Activity on the GRHub/ZSLink Network - ZS0AWA + ZS5DCC

A big shout out to all those that use the GRHub/ZSLink Network.  On several occasions I express my concern relating to inactivity on the Echolink/AllStar Networks in South Africa.  Despite this nagging several radio amateurs have "joined the party" and are keeping the network alive by each doing their own bit.  Be it just a rag-chew or relaying some interesting content on  the network.  I would like to thank everyone that use the GRHub/ZSLink Network.  It is their to be used for chatting, relaying, experimenting etc.  It is also great to hear that overseas stations has returned and are calling CQ on the network.  If you do hear a station calling CQ, please answer the call.  Lets be known in South Africa as active TX radio amateurs that take it to hart to answer CQ calls.

Finally, I would like to thank Koos ZS5KDK for connecting the ZS5PMB-R to the GRHub Network to relay the following events:

 

• The Antique Wireless Association of SA - ZS0AWA.  You can listen and join the net every Saturday morning at 08h30 SAST via the  GRHub/ZSLink network.   The AWASA is a non-profit organization run by volunteers for all radio amateurs, short wave listeners and anybody who has an interest in older types of short wave radios and other equipment, such as test equipment from earlier days. Although most members are licensed radio amateurs who concentrate on amateur radio transmitters and receivers, there are also some who restore and use vintage broadcast receivers and others who specialize in test equipment. We have members with a wide range of interests encompassing the days of crystal sets up to fairly modern ex-military radio equipment.  More information can be found HERE  Please do listen out for this weekly net.  Very interesting amateur radio content are being discussed.

•  The KZN HAMNET Bulletin - ZS5DCC.  You can listen to this net every Sunday morning at 07h00 SAST via the GRHub/ZSLink network. HAMNET is a voluntary group of amateurs who make their unique communication skills available to assist and help others in distress during and after disasters. The members of Hamnet KZN are also actively involved in assisting with communications on numerous sporting events. During these events, normal means of communication by cell phone do not work due to various reasons, including traffic congestion of cell phone towers, and difficult terrain, such as deep valley where no cell phone coverage is found. More information can be found HERE.  Please do listen out for this weekly bulletin.

How do I connect to the GRHub/ZSLink Network?

You can access the Network as follow:

Echolink - Connect to ZS1I-L, ZS1FC-L, ZS3KBY-R, ZS6WDL-R or ZS5PMB-R  Please note that if some of  the stations mentioned supra is not connected to ZS1I-L then you need to connect to ZS1I-L.

AllStar - Connect to node 49355 ZS1I or 28052 ZS5PMB-R

VHF - 145.550 Mhz Simplex in the Mossel Bay area.  Remember the 88.5 khz CTCSS tone

Any other Echolink, AllStar repeater or link station that is connected to either ZS1I-L.

Use of your cellphone by installing Echolink on your phone

By means of a Network Radio example Enrico TM8 etc.

If you experience problems contact ZS1I via the GRHub network or via email HERE.

UPDATE 1: APRS Southern Cape Area

Short update:  I have added the following Southern Cape Objects to the global APRS network.  Further objects will be added when necessary depending on the specific incident or happening.    Welcome back Thys ZS1TBP.  Great to see your "Truck" back on APRS.

Objects added:

• Cape St Blaze Lighthouse, Mossel Bay - YAAC
  
• Sea Buoy, Mossel Bay - YAAC

Local and visiting radio amateurs are welcome to use the APRS services in the Mossel Bay area. 

Click on images for larger view.

 

Update APRS in the Southern Cape via Raspberry Pi, Direwolf and YAAC

 (Click on image for larger view.)

Previous posts in this regard refers.  Further information available HERE.

The past week and a half I again played around with APRS in the Mossel Bay area.  The following services/stations are now up and running.  Please note that I still need to connect the RF radio to the  ZS1I-10 Igate:

• ZS1I-HUB =  Allstar and Echolink Object. OS - Asterisk
  
• ZS1I =  Home APRS Station.  OS - YAAC
  
• ZS1I-10 = APRS IGATE and Digipeater.  OS - Direwolf
  
• FAGG =  George Airport Object.  OS - YAAC
  
• FAMO =  Mossel Bay Airport Object.  OS - YAAC
  

Local and visiting radio amateurs are welcome to use the APRS services in the Mossel Bay area.  I will later post more information and How to's to setup the different OS's (OS = Operating System)

Activity can be monitored on APRS fi and FindU

As stated I still need to update the RF part of the current system.  I am awaiting the arrival of a 2M VHF radio before setting up the RF side.  Updates to follow. 

Some more images:

(Click on images for larger view.)

Can you host a FlightAware Aviation Receiver?

The CIO of Cemair (a radio amateur) has contacted the SARL for assistance with a project. The project is looking to improve the coverage of aircraft tracking in the interior of South Africa. Around the major centres there are several enthusiasts already with devices feeding into the network. The project is with Flight Aware, but they possibly share data across platforms. They are hoping to find hosts along the flight paths, in the areas that have little or no coverage. This would include locations like: Hopetown, Van Der Kloof, Colesburg, Sutherland, Calvinia, Beaufort West, Elliot, Queenstown, Kokstad, Phalaborwa and Hoedspruit.

Flight Aware will provide feeder equipment to those approved, so it is just the hosting of around 200 Mb of data per month and having a reasonably clear sight of the sky that will contribute to their approval. There is no remuneration offered. Once Cemair has a list of volunteers, they will engage with the Flight Aware engineers to determine the best locations to commit to. If you are interested in providing a home for such a receiver, please contact the SARL Secretary at secretary@sarl.org.za. Read about multilateration at https://flightaware.com/adsb/mlat/

Via SARL News

Updated Broadcasting Service Schedule for the GRHub Network

As indicated in a previous posting I have indicated that changes/updates will be made to the GRHub Network broadcasting service schedule available HERE.

Now this has been done and I have added several new broadcasting services to the GRHub Network schedule.

Apart from the usual interesting broadcasts I have added two new time-slots on a Thursday evening and a Saturday evening.  

NEW!!  Thursday starting time 19h30 SAST  - New Technology / Equipment Broadcast:  We bring you the latest in new technology and equipment and periodically a summary of the week’s top news stories in the world of Amateur Radio, along with interviews and other features.

NEW!!  Saturday starting time 19h30 SAST - Space News Broadcast:  NASA Live,  ESA, SpaceX and ARISS audio broadcasts. Your source for the latest astronomy / space news and space discoveries, live coverage of space flights and the science of space travel.

You can access the GRHub Network as follow:

Echolink - Connect to ZS1I-L

AllStar - Connect to node 49355

VHF - 145.550 Mhz Simplex in the Mossel Bay area.  Remember the 88.5 khz CTCSS tone

Any other Echolink, AllStar repeater or link station that is connected to either ZS1I-L or node 49355

Use of your cellphone by installing Echolink on your phone

By means of a Network Radio example Enrico TM8 etc.

FINALLY:

Please feel free to join us on the GRHub Network.  We are all looking forward to your company and inputs to better the network.  Please also tell your amateur radio friends about the GRHub Network. Get rid of that daily stress and enjoy the company of amateur radio friends.

Hope to hear and talk to on the GRHub Network!!

Low activity on the GRHub/ZSLink Network?

 Since my return from Australia I have noticed very low activity on the GRHub Network and even the ZSLink VOIP Network.   Listen to the audio clip to find out more.

 

New feature added to the GRHub Network/Blog - Audio File Function

In this issue: 

1. Blog Changes - Audio File Function

2. Biqu B1 3D Printer

3. Raspberry Pi Find

Biqu B1 3 D Printer:  (Click on images for larger view.)

Raspberry Pi Find:  (Click on images for larger view.)

Media Release: Simultaneous operations of APRS and Voice Repeater now a reality on ISS

 

ARISS is pleased to announce that starting August 11, simultaneous operations of the ARISS Voice Repeater and digital APRS communications on the International Space Station (ISS) is now a reality. Current ARISS operations include voice repeater transmissions with the JVC Kenwood D710GA in the Columbus module and APRS packet operation from an identical radio in the Service Module (Zvezda). Packet operations are on 145.825 MHz.

The ARISS Russia and USA teams have been working for several weeks to prepare theService Module radio for APRS operations. ARISS Russia team member Sergey Samburov, RV3DR, led the effort, working with Russian mission controllers and the on-board ISS cosmonauts to configure the Service Module radio for APRS ops. On August 11, final checkouts were completed and the APRS packet mode was switched on for amateur radio use.

ARISS-International Chair Frank Bauer, KA3HDO states, “Simultaneous operation of APRS and the voice repeater on ISS is transformative for ARISS and represents a key element of our ARISS 2.0 initiative, providing interactive capabilities 24/7 that inspire, engage and educate youth and lifelong learners—especially life-long learning in ham radio operations.” Bauer continues, “Our heartfelt thanks to Sergey Samburov, RV3DR, for making this crucial ARISS 2.0 initiative become a reality.”

The Columbus Module radio uses the callsign NA1SS and the new Service Module radio uses RS0ISS. Aside from the callsigns, the radios are identical and packet operations are the same as before. You can use RS0ISS, ARISS, or APRSAT as the packet path. Also, both radios are expected to be on full time, except during educational contacts, EVAs, anddockings or undockings.

You can find operational status and expected downtimes of the ISS radios at 
https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations .

For more information, see www.ariss.org .

 

Media Contact:

Dave Jordan, AA4KN

ARISS PR

 

Robot Dog spotted during my recent visit to Australia!!

During my recent visit to Australia I had the privilege to spot a dog-like quadruped unmanned ground vehicle (Q-UGV).  Unfortunately the images does not reflect the attention and interest the robot received on the day.  I managed to take a few images and a short video of the O-UGV before it was "swamped" by the bystanders.

Q-UGVs can be equipped with a wide variety of optical and acoustic sensors, enabling them to serve as automated "eyes and ears" around sensitive installations.  The robots can be operated either autonomously or by a human controller and can even respond to voice commands.  They can be used for security patrols and other repetitive tasks.

The dog-like robots can also serve as miniaturized communications nodes, carrying antennas to quickly extend networks beyond existing infrastructure or in locations where no such infrastructure exists.

The robots have been previously tested by the U.S. Air Force for perimeter defense tasks and as part of a large test of the service's Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) data-sharing network. In that 2020 test, robot dogs at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada "provided real-time strike targeting data to USAF operators" in Florida using Starlink satellite links, then-CEO of Ghost Robotics Jiren Parikh told The War Zone.

The  Q-UGVs are designed to withstand water and weather, and were recently demonstrated with a tail-like payload enabling them to travel underwater.

Aside from their military applications, the robot dogs can also be used in emergency management/communications, public safety and industrial inspection and is currently used by SpaceX for various tasks.

Imagine if we could have such a robot in South Africa fitted with an amateur radio payload. (VHF/UHF repeater, mesh node, Echolink, AllStar etc.) Just a dream?  Definitely not!  Buying one would be to expensive but what about a DIY/Homebrew version?   Made in South Africa!

Images:  A Quadruped Unmanned Ground Vehicle (Q-UGV) is operated during a demo in Australia.

 

 

Work the ISS Amateur Radio Cross Band Repeater.

 

The Amateur Radio station aboard the International Space Station is known as the ARISS program – Amateur Radio on the International Space Station. Many astronauts and cosmonauts have amateur radio licenses. Amateurs from the ISS partner countries, in the USA, Russia, Japan, Europe and Canada, have set up the ARISS program to foster amateur radio communications between the astronauts and cosmonauts who reside on the station and stations on the ground.

ARISS was the first amateur radio projects to gain access to the International Space Station as it helps NASA fulfill Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) goals for education. ARISS is an international educational outreach program partnering the participating space agencies, NASA, Russian Space Agency, ESA, CNES, JAXA, and CSA, with the AMSAT, ARRL, and IARU organizations from participating countries.

ARISS offers an opportunity for students to experience the excitement of Amateur Radio by talking directly with crew members on-board the International Space Station. Teachers, parents and communities see, first hand, how Amateur Radio and crew members on ISS can energize youngsters’ interest in science, technology, and learning. In the current launch environment.

The ARISS amateur radio gear on the ISS provides added value in its STEM educational mission. The beneficial side effect for Amateur Radio operators is that the ARISS station remains available for general amateur radio usage when it is not engaged in educational contacts.

The ISS Crossband Voice Repeater is now active.   Work the station now!!

Current status of ISS ham radio stations

as of August 08, 2022
​Columbus Module radios:

• IORS (Kenwood D710GA) – STATUS - Configured. Default mode is for cross band repeater (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down).  ​​​​
  • Powered OFF for Russian EVA on Aug 17. OFF - Aug 16 about 18:45 UTC. ON - Aug 18 about 17:00 UTC.
  • Capable of supporting USOS scheduled voice contacts, packet and voice repeater ops.

   

Contacts:

Marc Leger

@Marc_Leger

·

Aug 7

@astro_kjell

thank you for the 2 contacts this week via the #ARISS repeater. It was has a great honor to make these contacts. 73 VE9LEG #NA1SS #ISS

 

KO4PDI Mike

@ko4pdi

·

Aug 7

So this happened for the third time in 2 months. Thank you NA1SS for the contact last night. Thank you #ariss for keeping the skies open to HAM radio.  

 

Dylan

@KJ7MFU

·

Aug 7

Thanks

@astro_kjell

for the contact earlier today. Have been trying to catch you for a few weeks now and finally made it happen! Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to get on the air. #NA1SS #ISS #ARISS

 

Second Shack Computer for Free!!

I recently decided to look at a second computer for the Shack.  With everything going up in price and costing an arm and a leg I decided to look at the second hand market and what is on offer.  I am not a Windows fan and prefer the Linux OS.  Now this is where you can save money as for Linux you do not need a monster processor and memory to run amateur radio programs.  While speaking to my son this week he mentioned that he has a Slimline HP computer that he wanted to give away.  Naturally I decided to except his offer.  I looked at the latest Linux OS's and decided to download the latest version of Linux Mint 21 Cinnamon.  Installation was painless and within an hour I had Linux Mint up and running on the HP Slimline using a Intel Celeron CPU @ 1.60 Ghz x 2,4 GiB memory with a 500 GB hard drive.  This is surely not the fastest and greatest amateur radio PC but it performs well and suite my needs.  What will I be using this PC for?   I am really at logger heads here.  I have a few ideas but will soon decide on a dedicated task for this PC.  

Now I have no intention to discuss all the quirks and benefits of the slimline computer and Linux Mint OS.  What I would like to mention is that if you have an older PC/Laptop why not replace the OS with Linux Mint and give that PC/Laptop a new life.  Upgrading to Linux Mint was worth the time I spend on uploading and setup this PC for amateur radio use.

More info Linux Mint:  HERE

Download Linux Mint:  HERE

Images:  

 

Time to "take stock" in Amateur Radio!!

Ever so often I like to "take stock" of my life and also the hobbies that I practice.  Why?  Well this gives me an overview if I am on the correct track and also where and how I can improve the enjoyment of my hobbies.  I am currently busy drawing up a list of "to do's" on how to enhance  and use the equipment I have as well as constructing new projects to create new activity in many of my hobbies.  As far as amateur radio is concerned I will be looking into the following aspects of amateur radio:

1.   Next Generation Amateur Radio Beacons.
2.   Adding a new AllStar/IRLP modified node to the GRHub Network.
3.   Add AREDN ESP32  Security/Weather cameras to enhance security in and around my home.
4.   Build a portable/mobile HF Amateur Radio Go Bag.
5.   Complete several homebrew amateur projects.
6.   Finalize/Enhance my Solar Back Up Generator to stay of the electricity grid.
   
7.   Unbox, setup, build and test my 3D Printer.  I have several amateur radio project prints lined up to enhance/protect some of my radio equipment.  (Done and dusted!)
   
8.   Finalize a few amateur radio antenna projects. 
9.   Finalize several GRHub Network projects.
10.   Add a audio mixer to my amateur radio shack to receive and transmit audio to and from radio equipment.
11.   Upgrade PC equipment to enable me to provide a wider service iro VOIP, Echolink and Allstar.
12.   Build the next generation  high power digital amateur radio Hotspot/ MMDVM Digital Repeater.
13.   Start an amateur radio YouTube channel where I will discuss , review and demonstrate a wide variety of projects, equipment and relevant issues.
    
14.  Revamp the GRHub Network Blog.
    
15.  Change certain services of the GRHub Network. 
16.  To be added!!
    

The above projects/enhancements should keep me busy for the rest of the year.  I will update this blog from time to time about the progress I made regarding the above projects.  Updates will also be available on the GRHub Network (Echolink and AllStar), GRHub Network Twitter Account and Amateur Radio 101 Telegram Group.

The Uncertain Future of Ham Radio

Members from the LASA High School Amateur Radio Club, K5LBJ, in Austin, Texas participated in School Club Roundup, a twice-yearly on-air event that encourages participation from ham radio school groups.Photo: Ronny Risinger (KC5EES)

I found the following "statements/comments" interesting and relevant to many of the "concerns" I and many others have voiced in the past year or two, on and off the air.  The link and article makes for interesting reading and if you have the future of amateur radio at heart, I suggest you read the article as well as the comments related to the article. - ZS1I

 

“We need to “convince them there's more than getting licensed and putting a radio in your drawer and waiting for the end of the world."

“We want to be making an impact… The hobby aspect is great, but a lot of my friends would argue it's quite easy to talk to people overseas with texting and everything, so it's kind of lost its magic."

“Ham radio is really a social hobby...Here in Mississippi, you get to 5 or 6 o' clock and you have a big network going on and on...."

“It'll all be digital at some point, right at the antenna all the way until it becomes audio."

“China's advancing technology and growing middle class, with disposable income, has led to a “dramatic" increase in operators.”

 

Links:   Click HERE and HERE to read more.

The ZS1I-L GRHub Network is back on line!!

Image: Bottle Tree,  Australia.  The neatness of parks in Australia is indescribably.  No litter or people lying around in the parks.  Safe to visit day or night!!

My XYL and I had the privilege to visit Australia for 6 weeks.  More on this in a feature blog posting. We are now back in SA and I will update this Blog, hopefully on a daily basis with projects and VOIP news.

The ZS1I-L GRHub Network is once again up and running and stations are more than welcome to connect to the Network via Echolink (ZS1I-L) or AllStar (49355).  I envisage making a few changes in future to enhance the current GRHub Network as well as the Blog.  

If you need any assistance in connecting to any AllStar- or Echolink node please feel free to contact the GRHub Adminstrator by clicking HERE

Finally and most importantly:  Transmit - let radio amateurs know you are there.  Start or answer a QSO and make new friends.

NEVER FEAR THAT YOU ARE "TYING UP THE NETWORK SYSTEM" - IT IS THERE TO BE USED.

Remember if you don't transmit, you mighty qualify for the new "QRT Certificate"  HiHi!!