KENNISGEWING: Maak asb ‘n aantekening in jou dagboek of ‘n knoop in jou sakdoek. Eerskomende Donderdag (30 Jan 2025) aand om 19h30 SAST gaan ons gesels oor die werking van die ZS Link Netwerk. Ek het agtergekom dat daar heelwat OK’s is wat nie weet wat die netwerk behels en hoe dit funsioneer nie. So ek gaan probeer om die sluier te lig in die verband. Nee ek gaan nie gesels oor al die tegniese en ingewikkelde aspekte nie. Ek gaan dit eenvoudig en hopelik verstaanbaar hou sodat diegene met geen ondervinding in die verband, kan verstaan en inskakel by een van die mees aktiewe netwerke in die land. Kom praat gerus saam, vra jou vrae en kom luister ook na wat beplan word vir die toekoms van die netwerk. Moenie die geleentheid misloop nie!!
"Share your "Knowledge and Experience" / "Deel jou Kennis en Ondervinding": Do you have questions or would you like to share information about amateur radio-, homebrew- and experimental projects? Come and share your knowledge and "how to" information with your fellow radio amateurs. Every Thursday evening at 19h30 will hopefully provide you with the necessary information to "play" with various amateur radio facets and help you in learning more about amateur radio.
Radio Amateurs kan konnekteer via: 145.625 Mhz (88.5 Hz CTCSS Toon) Aasvoelkop Herhaler, 145.550 Mhz (88.5 Hz CTCSS Toon) Hub Link te Mosselbaai, ZS1SB-L Echolink, ZS1I-R Echolink, 49355 AllStar or TG65511 via DMR of aan enige node wat gekonnekteer is aan die gemelde nodes.
Verskeie veranderinge sal met ingang 1 Februarie 2025 aangebring word aan die Suid Kaap ZS Link Netwerk. Dit beteken nie noodwendig dat al die veranderinge met een oog opslag in werking sal tree op die 1 Februarie 2025 nie. Luister gerus na die audio insetsel vir meer besonderhede.
Foto: Stilbaai Herhaler (Klik op foto om te vergroot.)
Daar word beplan om eerskomende Saterdag, 1 Februarie 2025 die Stilbaai Herhaler op te gradeer mits die weer saamspeel. Verskeie veranderinge gaan aangebring word. In 'n toekomstige artikel sal ek meer besonderhede hieroor verstrek.
Dit is egter belangrik dat ons asseblief 'n aanduiding kry van hoeveel radio amateurs beplan om Saterdag 'n besoek te bring aan die Stilbaai Herhaler. Daar is vooraf reelings wat getref moet word in die verband.
Versoek: Indien jy wel gaan opdaag, bevestig asb jou voorneme op die 625 WhatsApp Groep voor Donderdag (30 Januarie 2025) 08h00 SAST.
Kom ons maak dit maklik vir Johann ZS1AAC en sy span op Stilbaai en bevestig jou voorneme sommer vandag nog, asseblief.
Dit is met groot dankbaarheid en waardering dat ek kan berig dat die ou 63 “Chevy” nou weer op 6 silinders loop na my onlangse ongesteltheid. Ek wil graag van die geleentheid gebruik maak om elke enkele radio amateur wat boodskappe van goeie wense gestuur het van harte te bedank. Ek is regtig oorweldig deur al die belanstelling en navrae. Baie baie dankie!!
Nou ja ek het so 4 dae gemis en amateur radio kan nie stilstaan nie. Dinge moet gebeur en gaan gebeur. Dit is nou weer volstoom voortgaan met al die amateur radio bedrywighede en projekte.
I was recently contacted by Christi ZS4CGR where he explained that he wanted to use DroidStar on a new phone but after setting up DroidStar he realized that he cannot connect to any talk group on DMR and also that he was not sure about the BrandMeister Hotspot Security Password. DroidStar did not respond and in My Devices in BrandMeister his ID for Droidstar did not turn green. In other words DroidStar did not access BrandMeister and the other way around. This surely was a password issue. Christi explained further that he cannot remember the password he used on the previous phone.
Login to the BrandMeister Website by entering your call sign and password. Now this password should not be the same as the Hotspot Security password. Once you logged in you will be taken to the User Dashboard. See image below.
(Click on image for larger view.)
Now go to the top right hand side of the page and click on your call sign. A small window will pop-up. Click on SelfCare.
(Click on image for larger view.)
A new window will open. You are now in the SelfCare Settings window. Scroll down to the Hotspot Security section of this window.
(Click on image for larger view.)
Here you can enter a new password and once entered save the password by clicking on the Save Password blue tab. You will no have a new hotspot security password for your My Devices listed under my devices on the left hand part of the screen. Please note: If you change this password you will have to alter the password in all your devices listed in My Devices. Important: Make a note of the new password somewhere as not to forget the new password. If not and you have a lot of devices it will take some time to edit all the passwords of these devices.
No, we are not finished yet. Log out and go to your DroidStar application. Open the application. Go to settings and enter the new password under BM Pass. Just for good measure exit the program and open the Droidstar application again. You will now be able to access BrandMeister. Enter you TGID and Connect. You will be connected. Press the TX bar to activate the talk group. Call CQ and once again enjoy QSO's via DroidStar.
If you like me I want to make sure that DroidStar logged into BrandMeister. Go back to the web-page of BrandMeister. Log in and go to the far left side of the page. Click on My Devices. Tip: If you cannot see it outright click on the three small bars next to BrandMeister and this will open a tab where you will see My Devices. Now click on My Devices and you will see your devices listed here.
(Click on image for larger view.)
Droidstar's DMRID and ESSID will be listed as per example - 655011902 and will be green. You're in business!! Note: The DMRID and ESSID can be found in DroidStar under Settings. Just combine the two and that will be the ID of your DroidStar device.
Welcome back to Droidstar. I hope this article will be of use to anybody that cannot remember their BrandMeister Hotspot Security Password.
Article compiled by Johan ZS1I on the 22 January 2025.
KENNISGEWING: Maak asb ‘n aantekening in jou dagboek of ‘n knoop in jou sakdoek. Eerskomende Donderdag (23 Jan 2025) aand om 19h30 SAST gaan ons gesels oor die werking van die ZS Link Netwerk. Ek het agtergekom dat daar heelwat OK’s is wat nie weet wat die netwerk behels en hoe dit funsioneer nie. So ek gaan probeer om die sluier te lig in die verband. Nee ek gaan nie gesels oor al die tegniese en ingewikkelde aspekte nie. Ek gaan dit eenvoudig en hopelik verstaanbaar hou sodat diegene met geen ondervinding in die verband, kan verstaan en inskakel by een van die mees aktiewe netwerke in die land. Kom praat gerus saam, vra jou vrae en kom luister ook na wat beplan word vir die toekoms van die netwerk. Moenie die geleentheid misloop nie!!
Hoe skakel ek in? Radio Amateurs kan konnekteer via: 145.625 Mhz (88.5 Hz CTCSS Toon) Aasvoelkop Herhaler, 145.550 Mhz (88.5 Hz CTCSS Toon) Hub Link te Mosselbaai, ZS1SB-L Echolink, ZS1I-R Echolink, 49355 AllStar or TG65511 via DMR of aan enige node wat gekonnekteer is aan die gemelde nodes.
ZS1I namens die ZS Link Netwerk Groep.
NOTIFICATION:Please make a note in your diary or a knot in your handkerchief. This coming Thursday (23 Jan 2025) evening at 19h30 SAST we will talk about the operation and functioning of the ZS Link Network. I noticed that there are a lot of OC’s who don't know what the network is and how it works. I'm going to try to lift the veil on that. No, I'm not going to talk about all the technical and complicated aspects. I'm going to keep it simple and hopefully understandable so that those with no experience in the matter can understand and tune in to one of the most active networks in the country. Feel free to join the discussion, ask your questions and also come and listen to what is planned for the future of the network. Don't miss the opportunity!!
How do I connect? Radio Amateurs can connect via: 145.625 Mhz (88.5 Hz CTCSS Tone) Aasvoelkop Repeater, 145.550 Mhz (88.5 Hz CTCSS Tone) Hub Link in Mossel Bay, ZS1SB-L Echolink, ZS1I-R Echolink, 49355 AllStar or TG65511 on DMR or any other node that is connected to one of the mentioned.
Throughout the years I had the privilege to meet and learn from many fellow radio amateurs. Some I have never met in person but spend many hours in having great on he air QSO's either on HF, UHF/VHF, Packet Radio, Satellites and other Modes of communication. In this memory lane article I would like to pay tribute to their contribution in amateur radio and to remember those who passed on and those who are still with us today.
Herewith my memory images of those radio amateurs that played an important roll in my amateur radio "career" and also to many others in the Southern Cape Area. (I will give recognition to 3 radio amateurs in each part of this article.)
Willem van Zyl ZS1ON (SK)
MOSSEL BAY
Images: Willem in his Shack (Click on images for larger view.)
Bottom Images:ZS1ON Homebrew (1) AM Transmitter and (2) Audio Amplifier (Click on images for larger view.)
1
2
Casey van Nootenboom ZS1AAS
WILDERNESS
Images: Casey in the Shack (Click on images for larger view.)
Bottom Images:ZS1AAS specialty include Homebrewing and Restoring old radios to their former glory. (Click on images for larger view.)
The Wireless Set No. 19 was a Second World War mobile radio transceiver designed for use by armoured troops of the British Army. First introduced in 1940, the No. 19 began to replace the pre-war Wireless Set No. 11. Two modified versions were introduced, Mk. II in 1941 and Mk. III in 1942. An improved version from Canada was introduced in 1942 for use primarily with other forces. In British service, the No. 19 was replaced in the post-war era by the Larkspur radio system. Canadian-built No. 19s saw continued service for many years with a variety of users.
Jan van Eck ZS1ACW (SK)
STILL BAY
Images: Jan in the Shack (Click on images for larger view.)
Bottom Images:ZS1AWC specialty was Packet Radio on HF, VHF and via the Internet (Click on image for larger view.) In an issue of Teenspanning (July-August 2003) the Gateway and BBS of Jan was listed under the @ZAF Packet Radio Network. Jan provided a great packet radio network service to the Southern Cape which also included the packet radio system/network of Conrad ZS1KG.
In part two I will be looking at three more radio amateurs that played an important roll in my amateur radio "career" and also to many others in the Southern Cape Area.
Image: Richard's Mother next to her beloved vintage Alfa Romeo GT. (1960'S ?) (Click on image for larger view.)
It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of the mother of Richard ZS5RMN. She was a very well known personality in the theatrical world and broadcasting fraternity for many years. The ZS-Link Network Group wish to extend it heartfelt condolences to Richard, his brother, family and friends during this difficult time. The memorial service will take place this coming Monday, 20 January 2025 in Richmond, KZN. Richard we know how difficult it is for you at this time taken into account that you visited her regularly during her frail care years. We wish you strength and encouragement for the future.
Richard is an esteemed member of the ZS-Link Network Group and present "An African Story" every week day at 06h00 on the "Sonsopkoms" Net. This story is written and read for amateur radio by Richard ZS5RMN from Pietermaritzburg on the ZS- Link Network. More about Richard ZS1RMN and his stories will be published in a future posting on this Blog.
Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) over Simons Town. Picture: Hassaan Tanvir
During a recent discussion on the "Sonsak Span Amateur Radio Net" the question was asked whether it is possible to see Auroras (Southern Lights) in South Africa. Before one can answer that question we need to look at why and how this "phenomena" occurs in the sky.
An aurora (pl. aurorae or auroras), also commonly known as the northern lights (Aurora Borealis) or southern lights (Aurora Australis), is a natural light display in Earth's sky, predominantly seen in high-latitude regions (around the Arctic and Antarctic). Auroras display dynamic patterns of brilliant lights that appear as curtains, rays, spirals, or dynamic flickers covering the entire sky.
Auroras are the result of disturbances in the Earth's magnetosphere caused by the solar wind. Major disturbances result from enhancements in the speed of the solar wind from coronal holes and coronal mass ejections. These disturbances alter the trajectories of charged particles in the magnetospheric plasma. These particles, mainly electrons and protons, precipitate into the upper atmosphere (thermosphere/exosphere). The resulting ionization and excitation of atmospheric constituents emit light of varying color and complexity. The form of the aurora, occurring within bands around both polar regions, is also dependent on the amount of acceleration imparted to the precipitating particles.
Planets in the Solar System, brown dwarfs, comets, and some natural satellites also host auroras.
If we again look at the question and with the above in mind and the fact that we live in South Africa then it would be correct that Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) is of interest to us. The Aurora Australis or the Southern Lights, has features almost identical to the Aurora Borealis and changes simultaneously with changes in the northern auroral zone. The Aurora Australis is visible from high southern latitudes in Antarctica, the Southern Cone, South Africa, Australasia, the Falkland Islands, and under exceptional circumstances as far north as Uruguay.
We as radio amateurs know about the 11-year sunspot cycle and the effect it has on HF Communications. At the sunspot low small to very few geomagnetic storms occur which makes it rather difficult to work HF to some regions of the world. At the sunspot high large geomagnetic storms are most common during the peak of the 11-year sunspot cycle or during the three years after the peak. The peak of the cycle provides good to great HF communications a few days after a geomagnetic storm had passed, allowing radio amateurs to work the world using a “shoe string” for an antenna.
One of our local radio amateurs in the Southern Cape, Dolf ZS1DRP is an airline pilot flying overseas. He send me the following Aurora Borealis and other space images that he took out of the cockpit of the aircraft. Dolf thank you very much for the images!
Well we still haven't answered the title question fully except that it is possible to see auroras in South Africa.
In May 2024, a G5 solar storm caused a rare and dazzling display of the Southern Lights that was visible from Cape Agulhas to Cape Town and across the Western Cape. The storm was so powerful that it was the most significant geomagnetic storm Earth had experienced in about 20 years.
In the early hours of Friday, May 10, 2024 Cape Agulhas experienced a rare celestial event - The Southern Lights. Click HERE to view images of this incredible event.
On the 11 October 2024 SABC News Reports - Southern Lights | Aurora Australis visible across SA. Watch the video below:
Herewith another view of the Southern Lights in South Africa - Aurora Australis: A Rare Light Show Graces South Africa’s Skies. Click HERE to view images and information.
Amazing images of the Southern Lights as G5 solar storm hits Click HERE to view images.
Herewith a few Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis images that was observed from the International Space Station (ISS) (Click on images for larger view.)
Recognition:
1. Dolf ZS1DRP
2. Cape Agulhas Guest House
3. SABC News
4. Rhino African Blog
5. Snow Report SA
6. All my fellow radio amateurs that discussed the Northern- and Southern Lights on the "Sonsak Span" Net.
