AWESOME package in the mail!

I hadn't checked the mail in about a week (don't judge), so imagine my surprise when I had a HUGE package waiting for me at our apartment office... I was good and waited until Ryan got home to open it since it was addressed to both of us.

Well, after dinner, we (I) couldn't wait any longer, so we busted the box open and found....

a picnic basket!!

Oh no, not just your normal picnic basket... it was FULL of awesome stuff for a romantic picnic! There were 2 wine glasses, a bottle of wine, brie, crackers, pretzels, fudge dip, AND wooden plates and cute napkins! WHAT a GREAT idea!

Now who was this AWESOME gift from?? None other than the amazing Jey & Vinnie Vincent! Jey was my roommate in college for two years, and I couldn't say enough nice things about her... She is the most genuine, loving, caring, kind person that I know, and I miss her SO much! Her husband Vinnie is perfect for her! He's a pilot, and they're living in Japan while he's in pilot training! WE LOVE THE VINCENTS!

Thanks Jey & Vinnie!!!! We can't wait to go on our first picnic together! :)

Antenna Measurement Techniques Association (AMTA) Conference

I attended the AMTA Conference this week in Boston at the Park Plaza hotel including the keynote speech by Dr. Eric D. Evans (Director of MIT Lincoln Labs) about radar measurement activities within their organization. I was surprised at the wide array of RF/microwave projects they are working on. He said they are concentrating on key technology enablers such as digital sensors, portable software, open system architectures, sensor/network sidecars and online processors. He said they are still innovating in hardware but spend more effort these days on software. They use rapid proto-typing (3 months from inception to hardware) and typically transfer the technology to industry for production.

There were also a few talks about the European Antenna Network - how they are structured to provide support for antenna research and what projects are underway. A very interesting and comprehensive set of programs for Europe and many of them have global participation.

The exhibits included most of the key players like ETS-Lingren, Agilent, CST, Satimo/Orbit RF, MI, Rohde & Schwarz, etc. One of the most interesting products on display was the helicoidal scanning for elongated antennas from MI Technologies which will greatly speeds up the measurement process (see image).

More to come in my conference wrap up on the Microwave Journal web site.

Google Sync for BlackBerry: Now with contacts

You asked for it, so here it is. We're happy to announce that in the latest update to Google Sync for BlackBerry, we've added two-way contacts synchronization. This new functionality will enable you to sync your handheld's built-in address book with your Gmail contacts. This all happens in the background and over the air, so your information is always up to date, no matter where you are or what you're doing.

Once you've installed Sync, all your information will be safe in your Google account. If you ever lose your phone or buy a new one, getting your address book and calendar to your new device is as easy as installing Sync. Current and new Google Sync users can try Google Sync today by visiting m.google.com/sync from their BlackBerry browser.

Posted by Marcus Foster, Product Manager, Google Mobile

note to self:

Just a bit overwhelmed today...