The World’s Smallest Ham Radio Can Fit on a Keychain

Since the advent of e-mail, the internet, and text messaging, the need for amateur radio communication has definitely diminished. But there’s still a small but dedicated group of enthusiasts out there who enjoy communicating via amateur radio, also known as “Ham radio.” Most ham radio transmitters are at least the size of a lunch box, and in some cases the size of a desktop computer. But this ham radio transmitter is small enough to carry in your pocket.

Measuring just 1″ x 1″ x 0.75″, the KeychainQRP won’t transmit your voice or music, but it can send morse code signals using low-power, high-frequency radio waves when you tap on its top-mounted button. Assuming your message recipient has access to a compatible multi-band shortwave radio, they can listen to your transmissions if they’re close enough. The tiny transmitter comes in seven different amateur radio bands, and can produce a 160 milliwatt signal on a single 9-volt battery. You’ll need to attach an external SMA antenna if you want your signal to go anywhere though, and also need a ham radio operators license if you want to use one legally.

You can find all of the different frequency models of the KeychainQRP morse code transmitter for $51.99 each over on the QuirkyQRP Ham Radio shop.

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Morse Code Clock: You Don’t Have to Know the Code to Tell the Time

Morse Code Clock

The Morse code was huge back in the day when people used telegraphs to communicate. It’s not something you should necessarily learn at this point, although I do think it’s advantageous to learn the code, just in case you find yourself in a tight spot and can’t communicate except by Morse.

Helping you polish up on your numbers and just making your room look infinitely cooler is the Morse Code clock.

You’ll be able to read the time off it even though you don’t know the Morse code because it’s painstakingly obvious and the placements obviously give the figures away.

The Morse Code Clock is available for $35.99 online.

[ Product Page ] VIA [ Gizmodo ]

Morse Code Clock: It’s Dot Dot Dash O’Clock

morse code clock Morse Code Clock: Its Dot Dot Dash OClock
Does anyone even still use Morse Code anymore these days? Well you better learn it quick son cause the Morse Code Wall Clock Morse Code Clock: Its Dot Dot Dash OClock doesn’t have any numbers- just the familiar dots and dashes. Or unfamiliar I should say. Of course you could just use the hands on the clock to figure out the time, soldier. At ease, old timer. Dismissed.

buy now Morse Code Clock: Its Dot Dot Dash OClock

Morse Code Clock: It’s Dot Dot Dash O’Clock

Dot Dash Dot Dash Blink!

Simple and realistic this Flash Communicator is one handy gadget you might want to take on your next camping trip. More like a real-time Morse code device, it translates voice to flashes of light that can be detected, read, and translated to voice by the receiving party. The idea behind this project was to make communication between survivors of natural disasters, easy. With the help of a Flash Communicator, locating and rescuing them would be more efficient.

During and after natural disasters, electrical devices are often paralyzed. Since the electrical supply is blocked, it is difficult to see at night. Communication is virtually impossible, so it is more difficult to locate survivors. Flash Communicator is a special communication device that could be used in this context.

  • Flash Communicator can be used as a simple night-light to alert any aircraft that might pass by.
  • It can be used to quickly transfer information about the current situation.
  • When the user presses the button that says ‘communication’ and speaks through the microphone, the VLC (visible light communication) transmitter changes the voice to light. If the VLC receiver of other party recognizes the light, it then changes the light into voice so that it can be heard.
  • When the voice component is not being used, the product automatically turns off.
  • This product could be placed in buildings’ staircases or in any public place as an emergency flash light for use whenever people might need one.

Flash Communicator is a 2012 red dot award: design concept winning entry.

Designer: Kim Minsoon

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(Dot Dash Dot Dash Blink! was originally posted on Yanko Design)

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Visualized: Cubesat micro-orbiters slip into space to flash Earth in Morse code

Visualized Japan's wee Cubesat orbiters dribble out into space

Japan's four-inch FITSAT-1 orbiters were released from Japan's Kibo laboratory on the ISS last week to (literally) start their world tour, and astronauts aboard the station captured the wee satellites being dwarfed by giant solar arrays and our own blue rock on their way to orbit. Soon they'll be writing "Hi this is Niwaka Japan" in Morse code using intense flashes of LED light, first to Japan and then across the globe, starting next month. To catch them floating away from the International Space Station's cozy confines, hit the source.

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Visualized: Cubesat micro-orbiters slip into space to flash Earth in Morse code originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Oct 2012 10:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Japan’s LED-stacked cubesat will burn Morse code into the heavens

Japan's LED-stacked cubesat will burn Morse code into the heavens

If you thought cloud writing was cool, then how about a message from space burnt into the night sky? A group of unassuming cubesats recently left the comfort of the ISS and joined Earth's orbit -- among them was FITSAT-1 (aka Niwaka), a four-inch-cubed Japanese satellite covered in high-powered LEDs. Its mission is to broadcast the message "Hi this is Niwaka Japan" in Morse code, using bursts of intense light to draw dots and dashes across the heavens. FITSAT-1 was originally planned to appear only over Japan, but a flurry of interest means it'll be touring the globe, starting next month. It'll also find time for its studies, beaming VGA images snapped with an onboard camera back to Earth, to test a high-speed data transmitter.

While its creator, Professor Takushi Tanaka, has said the Morse broadcast has "no practical aim," we think it would make a good emergency beacon for natural disasters (or, more worryingly, alien invasions). FITSAT-1 will try and fulfill all requests for appearances, but it can't control the weather, so you'd better hope for a clear night if it visits your part of the world. If you're as excited as we are to see it in action, bookmark the source links below, which should be updated with its orbit schedule in the near future. And, even if you don't speak Japanese, the video after the break will give you an idea of what to expect.

Continue reading Japan's LED-stacked cubesat will burn Morse code into the heavens

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Japan's LED-stacked cubesat will burn Morse code into the heavens originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Oct 2012 12:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceFukuoka Institute of Technology (1), (2)  | Email this | Comments

Gmail Tap: Google Brings Back Morse Code, at Least for a Day

Google brought back the groundbreaking, anti-Retina display 8-bit technology to their Maps service. But that’s not all that the company has in store for us. Introducing Gmail Tap. Put simply, it replaces the cramped virtual keyboard on Android devices and replaces it with something much, much, simpler: two keys, a dot and a dash.

gmail tap google april fools

It is truly another revolutionary old-new technology by Google.

Check out the Gmail Tap page for more hilarious features, such as “Double-black diamond mode,” which allows users to type 8 messages at once. Beat that, keyboard!

[via Reddit]