Tech on Stephen's Blog

Installing UniFi G5 Turret Ultra

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 02:29:00 +0000

Today I installed the UniFi G5 Turret Ultra. My partner purchased it for me during the holidays, but I have not had the time to install it until now.

Overall the installation process wasn’t too difficult—the hardest part was deciding which type of conduit to use for the exterior of the home. Ultimately, I decided to go with PVC because I did not have the tools needed to work with metal conduit—I would have needed a pipe threader, cutter, and probably a chain vise (though this last one is probably rentable.) Once I got all of the materials, and a new drill bit to drill into the crawl space, I headed home to start the install.

Structured Wiring Enclosure Update

Sun, 18 Aug 2024 09:36:00 +0000

As promised, I am providing an update on the status of my structured wiring enclosure. This has been a fun project for me to work on, which stemmed from my want to improve the internet reliability in my home—primarily the WiFi.

It all began when I wanted a better solution to having stable WiFi upstairs. My home was built in 1910, and the upstairs was converted from an attic space in the 1950’s. Downstairs, the walls are composed of a layer of plaster over lathe, appropriate for the time, under a layer of drywall. This is fairly typical for Tacoma homes of this era. Upstairs, things get a little weird. The walls upstairs have 3/4 inch cedar shiplap underneath drywall. These things combined equal WiFi dead zones without some creative thinking—and so began the drilling and cursing.

Switching to Quantum Fiber

Sun, 04 Aug 2024 17:43:00 +0000

I mentioned in my previous post that I recently switched my internet plan from CenturyLink to Quantum Fiber. I did this for two reasons—first, the optical network terminal (ONT) installed by Quantum is cleaner and newer. Second, I wanted to relocate my ONT into my structured wiring enclosure. I was out on a walk mid-July when I saw that Quantum was offering a deal for 940mbps service for $35/mo—I’ve never filled out a form so fast in my life. I also definitely waited very patiently for the installation day.

What I’ve Been Up To

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 05:41:00 +0000

It’s been a minute since I have written a post. Since May, where I wrote up an entry about the iPad Pro. Since then I have been pretty busy with a number of things. I have read several books:

Witch King by Martha Wells (★★★★☆)
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (★★★★★)
Exit Strategy by Martha Wells (★★★★☆)
Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory by Martha Wells (★★★★☆)
The Will of the Many by James Islington (TBD, 44% complete)

I went on vacation to Disney Land. That was an experience—it was fun, but hot and busy. And I have worked on several projects I hope to get finished before school starts back up again. Some easier than others.

Thoughts on the iPad Pro

Sat, 18 May 2024 18:17:00 +0000

One thing I don’t talk about much online is that my primary computer is an iPad and it has been since the original iPad Pro was released. It’s been quite a journey as Apple has refined iPadOS into what it is today. My iPad Pro use has evolved with the software and hardware.

It all started when I purchased the original Pro on a whim. I’m not really sure what prompted that. I had a perfectly good Mac Mini (Late 2012, which is still doing work as a home server). I quickly remembered how much I loved holding the internet in my hands, a love I discovered back with the original iPad. The iPad Pro reignited that feeling, and it never stopped. I upgraded my original iPad Pro to a 3rd generation when it was released, which has been my primary computing device since then.

Structured Wiring Enclosure Install

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 06:31:00 +0000

Many months ago I started the planning process to install a structured wiring enclosure, and acquired an On-Q 30 inch plastic enclosure.

It took a while to plan the entire project because I couldn’t decide whether or not I was going to take down all of the drywall in the room where the install was happening.

The issue being that my home was built with plaster walls, and later on drywall was installed over the plaster. This is pretty common in this area where most homes are very old, mine being built in 1910. With an old house, comes old problems that get covered up. If I didn’t take the entire wall down, I would need to use wood on top of the studs to install the cabinet onto, and it would me refinishing the drywall a little but more difficult—though not impossible. (I am just not great at finishing drywall.) I eventually settled on removing the material for the wall cavity only and using thin strips of pine I had laying around to fill the gap between the studs and the drywall.

Doorbell Update

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 06:18:00 +0000

Two days ago, on Tuesday. I finished the install of my doorbell. Overall the process wasn’t too difficult but I did find myself in a bit of a pickle early on. I did not yet install the doorbell chime, because that will require a fish through an interior wall that I did not have time for.

The first step I took was not taking pictures of the process. Sorry. (⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)