Website design advice

[KA9MOT]

I've been working on a website on QTH. I registered a domain name and purchased web hosting and I am using their site building software (cPanel).

So, the thing is functional but it looks hokie..... It looks like 1998 all over again.... Maybe it is the back ground. I don't know, something is off.

I am seeking free advice. I don't need anybody to build the site for me. I just need somebody to take a look at the site and make some suggestions.

Here is the Linky ---> http://mypanadapter.com/

Thanks, you have no idea how much your advise is appreciated.

[KC2UGV]

You need to start with something like this: http://www.glish.com/css/7.asp

However, I would really suggest a content management system. The one that I've found to be the easiest, but also very versatile is PmWiki.

[NQ6U]

You need to start with something like this: http://www.glish.com/css/7.asp

Ironically, when I went to that link I got this:


Server object error 'ASP 0177 : 800401f3'

Server.CreateObject Failed

/shared/src.asp, line 5

Invalid ProgID. For additional information specific to this message please visit
the Microsoft Online Support site located at: http://www.microsoft.com/contentredirect.asp.

Never rent space that runs on Microsoft's server software!

[KA9MOT]

OK, I thank you guys. It looks like it might be a little too advanced for me. What I've managed will have to do.

[KC2UGV]

OK, I thank you guys. It looks like it might be a little too advanced for me. What I've managed will have to do.

Just start here: http://www.w3schools.com/css/default.asp

It's really not all that complicated. And, a CMS will take care of most of it for you.

[W2NAP]

IMO to me its not bad for a simple page. the image at the bottom is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY to big. stretches out the page pretty bad though.

id also find a way to encrypt the e-mail in the mailto: line or the harvester will snag yer e-mail and you will notice more spam rolling in.
http://www.katpatuka.org/pub/doc/anti-spam.html

[N2CHX]

When I was learning, I simply looked at sites that looked the way I wanted mine to look, viewed the source and figured out how they did it. And in 2014, CSS is your best friend. Plenty of tutorials out there on CSS.

[KA9MOT]

Great advice! Thanks guys and gals!

[NM5TF]

Just start here: http://www.w3schools.com/css/default.asp

It's really not all that complicated. And, a CMS will take care of most of it for you.

good advice Cory......good place to learn.....

or there is :http://www.codecademy.com you can start to learn HTML/CSS for free...what
I did.....

or just download Kompozer......it's a full function WYSIWYG editor....

YMMV

[N8OBM]

I've been working on a website on QTH. I registered a domain name and purchased web hosting and I am using their site building software (cPanel).

So, the thing is functional but it looks hokie..... It looks like 1998 all over again.... Maybe it is the back ground. I don't know, something is off.

I am seeking free advice. I don't need anybody to build the site for me. I just need somebody to take a look at the site and make some suggestions.

Here is the Linky ---> http://mypanadapter.com/

Thanks, you have no idea how much your advise is appreciated.

I think the biggest issue is one of layout and organization rather than the tools you are using. I would see If I could consult with a graphic artist to clean up the presentation. BTW it looks like a very cool product. Any chance you might do something like that for other radios besides Yeasu? It would be a nice addition to either my ic720 or ic765.

Archie N8OBM

[KA9MOT]

I think the biggest issue is one of layout and organization rather than the tools you are using. I would see If I could consult with a graphic artist to clean up the presentation. BTW it looks like a very cool product. Any chance you might do something like that for other radios besides Yeasu? It would be a nice addition to either my ic720 or ic765.

Archie N8OBM

A graphic artist... I don't think I know of any.
Any radio the has a fist IF in above 30 MHz can be outfitted for this panadapter. The question is, what do you need to do to tap the First IF? If you're capable of adding a Tap, you can set this up your self and don't even need me.... but I'm always available for help and advice on the subject if you decide to try. many radios have a test point at the first IF you can use as the Tap. On some radios it changes the impedance too much and the receive is attenuated a bit. Yaesu makes it easy. Just build a cable and plug it in.

The software is the key and HDSDR is very powerful especially when combined with a radio that allows computer control. And the best part is that it is free.

I've also been modifying these RTL Dongles for use on HF. That is a real pain in the ass and takes me hours because I am not used to working with SMDs and the magnifying glass gives me a head ache, so I won't be selling any of those unless people are willing to pay what they are worth. I have sold a couple.

Here is a very poor video (taken with a cell phone) of one of my my kits with the FT-950. I hope to get some better videos up some day.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnTGwGkAemQ&list=UU9d21Apgu1rB4soYWvxQsCw& feature=c4-overview

[NQ6U]

A graphic artist... I don't think I know of any.

Yes you do. There are at least two who frequent the Island.

[NY4Q]

When I was learning, I simply looked at sites that looked the way I wanted mine to look, viewed the source and figured out how they did it. And in 2014, CSS is your best friend. Plenty of tutorials out there on CSS.

What this lady said.

[N1LAF]

Steve, are you using Micro$oft Front Page 5.0?

[KC2UGV]

As an aside, since this is a business venture, I'd be willing to whip you up a site. We can discuss terms privately, if you like. I'd be willing to cut you a "Ham discount" :)

[KA9MOT]

Steve, are you using Micro$oft Front Page 5.0?

No, Actually, I don't know... Long story short, a Ham offered to help and I decided to let him try. I passed along the password and allowed him to do his thing. He meant well but things got out of hand. I ended up with a horrible mess that was visual disaster and when I told him, "Thanks, I appreciate everything you've done, but I want you to stop." he refused to stop and I had to change the password to lock him out. I sent him a cheap studio mic to thank him and I did appreciate his help and work, but it wasn't what I wanted. Then I changed it to what you see today. The only thing left over from what he did is some of the words and the back ground.

I've been using the cPanel software QTH provides for free for all of my edits.

[KA9MOT]

As an aside, since this is a business venture, I'd be willing to whip you up a site. We can discuss terms privately, if you like. I'd be willing to cut you a "Ham discount" :)

I appreciate your offer, but there is no way I could afford to pay for pro help even with a "Ham Discount". :)

[KA9MOT]

good advice Cory......good place to learn.....

or there is :http://www.codecademy.com you can start to learn HTML/CSS for free...what
I did.....

or just download Kompozer......it's a full function WYSIWYG editor....

YMMV

That Codecademy is right handy! Thanks!

[NY4Q]

There's also this...

http://www.openwebdesign.org/

[N1LAF]

I appreciate your offer, but there is no way I could afford to pay for pro help even with a "Ham Discount". :)

How about free?

I had a free hour... looked interesting. I used Cory's layout suggestion as base, then modified. I'll PM you the zip file (4 graphics, 1 html file).

Page Posted (http://mypanadapter.com/)

Graphic on the bottom of the page resizes automatically, click on it to open in new tab.

[KC2UGV]

How about free?

I had a free hour... looked interesting. I used Cory's layout suggestion as base, then modified. I'll PM you the zip file (4 graphics, 1 html file).

Page Demo (http://paulfelgate.com/ragchewnet/ka9mot)

Graphic on the bottom of the page resizes automatically, click on it to open in new tab.

Dang it! I was going to do that, and have him donate $20 to HI's fund :)

[N1LAF]

Dang it! I was going to do that, and have him donate $20 to HI's fund :)

ah, sorry to steal your thunder... do you think it would make a decent page?

[KC2UGV]

ah, sorry to steal your thunder... do you think it would make a decent page?

Looks good enough for a page to start. Two steps above the current design.

[N1LAF]

Looks good enough for a page to start. Two steps above the current design.

How about embedding the Youtube video on the page itself? I am a little rusty code-wise.

Never mind... found the problem, fixed, and uploaded.

[KA9MOT]

WoW! That is cool! And $20 I can handle. I tried to make a donation the other day and got turned away......

I like it allot Paul. Thank You!

Steve

[NQ6U]

Not bad, Paul. My two cents would be to lose the graph paper background and the rules dividing the the columns, then extend the two sidebars to fill the full length and width of the page.

[K7SGJ]

My only suggestion would be for buyers to send the money to MY PayPal address.

[W2NAP]

My only suggestion would be for buyers to send the money to MY PayPal address.

no send to mine.

[KA9MOT]

And it's there! http://mypanadapter.com/

I threw away all of the old... well moved it into a folder I named "OLD" in case I messed things up, and in with the NEW!

Thanks to all of you and especially Paul! I'll make small changes as time goes on and I learn more code. I think Codecademy and Kompozer are going to be my new friends. It will give me something to do while I'm playing radio and NOT building those freaking cables. :lol:

[N1LAF]

Steve, I see your panadapter.com posting on the zed.. don't forget to do the same on ragchewnet.

[KA9MOT]

Steve, I see your panadapter.com posting on the zed.. don't forget to do the same on ragchewnet.

I thought about RagChew and I thought about posting it here on the Island....... I just didn't want to be spamming the group. It is a commercial endeavor. SInce I have your permission I'll go spam Rag Chew. Speaking of permission, I'm going to PM you over there.

[ad4mg]

I thought about RagChew and I thought about posting it here on the Island....... I just didn't want to be spamming the group. It is a commercial endeavor. SInce I have your permission I'll go spam Rag Chew. Speaking of permission, I'm going to PM you over there.

The "Buy-Sell-Trade" forum:

Keep it legal is all we ask. Private party and business sales are permitted.

You are welcome to post a thread there, Steve.

[N1LAF]

I thought about RagChew and I thought about posting it here on the Island....... I just didn't want to be spamming the group. It is a commercial endeavor. SInce I have your permission I'll go spam Rag Chew. Speaking of permission, I'm going to PM you over there.

No problem, Steve, glad to help. Also, there is a buy-sell-trade thread here on the Island as well, check with Jeff and/or Luke if there is any doubt.

[KA9MOT]

The "Buy-Sell-Trade" forum:


You are welcome to post a thread there, Steve.

Coolness! Thanks!

[WA7PRC]

Hi Steve,

That's a cool pan adapter! But, I'm wondering how it deals with receiver AGC. If the frontend is affected by AGC, stronger signals that make it thru the IF filters to the AGC detector will "pump the frontend gain downward", causing all displayed pips to follow. That's what I've noticed when looking at the 8.83 MHz IF wideband output of my various Kenmore rigs (TS-120S, TS-130S, TS-850S). I picked and buffered the IF of the two older rigs ahead of the IF filter; the '850 had it built-in (a second 8.83 MHz output from the "noise blanker mixer").

I imagine a Variable Gain Amplifier setup as an expander (derived from the RX AGC voltage) would do the trick. A pair of VGAs such as AD602 ICs would have plenty of dynamic range. Your thoughts?

vy 73,
Bryan WA7PRC

An afterthought... I s'pose the expansion doesn't need to be hardware. It could be done in software, with an A/D input from the rig's AGC line.

[KA9MOT]

Maybe, but I haven't seen it yet, and I've sold more then 100 of them, and it has not been mentioned. That said, if this were to occur, would it really matter? It's a Panadapter for less than $100. I have one customer who says my Panadapter blows his $1000 DMU-2000 away. Another who says my panadapter is much better then the LP=Pan set-up it replaced.

[KA9MOT]

I have one customer who says my Panadapter blows his $1000 DMU-2000 away.

Make that 2! :)