VOIP and RF Radio Networks still expanding rapidly over large parts of South Africa!!

In a previous post (available HERE) I talked about the rapid expansion of VOIP and RF Radio Networks in South Africa. 

As mentioned before the following networks are linked together from time to time:

Network + Administrator

• ZS0JPL-R  Pretoria Amateur Radio Club Echolink + Repeater Network - Johan ZS6JPL
• ZS5PMB-R  Pietermaritzburg AllStar/Echolink Repeater Network - Koos ZS5KDK
• ZS2PE-R  PEARS IRLP/Echolink Repeater Network -  Chad ZS2CJ
• ZS4OIL-R  Sasolburg Amateur Radio Club Echolink/Repeater Network - Michael ZS4OIL
• ZS6MAJ-R Bo Karoo Amateur Radio Club (Van Der Kloof) Echolink/Repeater Network - Nico ZS6MAJ
  
• ZS1FC-L  Jacobsbaai Echolink + RF Simplex Radio Link - Chris ZS1FC
• ZS1I-L  Mosselbaai GRHub Network  AllStar/Echolink + RF Simplex Radio Link - Johan ZS1I 

I was also informed that several connecting repeaters and links are also linked to other repeaters and links.   So if your repeater or link does not appear here and you are connected to any of the above repeaters or links please contact me HERE with the necessary information.  I would gladly add your station to the Network list and would like to welcome you forthwith to the ZS-Link Network. 

  

Welcome Kimberley!!

I can now report that the Kimberley Repeater, ZS3JPL-R (145.625 Mhz - No Tone) with Echolink has been linked to the ZS-Link Network   Welcome to the Kimberley radio amateurs who joined the network on the 6 March 2022.  The following radio amateurs were active from Kimberley:

• ZS3JN Johan
  
• ZS3JDL  John
  
• ZS3SG  Stefan
  
• ZS3AG Andre
  
• ZS3TBS  Theo
  

The enthusiasm and excitement could clearly be heard on air as they were eagerly welcomed by all those that were on the Network at the time.  We hope to hear them regularly on the network. 

I also heard that the following stations are currently busy setting up and testing their nodes to join the network.  Hope to hear and see them soon on the Network.

• ZS6CMO-L  Alberton.  Allstar/Echolink + RF Simplex Radio Link - Curtis ZS6CMO
• ZS1COR-L George  Echolink + RF Simplex Radio Link - Corne ZS1COR
• ZS1ABU-L George  Echolink + RF Simplex Radio Link - Keverne ZS1ABU
• Harrismith Repeater??  
  

To the above stations, please keep me informed on your progress.  We are looking forward to hear you station/repeater/simplex link on the ZS-Link Network.  Email:  HERE 

Please inform me if you are busy setting up a node to join the network and if you need any assistance or information in this regard.

An abundance of activity and traffic were heard on the Network this past weekend.  Unfortunately I cannot provide info on stations connected to all the other networks as I do not have them on hand.  Nor do I have any information on those who listen via the RF Networks.

If I left somebody out in the list above, forgive me as it was not done on purpose.  It is just a matter that I did not hear your conversation on the network.

Finally I would like to thank everyone who contributed in which ever way to setup Echolink/Allstar/VOIP/Repeaters/Simplex Links and making it available for radio amateurs to use.  I would furthermore like to invite other clubs and radio amateurs to link their systems to the current network.  There is really no conditions to join the network. 

 

The normal operating conditions are used with a request that you announce your station/network when connecting and disconnecting and leave a large enough gap ( 20 second space) between overs so as to allow all systems the time to reset.  Failure to leave a 20 second gap will result in other stations not being able to join any conversation and will also result in "singing" together by more than one radio amateur.  It will result in chaos!!

A recent comment by one radio amateur sums it all up:  "It is now possible to "talk over" large parts of South Africa and even the World with only a small handheld radio sitting in my Shack or where ever.  The world has become really smaller and is now in reach by simply pushing a small button."

If you would like to obtain more information on how to use the ZS-Link Network or join it, shoot me an email by clicking HERE.  I will gladly assist you in this regard.