ZS-LINK - DMR Bridge - ZS-HUB and 145.550 Mhz RF Link - OFF AIR!

KENNISGEWING:  Geliewe kennis te neem dat die Mosselbaai  DMR Brug (TG65511), ZS-HUB (ZS1I-R Echolink en 49355 Allstar) en die 145.550 Mhz RF Link  nodusse vanaf 30 Junie 2025  tot 9 Julie 2025 vanaf die lug sal wees weens my besoek aan Bloemfontein vir die periode.  Die Aasvoelkop Herhaler asook die Stilbaai Herhaler en Echolink Node ZS1SB-L sal beskikbaar wees vir gebruik.  Ek bied verskoning aan vir enige ongerief in die verband.

NOTICE: Please note that the Mossel Bay DMR Bridge (TG65511), ZS-HUB (ZS1I-R Echolink and 49355 Allstar) and the 145.550 Mhz RF Link nodes will be off the air from 30 June 2025 to 9 July 2025 due to my visit to Bloemfontein for the period. The Aasvoelkop Repeater as well as the Still Bay Repeater and Echolink Node ZS1SB-L will be available for use. I apologize for any inconvenience in this regard.

A visit to KL7AA in Anchorage, Canada by Dawid (Dolf) Pretorius ZS1DRP

 

 

The Anchorage Amateur Radio Club(AARC), call sign KL7AA was organized in 1947, and we have over 300 members. We invite anyone with an interest in amateur radio or public service to contact us. The AARC is dedicated to public service and public safety.  AARC also provides auxiliary communications and training to any group or civil authority.

Vision and Mission

AARC Vision

“An inclusive community of engaged, trained, and prepared emergency communication volunteers”

AARC Mission

“The mission of the Anchorage Amateur Radio Club is to vigorously promote, support, and lead amateur radio activities in a manner that honors and exemplifies the radio amateur’s code, builds esprit de corps within our membership, and serves our community’s needs.”

RSOC Motto

Learn, Teach, Serve

Activities

Tune your 2-meter radio to 146.52 FM every Wednesday at 7 PM and join us for the South Central Simplex Net.

Meetings – First Thursday of each month at 7 pm at the Radio Science and Operations Center, 6721 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, AK 99502.  Attend in-person or via Zoom.  See our calendar to get the link for the Zoom session for the club meeting. 

Website

Click HERE

 

A big thank you to Dolf  ZS1DRP for making the images available of his visit to Anchorage Amateur Radio Club (KL7AA) in Canada. 

Down Memory Lane: Variable Power Supply Project by Chris Meyer ZS1M - June 2003

Image:  Chris Meyer ZS1M  (Click on image for larger view)

Chris Meyer ZS1M a well known radio amateur in the Southern Cape constructed a 0 - 30 Volts, 20 Amp Variable Power Supply in June 2003. Looking at the photos this is a very neat and well constructed power supply by Chris ZS1M.  Although Chris is not active on the airwaves anymore, he was always a good source for various types of components and old used radio equipment. Sadly time moves on and Chris disposed of all his surplus components and equipment.  Chris was also instrumental in obtaining a permanent repeater site for the 145.600 Mhz Repeater on the Dana Bay water tower.  No wonder the 600 repeater was known as the Dana Bay Repeater.  This repeater played a instrumental roll for many years in the Mossel Bay area.

Apart from the amateur radio hobby Chris also wrote several books relating to genealogy especially related to the Meyer Family. Chris also documented information about many local cemeteries in the Mossel Bay district. He also wrote a booklet about the history of the Garden Route Radio Club. 

Best wishes goes to Chris ZS1M and Bets his wife during their Golden Years.

ARRL Announces Logbook of The World Systems Upgrade

Dear LoTW user,

 

ARRL’s Logbook of The World® (LoTW®) is the 2nd most popular benefit among members. It is also an extremely popular service internationally for non-members, as it is the primary means for providing confirmations for ARRL Awards, such as DXCC and Worked All States.

 

As a part of the ongoing modernization of the ARRL systems infrastructure, LoTW will be receiving major upgrades to the operating system it is running on, the relational database system it uses to store and access logbook and awards data, and server hosting, where it will be fully migrated to the cloud. These changes will, among other improvements, ensure LoTW performance needs can be better met based on user demand.

 

LoTW will be unavailable from June 27 to July 2, 2025, to complete these upgrades. We will bring LoTW back online if it is available sooner than July 2.

 

Logbook of The World can be found at lotw.arrl.org. More information about the popular service is available at www.arrl.org/logbook-of-the-world.

 

If you are a user of LoTW and not an ARRL member, please become a supporter of LoTW by making a $20 (or more) donation to the ARRL LoTW Fund or visit www.arrl.org/donate.

 

Very 73, and see you on the air!

 

David A. Minster, NA2AA

ARRL CEO

 

 

About Logbook of The World®

Logbook of The World® -- LoTW® -- is a web-accessed database and repository that enables you to submit electronic logs for amateur radio contacts (QSOs) and for confirmation (QSLs). Users can view submitted QSOs and resulting QSLs online. Radio amateurs can use LoTW to track their progress toward achievements and awards, such as The ARRL Worked All States Award, and amateur radio’s premier award, DXCC®, in which membership is achieved by confirming on-the-air contacts with 100 countries. LoTW was introduced by ARRL in 2003. Today, over 2.1 billion QSO records have been entered into the system.

 

Setup Termius on Cellphone to control AllStar Nodes Remotely

Now I know there are many apps that can be used to control AllStar Nodes remotely. I used several before but decided that Termius is the one for me when I needed the SSH Function. 

Termius - Modern SSH Client

About this application

Termius is an SSH client and terminal how it should be. Connect with one tap from any mobile and desktop device—no re-entering IP addresses, ports, and passwords.

With a free Termius Starter plan, you can:

· Connect from your mobile and desktop device with SSH, Mosh, Telnet, Port Forwarding, and SFTP.
· Get a desktop-grade terminal experience with a virtual keyboard covering all the special keys required, or connect your Bluetooth keyboard.
Use gestures or shake the device while in the terminal to emulate stroking of Tab, arrows, PgUp/Down, Home, and End, etc.
· Work in several sessions simultaneously with a multi-tab interface and split-view support.
· Customize your terminal themes and fonts for each connection.
· Save your favorite and frequently used commands and shell scripts to execute them with a tap instead of typing.
· Quickly access the unified history of your terminal commands.
· Get the support of ECDSA and ed25519 keys as well as a chacha20-poly1305 cipher.
Ad-free.

With the Termius Pro plan, you can also:

· Access your connection settings and credentials from all your devices anytime with an encrypted cloud vault.
· No limitations on the number of devices to sync.
· Run your saved commands on multiple sessions or servers or instantly get them autocompleted in the terminal.
· Connect to your hardware via Serial Cable.
· Authenticate using hardware FIDO2 keys.
· Connect through Proxy and jump servers.
· Set custom environment variables.
Integrate with AWS and DigitalOcean.
· Protect your credentials with Touch ID or Face ID and your account with two-factor authentication.
· Keep your keys on your machine with SSH agent forwarding.

Termius reinvents the command line experience. We strive to make remote access for admins and engineers a more productive and enjoyable experience.

Download and install Termius via Play Store (Android OS)

Open Termius by clicking on icon.

Click on Hosts. Hosts Menu will be empty.

Click on the + sign (lower right corner)

Add Host will open. I selected Personal Vault

Enter the following information for your node:

Alias

467652

Hostname or IP Address

dmrbridge.ddns.net

Select SSH

Port

22

Username

XXXXXX - Enter the username of you PI

Password

XXXXXX - Enter the password of your node

Leave all the other settings as is – default

Click on the correction mark (Top right corner)

This saves your entered settings and your screen will return to Hosts with the node number 467652 listed under hosts as well a ssh, pi, debian. Click on 467652 and you will be logged in to ASL3. Now you can control your node via SSH.

To close Termius click on the three upright dots next to the node number. A screen will open giving you four options. Choose x Close and this will close the application and return you to the Hosts window.

You can now add more hosts (nodes) using he above method.

Enjoy!

 

DVSwitch DMR Bridge Dashboard not working after latest update

Image:  DVSwitch DMR Bridge Dashboard  (Click on image for larger view.)

You know sometimes they say that if something is working, do not change or update it.  Well I decided to update the ASL3 firmware via the web console.  The updates loaded where after status was update to -  System is up do date  Last checked: about 17 hours ago. Great now I have the latest and greatest version running.  However when I wanted to open the DMR Bridge Dashboard I ran into issues with the dashboard not loading.  I looked at Apache2 and the ports but everything seamed fine.  I then thought it could be my DDNS setup but running all the test and pinging NO-IP returned no issues.  Well all that is left is to search for similar issues that someone experienced.

I found the commands to solve the issue and the DMR Dashboard is now up and running again.

Run the following commands using Terminal in the ASL3 Web Console. 

sudo cp -r /usr/share/dvswitch/* /var/www/html/  (Enter)

sudo systemctl restart apache2  (Enter)

Click on the link beneath to view the DMR Dashboard.

https://dmrbridge.ddns.net/index.php

Let's build a KISS USB Soundcard Interface for Digital Modes (Part 1)

Through the years I have build many types of Soundcard Interfaces.  Some KISS models and others with micro controllers.  You can find some of the interfaces HERE. They all enabled me and many others to work various digital modes.  Nowadays many of the new radios do not need the conventional soundcard interface to allow you to work digital modes.  Several years ago I found The USBLink design by Julian Moss G4ILO  now SK.  I kept a copy of his article on my Soundcard Interface file for many years long before Julian went silent key.  About two weeks ago I paged through my file and found the article.  Now I do have several types of Soundcard Interfaces in my shack but this interface article gave me an idea that I will discuss in Part 2.  First off I need to build the USBLink Interface and test it live on the air.   The article of the USBLink is available HERE.  

This interface is in my opinion a KISS unit with no bells and whistles.  Herewith a few features that makes the unit a KISS interface:

1.  No Serial to USB interface / cable needed to handle PTT.

2.  No 1 : 1 (600 ohm) isolation transformers needed.

3.  Relatively low cost to construct the unit.

4.  Relatively small size compared to other homebrew interfaces. (Ideal for portable operation.)

5.  Does not use opto-isolation of the PTT line. (Not needed)

6.  Inexpensive USB Sound Card can be used. (Chinese cheapies will also work but I would rather buy a better quality product.)

7.  Project can be constructed on a piece of veroboard.

8.  No dedicated power supply needed for the Soundcard Interface.

9.  Diodes added for PTT transistor and radio protection. (I would however add another switch to cut off the PTT line going to the transceiver to prevent accidental PTT activation when unit is left unattended.)

10.  Plug and Play Unit - No drivers to install.

Finally:  This is a simple low cost circuit which works well and allows you to operate sound card digital modes without tying up your computer's built-in sound card.  I constructed this interface and tested the interface on VHF.  In part 2 I will provide feedback on how the interface behave on HF but from what I observed using a VHF transceiver it should work just as well on HF.  Although I am not in favor of using VOX in any way in amateur radio, I do not foresee any issues using this interface attended.  I would not leave this interface unattended and therefor suggested the additional switch  between ground and PTT to prevent accidental transmissions.

Images:  (Click on images for larger view.)

 

Belangrike Kennisgewing: Byeenkoms van die ZS Link Netwerk Groep, Blandsdrift, Mosselbaai.

Beeld:  Ontwerp deur Natasha gade van Jasper ZS1WT  (Klik op beeld om te vergroot.)

English notification lower down.

Nou wat is so belangrik tov die kennisgewing?  As jy die vorige byeenkoms om die een of ander rede nie kon bywoon nie dan het jy voorwaar ‘n gawe byeenkoms van radio amateurs misgeloop.  As konsolasie besoek gerus die skakel om meer uit te vind oor die vorige byeenkoms.

Jasper ZS1WT en Natasha is weer die gasheer en gasvrou vir ‘n byeenkoms wat beplan word vir Saterdag die 19 Julie 2025 op die plaas Blandsdrift, Mosselbaai.  Maak nou al ‘n aantekening in jou dagboek om te verseker dat jy nie weer hierdie byeenkoms gaan misloop nie.  Hierdie is ‘n vroegtydige kennisgewing om almal die geleentheid te gee om die byeenkoms te kan bywoon.

Dit is dan natuurlik baie belangrik dat ons reeds vroeg weet wie die verrigting gaan bywoon sodat die nodige reëlings getref kan word.  Vir die doel kan julle sommer die 625 WhatsApp groep gebruik.  Onthou moet nie wag tot twee dae voor die byeenkoms nie.  Dit gaan defnitief die reëlings beinvloed om die dag ‘n groter sukses te maak.   Ek het so ver af verneem dat daar groot planne is vir dag.  Maar wag laat ek nie die aap uit die mou laat nie.   Kom kuier die dag saam met ons op die plaas en bring sommer jou oortollige elektroniese / amateur radio toerusting saam om te verkoop of te verruil.    Ja ons beplan ook ‘n Snuffel Mark / Vlooimark.

Ter afsluiting nooi ons ook voornemende radio amateurs sowel as besoekende radio amateurs uit om die byeenkoms by te woon.

ONTHOU:  Saterdag 19 Julie 2025,   Amateur Radio Byeenkoms op die plaas Blandsdrift, Mosselbaai.

Moet nie die geleentheid misloop nie!!

Suid Kaap ZS Link Netwerk Groep 

 

Now what is so important about the notice? If you were unable to attend the previous meeting for one reason or another, then you have certainly missed a great meeting of radio amateurs. As a consolation, please visit the link to find out more about the previous meeting.

Jasper ZS1WT and Natasha are once again the host and hostess for a meeting planned for Saturday the 19th of July 2025 on the farm Blandsdrift, Mossel Bay. Make a note in your diary now to ensure that you do not miss this meeting again. This is an early notice to give everyone the opportunity to attend the meeting.

It is of course very important that we know early on who will be attending the event so that the necessary arrangements can be made. For this purpose, you can simply use the 625 WhatsApp group. Remember not to wait until two days before the event. This will definitely influence the arrangements to make the day a greater success. I have heard so far that there are big plans for the day. But wait, I won't let the monkey out of my sleeve. Come and visit us on the farm for the day and bring your excess electronic / amateur radio equipment to sell or exchange. Yes, we are also planning a "Snuffel Mark" / Flea Market.

In conclusion, we also invite prospective radio amateurs as well as visiting radio amateurs to attend the event.

REMEMBER: Saturday 19 July 2025, Amateur Radio Meeting on the farm Blandsdrift, Mossel Bay.

Don't miss the opportunity!!

South Cape ZS Link Network Group

Bloemfontein Radio Amateur visit Naval Hill to view Amateur Radio Repeater Site as well as the SENTECH Commercial FM Radio Signal Distribution Centre.

Rulhof ZS4RM recently had the opportunity to visit  Naval Hill in Bloemfontein. 

Naval Hill is an odd name for a hill in the center of South Africa without a dockyard or sea in sight. It got it’s name from the two Naval Guns that were on the hill by the British during the Anglo-Boer war.

Contrary to popular belief, the two naval guns are no longer on Naval Hill. The Naval Brigade took the canons with them after the Anglo-Boer war ended. The only visible evidence of Naval Hill’s war history is a White Horse on the eastern hillside. The White Horse was an important landmark for soldiers during the war.

Lets look at a few attractions that you can find on Naval Hill in Bloemfontein:

1.  The Franklin Game Reserve

2.  Game drives or walks

3.  Naval Hill Park Run and Jogging

4.  Nelson Mandela Statue

5.  Lookout Point

6.  Naval Hill Planetarium

To the man in the street Naval Hill is worthwhile visiting to view the above attractions BUT to the Amateur Radio Operator Naval Hill is a treasure trove where you will find a microwave telecommunications tower and equipment not seen every day.  A TV and radio broadcast tower can also be seen next to each other on Naval Hill. The broadcast tower was erected in 1963.  You will also find the 145.600 Mhz Amateur Radio Repeater and Antenna on Naval Hill.  This repeater provides good coverage over a large area in the Bloemfontein area.

Rulhof ZS4RM, ZS4BHF and ZS4ATZ recently visited the site. Herewith images and videos from Naval Hill in Bloemfontein.

Images:  (Click on images for larger view.)

I would like to thank ZS4BHF, ZS4ATZ and ZS4RM for the opportunity to have a closer look at the 145.600 Mhz Bloemfontein Amateur Radio Repeater but also to view the equipment in the SENTECH  Commercial FM Radio Signal Distribution Centre.  I am sure that many radio amateurs has never visited nor seen such a centre in operation.  A big thank you to Rulhof ZS4RM who provided the videos and still images to be published on the ZS Link Network Blog.  Highly appreciated!!

ZS-Link Network News - "Ods and Sods" from Radio Amateurs over the past 6 Months - A must view!!

Herewith a few "Ods and Sods" from Radio Amateurs over the past 6 Months.  This post contain various interesting "happenings" in the lives of radio amateurs that belongs to the ZS Link Network Group.  Thank you everybody for making this content available.

Vivian ZS1VIV - Riversdale -  A new Icom IC2730E found its way to the QTH of Viv!

Andre ZS3AG,  Kimberley -  2025 Hartenbos Holiday

Andre ZS3AG and Jason working on antennas

Christo N5VAN ex ZS3R, Nebraska US - New Yaesu FT-dx101MP Radio and antenna

Danie ZS1DL, Dana Bay Mossel Bay -  Our Africa Twin Warrior!

Jakobus ZS1JDJ, DaNova Mosselbaai -  The Bee Man!

Jasper ZS1WT Blandsdrift, Mossel Bay - Mega Farmer / Hunting Season / Braai Time

Nick ZS1NS, Albertinia  -  Musician / Singer / Guitar- and Furniture Restorer / Drawing Artist

 

Richard ZS5RMN, Pietermaritzburg -  Story Teller / Podcaster / Lunch Time

Rassie ZS1RP, Stilbaai  -  Battery Charger Project /Aloe relocation

Johann ZS1AAC,  Stilbaai -  Tansformers / "Bont Hond" / Tower  / Equipment / Recognition

Zayn ZR3VO,  Orania -  Orange River / Festival / Swimming Pool Maintenance

Nick ZS1ZAN,  Anysberge - Anysberge / Tower

Eben ZS1EP, Stilbaai  -  The ocean loves to eat antennas !!

Michael ZS1MMB, George - Hunting / Projects / Plugs can be dangerous

Erich ZS4VW,  Sasolburg -  The best anthracite stove for the cold.

Bernie ZR1ACP, Agulhas -  New Project

Gerrit ZS1KLO, Rheebok -  G90 doing its thing!

Johannes ZS1XL, Stilbaai - Solar Power

Rulhof ZS4RM, Bloemfontein -  RAE / Signal Hill

Ingo ZS1IB, Stilbaai -  The ocean loves to eat antennas !!

Mark ZS1SSM, Gourits River -  The man with the Kiri's and Baof's for sale

Curtis ZS6CMO, Alberton -  3D Printed Glue Gun Stand

Marko Z1NEU,  Mosselbaai -   Eina Finger!

Johan ZS1I, Mossel Bay - The ocean also eats radios!!

Gerhard ZS3TG, Kathu -  Regular providing of HF Happenings

Comment:  WhatsApp make it rather difficult to obtain images and videos from the 625 Group.  It takes a lot of time and effort to re-post information on the ZS Link Blog. To retrieve older postings on WhatsApp is rather difficult and time consuming.  Older postings is also not readily available. Hopefully I can found a way around this WhatsApp frustration.  After all most of the content belongs to us.  If I cannot find another way then this will be the last posting of "Ods and Sods".  

Finally:  If your contribution did not future in this posting then I apologize as the issue mentioned above is the reason.