A story about cookies
tl;dr: It’s the fist thing in the morning - what do you do?
Random Musings on Nick Booth
Recent content in Random Musings on Nick Booth
Latest posts
Website Updates
tl;dr: Scratched a few website itches — added privacy-respecting Plausible analytics (turns out I’m not just shouting into the void), wired up Fediverse announcements via GoToSocial (follow at @blog@n1cck.us) plus a scraper that pulls replies and boosts into a comments section, and finally automated deployment with GitHub Actions so publishing isn’t a manual SSH-and-docker slog anymore
Utah, 2026
tl;dr: A trip to Salt Lake, UT
CT Radio Frequencies
tl;dr: A download stash for CT radio frequencies that I sometimes monitor
Mesh Flying Test
tl;dr: Experiment to map Meshtastic/MeshCore radio contacts made during flights between Boston, Dallas, Las Vegas, and Phoenix
Pihole With Unbound
tl;dr: Updating PiHole to use unbound for performant and private DNS lookups across my entire Tailnet
Which Linux should I use?
tl;dr: Linux isn’t hard, it’s just a matter of having a few solid options to choose from.
Amateur Radio is dying!
tl;dr: New license issuance is as high as historical numbers, but engagement is down.
Ttypewriteros
tl;dr: If you were going to build a practical typewriter in 2026, what would be your requirements, and how would you use them? Here is an overview of TTYpewriterOS, which is my homebrew solution to trying to maintain focus in a sea of ADHD insanity
Hello From TTYpewriterOS
tl;dr: An intro post from the TTYpewriter
Encryption on Amateur Radio
tl;dr: The blog post explains that FCC Part 97 prohibits obscuring the meaning of communications on amateur radio bands, not encryption itself, because amateur radio is intended for RF experimentation and public service rather than private communications. The author argues that requests for encrypted private conversations or secure internet browsing are better served by other radio services (like…
Weeknotes Oct 12 2025
tl;dr: If you obey all the rules you miss all the fun - Katherine Hepburn
To Beat the Devil
tl;dr: You see, the devil haunts a hungry man - If you don’t wanna join him, you gotta beat him
Weeknotes Oct 05 2025
tl;dr: Week notes for October 5th, 2025
Some Rss Feed Updates
tl;dr: Updated the RSS feed format to have summary, full content, and better formatting. Not done, but this is at least MVP.
Can I still get my Amateur Radio license during a government shutdown?
tl;dr: Most FCC systems related to amateur radio are down during the current government shutdown; many VE teams will still provide exams, but applications are not able to be submitted until the FCC re-opens at a later date.
La Jolla
tl;dr: The ocean’s roar is music to the soul
Announcing a blog to the Fediverse
tl;dr: I have lost all my sanity - but its OK!
Blog Notification Poll Results
tl;dr: I would like to know where you want to hear from this blog…
This is only a test
tl;dr: This is a test of the notification system
A Poll Abuot Blog Notifications
tl;dr: I would like to know where you want to hear from this blog…
Around the fire is a special kind of quiet
tl;dr: A reflection on the life cycle of fire — from fragile beginnings to roaring brilliance to fading embers.
Music In Our Lives
tl;dr: “Where words leave off, music begins.” — Heinrich Heine
Music Monday for January 20 2025
tl;dr: A nostalgic review of Hootie & The Blowfishs Cracked Rear View, highlighting its 1995 chart-topping success, sing-along appeal, and lyrical progressiveness amidst mid-90s pop classics.
Music Monday for January 13 2025
tl;dr: I encourage readers to pick a random album, listen to it fully, and share thoughts—this week featuring Ellis Pauls A Carnival of Voices, praised for its heartfelt, folk-inspired storytelling.
How to Study for Your US Amateur Radio License
tl;dr: Introducing ham radio as a hobby, outlining the three levels of amateur radio licensing exams, and providing study tips, resources, and tools for exam preparation.
Music Monday for Jan 6 2025
tl;dr: The first Music Monday explores Dave Matthews Bands Under the Table and Dreaming, revisiting its nostalgic vibes, rich instrumentals, and iconic callbacks. Share your own random album journey!
Goals in 2025
tl;dr: Reflecting on 2025 goals: write regularly, reconnect with music, embrace focused learning, and prioritize progress over perfection for personal growth and effective communication.
Music Monday
tl;dr: “Music Monday: One Random Album, One Short Journey” invites readers to explore complete albums at random, reflecting on their impact and sharing stories tied to the listening experience.
Favorite Photos of 2024
tl;dr: I took a bunch of pictures in 2024 - here are my favorites.
FCC Amateur Application Timing
tl;dr: Obtaining an amateur radio callsign involves a straightforward but structured process. For most people, the entire process takes a few days after payment, barring delays. Third-party databases like QRZ may take an additional 1–2 days to update. Applicants should follow the outlined steps and timelines, as attempts to expedite the process often cause delays.
Unlocking the AnyTone 878
tl;dr: The various steps needed to unlock your Anyton 878 and derivatives to use the full frequency space of the internal chip.