Vuurtoring tot Vuurtoring Naweek - Ystervarkpunt-Vuurtoring

 Foto:  Ystervarkpunt-vuurtoring 

"Vuurtorings het vir baie jare 'n belangrike rol in maritieme navigasie gespeel en skepe veilig langs ons verraderlike kuslyn gelei. Hierdie argitektoniese wonders simboliseer die belangrikheid van kommunikasie."  

TUINROETE | KAROO NUUS - Suid-Afrika se Amateurradio Vuurtoringnaweek het radioamateurs van regoor die land van 17 tot 18 Augustus bymekaar gebring om hul passie vir kommunikasie en tegnologie te deel.

Foto:  Van links is Willie Hewitt ZS2CC, Hettie Hewitt, Mark Sanderson ZS1SSM, Corne Conradie ZS1COR, Desmond Sanderson ZS6SED, Eben Hewitt ZS1HEB, Danie Leonard ZS1DL, Gerrit Klopper ZS1KLO en Henry Hansen ZS1SB.

Sewe amateurs van die Eden-radioklub het Vrydagoggend by Ystervarkpunt-vuurtoring byeengekom en antennas opgeslaan.

Die Ystervarkpuntvuurtoring is in Gourikwa-natuurreservaat, halfpad tussen die kusdorpe, Gouritsmond en Stilbaai.

Die mans het hoog vanaf die ligtoring 'n antenna gespan wat een van die lede, Willie Hewitt (ZS2CC) gemaak het en dit tot heel onder vertikaal laat hang.

Corné Conradie (ZS1COR) van Eden-radioklub, sê hierdie jaarlikse naweek bied 'n platform vir radioamateurentoesiaste om hul vaardighede ten toon te stel, kennis uit te ruil, die publiek geïnteresseerd te kry en om aan 'n vriendskaplike kompetisie deel te neem waar kameraderie opnuut versterk word.

Dit alles, terwyl hulle omring word deur die boeiende skoonheid en betekenis van Suid-Afrika se vuurtorings.

Vuurtorings inspireer

"Vuurtorings het vir baie jare 'n belangrike rol in maritieme navigasie gespeel en skepe veilig langs ons verraderlike kuslyn gelei. Hierdie argitektoniese wonders simboliseer die belangrikheid van kommunikasie. In die moderne era is langafstandradiokommunikasie 'n onmisbare aspek tydens navigasie, maar tog speel vuurtorings steeds 'n belangrike rol," vertel Conradie.

Met vuurtorings as inspirasie, is die vuurtoringnaweek geskep om jaarliks die gees van konnektiwiteit onder radioamateurs in Suid-Afrika en wêreldwyd te vier. Deelnemers demonstreer dan hul tegniese vaardighede met die vinnige opstel van moderne radiostasies met verskillende antennas en deel hul passie vir radiokommunikasie.

Deelnemers van verskillende klubs kom in spanne by verskeie ligtorings langs die kus bymekaar wat dan as fokuspunt vir hul aktiwiteite dien.

Gedurende die naweek het radioamateurs hul kommunikasiestelsels opgestel om soveel as moontlik kontak te maak met mede-entoesiaste - plaaslik en regoor die wêreld.

Ons het dit gedoen!

Conradie sê die Eden-radioklub het met 'n Kenwood ts2000 vanuit die vuurtoringhuisie gepraat. "Ons het 80 kontakte gemaak en met 10 vuurtorings in Suid-Afrika en een stasie in Duitsland gepraat. Kondisies was baie goed en ons het sommer al Saterdagoggend net na 06:30 ons eerste kontak gemaak."

Hy sê een van die "Ons het dit gedoen!"-oomblikke was waar die vuurtoringoperateurs opeenhopings (pile-ups) moes hanteer waar verskeie roepe gelyktydig inkom. "Vir die operateurs wat roep na die vuurtorings en wat se sein gehoor word bo ander, is dit 'n veer in die hoed," sê Conradie.

Hy sê die naweek kweek 'n gevoel van kameraadskap onder die deelnemers aangesien hulle streef om met soveel as moontlik stasies kontak te maak met hul tydelike stasie - kontakte gemaak deur die vuurtoringoperateurs, sowel as kontakte gemaak na vuurtorings deur individuele operateurs.

Boeiende stokperdjie

"Die vuurtoringnaweek speel 'n belangrike rol in die bevordering van amateurradio as 'n stokperdjie. Deur die vermoëns en kameraadskap van entoesiaste ten toon te stel, lok die geleentheid gesoute amateurs, nuwe amateurs en mense wat nuuskierig is oor die stokperdjie. Dit is weereens hierdie naweek bewys deur die letterlik duisende kontakte wat gemaak en gelog is."

Conradie hoop dat die blootstelling wat tydens die naweek gegenereer word, help om bewustheid te verhoog oor die voordele van radioamateurkommunikasie. "Hopelik sal dit weer nuwe entoesiaste inspireer om by ons gemeenskap aan te sluit en om die kulturele, argitektoniese en erfeniswaarde van ons vuurtorings te waardeer."

Daar is darem nie net per radio gekommunikeer nie en tussendeur het die vure gebrand en het die deelnemers lekker saamgekuier.

Vir nog foto's en inligting besoek Eden Radio Club op Facebook, Instragram en YouTube.

Kontak Eden-radioklub by edenradioclub@gmail.com.

-  George Herald

Fotos  (Klik op fotos om te vergroot)

Foto: Eden-radioklub het met 'n Kenwood TS2000 vanuit die vuurtoringhuisie gepraat. 

Foto: Willie Hewitt ZS2CC

                                                             Foto:  Danie Leonard ZS1DL

Foto:  Henry Hansen ZS1SB

Foto:  Eben Hewitt ZS1HEB

Foto:  Corné Conradie ZS1COR

Foto:  Ystervarkpunt-vuurtoring is in Rein's-natuurreservaat, halfpad tussen Gouritsmond en Stilbaai. - B van Zyl

Your audio quality represents your ZS Amateur Radio Station.

A while ago I discussed the audio quality coming from stations that uses the ZS Hub and ZS Link Network.  The above title says it all "Your audio quality represents your ZS Amateur Radio Station."

I recently came across an article from the East Coast Reflector and from this article one can see how serious they are about good audio quality on the East Coast Reflector.  For those who might not know the  East Coast Reflector is a linked/bridged network of repeaters, nodes, and technologies that provide amateur radio operators with a convergence of platforms where users of various systems such as AllStar, IRLP, D-Star, DMR, Yaesu System Fusion, EchoLink, Hamshack Hotline, and Hams Over IP can seamlessly communicate across the USA and around the world.

So serious are they about good audio that they describe audio as "The Sound of Success"

Herewith a few pointers from the East Coast Reflector to good audio quality:

Check Your Audio: Use the ECR’s streaming audio on the website to
hear how you sound. It’s a handy tool to make sure you’re not
blasting everyone’s eardrums or speaking so softly that they need to
strain to hear you. (In South Africa you can use Echolink EchoTest)
Adjust Properly: If someone says your audio is too loud or too quiet,
make the correct adjustments on your equipment. Don’t just back
away from the mic or shout into it—adjust the settings as needed.
(mic gain)
RF Power vs. Audio: Remember, turning up your RF power won’t fix
poor audio. Low power has nothing to do with low audio. If your
audio is low at 1 watt, it’ll be low at 100 watts too. The same goes for
noisy signals—raise the power if needed, but also fix any audio
issues.
Phonetics: Use Them Wisely
Phonetics can be useful, but don’t overdo it. If your audio is crystal clear, you
don’t need to spell out every letter of your call sign. Save the phonetics for
when they’re genuinely needed.
Imagine this: Someone came into our Zoom room and spelled out their call
sign phonetically when a simple “WB2JPQ” would have sufficed. Keep it
simple when possible!
ID'ing: Know the Rules
On July 19th, we also chatted about ID'ing. The FCC says you must ID
yourself at least every 10 minutes. Don’t stress about the other person’s call
sign. Relax and have a conversation.
Open Discussions & Future Fun:
On July 26th, we had an open chat about getting more people to talk on the
air. We got some fantastic ideas, and we’ll be working on implementing them.
So stay tuned for more interactive fun!
CTCSS: The Secret to Clear Signals
On August 2nd, we talked about Continuous Tone Coded Squelch Systems
(CTCSS). This is like a private handshake for your radio—it helps filter out
unwanted noise and ensures your repeater or node only hears the signals it’s
supposed to. If you’re not already using CTCSS or Digital Coded Squelch
(DCS), it’s time to get with the program! 

Thanks to East Coast Reflector for the above pointers.

Now another aspect that I would once again like to bring to the attention of our readers and users also forthcoming from the East Coast Reflector is:  "Etiquette" better known as "Manners" when using a Network System.

➽ Key up and wait 2+ seconds before you
start talking. Repeaters have delays.
➽ Leave a minimum of 6 second breaks
between transmissions. Without breaks the
system thinks you’re all one person and you’ll
time it out.
➽ Keep transmissions to less than 2 minutes
to prevent system time out.
➽ You only need to ID every 10 minutes.
➽ No CB terms. 10-4, good buddy, home 20,
roger.
➽ Use the word “break” or “break break”
only in emergencies.
➽ Phonetics are discouraged except when
when there’s difficulty understanding or
when on HF.
➽ Everyone hears the same audio.
➽ Break into a QSO only if you have
something to add, not a radio check.
➽ Use the echo reflectors to test your signal
rather than frequent radio checks. This is
only for node owners.
➽ No politics or religion conversation.
➽ Limit QSOs to 15 minutes.
➽ Maintain a public email on QRZ
➽ Fix poor audio.  

Finally:  A big thank you to the East Coast Reflector for this very useful information.  I hear some say but this is South Africa, we do things otherwise here.  NO this is not the correct attitude.  If you do not abide by the rules you will be left in the cold or even worse be banned from a system which should never be the case.  Remember good etiquette and audio quality represents your ZS Amateur Radio Station and I am of the opinion that no one wants to be associated with a bad amateur radio station!

From the Desk: "What is lately happening on the ZS Hub- and ZS Link Network?"

It has been a while since an update was posted on activities on the ZS-Link- and   ZS Hub Network.  The network is alive and well thanks to radio amateurs who use the network and keep on adding nodes/repeaters/links to the existing network.  I have been asked why use the name ZS-Link Network?  It is actually very simple.  If I use the name "ZS1I GRHub Network" it would reflect on me as a one man setup/station which is not correct. There are many other roll players that ensure that the network is operational and being extended to other areas of the country and even overseas.  I would like to thank all those radio amateurs that keep the network maintained and running even during loadshedding periods.  Your unselfish participation in maintaining nodes, repeaters, links etc. is highly appreciated.  Remember you do it for Amateur Radio, the best hobby in the world!!

Here is a list of activities and add-ons to the Network:

Visit to the Aasvoelkop Repeater on the 14 August 2024

Video:  Henry ZS1SB 

Recently the Aasvoelkop Repeater experienced an intermittent problem that resulted in unexpected outages. Johann ZS1AAC and his team visited the site and replaced the 145.750 Mhz Repeater with the 145.625 Mhz Repeater.  TAKE NOTE:  The frequency of the Aasvoelkop Repeater is now 145.625 Mhz with an 88.5 hz CTCSS tone.  You will not be able to access this repeater on 145.750 Mhz.  The "new" repeater works great.  REQUEST:  Please keep your overs short.  On 2 Meter there is a golden rule - 2 minutes on 2 meters.  Currently there is no Time Out Timer on the repeater but this is always an option should overs be to long.  To Johann ZS1AAC and his Team a BIG THANK YOU for all the hard work to keep the repeaters operational.

Update:  Limpopo, Mpumlanaga, KZN Repeater News 

1.  The Mpisi Repeater is back in place. More solar panels and bigger batteries were added. Got a good 105 km using an HT radio.  

2.  The Vryheid Repeater is also back online again with a UHF link to Mpisi.

3.  The Ermelo Repeater is active with a UHF link to Mpisi

4.  The Richards Bay Repeater is also back online again via Echolink

5.  The Middelburg Repeater is back online via Echolink to Mpisi. Middelburg is linked via UHF to the Steenkampsberg UHF repeater.

6.  The Nelspruit Repeater is linked via a UHF link to Steenkampsberg.

7.  The ZS5PMB Repeater Network is connected via Echolink and there are also a few repeaters connected.

8.  The Dundee Repeater will be active in a few weeks via UHF link to Mpisi

9.  The Mariepskop  Repeater will be active in the next few weeks via a UHF link to Steenkampsberg.

To Jaques ZS6WDL and his Team as well as all the Repeater Guardians in the above mentioned areas a BIG THANK YOU for all the hard work for extending the Network and keeping all the repeaters and networks operational.  

 

Image: SVXLINK Reflector connected to DVSWITCH - Curtis ZS6CMO

Update:  Alberton ZS6CMO Networks, Reflectors, Bridges etc.

Curtis ZS6CMO informs me that several new links and networks has been added to the Alberton ZS6CMO Network.

He runs the following systems which is linked to the ZS Hub- and ZS Link Network:

1. SVXLINK Reflector connected to DVSWITCH

2. YSF Reflector

3.  DMR Bridge

4.  ZS6CMO Allstar Radioless Node

To Curtis ZS6CMO a BIG THANK YOU for all the hard work for extending the ZS Link Network and keeping all the repeaters, reflectors, bridges and  networks operational.

Images + Video:  Curtis ZS6CMO (Click on images for large view.

Toekenning aan George-Amateur-Radio Lid

Entoesiastiese lede van die Eden-radioklub in George beywer hulle vir die bevordering van hierdie stokperdjie.

Monday, 12 August 2024, 11:02  

GEORGE NUUS - 'n Lid van Eden-radioklub, Matthys Louw, is met 'n baie spesiale nasionale toekenning vereer tydens die klub se jaarvergadering op 27 Julie.

Louw het die Jack Twine-meriete-toekenning ontvang wat deur die Suid-Afrikaanse Radioliga uitgereik word vir onselfsugtige en opregte bydrae tot amateurradio.

Die klub verwelkom ook drie nuwelinge, waarvan die jongste slegs 15 jaar oud is. Die drie is besig met opleiding en studies ter voorbereiding vir die nasionale eksamen wat in Oktober afgelê word.

Na die vergadering het almal gesellig saam gekuier.

Amateurradio is 'n stokperdjie vir oud en jonk en almal wat betrokke wil raak kan gaan loer na die klub se sosiale bladsye op YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, asook hul webtuiste.

Die klub bedank al die lede en nie-lede wat van so ver as Plettenbergbaai en Boggomsbaai gekom het om die spesiale geleentheid by te woon.

‘Ons bring jou die nuutste Tuinroete, Hessequa, Karoo nuus’

George Herald

10 - 11 Meter J-Pole Antenna Build by Nico ZS4N

Image:  J-Pole Antenna constructed by Nico ZS4N (Click image for larger view.)

The J-pole antenna, more properly known as the J antenna, is a vertical omnidirectional transmitting antenna. It was invented by Hans Beggerow in 1909 for use in Zeppelin airships. Trailed behind the airship, it consisted of a single one half wavelength long wire radiator, in series with a quarter-wave parallel transmission line tuning stub that matches the antenna impedance to the feed line. By 1936 this antenna began to be used for land-based transmitters with the radiating element and the matching section mounted vertically, giving it the shape of the letter "J", and by 1943 it was named the J antenna. The J-pole antenna is an end-fed omnidirectional half-wave antenna that is matched to the feed line by a shorted quarter-wave parallel transmission line stub. For a transmitting antenna to operate efficiently, absorbing all the power provided by its feed line, the antenna must be impedance matched to the line; it must have a resistance equal to the feed line's characteristic impedance. A half-wave antenna fed at one end has a current node at its feed point, giving it a very high input impedance of around 1 000–4 000 ohms. This is much higher than the characteristic impedance of transmission lines, so it requires an impedance matching circuit between the antenna and the feed line. A shorted quarter-wave stub, a transmission line one quarter of the wavelength long with its conductors shorted together at one end, has a similar high impedance node at its open end, making a good match to the antenna. The input impedance seen at a point along the stub varies continuously, decreasing monotonically from this high value to zero at the shorted end. So any value of input impedance can be obtained by connecting the feed line to the proper point along the stub. One arm of the stub is extended a half wavelength to make the antenna. By attaching the antenna's feed line to the proper point along the transmission line, the stub will transform this impedance down to match the lower feed line impedance, allowing the antenna to be fed power efficiently. During construction the proper attachment point for the feed-line is found by sliding the connection of the feed line back and forth along the stub while monitoring the SWR until an impedance match (minimum SWR) is obtained.[1][6] Being a half-wave antenna, it provides a small gain of just under 1 dB over a quarter-wave ground-plane antenna. Primarily a dipole, the J-pole antenna exhibits a mostly omnidirectional pattern in the horizontal (H) plane with an average free-space gain near 2.2 dBi (0.1 dBd).

In July 2024 Nico ZS4N decided to build a J-Pole Antenna for the 10m and 11m band.  Nico indicated that he received better reports with the J-Pole Antenna than the 3 Element Delta Loop Antenna for 26 - 30 Mhz he built in May 2024 available HERE.  More information and images available beneath.

 Image:  J-Pole Antenna constructed by Nico ZS4N (Click images for larger view.)

 

 More information about the Slim and J Pole Calculator available  HERE

 

More information available HERE