Used enterprise hardware is a staple for any homelab. Recently, I came across a Cisco WS-C3750G-24TS-S1U. A solid 24-port Gigabit switch with SFP uplinks and – quite excitingly – Layer 3 capabilities. However, getting it up and running presented some typical Cisco hurdles, especially concerning firmware updates and storage space.

Initial State: IPBASE and Missing Cryptography

After the first boot via console cable, show version revealed: Cisco IOS Software, C3750 Software (C3750-IPBASE-M), Version 12.2(44)SE6

In the world of amateur radio, information is everything. Users of OpenHAMClock already appreciate its clean display of time, weather, and propagation conditions. But as an IT professional, I couldn’t help myself: I wanted more interactivity and automation.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been working intensively on a series of AddOns and documentation to transform OpenHAMClock into a true command center for the ham shack.

[frank@do3eet-terminal ~]$ git checkout redesign
[frank@do3eet-terminal ~]$ git merge master
[frank@do3eet-terminal ~]$ deploy --force-coolness

If you briefly wondered while loading the page whether you accidentally landed on a 90s mainframe via SSH: Don’t worry, it’s completely intentional!

I’ve spent the last few days giving my digital home a complete makeover. Moving away from “standard website” towards a design that reflects my passions: Linux, technology, and a healthy dose of science fiction.

I recently fulfilled a long-held wish and treated myself to a fully programmable mechanical keyboard: the Keychron V5 Max in the ISO-DE layout. As a Linux user and tech enthusiast, the ability to customize every key and function to my liking was the deciding factor for the purchase. My first project was quickly defined: I wanted a visual confirmation when the number pad is active. Instead of just a single indicator LED, the entire block should change color.

With a bit of delay, I would finally like to report on my new awards. Unlike with ARPS and the QSL card, which are about transmitting to the ISS, these are more about reception. To obtain these documents, one must provide proof of receiving SSTV images from the ISS.

SSTV stands for “Slow Scan Television” and is an operating mode in amateur radio used for transmitting still images. In the context of the International Space Station (ISS), this means that the ISS transmits images via radio at specific times, which can be received by radio amateurs on Earth. This capability is mostly used for specific events. ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) usually announces these events in advance.