Little Green Lights

I Downloaded a Picture From Space

Mike Joseph — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 03:29:02 +0000

I never thought I’d download a picture from space using a cheap radio and a phone, but that’s exactly happened. Let me show you how. A few months ago I was in the process of reviving my amateur radio hobby (aka ham radio). I received my amateur license in 2019 but after the Covid-19 pandemic hit and following life disruptions occurred, I had to put the hobby down for a few years. Then, during the summer of 2024 I decided...

Remain calm. This is only a test.

Mike Joseph — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 01:11:06 +0000

This is a test post to see if my blog is posting correctly to my social media connections. I am including a few photos of a ham radio project as part of the test.

The post Remain calm. This is only a test. first appeared on Little Green Lights.

Hello, world!

Mike Joseph — Sun, 09 Feb 2025 23:26:20 +0000

I am in the process of reviving this blog. More updates to follow soon. I intend to use this to document some projects I am working on in the amateur radio (aka ham radio) world.

The post Hello, world! first appeared on Little Green Lights.

Providing a High Quality Customer Experience

Mike Joseph — Mon, 17 Oct 2016 01:06:03 +0000

Not to be confused with high quality customer service. There is a difference. A big one. Take for example my recent experience at a fast food restaurant. I walked in, waited my turn in line (not long), and when I arrived at the counter and was greeted with a friendly smile and an enthusiastic “How can I help you today?”. I placed my order for a burger, fries, and beverage. It was cheerfully read back to me for confirmation, payment...

Mike’s Rules of IT

Mike Joseph — Mon, 17 Oct 2016 00:18:08 +0000

The following is printed out and taped to my desk at the office. Whenever I make a mistake, it can usually be traced back to one of these rules being broken: Mike’s Rules of IT Assume nothing. Verify everything. Work smarter, not harder. Use your resources. Know when to escalate. Details or die. Reproduce the error. Prove the fix. Always check the physical connection. Empathize with the user.

The post Mike’s Rules of IT first appeared on Little Green Lights.

Why Little Green Lights?

Mike Joseph — Sun, 16 Oct 2016 23:44:19 +0000

The name for this site was inspired by this scene in the movie “Red Planet” in which most of the main characters are stranded on Mars and all communication to their mothership has been cut-off: Gallagher has cobbled together a radio from 50-year-old parts. Pettengill holds the solar panels at the sun while Robby carefully removes one of his two suit-radio microphones. Checks with a meter, then solders it onto his jerry-rigged radio. Gallagher: “Test, test…” He adjusts a tiny pot...