MOTM

a) for those you use CEM/SSM in projects or repair, I updated the page today 
(www.synthtech.com/cems.html) with stock info and some price revisions (wife 
wants new carpet). Last batch of parts went to fix her Toyota's A/C.

b) I'm sending a kit ship list to Paul H. tonight. It's been 2 weeks since the 
last one, Easter + moving my mother-in-law from the hospital to a new apartment 
(100% complete as of 7:14PM today). I will try to ship all the VCO/Power Supply 
kits pending this week, this is my main focus.

c) The new contract pcb assembler is working on '510 and '800 pc boards, enough 
to cover all the existing assembled backlog + a few to have stock. These will be 
done by April 11th, then I'm doing '190s and '410s. The VCOs I think I will have 
wave-soldered in parallel with this other assembly.

d) On a positive note, the total module shipments for the last 2 quarters 
(Q4-2004 and Q1-2005) was a *new record*, 645 modules. This squeaked past the 
previous high of 639 modules during Q1/Q2 of 2001 (my best overall year). So a 
tip of the hat to Paul H. and crew for cranking this stuff out, and of course to 
the folks buying them :)

e) I have not forgotten about the '485s. I need to get other stuff finished 
first. I'm going to ship the 'Quick Kits' in mid-May. Which will cover my income 
tax bill :(

f) [OT] If you are like me and spend lots of time listening to music (at home 
and driving) and know every CD you have (all 899 of them) by heart, I **highly 
recommend** XM radio. Here is my new toy:
http://www.xmradio.com/myfi/

about $219 street + monthly programming (about $9). What is impressive (to me) 
is not the radio, but the *programming*. In a span of 30min, I heard Joni 
Mitchell, Yes, Muddy Waters, Tubes, Al Dimeola, Bach and FireSign Theater. 150 
channels, very little if any 'talking' (no more than 20 seconds) and ZERO 
commercials. The audio quality is like really good but dead quiet FM. What's 
cool about the MyFi is it has a built-in FM transmitter, so I have it on the 
desk and it transmits to *both* the 'lab' radio and the one in the family room. 
The antenna sits in a south-facing window ledge (it has like a 50 foot cord!) 
and I get 100% strength. Lastly, it has built-in FLASH to record 5 hours 
"off-line". So, every night I get it record, then when in 'Walkman mode' can 
listen (you have to use the antennas otherwise). Again, this is 'first 
generation' receiver, in 2 years it will be $99 and the size of a stick of gum 
:) But FINALLY I can listen to bluegrass, folk, prog rock, comedy and the Texas 
Rangers hassle-free. AWESOME!

Paul S.
what's on now: Yes, Elton John, John Coltrane, Mr. Mister, Steely Dan, Weather 
Report and the Ramones.