Emooze

Turned on the power supply for the first time just now. I got a short "bzzt" and blew a 2A fuse. I couldn't figure out what caused it without touching the board so I put in a new fuse and powered up again. Again, short buzz but it didn't blow the fuse this time and the positive rail is putting out 503V. As far as I can tell though, the negative rail has got nothing. I have a feeling it's arcing under the caps but before I go poking around, I'm going to let it discharge. Already had that bite me once in the past...

Dang, that's terrible. In other news, there are four B-25s and some other WWII fighters flying around outside right now and the sound is glorious.

Saw a Major off on his first deployment in style and destroyed a final report. Then went home early.

I paid for a plethora of parts and UPS ground last Thursday and they upgraded me to two-day air and I received everything on Monday. Didn't talk to anyone, they must just like me.

Dried up whisky dregs at the bottom of a glass. My mother sent me this: http://www.petapixel.com/2013/03/27/photographs-of-dried-whisky-residue-on-the-bottom-of-scotch-glasses/

Edit: Nevermind, once again I mixed up part numbers. Finalizing the part orders now. I should have this together by Canlanta.

That paper is terribly written but they describe another project, the "thermoacoustic" loudspeaker: "In the thermoacoustic configuration graphene serves as a stationary heater to alternately heat the surrounding air thereby producing , via thermal expansion, a time-dependent pressure variation, i.e. sound wave."

A friend alerted me to this and I didn't see it posted anywhere else: http://gizmodo.com/5990520/scientists-have-made-graphene-earphones-and-theyre-amazing I'm not really surprised that a membrane that thin yet strong can produce good sound. But I am excited to see who adopts this tech first and what sort of amp is required to drive them.

I'm still hung up on the RK27 but I am impressed with whatever they covered the board with. That is one shiny circuit board. Must be nail polish.

Room booked finally for Friday to Sunday. Thanks again Trav for getting the discount.

I'm driving up and I have room in my car to help with the ferrying.

3 nights, Friday through Sunday. Really appreciate it Trav.

I'll be in for a t-shirt. I still need to book a room when I get back to my computer.

There's a training instructor I know named Sergeant Payne. There are also an unbelievable number of Captain Kirks. Haven't met a Major Major Major Major yet though.

Yes, Wright-Pat in Dayton. I'll be studying electro-optics.

I've been officially accepted into the Air Force Institute of Technology and will be going back to school full-time sometime in late summer. So I'll be leaving the awesome Florida crew and joining the Ohio group.

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. I hate Rocky for obvious reasons but this made me laugh.

The filter made vodka taste good and water taste bad. Had to get rid of it. Couldn't have people thinking I was drinking at work.

I can generally taste the difference. The bad has a certain taste to me that's just absent in good vodka. Favorite cheap stuff is still Russian Standard and if I could get Karlsson's here, that would be my premium go-to. My 2 cents: I have tried the brita filter trick with crappy product and the change is not insignificant. 5 runs through a normal, disposable filter got rid of most of the harsh, nasty flavor. The only cost was an hour of my time and a filter that now makes water taste like vodka.

Hmmm, that is true. I could bring... adult refreshments.

I'm 90% sure I'll be there and I'll need a room for Friday and Saturday night.

I've got a 9" Peugeot and my only issue with it is the knob holding to top loosens when I grind. I've yet to fully investigate why this happens but it doesn't affect me using it. Like Bruce said, it tends to lean towards a finer grind. Has anyone used one of the brass mills from Pepper Mill Imports?

Briefed a Major General (2 star). It was a little nerve wracking to stand in front of a man 7 grades above you with a PhD in everything.

It sounds like you are looking for an active voltage regulator. I'm not immediately aware of any DIY solutions. But a few years back I got recommended an AVR by Perma Power and does exactly what you're looking for. Nice and cheap for a used one if you look around.

Met my commander's commander's commander's vice (3 star), saw an absolutely terrible and gruesome traffic safety briefing and was part of a base retreat ceremony.