Down Memory Lane: What the heck was this Reboot Coffee Drink Event in the Southern Cape?

Please take note that this is a Down Memory Lane article.  I will publish a few articles in this regard in the future.  This event ended when Covid19 started and is not active anymore due to various reasons.  I hope our readers enjoy these articles from the past.  These events were great amateur radio events enjoyed by all!!

The short answer is:  It was “something” that works very well in the Southern Cape.  So much so that many of the participants  could not wait for this monthly event.

The short answer does not give justice to the event.  Herewith some more “meat around the bone”.

During a weekly coffee drink session in January 2019 between Johan ZS2I and Johan ZS1I we discussed the so call lack of amateur radio activity in the Southern Cape.  The idea  came from  Johan ZS2I that we should visit a local coffee emporium and invite all radio amateurs to come and drink a cup of good old coffee with us.  To make things short this idea became a reality and is now a regular event on the Reboot Amateur Radio calendar.

It is with great humbleness that I can now report that every event up to now resulted in an increase in attendees. The coffee drink event is open to all radio amateurs and prospective radio amateurs in South Africa.  We already had a few visitors from up-country that joined the events.

Do you only drink coffee?

No this is where the success story evolved.  As with the Reboot Amateur Radio Whats App Group we have set some guidelines. They are: 1. No club activities are allowed to be discussed at the event. 2. No amateur radio "politics" of any kind. 3. No country politics of any kind. 4. No religion discussions of any kind. 5. No bashing, barging or fight picking and foul language of any kind.  These guidelines solved a lot of past issues.  The coffee drink events are all informal and NOT a formal meeting of some sorts.

The main draw card is not the coffee but rather the “Rondomtalie/Round Robin”  Mini Lectures and Demonstrations.  Now what on earth is “Rondomtalie/Round Robin”?  I am not going to answer the question here but would rather refer you to future Down Memory Lane articles.

Now why mention all this here?  Do you try to brag?

No not bragging or boasting.  I received several requests from various regions that showed an interest in the format we use.  Some clubs are battling with attendance figures as in today’s life there are to many formal meetings.  Sounds familiar?    Now many has expressed their dislike in attending amateur radio club meetings. (NO PUN INTENDED)  A wide variety of radio amateurs would like to enjoy an informal get together without having to listen to formal club matters.  I post this topic in the event that other regions would like to follow our format.  Yes it is not for everyone but it is working exceptionally well in this part of the country.  After two hours I must intervene and try to close down the event as other members of the public might also want to drink coffee.  Interest by the public in what we are doing are now also becoming quite prevalent at the gatherings.  Hopefully this will draw new blood to amateur radio. Many radio amateurs that visited the events  expressed their dismay at the fact that the gathering only last two hours.

Finally:  This event is not a one man show!!  It is not about figures of how many attended but rather about camaraderie, friendship and meeting up with good friends.  It is also an escape from formal amateur radio meetings.  Something many dislike and one reason for not attending such meetings.


The success lies therein that without the participation of those present at the coffee drink, this event is surely to have failed but thankfully it is growing and amateur radio activity is once again on the increase in the Southern Cape.

DMR Activity on the increase via the ZS Link Network. What is a DMR Bridge?

Image:  DMR Dashboard - Activity this morning (Monday, 2 March 2026) via the DMR Bridge  (Click on image for larger view.)

Image:  AllStar Link Log - Activity this morning (Monday, 2 March 2026) via the ZS Link Network.  The DMR Bridge connection is visible second entry from the top. (Click on image for larger view.)

Above:  DMR activity on the 3 March 2026 during the SA DMR Net.

The AllStar-Echolink-DMR Bridge is active since the 8 June 2023 on the then Garden Route Hub Network and today still available to all the ZS-Link Network users via the ZS Link Network, Mossel Bay.  Now what is this all about?

It is quite simple.  When the Bridge is active it connects the following applications/nodes together which is forming  a "Bridge".  Simply put it allows one person to talk on Echolink and the conversation will be propagated to AllStar and DMR and vice versa.

Example:

Echolink  ####> Allstar ####> DMR and DMR ###> AllStar ###> Echolink

ZS1I-L Echolink ####> 49355  Allstar ####> DMR and  DMR ###> 49355 AllStar ###>  ZS11-L Echolink

The Bridge is also available to all the stations connected to the ZS Link Network and to those stations connected to each other.

Particulars:

The magic files are loaded onto the 467652 Allstar Node (Raspberry Pi 3(b)) which host the following software/Nodes:

•     AllstarLink Firmware for the Raspberry Pi  Node 467652
•     Install Private Node 1999 
•     Install  DVSwitch Firmware 
•     Create a Brandmeister Account

Further Particulars:

•  The AllStar Node runs as a Psuedo Node
•  AllStar Node 467652 is connected to the Private Node 1999 which is using the USRP channel driver.
•  the USRP channel driver talks to the DVSwitch program that is setup to communicate with Brandmeister TG
• When on your Brandmeister linked Hotspot or repeater (if applicable), if you talk on Talkgroup 91 you will be heard on AllStar 467652 and 49355 (when connected) and where ever is is connected to.
• AllStar Node 49355 is currently linked to Brandmeister Talkgroup 65511
  

Now why on earth would you setup a Digital DMR Bridge on an Analog AllStar Node and Echolink Node?

•     Useful for Emergency Communications
•     Ad Hoc Connections
•     Access to repeaters from other areas and modes (Hotspots)
•     Creates activity on the VHF/UHF bands
•     Extend the reach to other parts of the country and worldwide
•     Allows analog users to TX+RX on DMR as many radio amateurs do not have a digital radio to operate DMR.
•     Because you can and the software is freely available thanks to fellow radio amateurs
•     Lends itself to experimentation
•     Learn more (educational) about the workings of Digital Radio, Analog Radio, Nodes, VOIP, links, bridges etc.

Considerations:

• Audio quality between the networks
• Allstar Link has EXCELLENT audio quality
• Digital has no hiss

Control:

• Use private nodes to allow the maximum control

 How does it work:

• Stream conversion
• Audio and metadata converted from one format to another
• Adapters for each specific network  
• For Echolink to work ZS1I-R need to be connected to AllStar Node 49355.  The bridge runs on ZS1I-R.
 
Requests and Reminder:

PLEASE leave a "5 second delay" between replying to a station to allow ALL the systems to reset and connect.

Please note this is a global network and you will be transmitting on RF all over the world.

It is extremely important that you spend time ensuring your audio levels are correct before connecting and using the DMR Bridge.

Correct operating procedure is a distinct characteristic of Amateur Radio.  It’s important that you convey to the public, and to new radio amateurs, the image that Amateur Radio Operators are courteous, patient, and really know what they’re doing.  A friendly style is great, but we also need to operate professionally.  You never know who may be listening.

Do not cause intentional interference, to links, repeater, hubs, nodes or conversations on the network.  Intentional interference is not only heard locally but World Wide.  Just remember that intentional interference can today easily be traced to your call sign as all connecting RF and Digital stations leave an identifiable script in a log file.

Finally:  

Re-structuring of the ZS Link Network is an ongoing project.  Do not panic we will not leave our local radio amateurs in the cold.  I recently overheard a conversation were a radio amateur indicated that the ZS Link Network is not for local use but caters more for world wide activity.  This is far from the truth.  If you not certain how the ZS Link Network functions  you will find more info on the ZS Link Network Blog Pages.

Activity on the DMR Bridge is a daily occurrence.  The DMR Bridge is permanently connected to the ZS Link Network via Echolink and AllStar. If you have DMR equipment connect to the 65511 TG or via ZS1I-R Echolink or 49355 AllStar Link and talk to us via DMR. I hear you say but I do not have DMR equipment.  No problem just download DroidStar from Play Store on your phone, install and then talk via DMR to the World.  In the last few weeks there was a increase in activity on the DMR Bridge

Down Memory Lane: A Very Lonely Radio Amateur on the 145.700 Mhz George Repeater

Image:  PEARS  (Click on image for larger view.)

In June 1995 I relocated to Mossel Bay from Pretoria.  At that stage there were only one repeater in the Southern Cape Area and that was the 145.700 Mhz George Repeater which belonged to Eskom.  The radio amateurs living in this area were given permission to use this repeater on condition that if Eskom needs it, the permission to use the repeater will be withdrawn.  A little bit of background will explain the title of this article more clearly.  Before relocating to Mossel Bay I was a member of the then "Verwoerdburg Amateur Radio Club"  today called the Centurion Amateur Radio Club. At that stage the club had an excellent club house and a fully equipped radio shack as well as other amenities.  The members of this dynamic club was very active. The clubhouse was open to all members and visitors from other clubs every Friday evening and once a month for a club meeting on a Saturday afternoon.   Apart from this there were many outdoor and indoor activities to many to mention here now.  I stayed about 3 km from the clubhouse and needless to say that I seldomly miss out on any activities or gathering at the club house.  My work at that stage decided in May 1995 that they need my services in Mossel Bay and I had to relocate.

Image:  145.700 Mhz George Repeater  (PEARS) (Click on image for larger view.)

Upon my arrival in Mossel Bay I learned that there was a club called "The Garden Radio Route Club" and that one meeting was held a month at various venues as they did not have a club house.  Needless to say that the two meter radio and antenna was installed before moving into my current location.  I put the radio on scan and monitored all the amateur radio frequencies.  Not a sound to hear either on simplex or the repeater.  After some inquiries I was told that there is only two or three radio amateurs chatting on a Tuesday evening on the 145.700 Mhz George Repeater.  Disappointment is not the word when you come from an area where there was active radio communications on various repeaters every single day.  I suddenly felt very lonely as a radio amateur in the Southern Cape. What was even worse is the fact that activity on the repeater entailed gardening and daily chores which has nothing to do with amateur radio. Well I did not sit and mope about the lack of activity and decided to join the club and create as much amateur radio activity as possible.  Easier said then done as I was seen as a "inkommer" newcomer who wants to change everything.  Once again I was on my own,  a very lonely radio amateur!!

The next month a surprise was awaiting me.  The club AGM was held and the outgoing chairman of the club was not available for re-election. While I went to buy something for my dry throat I heard a locomotion that they want me back in the meeting asap.  I was nominated as chairman and they want to know if I would accept the nomination.  Well to cut it short I was elected as chairman of the club.

With the assistance of other club members we soon created many amateur radio activities.  The attendance at club meetings sky-rocketed and the repeater was active on a daily basis.  No this is not because of me but the many radio amateurs that joined the club and then created activities on and of the air. At each monthly meeting we had a lucky draw, demonstration and short lecture.  We were privileged to use the then "George Technical College" facilities and equipment.  Needless to mention that one of he college lecturers was a radio amateur.  Gone was the days moving from one venue to another.  The future of the Garden Route Radio Club looked promising.  After a two year stint as chairman of the club it was time to hand the reins to someone else.  Casey ZS1AAS took the reins and continued leading the club and its members for several years.

 

Image:  Repeater Network Today (PEARS)  Click on image for larger view.

Well through the years amateur radio and clubs evolved in the Southern Cape and Garden Route Area.  I hope I and others never experience the very lonely amateur radio syndrome like I experienced in June 1995.  Today there are a few amateur radio clubs in this area with the latest addition of the Cape Coast Radio Club situated in Plettenberg Bay. Welcome and best wishes to the new Club and its activities!!

Finally:  Never become a very lonely radio amateur.  Do not accept the loneliness.  Do something about it and create activities.  Get radio amateurs to join in fun activities and you will be surprised to see more and more joining and tuning in. Take the initiative if nobody else is interested and promote activities as you move forward.  You will be amazed at the positive outcome!  Stay away from negativity and keep the ball rolling even if you have to go it alone.  

Ed.  I was a member of a few clubs in years gone by.  For some years I "go it alone" due to various reasons but today and in the future I will never be a very lonely radio amateur.  Thankfully this has never been the case since June 1995.  I am so grateful for a full and happy amateur radio "career" be it with or without an amateur radio club!!