[Milsurplus] QR codes

[Mark J. Blair]

This is an interesting idea.


On Jan 16, 2013, at 09:45 , Ray <w4byg at att.net> wrote:
> What QR code software are you using?  I assume you are applying the codes to your equipment via an adhesive.  Is there a website or database that your family can easily access (via their cellphone QR reader), for your equipment data and explanations?

I think you could also put the code on a paper tag tied to the equipment if you don't want to get adhesive on the equipment.

A URL would be fine if you are confident that the server will outlive you. If not, then you could encode arbitrary text in the QR code, such as purchase date, purchase price, what the equipment is, and any other special notes. Would the resulting barcode be any smaller than just printing the text on a tag or label? I don't know.

You could also record the notes in a computer file, database, binder, etc., and then just use the barcode as a serial number to match each piece of equipment to its notes. A simple serial number could also be encoded in a linear barcode. If you use plain serial numbers, then buying pre-printed sequential serial number labels is an option instead of printing them yourself.

My system kind of fell apart, but I used to have a barcode-based system for tracking my junk. I used labels that I printed my own serial number barcodes onto, and rolled my own database with descriptions of the numbered items and records of where I stored them. I got a surplus industrial label printer off eBay, and set it up to print thermal-transfer barcodes onto plastic labels. Such labels are a lot sturdier than paper labels, and a lot more tolerant of temperature swings than direct thermal printed labels like the ones made by office supply store label printers.

-- 
Mark J. Blair, NF6X <nf6x at nf6x.net>
http://www.nf6x.net/