Terugvoering "Lippeklap" Net 26 February 2023 15h30 SAST

 Die onderwerp vir bespreking was:

"Kom vertel ons van jou eerste ondervinding met Kommersiele (Uitsaai) FM/Kort Golf Radio.  Het jy na FM of Kort Golf geluister?  Was dit ‘n lamp of transistor stel? Het hy met batterye of krag gewerk?  Kon jy na amateur radio op die stel luister?  Kom deel met ons jou ondervindinge en of eerste kennismaking met radio. "

Met die keuse van die onderwerp het ek gedink dat daar nie juis veel reaksie sal wees nie.  Boonop was daar Beurkrag asook die SARL Digitale Kompetisie wat in dieselfde tydsgleuf van Lippeklap geval het.  Groot was my verbasing oor die reaksie wat die onderwerp uitgelok het.  Daar was selfs 'n hele paar komiese vertellings gewees wat tot groot vermaak gely het.  Nou ja hulle se daar is nie beter medsyne vir 'n oorstuurde gemoed nie as lag nie.  Dankie aan almal dat julle julle storie met ons gedeel het.  Ek het lanklaas so lekker in my mou gelag oor al die mannewalisse.

Hier volg net 'n kort saaklike opsomming van wat bespreek is:

1. Wie onthou nog die Groen Oog wat gebruik was in ou radiostelle.  

2. Nie tyd gewees vir radio in daardie dae nie.  Gespeel in die veld en baie tyd in die natuur deurgebring.

3. My eerste radio was 'n Pilot FM Radio.  Kan nie onthou wat van hom geword het nie.

4. My dae van radio het in Montagu begin.  Grammofoon wat bestaan het uit 'n Kortgolf en FM Radio sowel as 'n platespeler met groot ingeboude luidsprekers.  Groot affere gewees.  Gereeld na die CB Radio geluister op die 11 meter AM band.

5.  My eerste radio was 'n Yaesu FT101 wat ek van Charles Gregory gekry het toe ek nog skoolgegaan het. Later het ek 'n Tedelex 6000 gekry wat ek verandering op aangebring het.  Ek het ook 'n Triton Versterker met 6 uitset lampe aangeskaf.  Eendag wou ek die uitset spanning toets met 'n goedkoop multimeter.  Wel na 'n groot geskrik was daar net rook en vlamme.  Nodeloos om te se die multimeter was swart bebrand en dit was die einde van die meter.  Maar so leer mens.

6.  As daar radio amateurs is wat Pietermaritzburg KZN besoek kan hulle gerus by die Museum van OK Bert Cornell ZS5MQ aandoen.  Dit is een van daardie moeite werd besoeke.  Bert het n groot versameling ou radios wat hy tentoonstel aan die publiek.

7.  Volgende stop is op De Aar.  Eeste radio was 'n valve stel.  Ek het gereeld aan die radio "gekarring" en verstel asook ander toerusing.  My pa het in die 1970's 'n Sansui Valve Radio aangekoop destyds nog by Morkels.  Op 'n dag was ek weer besig om te karring en die volgende oomblik was alles net donker.  My pa het van die vertrek langsaan na my kamer toe gestorm en was my radios en toerusing permanent buite aksie gestel, onherstelbaar natuurlik.  Twee lampe vir die Sansui Valve Radio moes van die Ooste af ingevoer word teen R75.00.  Dit was die prys van twee maande se kosvoorraad!

8.  Gereeld na die AM manne geluister tussen 4 - 5 in die middag wanneer die manne by die huis was nadat hulle van die werk afgekom het.

9.  Ek het in 1987 'n radio amateur geword en my eerste radio was 'n FT101ZD.  Die radio het gedryf en moes ek dit eers goed laat warm word.  My man was toe reeds 'n radio amateur en was baie weg van die huis af gewees.  Met amateur radio kon ons kontak behou aangesien die posdiens aflewering baie lank  geneem het.   Ek onthou die groen oog.  Dit was gebruik vir fyn vestelling.  Amateur radio was nie so freemd nie aansien ek 'n radio operateur was by 'n kus stasie wat boodskappe afgeneem het.

10.  In 1987 was ek op Prins Albert gewees.  Gereeld veilings gewees en was daar talle veilings waar ek kommersieele ou radios (lampstelle) aangekoop het.  Dit was 'n fees gewees om die ou stelle te herstel en dan weer te verkoop.

11.  Besoek gerus die Latsky Radio Museum op Vanrynsdorp om die ou radios van weleer in al hul glorie daar te sien.  Onthou net jy moet voor die tyd 'n afspraak maak om die museum te besoek.

12.  In 1993 het ek die voorreg gehad om 'n skeepshouer  vol radios oop te maak by die Oorlogsmuseum in Johannesburg saam met ander lede van ZS6MUS ook 'n duitser wat 'n uitstaande kenner was van ou radios en toerusting.  Ek was sprakeloos gewees nadat die skeepshouer oopgemaak was.  Ons het 'n inventaris saamgestel van al die toerusing sommige nog in hulle oorspronklike verpakking.  Ek weet ongelukkig nie wat op die ou einde met die toerusting gebeur het nie want ek was verplaas na 'n ander standplaas.

Baie dankie aan al die stasies wat deelgeneem en gekoppel was tydens die Lippeklap Net.   Onthou om volgende Sondag middag om 15h30 in te skakel by die "Lippeklap"  Net.  Die onderwerp van bespreking sal later in die week bekend gemaak word.  Kom sluit gerus by ons aan!

Hoe skakel ek in by die Net?

• Echolink - Konnekteer aan ZS1I-L, ZS1FC-L, ZS6WDL-R of ZS5PMB-R Neem kennis as die laaste drie stasies nie gekonnekteer is aan ZS1I-L nie, konnekteer dan via  Echolink aan ZS1I-L om by die net aan te sluit.
• AllStar - Konnekteer aan node 49355 ZS1I of 28052 ZS5PMB-R
• VHF - 145.550 Mhz Simplex in die Mosselbaai area. Onthou die 88.5 khz CTCSS toon.
• Enige ander Echolink, AllStar  herhaler of link stasie wat aan ZS1I-L gekoppel is.
• Gebruik sommer Echolink wat op jou selfoon geinstalleer is.

 Images:  (Click on images for larger view.)

"Lippeklap" Net onderwerp vir Sondag 26 Februarie 2023 15h30:

 

DIT IS AMPER WEER LIPPEKLAP TYD!!!!    Dit is more middag  26/2/2023 om 15h30 weer “Lippeklap” tyd.  Kom vertel ons van jou eerste ondervinding met Kommersiele (Uitsaai) FM/Kort Golf Radio.  Het jy na FM of Kort Golf geluister?  Was dit ‘n lamp of transistor stel? Het hy met batterye of krag gewerk?  Kon jy na amateur radio op die stel luister?  Kom deel met ons jou ondervindinge en of eerste kennismaking met radio.  Come join us on the “Lippeklap” Net. 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  at 15h30.

Eskom Loadshedding Solutions - Raspberry Pi Router "Watchdog" Project: Testing Internet Connection (Part 1)

During Eskom loadshedding especially Stage 6,  I experienced several times that my GRHub Network Internet connection was lost before or after a spate of loadshedding.  Although my LTE router was on and all the necessary lights were on and blinking there would be no Internet connection.  I do not sit and watch the connection during or after a loadshedding period, I needed a automated “watchdog” for the Internet connection.  Now I know that many modern routers can be set to automatically reboot at a certain time, but my router does not have the future and this would not solve the current problem.  I looked at several projects using different module board to get the task done.  I did not want to fork out extra money as I already had a relay module, a Raspberry Pi Zero W and other items sitting on the shelf doing nothing.  Well the Pi and a few other goodies which I had on hand was chosen for this project. 

I was looking to create a project that will sense a chosen website on the Internet.  If the Internet was up and running the Python script would tell me that the Internet connection was successful and that no further input was needed.  If the Internet was down the script would tell me that the connection to the Internet failed and will the script reboot the Router.  It will automatically turn of the power to the Router, wait one minute to turn the Router back on.  After 60 seconds the power will be turned on and the Router will power up and reboot.  I also needed a log (txt) file where the shell output can be stored.  I decided to go the txt route with an entry under Crontab.  I can check relay_final.txt for print logs with time and date stamps. The shell output txt file will provide me with all the necessary info needed to do fault finding or want to know when the Internet was off and when it returned to the on state.  

The script that I wrote will be run every 30 minutes (can be set to your liking) automatically using Crontab.  It will go through the sequence and will do the necessary IP pinging  to confirm success or failure.

I am not going to go into great detail here as the Internet has more than enough info to construct such a project.  I did however compile three videos to illustrate the use of the project.  Please note I am not a professional You Tuber and I apologize beforehand for the quality of the videos.  The left hand handled the camera and the right hand was used to activate the computer software.  I will also post the two Python scripts that I created from info sourced from various Internet websites.  The log (txt) file containing the shell output will also be made available.   I am still busy with the project and further info will be made available in another post under Testing Internet Connection (Part 2)

Here is the videos and shell outputs from the Python Script for this project.

 

(Click on images for larger view.)

 

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

(Click on images for larger view.)

In Part 2 I will future the Phyton Script Code, running the script as a Cron Job and the final installation of the project in a cabinet and then to the GRHub Network LTE Router and Power Source.

Part 1 of this project was brought to you by ZS1I as part of the current series,  "The Eskom Loadshedding Disaster and Amateur Radio".  This is to alleviate loadshedding issues that has a detrimental effect on the amateur radio hobby.  

Previous projects in this regard:

Eskom Loadshedding - This R50.00 Scrap Metal UPS keeps the lights on! 

Eskom Loadshedding - I needed either a UPS or Backup 220v Power Unit for my desktop computer in the Shack ASAP!!

Eskom Loadshedding - Foolproof Power Backup Controller Project for your Radio, Radio Link or Repeater (Part 1)

Eskom Loadshedding - I am no Prophet of Doom!!

Eskom Loadshedding - A solar panel charge controller for all seasons....especially if you cannot find a trusted one!

Eskom Loadshedding - Load-shedding in South Africa calls for Solar Power Supply V 1

Eskom Load-shedding in South Africa calls for a Simple Inverter Power Supply in the Shack

Eskom Loadshedding - Foolproof Power Backup Controller Project for your Radio, Radio Link or Repeater (Part 2)

Eskom Loadshedding - Beat the Eskom Loadshedding Blues with this DIY Internet Router UPS Project.

Eskom Loadshedding - KISS DIY Solar Panel Charge Controller

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

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

Eskom Loadshedding - Update: 220v Time Switching Relay Unit to prevent equipment damage during loadshedding or power outages.

 

Feedback "Lippeklap" Net 19 February 2023 15h30 - Eskom Disaster and Amateur Radio - Part 2

We had a great discussion relating to the Eskom Disaster and Amateur Radio yesterday afternoon.  You might ask what does the Eskom Disaster have to do with amateur radio?  Well if you do not know by now then it is quite simple.  Loadshedding has a big effect on amateur radio whether we like to know it or not.  I am not going to elaborate here about the effect of loadshedding on amateur radio.  You just need to listen on and off air and you will quickly understand the dilemma loadshedding is causing with regards to amateur radio.  In short -  Repeaters not functioning, Echolink downtime, Internet Outages, no backup power source, batteries run flat, charging batteries time inadequite, theft, damage to equipment, inactivity on the bands, general security, amateur radio websites offline  etc. etc.

We have not even started the "Lippeklap"  Net when loadshedding once again caused havoc bringing about a countrywide Internet Outage for al least 15 min - 2 hours.  We lost half of our participants which included repeaters, links and personal connections on Echolink.  Sad but this is just one problem brought about by loadshedding. I hear many say, we told you that you cannot rely on the Internet.  Well like it or not the Internet is nowadays part and parcel of amateur radio! 

Internet or not the "show" must go on and it did.  Unfortunately without some of our regular and even new participants.   We started 15 minutes late as a result with only those that could connect to the GRHub Network.

The following questions were discussed:  

• What have you done to alleviate loadshedding issues in your amateur radio Shack or Household or Work environment.
• Do you have any suggestions in this regard?
  

The following news insert was also introduced to the participants :

" South Africans should prepare for load-shedding to continue for many more years, including stage 8 power cuts this winter.

It is the warning from Robbie van Heerden, Eskom’s former general manager of system operations who used to run South Africa’s power system.

During his tenure as Eskom’s general manager, Van Heerden won the Chairman’s Award for Executive of the Year.

He told attendees at an alternative energy solutions meeting in Midstream Estate that South Africa would most likely go to stage 8 during winter.

“People must realise that South Africa is in a very bad situation. Load-shedding will not go away. It will not stop at the end of the year, as promised by Ramaphosa,” he said.

Van Heerden spent two years with the energy minister trying to put things in place to resolve the energy shortage. However, problems run deep.

“Power stations are in a very bad condition. It is not the electricity networks – it is the power stations which are the problem,” he said.

He explained that there are numerous challenges, including that maintenance is not done properly at power stations.

“The maintenance at Eskom is pathetic. There are maintenance agreements which have not been done for two years.” "  -  Daily Investor

Here are the list of points that were discussed:  (Some in Afrikaans and some in English) 

1. As jy nog nie begin het om altenatiewe energie metodes te oorweeg nie, dan is jy laat en gaan dit jou duur te staan kom.
2. Die huidige kragonderbrekings het 'n voortdurende afwaartse tendens.  Kyk waar staan ons vandag weer op Fase 6.
3. Strewe daarna om permanent van die Grid af te gaan.  Jy hoef nie 'n R200 000.00 rand stelsel te installeer nie.
4. Om te begin raak eerstens ontslae van jou Kragvratel.  Goed wat baie krag gebruik. Kyk na elektriese stoof.  Wie gebruik nog al 4 plate,  oond en warmlaai?
   
5. Windkrag te duur op hierdie stadium vir 'n privaat persoon.
6. Moderne nie elektriese drukkokers (2 bar) is 'n goeie alternatief.   Kan kos kook binne 15 - 20 minute of 'n gas stoofie.
7. Om son energie en solar stelsel te gebruik moet jy jou maandelikse uitgawes verminder asook jou verbruik van elektrisiteit. 
8. Jy kan ook kyk na Veilige Kamer -Warm Kamer - Koue Kamer en Leef Kamer.  So bespaar jy energie en ook uitgawes.
9. Sny verbruik en behoeftes.
10. Installer LED ligte buite en binne.  Buite ligte het deesdae hulle eie sonpaneel en battery.
11. Insuleer dakke/plafonne/geysers en vensters om sodoende krag te spaar vir verwarming.
12. Teenproduktief om batterye te laai met elektriese battery laaier.  Kyk na ander opsies.
13.  Gebruik gas vir rugsteun - verseker dat jy genoeg gasbottels he want met tye is daar ook gas tekorte.
14. Jy hoef nie duur sonpanele op jou dak te installeer nie.  Ek gebruik 'n 100 watt sonpaneel wat ek rondskuif waar ek krag nodig het.
15. Pas jou leefstyl aan.  Behoort nie moeilik te wees nie.
16. Beurkrag gaan nog jare met ons wees.  Doen nou iets want hoe langer jy wag hoe duurder gaan dit word.  Maak nou 'n plan of laat dit gaan en kla nie later nie!!
17. Geduld word nou benodig.  Ongelukkig is dit nie altyd daar nie.
18. Moet lankal begin het, maar gedink dat dit beter sou gaan vorentoe.
19. Finanseel is dit nou onbekostigbaar met alles wat net op en op gaan elke maand. Kos is meer belangriker as krag.
20. Voedsel tekorte is ons voorland.
21. Maak seker dat jy nie swak toerusting koop om beurtkrag te ondervang nie.  George twee huisbrande gehad in die week weens batterye wat aan die brand geslaan het.
22. Kyk na goeie batterye - Lithium Titaan Oksied is goed met 20 000 siklusse.
23. Loodsuur batterye is nie goeie sonkrag batterye nie en gaan jy na 300 siklusse begin probleme ondervind.  So gaan maak jou somme!
24. Kyk na brandgevaar in en om jou huis.  Indien moontlik moet nie stelsel in jou huis of motorhuis installeer nie.  Oorweeg 'n veilige buite vertrek of "kragstasie" weg van jou huis af.
25. As jy nie ander opsie het nie maak seker dat jy goeie brand alarms en brandblussers installeer.
26. Onthou geen water om elektriese brand te probeer blus nie.  Dit vererger net die brand en kan lei tot jou dood na 'n elektriese skok.  Jy kry Lithium brandblussers.
27. Maak dit 'n gewoonte om jou kraginstallasie twee maal op 'n dag fisies te inspekteer en monitor jou kontrole paneel wat jou voorsien van waardevolle inligting minstens elke drie ure.  Dit kan deesdae met jou selfoon gedoen word.  Kyk veral na die laai proses en hitte uitset.
28. Inspekteer of laat jou batterye gereeld geinspekteer en getoets word om probleme te voorkom
29. Raadpleeg kundige ondernemings met goeie verwysings en akreditasies.  Dit kan jou baie probleme spaar.
30. Soek vir alternatiewe oplossings as jy probleme ervaar tydens beurkrag. Moet nie dat beurtkrag jou lewe versuur of verpletter nie.  Daar is baie wat jy kan doen om beurtkrag probleme te ondervang en jou lewe soos voorheen te geniet.  Aan die begin het dit my vreeslik gepla maar ek het alternatiewe gesoek en gevind. Vandag weet ek nie eers meer wanneer die krag in die huis af is nie, want my hele hok/werkskamer/amateur radio stasie word vanaf sonkrag bedryf.  Moes dit al jare terug gedoen het.

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. 

NOTE:  I will soon post a new project on the GRHub Network Blog on how I solved my problem that I experienced due to Stage 6 loadshedding in losing the Internet.  Lookout for the Internet "Watchdog" Raspberry Pi Relay Project.  Soon to be posted.  This project solved the intermittent Internet problems I experienced due to loadshedding.

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

The next "Lippeklap"  Net will take place on Sunday, 26 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!!

Kwazulu Natal Hamnet Bulletin - Sundays at 07h00 on the GRHub Network, Mossel Bay

Keith, ZS5WFD, in his command vehicle, operating ZS5DCC

Just a reminder that the KZN HAMNET Bulletin is broadcasted every Sunday at 07h00 SAST on several KZN Repeaters.  The  ZS1I GRHub Network linked to AllStar and Echolink nodes are connected via the Pietermaritzburg Repeater Network (ZS5PMB-R and Zello) thanks to Koos ZS5KDK.

A big thank you to Koos ZS5KDK, Keith ZS5WFD and every KZN Hamnet member for the service they render to their respected communities. 

Do not miss this interesting broadcast every Sunday morning at 07h00 on the GRHub Network, Mossel Bay.

It has come to my attention that some of our local radio amateurs do not know how Echolink fits into Allstar and the GRHub Network. I will provide just the short basics here.

Important: Echolink users might think that there is no activity on the ZS1I-L GRHub Mossel Bay link if they look at their Echolink application screen. This "impression" is not correct. The important thing is that you need to connect to the ZS1I-L Echolink station (Node: 108 551) to listen for activity on the Garden Route Hub Network.

Important: You must connect to ZS1I-L GRHub, Mossel Bay on Echolink to hear activity.

Invitation: I would hereby like to invite radio amateurs and clubs throughout South Africa to make use of the Garden Route Hub Network. Relay your bulletins, news etc on the network via Echolink, Allstar and 145.550 Mhz Simplex Link in the Mossel Bay area.

Reminder:  I would once again like to remind my fellow radio amateurs of the fact that the GRHub Network is linked to several large networks world wide.  I still find that many stations are to "quick on the trigger".  For those who do not know what quick on the trigger means its quite simple. Some repeater users  do not leave at least a 6 second gap between overs to allow the repeaters and links to "drop out" that are connected to  networks.   We must allow the networks to reset other wise the time out timers will cut the audio and you will not hear any audio on repeaters or RF simplex links.  This could lead to all sorts of problems if radio amateurs start talking over each other.  Not to talk about leaving others in the cold  or not allowing others to join the conversation, just to mention a few issues.

It is thus good practice and amateur radio etiquette to leave a 6 second gap between overs and also to listen a few seconds before you transmit.

Request:  Please leave a large enough time gap between overs on any repeater, simplex frequency and for that matter any system, radio or network.

Reminder: Topic Lippeklap Net - Sunday 19 February 2023 15h30

Reminder: Lippeklap Net tomorrow afternoon at 15h30 on the GRHub Network. Topic: The Eskom Disaster Part 2 - What have you done to alleviate loadshedding issues in your Shack, House or Work? Do you have any suggestions in this regard? Come and join us for part 2 in the series. You can access the Net as follow:

Echolink - Connect to ZS1I-L, ZS1FC-L, ZS6WDL-R or ZS5PMB-R Please note if the last 3 stations is not connected to ZS1I-L then you need to connect via Echolink to ZS1I-L for the Net.

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.

Please feel free to join us this Sunday afternoon, 19 February 2023 at around 15h30 SAST. We are all looking forward to your company and inputs in this regard. Please also tell your amateur radio friends about the Net. Get rid of that daily stress and enjoy a good hour or two in the company of amateur radio friends.

Hope to hear you on the “Lippeklap” Net!!

ZS1I Simple Small Projects: Power Supply for Turnigy Accucel-6 Battery Charger (Project 2)

I needed a dedicated power supply for the Turnigy Accucel-6 Battery Charger.  I use this charger to charge the External 18650 Li-ion Battery Pack for the Yaesu FT817.  In the past I had to haul out a bulky power supply that took a large space on my small work bench.  This was not on.  I need to use a dedicated small power supply.  Well I came up with the following solution as depicted in the images.  A cheap Chinese Switch Mode 12v  5A 60W power supply was the answer.  I added what was needed and tested the setup.  It works great and provided the necessary power.  For the price I paid for the Chinese PWS you cannot homebrew one.  (Click on images for larger view.)

Update: 220v Time Switching Relay Unit to prevent equipment damage during loadshedding or power outages.

My previous post dated 24 January 2023 refers.  Click HERE to view the project

This post is an update on how the unit has functioned since build and installation.  All I can say is that it was worth all the expenses and work.  The unit is working flawlessly and provides the necessary protection as described in the post.  

The unit is now also linked to the backup diesel generator.  If the generator starts then the unit will prevent immediate power to the home DB Board.  It will delay the electricity feed for 5 minutes after the generator has been started.   

Finally: It is my humble opinion that this unit is really a necessity that should be installed in every  household irrespective of loadshedding or not.  This unit will protect your equipment and prevent all the paperwork and extra expenses during an insurance claim which might even be declined.

ZS1I Simple Small Projects: Drill Jig Guide (Project 1)

Updated 22 March 2023! 

Homebrew Drill Jig Guide

The function of this Jig is to keep a round object level and true to drill holes through the round object with a press drill.  I plan to build a VHF Quad Antenna from PVC pipe and fittings.  Now the holes for the spreaders must be level and true.  The PVC couplers that I am going to use needed a homebrew Jig with special measurements as I could not find a U shape metal former.  I scratched around my metal junkbox and found two pieces of stainless steel angle iron.  I had to improvise and decided to weld the two pieces together to give me the U shape I need.  It turned out very well the coupler fits snugly in the Jig as can be seen in the images displayed underneath.  (Click on images for larger view.)

UPDATED PHOTOS (22 March 2023)  Click on images for larger view.

Terugvoering "Lippeklap" Net 12 February 2023

Al wat ek kan se is die Net raak net beter en beter en dit is nie aan my te danke nie maar aan almal wat deelneem aan die Net.  'n Besondere woord van welkom aan Johan ZS1AAC wat vir die eerste keer by die net aangesluit het. Gistermiddag was 'n ope net en dit beteken dat jy kon praat oor enige iets wat jy in amateur radio gedoen of nie gedoen het nie die afgelope tyd.  Die opkoms was goed en was dit goed om te verneem dat Koos ZS5KDK weer op die been is na sy olikheid.  Koos ons het jou gemis maar is bly dat jy weer by ons kon aansluit.  Ons vertrou dat jy volkome sal herstel.

Hier volg net 'n kort saaklike opsomming van wat bespreek is:

1. Bouvet Island DXPedition
   
2. Rules when trying to work a dxpedition
3. Radio -  How to use the Split function.
4. Older amateur radio sets like  Yaesu FT680R and FT480.  Fixing of older radios and looking for a crystal for the Yaesu FT480 radio.
5. Radio Test Equipment and availability.  Is it worth buying test equipment if you're not going to repair radios?
6. Dae wanneer dit nie so goed gaan nie en as jy begin sukkel met 'n radio wat nie wil doen wat jy he hy moet doen nie.  Geduld is somtyds baie nodig.
7. Arduino Programering en skryf van kode.
8. Baie geluk aan Christi ZS4CGR en sy LV Marie ZS4??? wat altwee suksevol was om die manne op Bouvet Eiland te werk en dit nogal toe daar menigsverskille was onder verskeie stasies wat hulle wou werk.  Die ou spreekwoord "Twee honde baklei oor 'n been en die derde gaan daarmee heen" is heel van toepassing.  Christi en Marie het besluit om 3Y0J te kontak juis tydens die meningsverskille.  Baie geluk aan beide van julle.
9. Hoe werk jy "split" frekwensie?  Thys ZS1TBP, Koos ZS5KDK en Christi ZS4CGR verduidelik.
10. Installering van rugsteun battery en UPS by een van Koos ZS5KDK se servers in KZN.  Dit voorkom onderbrekings tydens beurkrag.

Baie dankie aan al die stasies wat deelgeneem en gekoppel was tydens die Lippeklap Net.   Onthou om volgende Sondag middag om 15h30 in te skakel by die "Lippeklap"  Net.  Die onderwerp van bespreking sal later in die week bekend gemaak word.  Kom sluit gerus by ons aan!

Hoe skakel ek in by die Net?

• Echolink - Konnekteer aan ZS1I-L, ZS1FC-L, ZS6WDL-R of ZS5PMB-R Neem kennis as die laaste drie stasies nie gekonnekteer is aan ZS1I-L nie, konnekteer dan via  Echolink aan ZS1I-L om by die net aan te sluit.
• AllStar - Konnekteer aan node 49355 ZS1I of 28052 ZS5PMB-R
• VHF - 145.550 Mhz Simplex in die Mosselbaai area. Onthou die 88.5 khz CTCSS toon.
• Enige ander Echolink, AllStar  herhaler of link stasie wat aan ZS1I-L gekoppel is.
• Gebruik sommer Echolink wat op jou selfoon geinstalleer is.

"Lippeklap" Net onderwerp vir Sondag 12 Februarie 2023 15h30:

 DIT IS AMPER WEER LIPPEKLAP TYD!!!! Dit is more middag 12/2/2023 om 15h30 weer “Lippeklap” tyd. Daar is geen spesifieke onderwerp vir bespreking nie, gevolglik is dit ' n Ope Net. Kom vertel vir ons wat het jy die week in Amateur Radio gedoen nie gedoen nie. Ek hoop om te verneem dat 80% van radio amateurs in Suid Afrika reeds Bouvet Eiland 3Y0J gewerk het. Indien nie is jy van voornemens om die stasie te werk? Sou jy eendag op so ‘n ekspedisie wou gaan. Come join us on the “Lippeklap” Net. 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 this afternoon at 15h30.

Look what I found at a Farmers Market Stall. (Part 2)

The Yaesu FT80C is alive in RX and TX!!  All it needs is a good clean up and some "spook piepie".  I will refurbish the covers and fix the broken head clips.  Otherwise this radio is well worth the money that I paid for it.  And what did I pay for this radio?  R150.00.  You don't believe me?  Well look at the photo displaying the price on the radio. I put the "masking tape" over the price tag just to keep the head of the radio in place to see if the radio works.  There is still some bargains out there today.  You just need to find them.  I will however have to spend some time "working" on this radio to revamp it to my liking.  It will be mainly used for digital modes once it has undergone some TLC.

Here is two videos illustrating the RX working of the radio.  I have not yet made a video of the TX side although the output power reflected on the SWR Meter was good enough at the time. I will post a Part 3 later to illustrate the working of this radio.