weather was cloudy and pleasant, maybe a bit chilly. When I was there I ran into N6TNO, who was activating the summit on 20m CW. I set my 13 foot telescopic pole up against a park bench and secured it with a transom knot. After I mounted my roll-up J-Pole antenna, I put out a call, and got a lot of static in response. After talking with my first contact, he suggested I might be dealing with an overloaded front-end from nearby Sutro Tower and suggested trying a 2m band pass filter. Despite the challenges, I ended up making 6 contacts on a mix of 2m and 70cm. Maybe I’ll look into a 2m band pass filter for next time. Overall it was a great activation and I had a blast. And as usual, a few curious park-goers stopped to ask me what I was doing, and I introduced them to ham radio to the best of my ability.

Coming back, the transit situation was even worse. Although there was a very nice, newly-installed screen at the bus station indicating the current position of the buses, there was no scheduled 36 bus coming in the other direction at all, so I walked down the hill this time in a different direction, this time catching the M MUNI back downtown from the West Portal station.

Attached to this post are a few photos of the surrounding street, the bus stop for the woefully underserved 36 line, and a few photos from the summit featuring beautiful skyline views of San Francisco and the surrounding area.

ham radio is like pokemon go - Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 19:58 UTC

When bringing up ham radio to friends, I often get a puzzled look and they ask me what is so fun about contacting random people. Today I had a thought about how ham radio is like the OG Pokemon Go.

You know the rush of trying to catch 'em all in Pokemon Go? Well, hams have their own version – it's all about snagging those unique callsigns from different operators and locations. Each callsign is like a rare trading card, and the more diverse your collection, the higher up the coolness scale you climb in the ham radio universe.

Imagine wandering around, hoping to stumble upon a rare Pokemon. Ham radio operators get that same thrill, but instead of Pokemon, we're exploring the airwaves. It's like tuning into different channels, hoping to stumble upon a hidden gem. From chatting with someone on the other side of the globe to stumbling upon a rare radio event, ham radio is all about the excitement of the unknown.

You know those Pokemon Go community events where players gather for raids and challenges? Ham radio operators have their own version – contests, field days, and special events that bring people together. The ham radio community is a tight-knit group, connected by the love of the radio waves. It's not just about making contacts; it's about building friendships with like-minded folks from all corners of the world.

Whether you're a Pokemon master or a ham radio pro, both pursuits involve honing your skills. In Pokemon, you strategize and battle; in ham radio, you finesse your communication, master antenna construction, and tinker with radio technology. It's a hands-on, learn-as-you-go experience that keeps you on your toes and makes every achievement that much sweeter.

So there you have it, folks – ham radio, the original collectible game that predates Pokemon Go. It's not just about the callsigns; it's about the thrill of exploration, the joy of connecting with a global community, and the satisfaction of mastering a unique skill set. Happy hunting!

The Battle for Social Media Control: Musk's Twitter vs. Zuckerberg's Threads – Who Wins the Mindshare War? - Friday, July 7, 2023 at 20:15 UTC

In the ever-evolving landscape of social media, the battle for control over mindshare has intensified with the recent developments surrounding two tech titans: Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. With Musk's acquisition of Twitter and his controversial policy changes regarding censorship, and Zuckerberg's launch of Threads as a pro-censorship platform, the implications for control of the world's mindshare are profound. This blog post will delve into these developments, exploring the contrasting approaches to censorship and misinformation and their potential impact on the flow of information and freedom of speech.

Since acquiring Twitter, Elon Musk has been a subject of both admiration and criticism for his approach to censorship. Musk's intent to challenge the perceived leftist bias on the platform has led to accusations of amplifying misinformation. However, he has introduced innovative measures to counter this problem. One notable feature is the "community notes" system, which evolved from Twitter's earlier Birdwatch feature. This crowdsourced fact-checking approach aims to empower users to flag and provide context for potentially misleading or false information.

The introduction of community notes acknowledges the complexity of the misinformation problem, with the understanding that a singular authority should not determine the truth. By involving the Twitter community, Musk has created a platform where users collectively contribute to the verification and contextualization of information. While this approach may lead to certain biases or inaccuracies, it emphasizes the importance of free speech and a diversity of perspectives.

In response to Musk's acquisition of Twitter, Mark Zuckerberg's Meta has launched Threads, positioning it as a competing platform. Threads embraces a pro-censorship stance, taking steps to warn users about potential misinformation when following certain accounts, such as Donald Trump Jr. This proactive approach to filtering content aims to mitigate the spread of false information and protect users from its potential harm.

Moreover, an intriguing aspect of Threads is its plan to integrate with the fediverse, a network of interconnected social media platforms. This integration suggests an effort to broaden the reach of Threads beyond its own ecosystem, enabling users to engage with a diverse range of content and perspectives. However, it also raises concerns about the potential consolidation of power and the implications for freedom of expression within the fediverse.

The contrasting approaches of Musk's Twitter and Zuckerberg's Threads have significant implications for the control of mindshare worldwide. Musk's emphasis on free speech, although potentially leading to the amplification of misinformation, fosters an environment where multiple perspectives can coexist. It acknowledges the complexities of determining truth and promotes a sense of ownership and responsibility among users.

On the other hand, Threads' pro-censorship approach seeks to curtail the spread of misinformation but risks centralizing power in determining what information is deemed acceptable. The integration with the fediverse presents an opportunity to access a wider range of content; however, the potential for censorship and ideological biases within the interconnected network raises concerns about homogenization of thought.

Ultimately, the battle between these platforms reflects the larger struggle for control over the dissemination of information and the influence it has on society. Striking the right balance between freedom of speech and responsible content moderation is an ongoing challenge. It is crucial to foster an environment that promotes critical thinking, digital literacy, and user participation to combat misinformation effectively.

The battle between Elon Musk's Twitter and Mark Zuckerberg's Threads represents a clash of ideologies regarding censorship, misinformation, and the control of mindshare. While Musk's approach champions free speech, embracing the collective wisdom of the Twitter community, Zuckerberg's Threads takes a proactive stance against misinformation but risks centralizing control and limiting freedom of expression. The integration potential with the fediverse adds another layer of complexity to these developments, necessitating a careful examination of the potential consequences for the diversity of thought and the flow of information. As these platforms continue to evolve, finding the delicate balance between freedom and responsibility will be paramount to shaping the future of social media and its impact on society.

consequences of engagement driven design part 2: The Evolution of Engagement: From Hearst to Clickbait - Friday, July 7, 2023 at 05:30 UTC

In my previous blog post (https://www.ehlabs.net/blog/30), I explored the modern-day pursuit of engagement in website design and its potential consequences. Today, I delve into the past, tracing the origins of this phenomenon to the era of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst and the emergence of yellow journalism. By examining the historical context, motivations, and consequences of Hearst's approach to media, we can gain valuable insights into the evolution of engagement-driven strategies and their impact on society.

In the late 19th century, William Randolph Hearst rose to prominence as a leading figure in the newspaper industry. Hearst was driven by a relentless pursuit of readership and profit, adopting an approach known as yellow journalism. This style of reporting prioritized sensationalism, scandal, and emotional manipulation over factual accuracy and balanced journalism.

Similar to the modern-day pursuit of engagement, Hearst's yellow journalism aimed to captivate and retain readers' attention. By using provocative headlines, exaggerated stories, and eye-catching illustrations, Hearst's newspapers sought to evoke strong emotional responses from their readers. This emphasis on sensationalism and controversy helped fuel the ongoing competition among newspapers for readership and advertising revenue.

Just as the internet revolutionized media consumption in the 1980s, the development of new printing technologies in the late 19th century played a significant role in enabling Hearst's yellow journalism. Technological advancements allowed for mass production and widespread distribution of newspapers, leading to an increase in competition among publishers. With a need to stand out in a crowded market, sensationalism became a powerful tool for capturing readers' attention.

The sensationalist and controversy-driven nature of yellow journalism had profound effects on public discourse. While it attracted a large readership, the emphasis on eye-catching stories and emotional appeals often came at the expense of accuracy and balanced reporting. The tactics employed by Hearst and his contemporaries contributed to the blurring of lines between news and entertainment, eroding public trust in journalism and fostering skepticism towards media institutions.

The pursuit of engagement through yellow journalism had far-reaching social and political consequences. One notable example is the role Hearst's newspapers played in influencing public sentiment during the Spanish-American War in 1898. Through exaggerated accounts of Spanish atrocities, Hearst's publications stoked American outrage, pushing the country closer to armed conflict. This manipulation of public opinion for political purposes underscores the power and influence wielded by engagement-driven media.

Drawing parallels between Hearst's yellow journalism and contemporary engagement-driven website design reveals important lessons. While technology has evolved, the underlying principles remain the same – capturing attention and retaining viewership. The negative consequences observed in the past, such as misinformation and the erosion of trust, continue to resonate today.

Website designers must recognize the potential pitfalls of engagement-focused strategies. Just as sensationalism and controversy distorted public discourse in the past, the clickbait tactics and echo chambers of the internet era can exacerbate the spread of misinformation and polarization. Designers have a responsibility to prioritize accurate and balanced information while still engaging users, striking a delicate balance between captivating content and responsible journalism.

The pursuit of engagement in website design shares a historical lineage with Hearst's yellow journalism. By understanding the origins and consequences of engagement-driven strategies in media, we can better navigate the challenges of the digital age. As designers, content creators, and consumers of online information, it is crucial to strive for accuracy, balance, and responsible engagement to foster a healthier media landscape and ensure the integrity of public discourse.

Tipping Is Weird Now - Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 00:03 UTC

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/a...

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