Need I elaborate on the impact of load-shedding on you the consumer. I do not think it is necessary as we already know what the cause is and why it is happening.
For those who would like to find out more on how load shedding can effect electronic equipment, read the following article:
THE IMPACT OF LOAD SHEDDING ON ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
The current power backup system run by the GRHub Network now also suffers as a result of phase 4 load shedding. The protection circuitry that I use for the battery power supply shut down the complete GRHub Network this afternoon as the system could not re-charge the battery fully before the next period of load - shedding started. It would appear that the current battery is either on its way out or the charging unit is at fault. I will look into this tomorrow morning to see why the protection circuitry was activated. Sounds like an Eskom statement. Hi hi!!
Another problem that I experience is to connect to certain nodes when there is load - shedding or Internet - shedding. Ya a new term. My Fiber Internet outages is even worse than the old copper cable ADSL that I had. The best system I ever used was Wireless Internet. I am ever so sorry that I moved to fiber but this will teach me a lesson not to listen to the advice of others. Be as it may I do not use my Fiber Internet for the GRHub Network. I use a 4G LTE connection which so far ("touch wood") works great without any outages. Rather expensive but VOIP use very little data.
Another problem is the fact that overseas connections will drop at any time when load shedding is implemented. So to our listeners please understand that outages is beyond my control. I will do my utmost best to render a good service but as you know by now the GRHub Network is not a one man show and I rely on my fellow radio amateurs, clubs and others to keep the system running.
I hear many shout "We told you if the Internet goes down you will be left in the cold!" Agree BUT there is always an alternative. I am currently looking into linking the GRHub Network to AREDN and even more RF equipment and amateur radio systems like WinLink, Digital Modes etc. This will ensure that when Internet or Power Outages occur, that the GRHub Network will still be in operation. Yes you will not be able to use Echolink but AllStar will still be working and will keep the GRHub Network up and running with even more features. Now this is what I enjoy about amateur radio. There is always an alternative means of communication be it VOIP, RF, HF VHF or UHF.
Experimenting is what it is all about. I will in the next few days feverishly work on several systems and ideas and hopefully can come up with several solutions for the current glitches being experienced due to load-shedding and Internet Shedding/Outages.
Finally: I apologize for outages and break in transmissions at times. I am sure that it is not going to take too long to come up with alternatives. I am looking forward to implement new features and to the challenges ahead.
