Dank en Waardering - Skenking van Toerusting en Verkryging van die ZS-Link Netwerk Logo

Die administrateurs van die ZS-Link Netwerk Groep will langs die weg graag die volgende persone bedank vir die skenking van toerusting asook die verkryging van die ZS-Link Netwerk Logo.

Fred ZS5SAM  - Baie dankie aan Fred vir die skenking van 70cm Dipool Antennas.  Die antennas kan baie handig aangewend word ter uitbreiding van die ZS Link Netwerk. Die skenking word hoog op prys gestel en is weereens 'n aanduiding van die goeie amateur radio gees en oop-hand welwillendheid wat daar heers in die ZS Link Netwerk Groep!!

Viv ZS1VIV - 'n Versoek is tot Viv gerig of dit moontlik sou wees om die JPEG lêer met die ZS Link Netwerk Groep se Logo daarop te bekom vanaf die vervaardigers wat die ZS Link Netwerk Groep se banier vervaardig het.  Wel dit was nie 'n uur later nie toe is die JPEG lêer per epos ontvang. Dankie, Viv vir die spoedige beskikbaarstelling van die lêer!!

Upgrading of the Still Bay Repeater (13 April 2025) in the Southern Cape (Part 2)

Image:  Yaesu DR-2X Repeater and Cavity Filters.   Click on images for larger view.

Opgradering van die Stilbaai Herhaler (1 Februarie 2025) in die Suid Kaap.  (Deel 1)  =  LINK

The first upgrade to the Still Bay Repeater as undertaken on the 1 February 2025 and you can read more about it by clicking on the LINK above.  More information on the Yaesu DR-2X 50W Digital Repeater (C4FM IP Interconnect Dual Band Receiver System Multi-function Repeater) is available HERE.   (Note: Afrikaans articles can be translated by using the Translate Tab on the Blog to choose a language of your choice.)

In this posting (Part 2) I will be looking at further upgrades to the Still Bay Repeater that was undertaken on the 13 April 2025.  Before going ahead I would like to clear a possible misconception relating to the Yaesu DR-2X Repeater.  You might read in previous articles that the Yaesu repeater was installed at the Aasvoëlkop Repeater site.  That was indeed the case but due to commercial interference the Yaesu DR-2X Repeater was relocated to the Still Bay Repeater site and the Yaesu Vertex VXR9000 Repeater is now installed at the Aasvoëlkop Repeater site.

What did the 13 April 2025 upgrades entail:

1.  Setup of the AMS (Automatic Mode Selection) platform relating to the UHF Repeater frequencies:  This YAESU DR-2X repeater supports C4FM digital / regular FM dual mode and dual receive function relay platform, which includes VHF and UHF amateur radio band. Through the AMS function, the DR-2X mixes communication using conventional FM mode communication and C4FM (YSF) digital mode.  The UHF frequency function was enabled as well as C4FM (YSF) Digital Mode.Compared with other digital models, the C4FM modulation mode has better bit error rate (BER) characteristics to ensure good speech quality in communication. The C4FM digital high definition voice technology using 12.5kHz bandwidth enables the high quality voice communication to be transmitted perfectly.

Take Note - The following frequencies is now in use for this repeater:

VHF = 145.750 Mhz RX and 145.150 Mhz TX  88.5 hz CTCSS  Tone

UHF = 438.750 Mhz RX and 431.150 Mhz TX  88.5 hz CTCSS Tone

2.  Re-Tuning of the Duplex Filters.  A big thank you to Dolf ZS1DRP and Eben ZS1EP for spending time while on holiday to re-tune the Still Bay duplexers.  The re-tuning of  the duplexers made a very big difference to the performance of the Still Bay Repeater.  (Watch the two videos to hear how Nick ZS1ZAN access the repeater all the way from the Anysberg in the Karoo.)

3.  It was also recently noticed that on cloudy days the Still Bay Repeater output would fall considerably.  Johann ZS1AAC indicated that the batteries need replacement. He replaced the batteries on site and the repeater now runs full output during all weather conditions.. 

4.  As with all repeater sites we as radio amateurs should keep sites clean and neat at all times.  Johann ZS1AAC undertook this task to ensure that the site was clean and safe. While cleaning the site a Cape Cobra snake came to see what was happening.  Needless to say that both Johann and the snake had a good eye-ball where after both went their separate ways, thankfully without any incident.

5.  Henry ZS1SB donated a EVE 280Ah LiFePO4 Battery to be used at a future repeater site. This battery is engineered for high performance and safety, making it ideal for various applications, including renewable energy storage and electric vehicles. With a nominal voltage of 12.8V and a cycle life of up to 8000 cycles @ 80% DOD, this battery ensures long-lasting efficiency.  A big thank you to Henry ZS1SB for donating the battery to the Southern Cape Link Network Group.  Highly appreciated!!

Finally:  After the above upgrade the Still Bay repeater’s performance increased drastically.  So much so that Nick ZS1ZAN from Anysberg can now clearly be heard via this repeater.  Other reports also confirm a noticeable improvement in TX and RX.  Join the weekly gathering on this repeater at 18h30. 

To all the radio amateurs and non radio amateurs (Unfortunately I do not have all the names) who assisted in the second upgrade of this repeater and also for all the hard work that they put in,  a big thank you!  You did not only do it for yourself and other radio amateurs but for the continued existence of Amateur Radio in South Africa.  The way and spirit in how this was done is clearly an example to all of us.  Then there are many radio amateurs that are not able to assist in this project  however they contributed by means of donating equipment and money. We all know that the installation and upkeep of repeaters are costing money.  Others again contributed by way of moral support, reception reports, ham spirit etc.  A big thank to everyone who contributed in any way possible to the future of Amateur Radio in the Southern Cape.

The following radio amateurs were actively involved in this upgrade of the Still Bay Repeater:

1.  Henry ZS1SB

2.  Eben ZS1EP

3.  Dolf ZS1DRP

4.  Rassie ZS1RP

5.  Johann ZS1AAC

6.  Danie ZS1DL

7.  Nick ZS1ZAN

Images:  Click on images for larger view.

Reception report videos by Danie ZS1DL (Dana Bay):

Mark ZS4OIL donate radio to be used on the ZS Link Hub Network in Mossel Bay!

Now here is a story of  real amateur radio spirit and no Mark ZS4OIL does not know that I am writing an article about his kindness.  In today's life things are rather tough also when it comes to amateur radio.  There is a song with the name of Money, Money, Money which reminds me that nothing comes for free anymore.  I was however proven wrong.  Some time ago I was looking for a UHF Motorola Radio to be used with a SVXLink node.  I put out a request for such a radio and Mark ZS4OIL responded that he has such a radio.  I was unsuccessful in all my efforts to buy the radio from him.  He refused to accept anything even the costs to send the radio to me.  Mark donated a UHF Motorola GM300 radio  to me.   I received the radio this morning.  This radio will be used as a link radio for the ZS1I SVXLink Reflector that is currently connected via VHF to the ZS Link Network here in the Southern Cape.

Mark I would like to thank you for your generosity, great amateur radio spirit and for donating this radio, to be used to extend the ZS Link Network in the Southern Cape.  Highly appreciated and once again a big thank you!!

I will later post images where this radio is connected to the network and operational.

Images (Click on images for larger view.)

ZS1I lig die sluier - Nee dit is nie n troue nie!!

 

Ek ag dit nodig om so 'n paar onduidelikhede  op te klaar asook vrae wat gevra is rondom die GRHub Netwerk en my persoonlike amateur radio keuses.  Ek het lank daaroor gedink of ek dit openbaar moet maak maar in belang van amateur radio dink ek dit is tog nodig.  Ek het die besonderhede op die Amateur Radio 101 Telegram Groep gedeel maar ten einde moontlike onduidelikhede wat daar mag wees in die algemeen,  besluit om dit ook beskikbaar te stel vir alle radio amateurs.

Hier is die punte wat van belang mag wees:

1.    Aan watter klub behoort die GRHub Netwerk?
2.    Hoekom en waarom word net sekere bulletins uitgesaai?
3.    Hoekom behoort ZS1I nie aan 'n Amateur Radio Klub nie?
4.    Niks is onfeilbaar nie!  

Luister HIER na antwoorde op bostaande vrae.

Ek vertrou dat onduidlikhede in die verband nou opgeklaar is.  Indien u verdere vrae het kan u my gerus kontak deur middel van EPOS.

Ek wil weereens elke stasie (herhalers/links ingesluit) wat inskakel by die netwerk bedank vir hulle bydrae om amateur radio aktiwiteite te bevorder.  Klubs en radio amateurs word uitgenooi om hul herhalers/links te koppel aan die GRHub Netwerk sou hulle dit verkies.  Klubs word ook uitgenooi om hulle klub bulletins op die netwerk te herlei.  Kontak my gerus voor die tyd in die verband.  So bevorder ons amateur radio en aktiwitiete!!

Donation: Netgear Modem/Router N300

 

 

 A big thank you to Me A. Breytenbach of Diaz Beach for donating a fully functional Netgear Modem/Router N300 for use by the Garden Route Hub Network.  Your donation is highly appreciated.  In a previous post HERE I described the use of an older Modem/Router.  Many ADSL Modem/Routers has been discarded when copper cables were replaced by fiber.  These can still be useful in  home networks where you do not need high speeds.  I already has a use for the Netgear Modem/Router, but more on this once I started the new project.

Invitation:  If you would like to donate electronic- and computer redundant equipment to the Garden Route Hub Network please contact Johan via email by clicking HERE.   There are still many uses for older equipment in Amateur Radio and by donating redundant electronic equipment we keep it away from landfills or waste sites.