A.R.F.

Some possibly good news!  I approached the owner of a site that has a very nice database of repeaters.  They expressed interest and we have exchanged a number of emails.  I don't want to get too excited, since each time I think I've found a source for data, things fall apart.  For example, it's been a week since I sent my last email, asking some questions, etc.  I've received no response since.  I'm hoping that they're just busy and will be getting back with me shortly.  Keep your fingers crossed!

If you hadn't already noticed, the ARF site is now sitting at a new domain: "www.repeater-finder.com".  I think it fits quite nicely...don't you?  This is the new home of the ARF site and should be for a long time to come...

Yeah, I'm really behind!  Take hope though!  I'm making the final tweaks on the firmware after what's been a super, super busy Spring. 

Here is the status:

1. I have the pricing for all of the individual components.  I need to roll those prices up to determine the final selling price(s).  I'll be doing that this week, so stay tuned for that info!

2. I'm finishing up the firmware.  I've improved a few user-interface things and I've decided to add "black list" features for the first release.  It just seemed like a good thing.  You can now mark a specific record as being "black listed" so that future searches no longer include it.  That's useful to be able to ignore those repeaters whose data are not valid, have gone away or that have some other data that makes them undesirable.  A feature I think you'll like...

3. I'm beginning to write the "build" and "user" documentation.  Without at least the "build" manual, ARF won't be much of a kit!

4. I still need to set up the business entity for selling ARF.  I've always done business as a sole proprietor, so I don't have any experience with any other form.  If anyone has some suggestions, I'll gladly take 'em!

5. The pre-punched Hammond case won't be available when I first release the kit.  This is mainly due to the fact that time is working against me, and I want to get the kit out as quickly as possible.  It will follow as soon as I get Hammond the dimensions they need and get the first run punched and verified.

6. I have the finished circuit boards and I need to take photos of it to replace the ones I have on the Web site.  Those had some "white wires" and I want you to see what it really looks like.  However, there are very few differences... (good news!).

Well, despite the freezing rain and slushy roads, the 2007 WASHFest came off pretty well!  While I suppose there were fewer attendees and sellers, it seemed like it was pretty busy.  The ARF table had quite a few visitors, with many questions and comments.  "Thanks" to all who came by and said hello! 

One of the most common comments was something like "Wow!  That's a great idea!  Anyone who travels will love this!".  And, "It supports *every* repeater type?  That's cool!". 

If you stopped by at the show, or even if you're reading this for the first, 5th, or hundredth time, drop me a line on the "Contact Me" page.  I'll add you to our mailing list and send you updates from time to time, to let you know what's new on the ARF horizon.

BTW: ARF worked great today! 

I got the latest PCB's in yesterday!  All works well, and it looks like it's a go!  I hope folks get out to the HamFest to take a look!

I sent the boards to Advanced Circuits this morning.  Assuming no snafu's, this will be the board I ship.  It has changes now to make it a bit easier to assemble (wider pin spacings for standard capacitor sizes) and I modified the GPS footprint to try and accommodate row-spacing changes that the supplier has made. 

Meanwhile...I continue to struggle with SQL...grrrrrrrrr

Some folks pointed out that I didn't have any screen shots from the unit.  I added some on the "Technical Stuff" page.  I also put a few shots of some prototype hardware, on the "History" page.  Please note that the photos are really not-so-hot!  But they do show a bit more of ARF's operating "look".

I finished what I hope is the final version of the board layout.  I'll be sending it out tonight, and I'll get them late next week.  This now includes fixes for a new version of the GPS module, as well as a design change to lower the power consumption off of the +5V.  Also cleaned up reference designators on the PCB so that construction should be a little easier.