12 chapters across the catalog
Ryan Hedum plans to travel from Sacramento to San Diego, then through the Southern U.S. to Minnesota and Vancouver. The hosts suggest he use an APRS beacon so the community can track his progress via ham radio maps. Sir Jim Zuckel is also acknowledged as an Associate Executive Producer following a $200 donation.
Adam Curry describes a digital skywriting project performed by following a GPS track and reporting it to ground stations via APRS. The flight path was visible live on the web and shared with a ham radio Reddit group. Feedback from the online community was mixed, with some users comparing it unfavorably to a man who walked across Japan to create a GPS proposal.
Payday Loan Regulation, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
President Obama's push for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to regulate payday loans is analyzed. The hosts compare the high fees of payday lenders to the even higher effective APRs of credit card late fees and utility penalties. They argue that while payday loans can be predatory, the broader financial system—including student loans—operates on similar principles of debt entrapment.
D-Star Digital Technology and Amateur Radio Social Networking
D-Star (Digital Smart Technologies for Amateur Radio) is presented as a high-quality digital voice and data protocol that allows for global addressability and routing. Developed by ICOM, the technology enables 128 kilobit data connections and direct call-sign addressing, functioning as a non-commercial social network for licensed operators. The protocol's ability to send simultaneous text and voice data is highlighted as a significant advancement for the hobby.
A new protocol for ham radio called AnswerServe (ANSRVR) is introduced, which functions similarly to a listserv or Twitter over airwaves using APRS. The system allows subscribers to receive messages on their handheld or mobile radios without relying on the internet. Adam Curry encourages John C. Dvorak to overcome his "laziness" and set up his ham radio equipment.
Knighting Ceremony, National Weather Service Alerts
A formal knighting ceremony is conducted for several producers, including the Julian brothers and Wilbert Raps. The segment transitions into a discussion about a new handheld ham radio with APRS and National Weather Service alert capabilities, which proved useful during recent heavy flooding in Austin, Texas.
APRS Radio Messaging and Blackout Drill Preparation
A technical project is described involving the integration of Google Voice with an APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) gateway for radio-based text messaging. This setup is intended for use during potential infrastructure failures or the upcoming national blackout drill.
John C. Dvorak and Adam Curry discuss the technical side of the show, including the "Eric the Shill" spreadsheet and the use of APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) for messaging during potential emergencies. They mention a meeting with an iTunes podcast representative and the importance of show indexing, noting that the "No Agenda CD guys" provide better search capabilities than the hosts themselves.
Iraq and Afghanistan Violence, Auto Loan Securitization and FICA Scores
News reports highlight ongoing violence in Iraq and a Taliban attack on a U.S. consulate in Herat, Afghanistan. The conversation shifts to the domestic economy, specifically the rise of long-term, securitized auto loans. The hosts warn of a potential bubble in the car market and discuss how fluctuating FICA scores can impact interest rates.
Birthday Shoutouts, Donation Credits, Space Station Message
The show continues with a lengthy list of producer credits and birthday shoutouts. A notable mention includes a successful APRS message sent to the International Space Station by a listener, which was "digi-peated" back to Earth.
APRS Technology, Ham Radio Licensing and Geek Culture
Adam Curry promotes the Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) as "Twitter for ham radio." He encourages listeners to obtain their FCC licenses, dispelling the myth that the tests are difficult and challenging "geek girls" in the media to prove their credentials by becoming licensed amateur radio operators.
No Agenda Amateur Radio Initiative and Ham Radio Memes
Listener Mike Snyder proposes a "No Agenda Amateur Radio Initiative" to promote the show within the ham radio community. The proposal includes using "In The Morning" (ITM) as a Morse code sign-off and utilizing APRS status messages for show links. The hosts discuss the evolution of amateur radio technology and the removal of Morse code requirements for certain licenses.
