Midland XT511 Base Camp Dynamo GMRS/Weather Radio

In my series of hand-crank/dynamo radio, here’s a new addition. The Midland XT511 Base Camp.
Midland XT511 Base Camp
The XT511 is similar to the earlier ER102, but now contains a FRS/GMRS radio.

Some features:

  • 22 Channels (FRS/GMRS)
  • 121 Privacy Code (38 CTCSS/83 DCS)
  • AM/FM Receiver
  • Weather Alert
  • LED flashlight
  • (Alarm) Clock
  • USB Charging jack (Mobile Phone)
  • Runs on 4 AA batteries or the OPTIONAL NiMH battery pack. You’d think that would come included. It doesn’t look like you can charge the AA batteries. A 2 pack of the battery packs are only $19.99 tho. It has a microphone/speaker jack, but it’s not clear it this unit comes with a microphone.

    This radio will be released on 15 June 2007, waiting for FCC clearance which it just received today.

    A reference link of the product on Amazon (MSRP: $79.99).
    Midland XT511 Dynamo 22-Channel GMRS Emergency Crank Radio
    This item may not be available anytime soon, please check your dealers for availability. (See comments below!)

    Tux Droid

    Belgian company Kysoh makes the Tux Droid, a robot that you can program yourself through Linux.
    Tux Droid
    From the web-site:
    Tux Droid is a first generation 2.4 GHz wireless robot specially built for Linux®.

    Tux Droid will be your favorite smart companion. Connect him to your PC and make him flap his wings, dance around, talk, blink his eyes, and all the other stuff you can imagine…

    • Let Tux Droid dance when you receive an e-mail
    • Program Tux Droid as a guard dog to scare away intruders
    • Program Tux Droid as a wake-up clock
    • Take Tux Droid to your bathroom to listen to the news broadcast
    • Program Tux to be a remote control for your PC, activating multimedia applications
    • Program Tux Droid to function as a wireless VOIP phone
    • Or just show Tux Droid around to impress your buddies.