Feedback "Lippeklap" Net 29 January 2023 15h30

Once again we had a very successful "Lippeklap" Net yesterday afternoon.  For once loadshedding did not cause regular "dropouts" for connected stations to the GRHub Network. There was also an increase in stations connecting to the Network.  The Network was active on the West Coast, South Coast, East Coast + Interior, Panbult, Kimberley, Richards Bay links to mention a few that I was aware of.   A big thank you to all those who make the Network what it is today.  For those not knowing the Network consists of the following:

• AllStar Nodes
• Echolink Nodes
• RF Link Radios
• RF Repeaters
• Zello Nodes
• SVXLink Nodes
• Individual Echolink Nodes
   

Every body that participated or connected their Network/Nodes to the GRHub contributed to the success of the "Lippeklap" Net this past Sunday afternoon.  You all make the Net!!

We discussed the following three topics: 

1. Must we stop on the air broadcasting of amateur radio news bulletins, as many bulletins are nowadays posted on social media (WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, Email etc.) long before the bulletin is broadcasted on the air.  More and more radio amateurs prefer to receive bulletins this way and not to listen on the air and therefor they do not report in before of after a news bulletin.  What is the need then to broadcast a bulletin on air?
2. Eskom Loadshedding:  Alternative for your outside security lights during loadshedding periods.
3. Warning:  Bad quality fuse holders can cause big problems for your amateur radio, automotive and home installations.   Do not buy cheap fuse holders. You have been warned!

Unfortunately I do not have the time to provide a full detailed report of the discussions that took place relating to the above topics.  This is where you need to join the "Lippeklap" Net to find out more.  If I might express my personal point of view in a short sentence about the posting of news bulletins before the actual broadcasting takes place:

We are "spoon feeding" many in this regard that prevent them from participating on the air before or after a bulletin broadcast.   Why would they report in if they receive the bulletin "in their lap" long before the bulletin is broadcasted.  If this is the new norm then we might as well stop broadcasting or relaying of bulletins.  I do not have a problem if the bulletin is send out the next day to members once it has been broadcasted on the air.  Personally I feel that social media is killing many aspects of on the air amateur radio activity.  In other words what would have been send out over the air on our bands are now not done.  No wonder that on the air activity is dwindling.  Many prefer to rather use social media.  Sad but this is indeed the case.  

May I just add that many great ideas /comments came from all those who participated in the Net. Many far better that my personal opinion above.  Crux is join the Net and then you will be able to listen to all the comments and suggestions.

Herewith photos of the security lights and also the problematic / junk fuse holder.  Click on images for large view.

 

 

 

 

The next "Lippeklap"  Net will take place on Sunday, 5 February 2023 at 15h30 SAST. Connect to ZS1I-L via Echolink or 49355 AllStar Node or any of the other nodes connected to the GRHub Network. 

Hope to hear you on the next Lippeklap Net. 

Come join in on the fun!!

 

Look what I found at a Farmers Market Stall. (Part 1)

Image:  Yaesu FT-80C  (Click on images for larger view.)

Several months ago I visited a farmers market stall where I found the above radio that needed  a new home.  Well it is very unusual to find and amateur radio transceiver at a market stall.  For the price advertised I could not leave it standing on the table.  The seller had no idea if the radio is still in a working condition or not.  Maybe this is where the very low price is coming in.  Be as it may if it does not work then I will still get my money back if I sell it as a scrap radio on an amateur radio Swap Shop.

Now one thing I learned from a Elmer is that you do not just plug in the power cable and switch the radio on.  I took off all the covers and looked for various signs of "neglect" etc.  I also did a "smell test" and checked for an internal fuse.  The final result was that the radio was full of dust on the inside and outside but I could not find any traces of  "magic smoke" burns or that the radio was "butchered" or being worked on before.  Today I will hopefully add some power to the radio but only after I installed a low amperage fuse in the power line.  Well I have really nothing to lose here but you never know,  I might just have bought a bargain or a complete dud.

The only damage that I could find is the plastic clips that holds the front control panel was broken  and that the unit could not be affixed to the main part of the radio.  For the interim I used painters tape to secure the panel.  I will fix this later if the radio do "come to light".   There is no microphone or power lead so I will have to improvise here.

Update to follow once I "fire" up the radio.  Fingers crossed that this old workhorse is till in a working condition.  The plan is to use it for digital modes.  Time will tell!

 

What is in the Box?

I once again received requests to when will I again publish  "What is in the Box?"  Since I published the last posting there were several boxes received with "toys" in it.  I do not like to publish every single electronic item I bought or receive.  However it seems that this is quite a popular topic and that readers would like to see more of these posts.  Please note that I do not publish these to brag or boast about but purely out of interest to readers.

For quite some time it was rather difficult to lay one's hands on certain Raspberry Pi's at reasonable prices.  This is still the case today.  Thankfully I was able to obtain a Raspberry Pi Zero W from my favorite emporium.  Now this was a great relief to see that Raspberry Pi stock is being replenished  slowly but surely.  Lets hope that other none available models will soon be available at reasonable prices.  With some shops asking absorbent prices it is better to order from Amazon which works out cheaper than buying locally.  Then many want to know why we do not support and buy local.  If the price is reasonable you will be supported otherwise you will have to face the music of going under.

What do I have in mind for this Raspberry Pi Zero W?  Well hear is a few ideas:

• Digital Radio HotSpot - Replacing the old Raspberry Pi Zero that does not have WiFi.
• See if I can get SvxLink going on this model
• Using it to track Aircraft - Flight Radar
• Setting up a Weather Cam using the unit with a Raspberry Pi Camera

Once again I have not decided but will keep you posted in this regard.  Just follow the GRHub Network Blog for updates.  

 

Click on images for larger view.

Eskom Loadshedding Solutions - Prevent equipment damage in your Home and Amateur Radio Shack when power returns after an Eskom load shedding period.

GENERAL WARNING: Never undertake a DIY electrical task or any other modification to you home if you're not qualified/certified to work on home electricity systems or when your home is insured. Always contact your insurance company and discuss your undertaking with the company. If you do not you will find out the hard way that the company will not cover you house or property if a disaster of some kind occurs. Ensure that you obtain the necessary permission and any certificates required. You have been warned!!

In a follow up to the article "Load shedding killed my Home Network Router? How to prevent this from happening to other equipment in future!"  my son and I decided to prevent this from happening again. He is a fully qualified electrical engineer and has all the qualifications/certificates to work and certify any electrical low and high voltage undertaking.  With 17 years service and currently a Senior Superintendent I was confident that he could easily come up with a project that will protect household equipment.

He decided to construct a  220v Time Delay Switching Unit that control the power feed at the electrical distribution board when power return after an Eskom load shedding period.  This unit had to be robust/safe and must fully protect household electrical equipment.  Therefor a small relay circuit would not perform the task we had in mind. 

My son decided to use the following components for the project:

• 230v Avanti Multi Function Timer  11 Pin
• Timer Square 11 Pin Base
  
• 45 Amp Electrical Contactor
• 230v Green LED Pilot Light
• 230v Red LED Pilot Light
• 230v LED Compact Voltage Meter
• 220v LED Compact Amp Meter
• Cable House Wire 6.00mm Black
• Cable House Wire 6.00mm White
• Metal Din Rail for Circuit Breakers
• Major Tech Electrical Enclosure/Cabinet 350x300x130mm
• Circuit Breaker for additional protection even though the unit also runs through the Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker 

I am not going to go into building detail as this might entice non qualified DIY enthusiasts to illegally construct and install such a build.  See General Warning above.

Here is a bit of theory regarding the build:

A timer delay/relay

A timer delay switching unit has a timing element device that intentionally delays the switching ON/OFF of power flow immediately once the power is applied or removed from the contactor.  A time delay has an inbuilt time delay function, so the contactor will not activate immediately once it is activated although it will wait for a fixed amount of time.

So this kind of “relay” is applicable where delays are required before the contactor activates like security systems, industrial automation and now power supply return after Eskom Load shedding.

A Contactor

A contactor is an electromechanical control device that used to make or break the connection between the load and power supply. The use of a contactor is similar to the relay. But the device used for higher current carrying application is known as a contactor and the device used for lower current applications is known as Relay.

A contactor has several contacts as per the application and load. Generally, these contacts are normally open (NO) contact. And hence the load is shut off when the coil of the contactor is de-energized. But the contactor can design for both normally open and normally close applications. The most common application of contactor is in the starter that used to turn ON and OFF the equipment like motor, transformer, etc.

A contactor is an electrically controlled switch used for switching a power circuit, similar to a relay except with higher current ratings.

Functions of the LED Pilot Lights 

Red LED Light - Indication when all 220v power is OFF  or ON during load shedding.  OFF - No House Power.  ON - Power available from the Grid.

Green LED Light - Indication that the contactor has switched and that house power is now available to use.

Functions of the LED Voltage and Amp Meters.

LED Volt Meter - Measures the voltage from the Grid

LED Amp Meter - Measures the amps drawn by equipment in the household.

Note:  During load shedding all lights, meters etc  is OFF.  Once the power returns the Red LED Pilot light will be on as well as both the LED volt and amp meters.  Green light will be OFF.  The current voltage will be displayed but no amps as the contactor has not been energized as the Multi Function Timer is counting down for the period set.  Once this period has expired the contactor will be energized and the Green LED light will be on.  The Amp meter will also provide a measurement of the current amps drawn.  Power will be available to use by the household.  The delay will prevent over voltage/under voltage and power fluctuations etc.  The period of time set for the timer is therefor important as to provide enough time for the power supply to "settle".  Many times before the power comes on and goes off again after a few seconds.  This might happen several times with high voltage fluctuations in the mix that can cause damage. 

Function and operation of circuit breakers

By definition a circuit breaker is an electrical safety device, a switch that automatically interrupts the current of an overloaded electric circuit, ground faults, or short circuits. Circuit breakers "trip", shut off, current flow after protective relays detect a fault. Unlike fuses that were used previously, circuit breakers are not usually damaged so they can be reset as opposed to being replaced. Circuit breakers are used in residential and in industrial applications.

Future extensions to be installed for this unit

• Fitting audible alarm buzzers to indicate when the voltage or amps runs to high,  Currently this is manually driven by observing the meters and then switch off the earth leakage breaker.  This will reset the timer and it will count down again for the set period.  We are currently looking at automating this function.
  
• Fitting a change over switch to switch between the generator and grid power supply. 

Here is a useful link if you want to learn more about Time Delay Relay Basics: Relay Circuit and Applications

There you have it in a nutshell. I am quite confident that this unit provide protection in 95% of bad incidents. The other 5% is the risk factor while sleeping and not being able to monitor the return voltage after load shedding at night.  I gladly take the 95% instead of  having no protection at all.  Thankfully the power supply in Mossel Bay is fairly stable but one never knows what could happen in the future.

I would like to thank my son for designing and building this unit. The only problem I have with the unit is that some of the younger generation cannot spell the word "Controller"!  See spelling on cabinet.  Yes and the necessary ECOC was obtained.  Now onto the next project to alleviate the effects caused by load shedding.  The next project has been lined up.  More on this in a future posting.

Images:   (Click on images for larger view.)

Feedback: "Lippeklap" Net 22 January 2023 15h30 SAST

Images:  Power Delay Controller  (Click on image for larger view.)

As loadshedding continues, amateur radio also bear the brunt.  Many radio amateurs are not geared to operate their stations during loadshedding periods.  Well it is not going to get better soon.  Thankfully the GRHub Net and other links/repeaters operate as usual.  The Internet connection for the GRHub Network has been stable and thus far the node and radio has operated above expectations.  The only real problem comes in when loadshedding moves to Stage 6.  The batteries does not charge fully between the shedding stages.  During such events the RF Link on 145.550 Mhz might now and again be switched off to give the batteries some breathing space to charge.  This seems to have worked very well.  Thus far our bulletin broadcasts and nets were not affected.  Well we once again had a great net gathering this past Sunday.  A big thank you to all those that participated in the "Lippeklap" Net. You make the Net!!

Yesterday's net was an "Open Net".  This means that anything amateur radio, technology, inventions etc. can be discussed or questions being asked.

The following "subjects" were discussed:

• Participation in the PEARS VHF/UHF Contest this past weekend.
• Promotion of the RAE Coarse to be presented by Jannie ZS1JKF on behalf of the Boland Amateur Radio Club.
• Internet Router failure due to loadshedding.
• Assisting fellow radio amateurs with backup loadshedding power units.
• Using FT8 and accessing band conditions
• Eden Radio Club  2023 events
• Digital Repeaters in the Garden Route Area
• DIY Electricity Input Time Delay Controller (Prevent over- and under voltage to protect householde electrical equipment) 
  
• DIY 4 Element VHF Quad Antenna
• Future extensions for the GRHub Network
• Icom Radio Dry Joints
• 1958 ARRL Handbook
• Other Amateur Radio Books
• Swop Shops
• Loadshedding is here to stay!
• The way forward for amateur radio during Loadshedding
  
• "Murphy" in the Shack
• Working Amateur Radio Satellites
• Starlink Satellite Internet
• Wireless Internet Problems due to Loadshedding
• Importance of belonging to the SARL and Radio Club/s
• Thanks and Appreciation
  

 As promised HERE is the download link iro ARRL Handbooks.

I am sure that there are many radio amateurs that will find this link useful and interesting. The ARRL Handbook is a great reference book for amateur radio and every shack must have a place on the shelf for this book.

The next "Lippeklap"  Net will take place on Sunday, 29 January 2023 at 15h30 SAST. Connect to ZS1I-L via Echolink or 49355 AllStar Node or any of the other nodes connected to the GRHub Network. 

Hope to hear you on the Lippeklap Net. 

Come join in on the fun!!

 

Loadshedding killed my Home Network Router? How to prevent this from happening to other equipment in future!

I was wondering when some of my electronic and home appliances will let out the magic smoke due to loadshedding etc.  Just the other day I posted the following images and audio clip on the Amateur Radio 101 Telegram Group. 

Note:  If the audio clips stop playing just refresh your browser and click on start.  Alternative download the audio files when the download window appears.

 

Well the magic smoke was let out and the router died just after the power returned after a period of loadshedding in Mossel Bay.  My XYL is the star witness who watched the smoke event.  The smell of the smoke is another story on which I cannot elaborate here.

  

My son and I are currently busy building a time delay switch which will in future hopefully prevent smoke coming out of electronic equipment after loadshedding.  Well "Murphy" decided that he will intervene before we could finish the time delay switch project.  Be as it may we are currently busy with the project and I will post the end result on the GRHub Network Blog.

Image:  Sneak preview of the test project under construction.  After testing we decided to re-build all the equipment in a larger box.  I did not like the look and build.  Will purchase a new box before final installation.  Test conducted were successful!  More on this in a future posting.

Finally:  Getting a time delay switch installed in or near your home's DB Board is not I bad idea unless you have a good insurance company or enough money to by new electronic or household items.  I my case I was just to late to prevent damage from occurring.  But there is a saying "Once bitten twice shy!"  Hopefully this would also get rid of "Murphy" in my house!!!

Feedback: "Lippeklap" Net 15 January 2022 15h30 SAST

Once again we had a very successful "Lippeklap" Net yesterday afternoon despite the very intermittent Internet connections many experienced due to power outages etc.  The "show" must go on.  A big thank you to all those that participated in the "Lippeklap" Net this past Sunday afternoon.  You make the Net!!

We discussed the following two topics: 

1.  Slim Jim 2 Meter Antenna by F.C. Judd G2BCX
   
2.  Ring-rigstraler vir Satelliet Kommunikasie deur  Christie ZS4CGR
   

As promised here is the PDF files of the above topics:

1.  Slim Jim Antenna (PDF) Source Practical Wireless 1980
   
2.  Ring-Rigstraler vir Satelliet Kommunikasie (PDF) Source  Radio ZS February 2018
   

This is not the only PDF files you can download for free.  Chris ZS1FC provided one of the best PDF publications for radio amateurs.   The publication is called  "Out of Thin Air - Practical Wireless"  A guide to aerial theory, design and propagation published in 1980.  I would like to take the opportunity to thank Chris for sharing this PDF publication with us.  I am sure that there are many radio amateurs that will find this publication useful and interesting.  This is a Gem out of the past that must have a place in every shack.

Download:  "Out of Thin Air - Practical Wireless"  (PDF)

Images:  (Click on images for larger view)

 

The next "Lippeklap"  Net will take place on Sunday, 22 January 2023 at 15h30 SAST. Connect to ZS1I-L via Echolink or 49355 AllStar Node or any of the other nodes connected to the GRHub Network. Hope to hear you on the Lippeklap Net. Come join in on the fun!!

DIY TVI Filter by ISAK ZS2I SK

Well this goes back many years. Let me just explain.  The current bearer of the ZS2I call sign is Johan van Aarde.  He is the son of the late Isak van Aarde ZS2I SK.  Johan has taken over his late father's call sign.  The DIY TVI Filter originated from Isak.  I regularly visited Isak when he was still alive.  One day as per usual we were sitting in his shack and Isak tried to work a station with 100 watt but this station could barely hear Isak.  No problem,  Isak turned on "Die Stoof" (1.5K Linear Amplifier).  Well needless to say that the station heard Isak a 5/9 into Kleinbrak River.  We were having tea and the next minute his phone rang.  Isak answered and I was told afterward that it was his neighbor complaining that she cannot play her electric organ as it emits strange sounds and she does not know why.  Yep, it was Isak's turn to play the electric organ on behalf of the neighbor.  As a good neighbor would do Isak installed this TVI Filter on her TV and also fitted other filters that cured the neighbor's problems.  He gave me a copy of the TVI Filter.

I would like to share this filter with others that might experience TVI while operating their station.  Just be careful to install such filters today at your neighbors as you might be accused of various problems.  It is not like it was in the olden days!!  You have been warned!!

(Click on image for larger view.)

Feedback: "Lippeklap" Net 8 January 2022 15h30 SAST

Once again we had a very successful "Lippeklap" Net yesterday afternoon despite the very intermittent Internet connections many experienced due to power outages etc.  None the less the "show" must go on.  A big thank you to all those that participated in the "Lippeklap" Net this past Sunday afternoon.  You make the Net!!

As stated previously we discussed the following two topics: 

1.  DIY End Fed Halve Wave Dipole Antenna
2.  Get started with the Raspberry Pi computer

As promised here is the links of the above topics:

1. Building the ZS6U Mini Shack Special aka End Fed Halve Wave Dipole Antenna
2. Build an End-Fed Half-Wave Antenna  
3. Manual impedance transformer for 250 watts End Fed Antenna’s 
4. End-Fed Half-Wave Antenna Kit 
5. How to install the Debian OS (Bullseye) on a Raspberry Pi 3 Model Bsingle board computer 

As stated yesterday I also used the measurements of  "The ZS6U Minishack Special" available in the January 1973 issue of Radio ZS as well as "The ZS6U Mini Special is again revisited" available in the April 1994 issue of Radio ZS.  Both these articles can be downloaded from the SARL Members Website. 

The following images were posted on the Amateur Radio 101 Telegram Group pertaining to two topic that were discussed.

(Click on images for larger view.)

 

Die Oorspronklikke Balun wat in die Bundu Basher antenna was - Chris ZS1FC

 

4:1 Balun van die RADIO WINKEL - Chris ZS1FC

  Image: Chris ZS1FC

Image: Chris ZS1FC

 

Image:  Lional ZS6DPL

Image:  Raspberry PI - Chris ZS1FC

 

The next "Lippeklap"  Net will take place on Sunday, 15 January 2023 at 15h30 SAST. Connect to ZS1I-L via Echolink or 49355 AllStar Node or any of the other nodes connected to the GRHub Network. Hope to hear you on the Lippeklap Net. Come join in on the fun!!

Amateur Radio HOTA Activation: NG Mother Church (Moedergemeente), George

This past Saturday , 7 January 2023  the NG Moedergemeente Church in George was activated from 09h00 as a Heritage On The Air site by Corne ZS1COR.  Site approved:  NG Moedergemeente Church, George. HB0047  Corne would like to thank all those who contacted the station and also who assisted him during the activation.   A special thanks also to the NG Moedergemeente Church for allowing amateur radio to activate this beautiful church and heritage site!! 

 History: 

The Moederkerk (Mother Church), is a place of worship of the Dutch Reformed Church in George. The church was built in 1842. The cornerstone for the church was laid on 14 April 1832. Slaves were used for some of the building work like the digging of the six-foot deep by five-foot wide foundations. Due to financial problems it took 12 years to complete the church and it was consecrated on 9 October 1842. Although a historical building, the church is still active and sermons are held every Sunday. 

More information and images on this beautiful church is available HERE. 

What is HOTA?

H.O.T.A (Heritage on the air) is an amateur radio group that strives to motivate radio amateurs to learn more about history, and to keep history alive by activating a multitude of historical sites by using SSB, AM, FM, CW and even with Heliographs. Radio amateurs have great fun going out in the field and visiting places and areas where once history was made. Even if you do not like history there is places that were visited that might be of interest to you. You can even combine your other hobbies with H.O.T.A. Now that you have a faint idea of H.O.T.A it is time to learn more about H.O.T.A and the fun radio amateurs have and can have in activating historical sites. If you want to learn more about H.O.T.A you can visit the Heritage on the Air website by clicking HERE.

Images of this event:

(Click on images for larger view.)