Changes to the ZS1I Ramblings Podcast essential!

Due to various reasons requests, load shedding, summer time schedule, late working on weekdays, getting late at home during the week and other commitments etc. by listeners, I have decided to move the ZS1I Ramblings transmissions from a Thursday evening back to a Sunday afternoon with effect of 19 November 2023.  ZS1I Ramblings will in future be transmitted every Sunday afternoon at 16h00 SAST.  Please note that there will be no re-broadcast or the option to download the podcast from the GRHub Network Blog.  More information why I discontinued the downloading available HERE.

I know we cannot satisfy everybody but the move will also give me more time to compile ZS1I Ramblings during the week. It is very difficult to work on the Podcast over a weekend due to other amateur- and private activities.  

The ZS1I Ramblings will continue as before on the air. I would however like to request that if at all possible listen to ZS1I Ramblings on the air. (ZS Link Network / GRHub Network) Use your radios instead of social media or any other media.  

Remember the ZS1I Ramblings now being broadcast every Sunday afternoon at 16h00 SAST.

ZS1I Ramblings "Podcast" now available for download

I have received several requests from radio amateurs to make the weekly  "ZS1I Ramblings" available for download as many would like to listen to the Podcast but cannot always listen to it on the air.  Please note this is not your standard Podcast.  This is a re-mix between a podcast,  amateur radio news and general ramblings.  Various subjects are discussed some are not amateur radio related however it might effect amateur radio in some way or the other.

I would however like to request that if at all possible listen to ZS1I Ramblings on the air. (ZS Link Network / GRHub Network) Use your radios instead of social media or any other media.  After all we are radio amateurs and not social media celebrities. 

Download link:  Click HERE

 

Reminder: Lippeklap Net 30 April 2023 at 15h30 on the GRHub Network.

Topic: We will be listening to a podcast:

Best MOBILE Ham Radio 2023 | Best Ham Radio for Vehicle

Here is the list of Mobile Ham Radios:

Anysecu WEP9900
VGC VR-N7500
TYT TH-9800
Wouxun KG-UV980P
Yaesu FTM-6000R
Icom IC-2730A
Alinco DR-735
Yaesu FTM-200DR
Yaesu FTM-300DR
Kenwood TM-V71A
Anytone AT-5888UVIII
Anytone AT-D578 UVIII Plus
Icom IC-7100

You can access the Net as follow:

Echolink - Connect to ZS1I-L, ZS1FC-L, ZS6WDL-R or ZS5PMB-R Please note if the last 3 stations is not connected to ZS1I-L then you need to connect via Echolink to ZS1I-L for the Net.

AllStar - Connect to node 49355 ZS1I or 28052 ZS5PMB-R

VHF - 145.550 Mhz Simplex in the Mossel Bay area. Remember the 88.5 khz CTCSS tone

Any other Echolink, AllStar repeater or link station that is connected to either ZS1I-L.

Use of your cellphone by installing Echolink on your phone.

Please feel free to join us this Sunday afternoon, 30 APRIL 2023 at around 15h30 SAST. We are all looking forward to your company and inputs in this regard. Please also tell your amateur radio friends about the Net. Get rid of that daily stress and enjoy a good hour or two in the company of amateur radio friends.

Hope to hear you on the “Lippeklap” Net!!

"Lippeklap" Net Potgooi (Podcast) vir Sondag 12 Maart 2023 15h30:

Vanmiddag om 15h30 is dit weer tyd vir Lippeklap Net. Nee ons gaan nie vandag ‘n onderwerp in Amateur Radio bespreek nie, maar ons gaan luister na ‘n amateur radio potgooi. (podcast) Na die potgooi sal daar ‘n algemene lippeklap wees oor enige amateur radio verwante bedrywighede.

Onderwerp van die Potgooi:

“What is the Best HF Radio in production at the beginning of 2023? All of these radios in this list are still currently being offered by the manufacturer and are tried and true. Today I take you through the top 7 picks of HF Ham Radios for 2023 that can be used for a Base Station or Mobile HF operation.”

Hoe skakel ek in by die Net?
• Echolink - Konnekteer aan ZS1I-L, ZS1FC-L, ZS6WDL-R of ZS5PMB-R Neem kennis as die laaste drie stasies nie gekonnekteer is aan ZS1I-L nie, konnekteer dan via  Echolink aan ZS1I-L om by die net aan te sluit.
• AllStar - Konnekteer aan node 49355 ZS1I of 28052 ZS5PMB-R
• VHF - 145.550 Mhz Simplex in die Mosselbaai area. Onthou die 88.5 khz CTCSS toon.
• Enige ander Echolink, AllStar  herhaler of link stasie wat aan ZS1I-L gekoppel is.
• Gebruik sommer Echolink wat op jou selfoon geinstalleer is.


Sluit gerus by die Lippeklap Net aan vanmiddag om 15h30 SAST.

Playing custom message on AllStar Node

 

Background:

I wanted to play a custom message on my Allstar Node, not just the pre recorded files. I found an easy way to do it.

Create it:

Create and audio file using Audacity or an audio editor of your choice. It you already have and audio file that you would like to play on AllStar then Import the file using Audacity. Find your audio file and open it or if you use Import the file will be opened in the Audacity as an audio track.

The file should be Mono, 8000 Hz 16-bit PCM with Project Rate set at 8000 Hz. Export as WAV. Give the file a name (short as possible) Save as type must be WAV. Encoding can either be Unsigned 8-bit PCM or Signed 16-bit PCM.

Go ahead save it / export it. In Audacity we use Export

Upload it:

Open WinSCP (Windows Program) or any other software and connect to your Raspberry Pi. Upload your WAV file to /var/lib/asterisk/sounds

Convert it:

We will use sox for converting. Open PuTTY (Windows Program) and connect to the Raspberry Pi, Change directory to “/var/lib/asterisk/sounds” and enter the following.

For a GSM File:

sox YOURFILENAME.wav -r 8000 -c 1 YOURFILENAME.gsm

Note sox and YOURFILENAME in small letters.

For a U-Law File:

sox YOURFILENAME.wav -r 8000 -c 1 -t ul YOURFILENAME.ul

Note: sox and YOURFILENAME in small letters.

Now we should have a new file with either a GSM or U-Law Codec extension. Your choice!! Please note you cannot have the same file name for gsm or u-law. Choose a different YOURFILENAME for each Codec.

All we have to do now is to restart Asterisk Server by using the AllStar dashboard or calling astres.sh script at the command prompt. After Restart we can test the file.

Test the File:

Now we can test it on Asterisk by entering to the CLI:

In PUTTY you should be in the following directory “/var/lib/asterisk/sounds”. At the command prompt type :

asterisk -r

enter

PUTTY will now be in the CLI mode.

In MobaXterm log into your node and the AllStar dashboard will appear. Select 11 – Run Asterisk CLI Client. Once enter is pressed you should be at the CLI prompt.

For World Wide play type:

rpt playback 49355 YOURFILENAME

enter

This will play the file to all the nodes that you are connected and also on RF Links / Repeaters

49355 is your node number.

Please note that you don’t need to add the extension after your file’s name.

For Local play type:

rpt localplay 49355 YOURFILENAME

enter

This will play the file to only your node and your RF Links / Repeaters

49355 is your node number.

Please note that you don’t need to add the extension after your file’s name.

I prefer to play the File while using MobiXterm in Windows.

Playing the file via CRON:

If you want to play it via CRON on scheduled time or just play it outside of the CLI just use:

asterisk -r -x "rpt playback 12345 YOURFILENAME"

Hope this short script will be of benefit to you on how to play custom or already created audio files on your AllStar Node.

Compiled by:

Johan ZS1I

Mossel Bay

27 December 2022

Feedback: " THE NSN NET #14" – Sunday 15 May 2022 15h30 SAST - "Amateur Radio Shaping the News"

 

This week was an Open Net. We did not continue with the normal order of the net.  Instead we streamed a very interesting podcast.  We look back at the  use of  amateur radio during the Falklands Invasion on the 2 April 1982 and other interesting world events where amateur radio played and important roll.  

The podcast is about incredible true stories of how amateur radio  can play an important role in shaping the news around World Events.  For BBC correspondent and amateur radio operator, Laurie Margolis, G3UML, it was on amateur radio that Laurie discovered, reported and scooped the invasion by Argentina of the Falkland Islands starting the Falklands war in 1982.  Laurie and Eric 4Z1UG discuss this event and the rest of his ham radio journey in this QSO Today.

Word of the invasion first reached the UK from Argentine sources. A Ministry of Defence operative in London had a short telex conversation with Governor Hunt's telex operator, who confirmed that Argentines were on the island and in control. Later that day, BBC journalist Laurie Margolis G3UML spoke with an islander at Goose Green via amateur radio, who confirmed the presence of a large Argentine fleet and that Argentine forces had taken control of the island. British military operations in the Falklands War were given the code name Operation Corporate, and the commander of the task force was Admiral Sir John Fieldhouse. The rest is history.  Operations lasted from 1 April 1982 to 20 June 1982. 

Here is a short overview.  Click HERE. (Not even a 1/5 of what was broadcasted yesterday afternoon.)

There you have it.  Feedback what took place yesterday afternoon during the NSN - Net.  Once again a wide variety of amateur radio activities, something for everybody. 

Please feel free to join us next Sunday afternoon,  22 May 2022 at around 15h30 SAST. for the NSN - Net.  We are all looking forward to your company and inputs.  Please also tell your amateur radio friends about the Net. Get rid of that daily stress and enjoy a good hour or two in the company of amateur radio friends.

Hope to hear you on the NSN Net!!

A big thank you to those that reported in.  Highly appreciated!!

73

Johan ZS1I

Mossel Bay

Early Reminder: The next NSN - Net #14 will take place on Sunday 15 May 2022 @ 15h30 on the ZS-Link Network

 

THE WEEKLY NSN NET:

The "Net Sonder Naam" Net now meets every Sunday afternoon 10 minutes after the "Bo Karoo Amateur Radio Klub" bulletin.  The NSN-Net typically runs around hour and a half in length depending on how large the net is and how many topics there are for discussion.  This Net is not a Club Activity!!  It is constituted by interested radio amateurs in South Africa and even Worldwide and is open to all radio amateurs. 

ABOUT THE NET: 

The preferred languages will be English and Afrikaans.  You use the language of your preference. The net provides a forum for participants to discuss amateur radio topics, ask amateur radio related questions, and to receive advice, information, and guidance from the pool of knowledge and experience of the net participants. The net is open to all amateurs worldwide and we encourage your participation. We hope you have a little time on Thursday evenings to report in and say hello. 

ORDER OF THE NET: 

This week will be an Open Net.  This means that we will not continue with the normal order of the net.  This week we will bring you a Podcast. Sometimes, amateur radio can play an important role in shaping the news around World Events.  For BBC correspondent and amateur radio operator, Laurie Margolis, G3UML, it was on amateur radio that Laurie discovered, reported and scooped the invasion by Argentina of the Falkland Islands starting the Falklands war in 1982.  Laurie and Eric 4Z1UG discuss this event and the rest of his ham radio journey in this QSO Today.  (Total time: 1hour 12 min) Come and listen to this very interesting Podcast.  I am not going to reveal any further information in this regard.   You will have to join the NSN- Net to listen to the Podcast.

"LIPPE KLAP TYD /  LIP SLAP TIME":

The question:  What did you do in amateur radio this week? / Wat het jy die afgelope week in Amateur Radio gedoen? 

Tell us about your ventures in amateur radio this past week.

FEEDBACK NSN NET: 

Every week I will post feedback on what happened on the NSN Net. The posting will be available on the GRHub Network Blog and Amateur Radio 101 Telegram Group. I will only provide a short overview. If you would like to know more then I suggest you join the weekly Net.

JOINING THE NET: 

You can access the Net as follow:

Echolink - Connect to ZS1I-L, ZS1FC-L, ZS3KBY-R, ZS6WDL-R or ZS5PMB-R  Please note if the last 4 stations is not connected to ZS1I-L then you need to connect to ZS1I-L for the NSN Net.

AllStar - Connect to node 49355 ZS1I or 28052 ZS5PMB-R

VHF - 145.550 Mhz Simplex in the Mossel Bay area.  Remember the 88.5 khz CTCSS tone

Any other Echolink, AllStar repeater or link station that is connected to either ZS1I-L.

Use of your cellphone by installing Echolink on your phone

By means of a Network Radio example Enrico TM8 etc.

FINALLY:

Please feel free to join us this Sunday afternoon,  15 May 2022 at around 15h30 SAST.  We are all looking forward to your company and inputs in this regard.  Please also tell your amateur radio friends about the Net. Get rid of that daily stress and enjoy a good hour or two in the company of amateur radio friends.

Hope to hear you on the NSN Net!!

 

New Service launched on the ZS-Link Network: "On The Air" Podcast

A new service to users of the ZS-Link Network has just been launched.  This service is an amateur radio podcast brought to you by the ARRL.  The Podcast is called "On The Air". 

ARRL’s On the Air podcast for those just getting started on their amateur radio journey.  This is a podcast posted each month. The podcast is a companion to the new bimonthly On the Air magazine. The podcast is aimed at offering new and beginner-to-intermediate-level radio amateurs a fresh approach to exploring radio communications.

Each On the Air podcast will take a deeper dive into covering the range of amateur radio interests and activities: radio technology, operating, equipment, project building, and emergency communication.  The Podcast is hosted by by QST Editor Steve Ford, WB8IMY.

There is not a specific time schedule for the broadcast on the ZS-Link Network and it will be broadcasted twice daily. (Morning and Afternoon)  You need to be connected to the linked network to listen to the podcast. 

You can access the Net as follow:

Echolink - Connect to ZS1I-L, ZS1FC-L, ZS3KBY-R, ZS2BCM-L or ZS5PMB-R  Please note if the last 4 stations is not connected to ZS1I-L then you need to connect to ZS1I-L to listen to the Podcast.

AllStar - Connect to node 49355

VHF - 145.550 Mhz Simplex in the Mossel Bay area.  Remember the 88.5 khz CTCSS tone

Any other Echolink, AllStar repeater or link station that is connected to either ZS1I-L or node 49355

Use of your cellphone by installing Echolink on your phone

By means of a Network Radio example Enrico TM8 etc.

We hope you enjoy the Podcast!!