New Dashboard options for the Southern Cape ZS Link Network!

With the rapid expansion of the Southern Cape ZS Link Network it has become necessary to be able to have better control over all the different systems/applications in use at a given time. The following nodes/VoIP applications are currently in use on a daily basis and if a problem occurs it is important to shut down the system or node causing the problem.  Time is of essence to solve the issue on hand quickly without causing interference to other nodes connected to the ZS Link Network.  I have therefor decided to use several dashboards to keep track of what is happening at any time on the link network.

These dashboards that I installed is also available to other users of the network or radio amateurs who would like to see which nodes are connected to each other.  This is very important as to prevent the dreaded "Ping Pong" effect between repeaters when a new node is connected to a repeater node while the link network is already connected to that specific node.

Each dashboard listed in the article displays valuable information about other nodes / stations.  For the administrator of the ZS Link Network system several functions are available once logged into the dashboard.  Unfortunately these functions are not available to other radio amateurs and for obvious reasons.  None the less these dashboards are of great use to everybody using the link network or that connect their nodes to the link network.

The following nodes/links/repeaters are currently available on the ZS Link Network system from the     QTH of ZS1I in Mossel Bay:

• Echolink (ZS1I-R)
  
• AllStar Hub (49355) (467653) (467652)
  
• DMR Bridge (TG 65511) 
• SVXLink (ZS1I-L) (Periodically in use from time to time)
• DMR Repeater (TG 65522)  (Currently on Test Bench)
• Direct RF Link from Mossel Bay to the Aasvoelkop Repeater (145.625 Mhz 88.5 hz CTCSS)

Please note that the above are only nodes/links/repeaters in operation from the QTH of ZS1I in Mossel Bay.  The complete ZS Link Network exist of many other nodes/links/repeaters not mentioned in this posting.

Now lets get back to listing the dashboards available with regards to the ZS Link Network running at the QTH of ZS1I in Mossel Bay:

• Supermon 6.2.2 AllStar Node 49355 => ZS1I HUB 145.550 Mhz Mossel Bay, ZA
• Supermon 7.4+ AllStar Node 467653 => ZS1I Southern Cape Node Mossel Bay, ZA 
• Supermon 7.4+ AllStar Node 467652 => ZS1I DMR Bridge TG 65511 Mossel Bay, ZA
• DVSwitch Dashboard ZS1I DMR Bridge => DVSwitch Mossel Bay, ZA
• Allmon3 Nodes 467652, 456753 & 49355 => Dashboard Mossel Bay, ZA
• AllScan/AllStar Node 467653 ZS Link Network => Dashboard Mossel Bay, ZA
• Echolink Node ZS1I-R & ZS1I-L  =>  Dashboard Mossel Bay, ZA 

To view the dashboards just click on the listed dashboards above and you will be able to see information regarding  the systems running in Mossel Bay.  To view the Echolink Dashboard use your Echolink program on the PC or the Echolink App via your phone.

There you have it.  You can now view all the ZS Link Network dashboards relating to the nodes/links/repeaters in operation from the QTH of ZS1I in Mossel Bay.

Images:   (Click on images for larger view.)

 

 

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.)

 

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!!

Aasvoëlkop Repeater site in the Southern Cape gets free Internet Connection

Image:  Aasvoëlkop Repeater, Albertinia, Southern Cape

The Aasvoëlkop Repeater site in the Southern Cape has once again been upgraded with the addition of a FREE sponsored Internet connection provided by Whisper Net.  Thanks must go to Vivian Louwrens ZS1VIV who led the negotiations with the above service provider.  If it was not for Viv then this valuable free Internet connection would not have been a reality, especially if you take the location of the Aasvoëlkop site into consideration.

Image:  Whisper Net Coverage Area  (Click on image for larger view.)

Some of the purest of the pure might say but this is no big deal as it is just  an Internet connection which is in any case not amateur radio.  I would like to invite those to look what benefits the Internet would bring to a repeater site in general.  If you want to explore and experiment with new technology today you cannot be without the Internet and computers.  Both has become part and parcel of amateur radio.  Enough rambling let's look at some of the possibilities such a connection might bring to the site:

1.  Installing IP cameras on site for additional security for the Aasvoëlkop Repeater.

2.  Installing IP cameras to monitor a wide circle area to spot veld-fires, severe weather conditions, thunderstorms and lightning etc.

3.  Installing a Digital Weather Station linked to the Internet that provides a wide variety of data like, Temperature, Rainfall, Wind Speed, Wind Direction  etc.  One can even install censors to detect and monitor pollution and other atmospheric conditions.

4.  Install an Aviation ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast). ADS-B system that broadcasts aircraft location and other information to other aircraft and ground stations.  A great service to the aviation and public communities in the Southern Cape and World Wide.

5.  Install an Automatic Identification System (AIS) that is a short-range coastal tracking system currently used on ships. It was developed to provide identification and positioning information to both vessels and shore stations.

6.  Linking the Aasvoëlkop Repeater to various other local repeaters in the Southern Cape via Echolink, AllStar, DMR Bridge or SVXLink.  Although currently not needed the option is always available.

7.  Linking the Aasvoëlkop Repeater to Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network (AREDN) which is currently operational in the Mossel Bay area.

8.  Installing an Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network (AREDN) Node on the Aasvoëlkop Repeater tower that will provide amateur radio emergency communications when needed.

9.  Installing a HF Remote Radio Station on site. A remote HF station allows amateur radio operators to control their radio equipment from a location away from the radio shack.  Especially handy for those radio amateurs that cannot install antennas at their QTH.

10.  Installing a cloud server on site for the 625 Amateur Radio Group use.  

I am sure there are many other options available not mentioned above.  But from the above one can see the benefits of having a Internet connection on the Aasvoëlkop Repeater Site.  Work on-site will begin shortly to install the Internet connection to the repeater site.

Finally:   Once again a big thank you to Whisper Net, Viv ZS1VIV,  Johann ZS1AAC and all the other helpers that will assist to get the connection to the repeater site.  Look out for future updates in this regard.

Image:  Whisper Net  (Click on image for large view.)

Important message for Brandmeister - i.r.o. radio amateurs using a Radio ID starting with 1

 The Brandmeister DMR platform is a constantly evolving system, requiring regular optimizations and maintenance to ensure its efficiency, reliability, and alignment with global open standards.

As part of these ongoing efforts, we are addressing an issue that arose seven years ago regarding the assignment of improperly numbered Radio IDs. As announced at that time, Brandmeister stopped importing invalid Radio IDs and requested that hams with such numbers obtain a new, properly formatted Radio ID.

To facilitate operations, scripting, and automation on Brandmeister, we are now starting the complete removal of Radio IDs that do not comply with the internationally recognized MCC (Mobile Country Code) numbering system.

If you currently have a device connecting to Brandmeister with a Radio ID starting with the digit “1”, please read the following carefully:

• 7-digit personal radio IDs starting with 1 (such as 1030512) will stop working on Brandmeister after January 1st 2026. If it is inactive for more than a couple of months, it will be purged sooner.

• 6-digit repeater radio IDs starting with 1 (such as 102765): while we don’t have a set date for deprovisionning these IDs, we are urging sysop to migrate to a 31xxxx ID as soon as possible. If the repeater is offline for an extended period of time, it will be purged and will require a new properly formatted ID to re-connect.

• 5-digit CAP+ IDs will stop working on Brandmeister by June 1st 2025.

IDs are issued by Radioid.net, if you have an ID starting with 1, you need to log into your RadioID account and open a ticket requesting that your ID number be replaced with one starting with 3

Jan 28th update: RadioID added a feature to automagically convert your 1xxxxxx (1n) ID to the 3xxxxxx (3n) format:

• Login to your RadioID Dashboard

• Click on the 1n ID.

• You will then see a button to Convert to 3n. Click it.

• Once done, you will be returned to your dashboard and have a new 3n ID

For assistance, you may contact RadioID support at https://radioid.net/support

Best Digital 73’s !

BRANDMEISTER

Loadshedding and obscure "issues" can cause hick-ups to the ZS-Link Network

Just a short notification that outages might occur during or after loadshedding due to non access to certain networks or servers.  The ZS Link Network in Mossel Bay is fully equipped to handle loadshedding day or night.  The problem arise that connections to other networks and servers might be down.  This is beyond the control of the administrator of the SCP ZS-Link Network.

Currently the DMR Bridge in Mossel Bay is affected and I have disconnected it from the HUB Network.  Once the service is restored I will reconnect the DMR Bridge.  Other Internet network services are currently up and running.

Now here is another aspect to take note of.  The VOIP side of the SCP ZS-Link Network is left running 24/7.  I recently noticed that for some reason or other obscure midnight activity causes problems iro the BrandMeister Service.  I am currently working through the various logs to see what is happening throughout the night when I do not monitor the VOIP network.

I have decided to implement the following measure:

The complete ZS1I HUB Network and other Services like the DMR Bridge will be available every day from 05h00 to 21h00 hours until further notice.  This will allow me to monitor the system full-time for any problems and possible interruptions. 

In the meantime I will work through the logs to find out more.  I really hope that the logs will reflect that it is normal network outages instead of malicious intent that result in the issues.

I lost my BrandMeister Hotspot Security Password and cannot use DroidStar! What now?

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.

Here is how this issue was solved:

The password that is needed is the one you configure in BrandMeister Self-Care portal.  Open a web-browser and go to BrandMeister Website available at:  https://brandmeister.network/?page=login&tokenfail=1

(Click on image for larger view.)

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.