Photo: After a hard days physical labor and hard work, Zayn Devries relaxes for a few minutes before his nightly tasks start as a result of Eskom loadshedding.
Here is another young radio amateur that ensure that he enjoy the hobby to the fullest. Zayn Devries ZR3VO from Orania has written the Amateur Radio Examination in October 2022 with a C+ total symbol. Zayn indicated that if you put your mind into anything in life that you want to accomplish and work hard you will achieve results. Wise words from this young man.
Now I am sure that many of you will appreciate the fact that it is not always possible to buy HF and VHF/UHF radios soon after you passed the RAE successfully. The author of this posting was also in such a situation and know all to well that extra money is not always available for a hobby especially if you are married and have two kids. Be as it may there is always a plan B and sometimes a plan C available. Soon after Zayn received his results he registered for an Echolink node number, installed Echolink on his phone and joined the GRHub Network in Mossel Bay. He soon learned how to use Echolink and moved on to DroidStar (DMR) where Thys ZS1TBP, ChristiZS4CGR, Curtis ZS6CMO, and yours truly assisted him to setup and use DMR via DroidStar. Zayn now talks all over the world and has made many friends using only VOIP and DMR.
Images Above: Seychells Amateur Radio Association
He has a regular VOIP sked with radio amateurs from the Seychellls Amateur Radio Association using the S78SARA La-Misere Mahe Repeater which is linked to Echolink. Zayn would like to thank radio amateurs in the Seychells and all over the world for their hospitality and friendship but also the many other stations he worked via DMR using TG91.
Here are some of the countries around the World that he worked. (Talked to fellow radio amateurs. )
USA, India, Italy, Germany, Seychells, Indonesia China, Canada, Australia and many other countries to many to mention here.
Just goes to show that amateur radio is a hobby that allow operators to make new friends all over the world. Well done Zayn!
Image: 2m Slim Jim Antenna installed.
Zane decided that it was time to spread his wings further in amateur radio. He purchased a VHF / UHF Analog HT but could only use it on simplex as there is no amateur radio repeater in Orania. There are several other radio amateurs in Orania but they are not currently all that active. OM Christi ZS4CGR from Luckhoff stepped in and donated a Slim Jim to Zayn. The aim was to see if Zayn could access the Van Der Kloof VHF Repeater which was recently installed for use by the "Bo Karoo Amateur Radio Klub" (of which he is a member) and radio amateurs living in range or passes by on the N1. With the help of Christi, Zayn was able to install a Slim Jim antenna build by Christi on a pole above Zayn's WiFi Dish Antenna. Not ideal but he can access the repeater, unfortunately with fairly "heavy rain" on the signal. This was plan A by OM Christi ZS4CGR. As usual Christi also had a plan B and a plan C. Today we are going to look at plan B and in a future posting we are going to look at plan C.
Image: New Zastone DMR HT as received by Zayn
Before we continue with plan B, I need to thank a radio amateur who wish to stay anonymous. He donated a brand new still in the box Zastone HT DMR Radio to Zayn ZR3VO. Zayn is currently awaiting a PiStar Hotspot which he ordered from China. The parcel is currently in Kimberley but according to the Post Office the delivery vehicle is currently being serviced for the last three weeks. Need one say anything. Hopefully he will soon receive his parcel. Zayn would like to thank the anonymous donor for donating the radio to him. Highly appreciated!
Now what is plan B? Quite simple you homebrew a test antenna for 2 meters to hunt down areas in and around Orania where you receive the Van Der Kloof repeater the best. Easier said then done. No, not if you have the correct antenna and the will to do a bit of "Repeater" Hunting. In the Wireless world we call it "Wardriving" but in amateur radio we talk about Radio Fox Hunting (ARDF, Radio Orienteering and Radiosport). Once again Christi ZS4CGR came up with plan B and provided the info to construct a cheap flexible Yagi (Beam) antenna. The plans and information to build this antenna is available from the following links:
Build it: 2 meter Tape Measure Yagi Beam Antenna - Michael KB9VBR
VHF 3EL Tape Measure Yagi. Jeff NT1K
Tape Measure Beam optimized for Radio Direction Finding Joe WB2HOL
Both Christi and Zayn constructed the 2 Meter Tape Measure Yagi Antenna. Below are images of their handiwork.
Images of the Tape Measure Yagi Antenna constructed by Christi ZS4CGR. (Click on images for larger view.)
Images of the Tape Measure Yagi Antenna constructed by Zayn ZR3VO. (Click on images for larger view.)
Zayn will implement Plan B during his leave in April 2024 and I will provide feedback on the repeater hunting "dxpedition" in a future posting. Good luck Zayn hunting down signals of the Van Der Kloof Repeater.
Herewith also a look at Zayn's "Pride and Joy" and his daily workplace. Zayn belongs to the Amateur Radio 101 Telegram Group and from time to time publish images of Orania on the group. One of his daily tasks in Orania is taking care and maintaining the beautiful swimming pool and surroundings. Many of the members of this group complimented Zayn on how clean and beautiful the water and surroundings facilities are. Really a work-place to be proud of.
On this same Telegram group, regular discussions take place about how to alleviate loadshedding in the country. Many technical discussions also take place where the use of solar energy is discussed and where information are exchanged about various alternative energy issues. Zayn participate in these discussions and also provide information of how Orania is planning to do away with loadshedding.
I admire Zayn's passion for Orania and it's people and the beauty of this town located along the Orange River in the Karoo region of the Northern Cape province of South Africa.
Zayn, I am going to say the following as simple as I can. Keep on what you are doing in Amateur Radio and also in your working environment. I admire your positive outlook in life and your passion for Amateur Radio. A radio amateur is not just an operator for a period of time. A passionate radio amateur like you practice amateur radio for life!
Finally: The author of this article would like to thank each and every radio amateur that Elmer's our new and young radio amateurs. Be and active radio amateur and enjoy the best hobby in the world and all of it's many branches. Remember amateur radio (ham radio) is a licensed radio hobby and service that enables you to communicate all around the world and even outer space. It’s vital for wireless experimentation, self-training, private recreation, radio sport, contesting, and emergency communications. When cell phones, regular phones, the internet and other systems are down or overloaded, Amateur Radio still gets the message through. It renders a vital service that has saved many lives when regular communication systems failed.
Images: Orania (Click on images for larger view.)
PLEASE TAKE NOTE: Amateur Radio / Ham Radio is apolitical by definition and by ethic. It has no interest or involvement in political, racism or religion affairs or having an aversion to the affairs.
Recognition: Seychells Amateur Radio Association, All Radio Amateurs on the Amateur Radio 101 Telegram Group and Worldwide, The Executive Council of Orania and the residents and friends of Orania.
