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Poster Shows Automotive Radio Bands

Also, Radio Shack lends a third hand

r&s auto frequency poster
An interesting free poster from Rohde & Schwarz identifies frequencies used in automotive contexts.

Dan Slentz bought and installed a Rhode & Schwarz “Spycer” network storage system for his UHD video. It’s 2 petabytes, or 2,000 terabytes, and uses about 15 rack units in RAID5 configuration, all linked by fiber through a network fiber switch to Dan’s five edit cells and four record servers, which use 6 TB SSDs to record up to three hours of UHD video. The write speed of the SSD (Solid State Drive) is necessary for UHD video because spinning disc drives wouldn’t work.

While learning more from the Rohde & Schwarz website, Dan found a neat poster that Workbench readers will want. It gives a visual overview of the radio frequency bands and regulations “in today’s and tomorrow’s cars,” including broadcast, mobile communications (3G to 5G), communications (Wi-Fi, V2X etc.), global navigation, radar sensors and EV charging.

As the company notes, “Being able to manage the coexistence and interference of the various radio frequencies in an (electric) car is a major challenge for research, development and testing of in-car.”

The poster is available via mail or download.

Free is good

While we’re talking about free things, Dan reminds readers of the free Loudness Meter software from Bob Orban.

There are Windows and Mac versions; find them at www.orban.com.

Click on the “Downloads” tab, and scroll down the long list of product downloads to the Free Loudness Meter software.

Helping hand

Hot Holder third-hand graphic
As seen on the Radio Shack site, the Hot Holder’s molded silicon block aids in construction projects.

Longtime Workbench readers may recall the “home-brew” console that a young enterprising Dino Gatsoula built, complete with remote starts and status indicators, which we featured in 2018.

Dino’s 24/7 Greek-formatted station, which he runs with his dad, is now an internet station, having graduated from SCA status.

An avid hands-on engineer, Dino found a useful soldering device, shown in the first photo, at the Radio Shack online store.

The Hot Holder is a stamped silicon block with holes to mount a variety of connectors and parts, as identified in the second image. It serves as a third hand when you are either soldering or assembling.

To that end, there are even a couple of slots for holding wires that need to be tinned or soldered together.

Head to radioshack.com for more information. And if you like Modern Greek music, listen to Dino’s internet station by visiting www.radioedra.com.

Hot Holder third hand product viewe
Available from Radio Shack online, the block can be used for a variety of connectors, and even wires.

A peek inside (or behind)

Hall Communications Director of Engineering Edd Monskie is a deer hunter and sports shooter. Edd was looking for an inexpensive borescope to see down rifle barrels to check their condition and to inspect up close for flaws not easily seen by the naked eye.

Edd checked Amazon and found a variety of new LED-lighted borescopes. Most are under $100, and one is about $20. They usually have a USB connection, and many have a plug for direct access to Android phones. Since Edd uses an iPhone, he had to purchase a small Wi-Fi adapter as well.

Some are listed as “endoscopes,” although for our engineering application, these devices can be used for hard-to-reach equipment inspections. The LED/camera is mounted on a 3-foot or longer flexible cable, giving you a really good video picture of whatever you need to see over, under or inside. The model Edd bought has adjustable LED lighting, which is really helpful in dark locations.

Some people even use them to see inside engine cylinders with the spark plug removed. Aside from using it for his firearm inspections, Edd has used it to see various places inside racks and transmitters, even down a clogged sink drain.

A quick search of Google or Amazon will bring up a variety of choices. Just enter “borescope” or “endoscope” in the search block.

For inspections, Edd likes that you send the cable — rather than your face, hand or phone — into the dark location.

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