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Recently I've been hit with a creative streak. Much like when I thought up AridAria the tale about a scarab like creature solving the waste and energy problems of the world in one shot this new line of thought has some serious science fiction backbone.

Basically it is Mars Underwater - a city that has been built jointly by military and corporate players while the majority of the people of earth are not actively scanning Mars. In this story, unlike the other, I apparently have a role as a general. Later on I discover that being a "general" actually refers to general purpose personnel within the city.

The city is mostly underwater, and it appears as though a giant wind-field known as a windsphere shields the city from the water - and it is very loud. If it wasn't scary enough with the limited space within the windsphere add on top of that a potential disaster scenario.

Since thinking of Mars Underwater originally I decided to hit the internet to see if anyone else had similar thoughts. Apparently it is not too uncommon. One fellow even mentions the role of a city underwater as a way to shield us from radiation and temperature shifts during a planetary reclamation effort. Unfortunately I don't think that plan called for the windsphere.

That should be enough for now, although this was the second vision I had about being conscripted into an advanced military program. The first time I nearly escaped a training facility, which apparently qualified me for additional standing in the corps. Conscripted being the most important term in that statement.

In December 2009 I made the choice to move away from browser level adblocking into system and router level filtering. This article explains the technical details of my conversion as well as how I chose to deal with problems as they occurred.

First I sought out a solution for adblocking My Chrome install, my girlfriend (AlieBalan.com) and her Firefox/Ubuntu install, and my rother Ky Gratton's Internet Explorer/Windows XP and 7 installs without causing a small war. Originally Alie and I were content with using Firefox/AdBlockPlus, while Ky received a full dose of ads by his own choice.

Unfortunately as I migrate to a new platform and my brother considers migrating entirely to Windows 7 the advertising issue has come up again. Of course, as I already implied the router based filter is preferable but not without some concern. This solution effects all users of my network, wired or wireless but users like my brother may not be easily convinced this is an acceptable idea because it IS censorship by a higher level operator. Even though this operator is me, and I only intend to censor advertisements the point is valid. I will have to convince users on my network how this is a good idea and how it can be monitored as a free and open act.

First I contended that blocking ads would reduce unnecessary bandwidth consumption without negatively effecting quality of service. Quality of service comes first, because otherwise I would have to block all non-text works to conserve bandwidth. Concerns about business models do not immediately effect users on my network, if your favourite site operates only on ad revenue and I have chosen to block ads on MY network is that wrong? Not entirely, after all I do not receive a cut of their ad revenue and I wouldn't want it - just likem public libraries I believe users should influence Internet content providers to make the information free and subsidize the distribution of the content on networks - a public Internet option that is not unlike public healthcare or libraries. I could probably write a very long essay about the importance of sharing useful information and how the useless plays a role in our lives as well. Recreation like gaming typically has a business model that collects money from consumers not advertisers. If demand permits going both ways then solutions like RuneScape have appeared. When I mentioned RuneScape, it clicked - Ads or payment, but we live in a world where organizations like PBS/NPR/CBC/BBC would keep the necessary free and ambitious users would offer competitive entertainment solutions.

So I went to work activating the DD-WRT script found here:
http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Useful_Scripts#Block_URLs_with_an_A...
This script goes in (Adminsistration>Commands>PASTE IT>Save for Start-up) and then you are nearly done.
Just reboot your router and it will automatically activate the script on reboot. This uses a blocklist that is frequently updated, but it updates itself from the script.

New Problem 1 - With AdBlocking the tough part is finding a list that suits your browsing habits, as some configurations blocked key features on sites like digg.com*. (*Please note that Digg.com may be mixing their stylesheet with their ads to prevent AdBlocking, if you are serious about free media use another social media site. I will be using m.digg.com until they fix their main page stylesheet for use with http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.txt a popular list for preventing ads from eating away my download cap)

After a bit of a learning curve I am glad to say that after using the Chromium Browser by Google (Part of its Chrome OS) I will be making the switch. Aside from ongoing performance issues on my EEE

Originally I was concerned about giving up AdBlock Plus and NoScript but there is a greater solution for systemwide and network level security. I will be using the AdBlock for DD-WRT script, blocking out ads before they even reach a system on my network. A similar hosts configuration file will be kept on my systems for when I access a network operated by anyone else. It is a simple process in Ubuntu/ChromeOS of adding a terminating redirect in the "/etc/hosts" file.

My post about Network level adblocking has been moved here: http://www.kurtismccartney.com/adblockhost

As I was saying, Chrome/Chromium makes better use of my limited visual space on my original EEE and has consistently greeted me with a positive user experience. Any of the hesitations that I had have been moved around to other pieces of technology.

On February 6th, 2010 I hope that you can join me and the Niagara Peninsula Amateur Radio Club at the "Big Event". This year the group has planned to host vendors from across the country and beyond. Even some big corporate vendors, like Durham Radio, RadioWorld, and MapleLeafCom Radio will be there. Lots of HAM operators and plenty of great deals.

From what I have heard the swap meet will be even bigger this year with a great deal of equipment being made available at unbelievable prices.

Sure, this may not sound like the kind of event for you - the average viewer of my website that is probably not an amateur radio operator or even a commercial radio vendor - but your support is needed. NPARC as an institution and affiliate to RAC and ARES has been the best at promoting emergency services, radio-sport and the greater hobby in Niagara. Even if you don't find something you or the budding amateur in your family is interested in at least you got some food and probably learnt something you didn't know before.

You can join NPARC and the Big Event 32 at:

Merritton Community Centre
7 Park Avenue.
St. Catharines ON

Doors open at 9am

In Canada as of Winter 2009-2010 the digital television signals are weak. This isn't because of your equipment or the standard itself, it is a part of how the system operates. Currently some digital channels can be as much as ten times weaker than their analog counterparts.

This wouldn't be a problem ten years ago, but for Canadians living near the border it is impractical to swap back and forth between NTSC and ATSC. This should be even worse for Canadian stations that lose the reach they once had to American channels.

I understand that the options for Cable and Satellite services are plentiful north of the border - but we have a regulatory body tasked with optimizing the radio frequencies used by commercial television and radio vendors in order to benefit the public. The CRTC, which sets the limits and permits use of the VHF and UHF television bands that continue to be used by the digital channels, can and should work to reach transmission equity between NTSC and ATSC transmissions. Equal distance covered for each station.

It is easy to see why the CRTC would have to step in on this issue, as many of the current stations and networks are so closely mixed with Cable and Satellite vendors that new television stations and existing independent stations are having more difficulty providing their useful and valuable services to the public.

Part of this is the core issue behind what call and satellite vendors are calling the "TV Tax". The TV tax is actually useful to companies that both distribute cable/satellite services and own television stations (ie. Bell or Rogers) by harming competitors that have focused entirely on building better distribution networks, like Cogeco.

ATSC Television over the air is the best way to deregulate while holding stations and networks to tougher regulations. Big players can put all their best channels on the same band as their primary networks - meaning we could receive Space, Showcase, and Much Music on the same Channel as OMNI or CityTV. The stakes are higher for these networks when all of their channels could be off the air for committing a violation. It also means that smaller vendors can more easily enter the market by clearing large sections of the VHF and UHF band. All of it benefits the consumers and the advertisers - the driving forces behind the industry, rather than sending the bulk of the profits to communications vendors that could use their existing networks and bandwidth to boost and reduce the cost of Internet services.

I'm not a revolutionary, these are straightforward ideas with a lot of money that could be made by deserving companies. Unfortunately the status quo has become something sacred when other lobbyists are pushing Canadian telecommunications companies to build beyond their means - which really passes the cost on to the consumer through lackluster services or higher tax dividends being spent on private companies.

If you're still confused, just do this:

1) Email the CRTC and ask for ATSC channels to have higher transmission power caps.
2) Don't spend or send money to any company that works against your interest and if necessary cancel existing services.
3) Rediscover the freedom of public media and broadcasting with your ATSC Tuner/Television

Have you ever heard of the Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) standard? How about the In-Band On Channel (IBOC) standard? Do you live in Canada?

If you answered yes to all three then you are among radio listeners like myself experiencing a level of frustration with the CRTC and the American FCC unable to reach united agreements. If you have not heard about these standards allow me to explain.

The DAB standard is the audio based radio equivalent of the UHF band on your TV for the most part. It was chosen by the CRTC to be HD Radio in Canada, our best answer to high definition digital radio for North America. It has evolved once swapping from MPEG-2 audio encoding to AAC+ Audio Encoding, but for the most part has lingered in obscurity. It's actually not new, however a lack of affordable and readily available listening devices has eliminated the DAB market in Canada.

There is HD Radio in Canada but it is not as popular as HD Radio in America south of the border. The USA and their FCC opted for a simpler digital radio standard the IBOC (In-Band On Channel). Digital signals are sent on the same radio frequencies as FM and AM stations. Immediate brand recognition from those radio stations is applied to the new standard. The HD radio devices all pay a fee to one American company that has developed the most popular compression/encryption system. This system is arguably better, but we need a fast and vast frequency shakeup that reflects station ownership. If we cannot clear up the FM band on both sides of the border new entries to the market may fail.

IBOC is in use in Canada by some listeners, however until it is mandatory in new cars it may not see the kind of growth Canadian radio listeners can appreciate - ubiquitous growth. If anyone knows of a classic dek style radio receiver that does DAB and IBOC - let me know on my contact page.

There was a bit of a learning curve before I could really appreciate most of the HAM radio applications in Ubuntu Linux. Then I discovered fldigi, a digiatl communications program for anyone. Let me explain the basics.

Fldigi can be for HAM operators or people looking to learn more about digital communications. Before I had my HAM Licence this program was still usable in the same room or over my old walkie-talkies. It sends out audible signals from your sound device, I started just playing the sounds from my speakers and eventually invested in interconnecting cables to other computers and radio transmitters. Simple headphone jacks worked amazingly, and the software/hardware combination is able to work with modular equipment. This includes a USB Tube Sound card for those looking to send and listen for the perfect signal.

Unfortunately this program does not act as a radio, use your existing hardware as a radio device, or come with instructions for non-radio users. In fact the first time I used this program I was frustrated by the constant inquiry into what my callsign was. But the open-source nature of the program can allow for a spinoff without all of the questions.

It is built to integrate with radios that can connect to your computer. This can help you to more effectively use the visual waterfall without swapping back and forth between your computer and your radio. Although I've typically used the program with much less sophisticated radios the effort by the developers is commendable.

On the plus side it does not force the regulatory requirements of one country that many proprietary programs do, usually rulse from the United States of America that tend to be overkill and are not required in Canada. The idea is to make the use of digital modes a fun experience, even for new operators.

CW (Continuous Wave Morse) Code is simulated by the soundcard, and the reader portion of the application can easily capture and convert the information for new CW users. The WPM (words per minute) can be adjusted far beyond human capabilities, which is fine for short range communication with less interference. The default is between 16 to 18 WPM though, and unless you have a keen ear for the speed of another operator its better to stay there. Some experienced CW operators have complained that my send speed is a little slow, but it almost always gets a clear read.

PSK Modes, including PSK31, 63, 125, and QPSK250 are supported. The usefulness of these modulations is in error correction and long file transfer. It also uses less bandwidth, but still a bit more than CW.

If you're looking for a better experience with digital modes, truly free software (no money, fully liberated), and a utility that even works with older radios from the mid to late twentieth century check out this application. I'd love to run a quick overview and video demonstration about it sometime, but it's probably better that I stick to writing.

Get fldigi in the Ubuntu repositories.

Unfortunately I didn't get many pictures during the Halloween celebrations in 2009, but I did get plenty of candy. Yes, it has become a tradition between my girlfriend and I to challenge ageist behaviour and go out on the hunt for candy each year. On occasion we stop to "give some back" to kids in some of the nicer costumes (and their siblings/friends). It's a great way to meet more of the neighbours.

Meeting the neighbours is one of the more interesting bits. Most of these people are so close to where we live, but miles away because of what television and the Internet has done to people and their ability to socialize. We used to see more of the neighbours before the local bar closed, but those were the neighbours I didn't really want to see that often at the times of night that I really didn't want to see anyone.

This year we brought along friends, Carleen and Grace. Carleen ended up in the same costume as me, but with more problems. It is windy on Halloween in Welland, and anything that isn't firmly attached will blow away. Her hat blew away about every two minutes, this was even after we safety-pinned her hat to her mask. It was a V costume from the V for Vendetta Film.

It was great.