Let's build a 2 Meter Portable Handheld RX and TX Antenna to receive great SSTV Images from the ISS

First some background information regarding reception of SSTV Images from the ISS (International Space Station).  I use the SSTV Experiments to test different 2m Handheld Portable Antennas to see which antenna provides the clearest SSTV Images transmitted from the ISS.  My test setup is simple.  Baofeng UV82 HT Radio, Short CoAx Cable, Cellphone with Robot36 and a "homebrew" handheld portable antenna.  No other equipment like a tri-pod, writing board, recorders etc.  A KISS (keep it simple stupid) setup.  No frills no fuzz!

I have tested a few antennas during past SSTV Experiments.  Here are the list:

1.  Homebrew Copper Pipe Upside Down 2 Element Quad Antenna.  (I used this antenna to receive WX Images from satellites)

2.  Homebrew  2m Quarter Wave Antenna.

3.  Homebrew DK7ZB-Duoband-Dipole for 2m/70cm Antenna

4.  Homebrew ZS2U 2 Element 2m Yagi Antenna  ( Second best results thus far)

5.  Homebrew 2 Element 2m Quad Antenna

6.  Diamond X50 2m Antenna

7.  Homebrew 2m Flower Pot Antenna

8.  Homebrew 2m Dipole Antenna (Best results thus far)

For the purpose of this article we are going to build the 2m Dipole Antenna. (Best results)  It is cheap and easy to build and out-performs all other antennas mentioned above. I am not going to go into the theoretical side of this antenna. I am sure you can find information on this dipole antenna using a search engine if you want more information iro 2m Dipole Antennas.

You will need:

Material:

1.2m x 20mm PVC Conduit Pipe

2 x T-Piece PVC Coupler

2 x 500mm x 16mm Aluminum Pipe 

1 x 100 mm x 12mm Wooden Dowl

4 x 14mm x 4mm Self Tapping Screws

2 x 4m Electrical Lugs (Heavy Duty)

1 x 1.5m RG58CU CoAx Cable (2m if you going to wind the coax coil)

1 x PL259 Connector 

1 x Ferrite Clamp (See images) or wind 8 turns of RG58Cu on a 25mm PVC Pipe (85 mm long)

6 x 15mm Cable Ties 

30 mm Piece of Soldering Wire

2 x 13mm Plastic End Caps to cover aluminum pipe holes

Tools Needed:

Pipe Cutter or PVC Cutter.  Hacksaw will also work.

Marker Pen

Round File

Measuring Tape

Screw Drivers (Flat + Star)

Glue Epoxy

Pliers

Soldering Iron

Lug Crimping Tool

PVC Cement (optional)

Insulation Tape

Silicon Sealant

Test Equipment:

VHF SWR Meter

NanoVNA (Optional)

VHF Radio (HT or Mobile)

Coax Patch Leads

Mast (Non conductive)

Coax feed line cable  5 - 10m  RG58CU 50 ohm

Power Supply for Radio

Constructing the Antenna:

Construction is straight forward.  The attached images will assist you in constructing the antenna.  I might just mention that you need to cut two 20mm PVC pieces (each 25mm long) of pipe to fit into the top openings of the T-Connector. You might glue them into place with PVC cement.  The 16mm aluminum pipe will now fit into the T-Piece.  But before you glue anything first use the round file and file the inside of the T-Piece so that the 16mm aluminum will go in all the way to the inspection hole.  Leave the bottom connecting point of the T-Piece unchanged.

A word on the RF Coil (See image below)  If you want to use the antenna for TX and RX,  I would suggest that you add a Ferrite Clamp (See images) or wind 8 turns of RG58Cu on a 25mm PVC Pipe. (85 mm long) This will sent RF to the antenna and not down he coax line back to the radio.

Note:  The length of the dipole element is 1000mm  /  2 = 500mm (each element).  Yes I know this is "unconventional" as normally this length is used for many Yagi antenna reflectors.  In other words if you go by the book the two elements are to long. This is also reflected in the NanoVNA measurements. Be as it may the "proof is in the pudding" that this antenna work great on receiving SSTV images from the ISS.  Even at this length one can still use the dipole for transmitting as the SWR is well within the limits.

Testing and Adjusting the Antenna:

After you assembled the antenna, fix it to a non conductive mast.  Ensure that the matching cable and feeding cable is routed away from the driver elements and that you choose the selected polarity that you are going to operate with.  Now ensure that you put the antenna and mast as high up as possible.   Ensure that there are no other antennas, wires, metal objects close to the antenna to avoid interactivity between the antenna and objects.  Once up in the air add your SWR meter between the antenna and radio that you going to use.  Ensure that the SWR meter is set to the correct power level.   We will first use low power to test. If the meter has a function to select between SWR and reflected POWER then select SWR.  Switch on the power supply and the radio. Set the radio to low power if you have such an option.  Now press the PTT while observing the SWR Meter.  SWR will be reflected.  I was lucky enough that I needed no tuning and pruning to get a good SWR.  If you followed the exact measurements then you should also have a fairly low SWR.  You can then switch the SWR meter to POWER and press the PTT again.  The meter now reflect the output power for your radio at low power.  If this is correct then you have a fully working antenna.  You can also go to high power and use the same method to test the antenna.  My high power and SWR was also spot-on and needed no tuning.  If you have a NanoVNA now is the time to put it to good use.  I use both test instruments.

Performance:

I tested the antenna during a real-time pass of the ISS in receiving SSTV Images.  The antenna was held in the hand and the ISS was "followed" as it passed over my area.  The antenna was not always free of any obstruction, like trees, buildings etc.  Some passes would result in clear images being downloaded while others would have some reception interference visible. Performance was as good as expected in my area.  Maybe next time I will go to a park that has no obstructions.

Finally:  

 

This antenna design provides a compact package for receiving SSTV Images and this antenna is ideally suited for portable operation.  A further plus is this antenna is cheep to build and lightweight to hold in the hand.  This antenna surely has many uses.  Lookout for future reports on this Blog about this antenna in operation.  I am sure that this antenna will afford you much pleasure in downloading clear images!!  Up to now this is the best handheld portable antenna I tested to download SSTV Images from the ISS.

Images:  (Click on images for larger view.)

 

 

Here is two SSTV Images I downloaded with this portable antenna holding it in my hand:

Revisit: Building Low Budget Antennas - 2 Element Cubical Quad Antenna for 2 Meters.

The cubical quad antenna is without doubt one of the best DX antennas currently available and  is a proven performer!  One of the greatest advantages of the quad is that it exhibits a lower angle of radiation than a Yagi at heights of less than one wavelength. This makes it a great antenna for working long distances as more of the power is radiated at low angles even if you can't get them mounted as high as you would like.

One of the reasons for the effectiveness of the quad antenna is the fact that it not only exhibits more forward gain and a very good front to back ratio but also it has a larger physical capture area than a Yagi of the same boom length. Each element is a full wavelength in size compared to a Yagi which has elements of only one half wavelength making the quad a far more effective antenna for both TX and RX.

As with any antenna the true performance is only achieved when all elements are resonant at their correct frequencies and also when the feed point is matched correctly and the antenna is installed as high as possible from the ground or the roof. 

The original article dated the 1 May 2023 is available HERE

When I constructed this light weight quad antenna I only had a SWR Meter on hand.  I bought a NanoVNA about a year ago but never got to measuring any of my antennas.  Well I found some time and this is the results that the NanoVNA provided.  I am more than happy with this antenna and its performance.  It is a great asset to my VHF/UHF Antenna Arsenal. 

(Click on images for larger view.)

Looking at the Impedance of this antenna the following readings are provided by the NanoVNA:

64 Ohm at 144.000 Mhz

59 Ohm at 145.000 Mhz

57 Ohm at 146.000 Mhz

To get it closer to 50 Ohm I can play around with the length of the 75 Ohm Matching Stub.  However the above readings is more than good enough for me.

Share you Knowledge / Deel jou Kennis en Ondervinding - 6 Feb. 2025

KENNISGEWING:  Maak asb ‘n aantekening in jou dagboek of ‘n knoop in jou sakdoek.  Eerskomende Donderdag aand (6 Feb 2025) om 19h30 SAST gaan ons oor die volgende gesels in "Share your Knowledge and Experience"  /  "Deel jou Kennis en Ondervinding":

1.  Wat is jou gunsteling maak / model radio (HF, VHF, UHF, “Homebrew” ens) wat jy besit (nie wat jy graag wil bekom nie) en wat maak die radio jou gunsteling radio.

2.  Wat se DMR Radio moet ek aankoop? (Tipe, Maak, Funksies ens.)

3.  Vraag en Antwoord Sessie.

Radio Amateurs kan konnekteer via: 145.625 Mhz (88.5 Hz CTCSS Toon) Aasvoelkop Herhaler,  145.550 Mhz (88.5 Hz CTCSS Toon) Hub Link te Mosselbaai, ZS1SB-L Echolink, ZS1I-R Echolink, 49355 AllStar or TG65511 via DMR of aan enige node wat gekonnekteer is aan die gemelde nodes.

ZS1I namens die ZS Link Netwerk Groep.


NOTIFICATION: Please make a note in your diary or a knot in your handkerchief.  This coming Thursday evening (6 Feb 2025) at 19h30 SAST we will talk about the following in "Share your Knowledge and Experience":

1. What is your favorite make / model radio (HF, VHF, UHF, "Homebrew" etc.) that you own (not what you would like to acquire) and what makes the radio your favorite radio.

2. What DMR Radio should I purchase? (Type, Make, Functions etc.)

3. Question and Answer Session. 

Radio Amateurs can connect via: 145.625 Mhz (88.5 Hz CTCSS Tone) Aasvoelkop Repeater, 145.550 Mhz (88.5 Hz CTCSS Tone) Hub Link in Mossel Bay, ZS1SB-L Echolink, ZS1I-R Echolink, 49355 AllStar or TG65511 via DMR or to any node connected to the mentioned nodes.

ZS1I on behalf of the ZS Link Network Group.

How to install CHIRP on Linux Mint 21.1 Vera

What is CHIRP?

CHIRP is a free, open-source tool for programming your radio. It supports a large number of manufacturers and models, as well as provides a way to interface with multiple data sources and formats.

In this article I will describe how to get the latest python3-based CHIRP-Next running on Linux Mint 21.1  Vera.

Before installing any packages ensure that your Linux Mint is fully updated and upgraded with the latest firmware packages.

1.  Install distro packages

Linux Mint

$ sudo apt install python3-wxgtk4.0 pipx (Enter)

2.  Once installed lets install CHIRP (and Python dependencies)

Download the chirp-20250110-py3-none-any.whl file located under the folder corresponding to the latest date.  (Note:  Latest date is - 20250131)  I downloaded the file to the Desktop of Linux Mint.  Easier to locate the file and work from the Desktop.  I later moved the file to the Downloads Folder once CHIRP was installed and running.

Before we going to install CHIRP one need to install the yattag package which was not installed in the latest versions of pipx.

I used the following command to install the yattag packages:

$ sudo apt install python3-yattag  (Enter)

The packages were installed without any errors.

Now lets install CHIRP

We need to be in the Desktop directory

$ cd /Desktop/  (Enter)

./Desktop$ sudo pipx install ./chirp-20250110-py3-none-any.whl (Enter)

CHIRP will now be installed without errors.   Where is it installed?  Go to Linux Mint files directory.  look for a folder .local and click on the folder.  You wil find a bin folder.  Click on bin and there is CHIRP.  Right click on chirp, click open and then on run and the program CHIRP will open in a new window.  You have successfully installed CHIRP.

But wait there are two "pop up" windows. Click OK and also OK for the CHIRP icon to appear in the Linux Mint Menu.  You can also add an icon to the desktop.  (Recommended)

Time to reboot your machine.  Once rebooted you can Start CHIRP via the Desktop Icon, Menu or the Terminal -  $ ~/.local/bin/chirp  (Enter)

Before you go ahead and program radios with CHIRP there is still two more "issues" that must be addressed for CHIRP to work 100%.

First we need to uninstall a utility program called:  BRLTTY  This program will prohibit you from accessing the COM port that CHIRP needs to talk to your radio.  Here is the command (still in he Desktop directory):

$ sudo apt remove brltty (Enter)

This command will remove BRLTTY from your computer.  The BRLTTY program is used by the blind and this program will hog your COM port.  CHIRP will not work.  Once the program is uninstalled you COM port will be available to use.

The second thing we need to do is to change the $USER that identifies the username of the individual running the command.

Find your username:  

$ whoami (Enter)

Your username will be displayed

Now enter the following command:

$ sudo usermod -a -G dialout [your username]  (Enter)

Your username will now be active when using CHIRP.

Time to Reboot your computer.  Once rebooted CHIRP will now be ready to program the listed radios using CHIRP.

REMEMBER to always make a backup file of your radios cps or code plug.  You never know when you going to need it if and when Murphy visit your Shack!

Have fun with CHIRP using Linux Mint 21.1 Vera!!

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

Foto:  Stilbaai Herhaler toring en antennas voor opgradering.  (Klik op foto om te vergroot.)

Gister 1 Februarie 2025 was 'n dag waarna talle radio amateurs in die Suid Kaap uitgesien het. Die Stilbaai Herhaler gelee te Stilbaai is besoek om die nodige opgraderings wat reeds 'n geruime tyd in die vooruitsig gestel is te onderneem.  Die Stilbaai Herhaler is reeds vir baie jare op die lug in Stilbaai maar soos ons almal weet moet instandhouding en ook somtyds opgradering met tussen poses onderneem word.

Daar was die afgelope week groot opgewondenheid onder radio amateurs. Johann ZS1AAC en Eben ZS1EP het die laaste voorbereidings werk onderneem.  Natuurlik is daar ook manne wat in die agtergrond behulpsaam was met die nodige voorbereidings sodat die opgradering en instandhouding glad sou verloop.  Want sien 'n mens moet seker maak dat jy alles saamvat wat nodig is om die taak suksesvol af te handel.

Die manne was reeds van vroegdag op 1 Februarie 2025 oppad na die Stilbaai Herhaler toe.  Ek het verneem dat niemand toe verdwaal het nie nadat 'n kaart en roete aanwysings beskikbaar gestel is vir diengene wat nie vertroud was met die roete nie.  Ek is ook dankbaar om te kan berig dat almal veilig die rit onderneem het.  Die opgewondenheid was duidelik hoorbaar op die lug soos die manne oppad was en skertsend gesels het op die Aasvoelkop en Stilbaai Herhaler.

Nou ja die herhalers het stil geraak want sien dit was nou tyd om aan die werk te spring want daar is ook maar net soveel tyd in 'n dag en boonop brand die son hierdie tyd van die jaar ekstra seer.  Hoe gouer die taak afgehandel kan word hoe beter want natuurlik moet daar ook nog gebraai en lekker gesels word by so 'n samekoms van radio amateurs.

Die eerste taak was om almal welkom te heet en 'n oorsig te verskaf wat gedoen moet word en natuurlik te voorsien van die nodige veiligheids maatreels wat sal geld op die betrokke perseel.  Sien mens kan nooit te versigtig wees nie!  

Ek gaan nie in diepte verduidelik tov die take wat uitgevoer moes word nie aangesien die fotos en videos voldoende inligting bevat in die verband.  In kort die toring moes gesak word sodat die ou antennas en koaksiale kabel verwyder kon word.  Daarna is die nuwe Diamond X510 antenna geinstalleer en toegerus met LMR400 kabel.  Volgende aan die beurt was die installering van die twee gevoude dipool antennas en kabel.  Beide antennas en koppelstukke is goed verseel om vogtigheid uit te hou.  By die see is dit absoluut van kardinale belang. Nadat alles goed vasgemaak en verseel is is die koaksiale kabel met kabelbinders vasgetrek.  Finale inspeksie is uitgevoer en daar is toe gegin om die toring op te hys.  Kyk gerus na die video en julle sal merk hoe sterk die kabel, "gin pole" en wenas is waarmee die toring opgetrek is. 

Ja, "Newton se Law" speel natuurlik 'n belanrike rol wanneer jy amateur radio torings laat sak of ophys.  Vir die wat meer wil weet, hier volg 'n kort uiteensetting in Engels:

"When using a winch, Newton's second law of motion is the primary principle at play, which states that the net force acting on an object is equal to its mass multiplied by its acceleration (F = ma); essentially, the winch applies a force to pull a load, and the resulting acceleration of that load depends on the force applied and the mass of the object being pulled, considering factors like friction and the winch's mechanical advantage due to its gear system. 

Key points about Newton's law in winch usage.

Force analysis:  To calculate the required force to lift a load with a winch, you need to consider the weight of the object (mg) as the force to overcome, along with any additional forces like friction on the winch drum or the cable.

Mechanical advantage:  Winches use a gear system to create a mechanical advantage, meaning a smaller force applied to the winch handle can produce a much larger force on the load.

Tension in the cable:  The tension in the winch cable is the force applied to the load, which can be calculated using Newton's second law based on the mass of the object and its acceleration.

Factors affecting acceleration:  The acceleration of the load will be affected by the winch motor's power, the friction in the system, and the weight of the object being lifted.

Example application:  Pulling a vehicle out of mud: When using a winch to pull a stuck vehicle, the force applied by the winch (calculated using Newton's second law) needs to be greater than the combined forces of the vehicle's weight, friction with the ground, and any additional resistance from the terrain."

Nadat die toring regop gehys is, is die moere wat die toring in plek hou vasgedraai en die geleidings drade aangeheg.  Die koaksiale kabel is in die herhaler-huisie ingevoer en aan die nodige toets toerusting gekoppel om SWR- en RF-Uitset krag te meet.  Wel die manne wat weet was tevrede met die lesings asook die werking van die herhaler.  Kontak is gemaak om die herhaler op die lug te toets.  Baie dankie aan diegene wat die nodige rapporte voorsien het.  Al wat oorbly was om so hier en daar finale verskuiwings te maak en was die herhaler gereed vir gebruik.

Wat gevolg het was waarna baie ook uitgesien het en dit was die geleentheid om 'n vleisie op die kole te gooi en 'n vloeibare verversing te geniet, want sien dit was sommer lekker warm in die agtermiddag.  Groot sake is gesels so om die braaivleis vuur.  Een onderwerp van bespreking was natuurlik die oprigting en installering van die volgende herhaler op die Anysberg in die Klein Karoo.  Meer inligting later oor die projek sal op die Blog verstrek word.

Na wat verneem word het die vleis en vloeibare verversings die innerlike versterk en kon die manne weer die terugtog aanpak.  Vir party was dit nie ver om te ry nie maar vir ander was dit 'n langerige rit.  So moes Nick ZS1ZAN en sy LV  Elize die terugtog na Anysberg aanpak.  Aan die twee 'n spesiale dank dat hulle so ver gery het om te kom help met die opgradering van die herhaler.

Nou ja so het dit ook dan weer tyd geword om die perseel te verlaat maar nie voordat dit netjies gemaak is en net voetspore agtergelaat is nie. Ons in die Suid Kaap is lief vir die natuur en moet dit skoonhou en ten alle koste bewaar.  Die dag het ook reeds op sy rug gele toe daar gegroet en huistoe beweeg is.

Die Suid Kaap ZS-Link Netwerk Groep wil graag van die geleenheid gebruik maak om almal te bedank wat die dag gehulpsaam was met die opgradering van die Stilbaai Herhaler.  Nou ja dit is nie altyd moontlik om almal daar te kon gehad het nie.  Vir die wat in die gees daar was, ook baie dankie.

Johann ZS1AAC het gevra dat ek die volgende radio amateurs bedank vir die skenking van toerusting vir gebruik by die herhalers.  Let wel gratis skenkings.  Ja dit is die gees in die Suid Kaap onder radio amateurs.  Skenkings word nie gevra nie, maar kom spontaan na vore.  Dit wil nogal vir mens iets se en is die Suid Kaap ZS-Link Netwerk Groep nederig en dankbaar vir die skenkings en hulp van watter aard ook al.

Die volgende persone word bedank vir hul skenkings:

Vivian ZS1VIV -  VHF 4 Stack Antenna.  LM400 Koaksiale Kabel en Koppel Stukke

Daniel ZS3DS - VHF Duplexer Filter

Nick ZS1NS - UHF Stainless Steel Yagi Antenna

Johannes ZS1XL - Beskikbaarstelling en gebruik van sy uitstekende koaxiale en koppel stuk krimper tydens die opgradeing van die Stilbaai Herhaler.

Al die fotograwe teenwoordig op die dag.  Baie dankie vir die videos en fotos.  As dit nie vir julle was nie sou diegene van ons wat nie daar kon wees nie, veel armer en droe bek gesit het.  Baie dankie!

Dan aan almal wat ongesiens (anoniem) skenkings en bydraes maak tot die uitbreiding en instandhouding van die Herhaler en VOIP Netwerk.  Elke bydrae hoe gering ook al word hoog op prys gestel.   

As dit nie is vir die skenkings en bydraes nie sal dit nie moontlik wees om so 'n uitstekende netwerk daar te stel of instand te hou nie.  Baie dankie aan almal!!

Die volgende persone was teenwoordig by die Stilbaai Herhaler op 1 Februarie 2025:

1.  Henry ZS1SB , Stilbaai

2.  Vivian ZS1VIV,  Riversdal

3.  Eben ZS1EP, Stilbaai

4.  Jasper ZS1WT,  Blandsdrift

5.  Johannes ZS1XR, Stilbaai

6.  Nico ZS1ZAN en sy LV Elize,  Anysberg

7.  Danie ZS1DL,  Danabaai Mosselbaai 

8.  Johann ZS1AAC, Stilbaai

9.  Attie, Riversdal

Videos:  Stilbaai Herhaler Opgradering:

Fotos:  Opgradering van die Stilbaai Herhaler  ( Klik op fotos om te vergroot.)

 

En daar sak die toring

Die man aan stuur van sake,  Johan ZS1AAC.  Lyk my daar is 'n toekenning uitgedeel. Geluk, Johann.

Die Yaesu DR2X Repeater en Duplex Filters

 

Staan nou mooi reg vir die foto, asseblief

Ons eie Megaboer besig om toring te klim.  Jasper ZS1WT

Neewat kom ons probeer weer.  Wat soek julle daar op die grond?

Kyk net daar die jaartse rolle wors.  Die manne se monde water behoorlik

So kuier ons lekker saam

Moet net nie dat die wors brand nie, asseblief tog

Die "Onder-Burgemeester" van Danabaai en die "Burgemeester" van .Anysberg, Nick ZS1ZAN geniet 'n eet dingetjie.

Eben en Jasper diep in gesprek.  Moenie die wors vergeet nie.

Ek se jou net so lang springer het weggekom, maar gelukkig het ons darm wors op die kole.

Lekker in die koelte na 'n warm dag

So rus ons 'n bietjie.  Dankie tog vir die Gazeebo!

Die "Onder Burgemeester" van Danabaai op sy Africa Twin het al die pad vanaf Danabaai gery met sy motorfiets.  Danie ZS1DL geniet sy motorfiets ry, maar ry ook graag 'n trap fiets gereeld.

Kom, kom, kom dit is weer fototyd. Terug met die skouers en glimlag asb.

Attie is nou al sinoniem met herhaler instandhouding.  Dankie Attie vir jou hulp!

Die skaduwees raak lank en die son trek water.  Tyd om aanstaltes te maak.  Johannes ZS1XL, Johan ZS1AAC en Danie ZS1DL.

The Wireless Institute Of Australia Weekly Amateur Radio News Broadcast now being transmitted in South Africa

The Wireless Institute of Australia produces a 30 minute audio news service which is transmitted across Australia on both Amateur and Citizen Band frequencies. It is now also transmitted in South Africa.

Starting 15h00 SAST and ending 15h30 SAST every Sunday Afternoon.

Radio Amateurs can listen on the Aasvoelkop Repeater (145.625 Mhz  88.5 hz tone) or connect via ZS1SB-L Echolink, ZS1I-R Echolink,  49355 AllStar or TG65511 on DMR and the 145.550 Mhz 88.5 hz tone ZS1I Simplex HUB Link. 

Come and join us and listen to one of the most interesting amateur radio news broadcasts in the world.

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.

Our own Story Teller - Richard Mark Nicholls ZS5RMN from Pietermaritzburg

 

The Southern Cape ZS Link Network provides several services to fellow radio amateurs that connects to the Network on a daily basis.  One such service takes place every Monday to Friday at 06h00 in the mornings on the "Sonsopkoms" Net.  We have the privilege to listen to Richard's Wonderful World of Stories - The Storyteller.  Now what is this all about?   Richard is a very talented person and writes his own selection of poems or a short story for community radio and now also for amateur radio.

Richard writes:  "I provide two channels. An African Story is a drama series about Crazymeer a Meerkat and Spot the hyena and all their friends and Bob Winters and family. Developed for On the Beat. Short Stories and poems is based on Poems on the Couch developed for Vinkel En Koljander the Afrikaans programme all Items where written in English." Both written and read for community Radio KZN Capital In South Africa Pietermaritzburg Kwa-Zulu Natal I have had an interest in sound from a very young age and my love for Radio and Music goes as far back to when I Could not pronounce the word Radio. 

Richard became a radio amateur in May 2024 when he wrote the Radio Amateur Examination  (RAE)  This opened up a new world for Richard.  He joined the Southern Cape ZS Link Network and this is where Henk ZS1AAD heard of his talent and asked him if he would read a story on the air early week mornings during the "Sonsopkoms" Net.  Richard is currently reading An African Story live over the air.  

Many of Richard's stories and poems can be downloaded from Spotify, IonoFM, Apple and other Podcast platforms. Just do a search for An African Story by Richard Mark Nicholls.

Apart from writing African Stories and Poems, Richard loves working with sound recordings, music and radio broadcasting.  No wonder his interest in radio eventually lead him to become a radio amateur.  He also have a love for Python snakes and a Cockatiel called Cloewy.  Wonder if the Python will have a roll in one of Richard's stories? See the images below. 

If you are interested in Richard's short poems and stories you can send him an email by clicking HERE.

The Southern Cape ZS Link Network is proud to have our own Story Teller in the group and would like to thank Richard for telling us more about Crazymeer, Spot and all the other African animals in "An African Story".

Thank you very much Richard for your time and effort in this regard.  Highly appreciated by many who listen every morning at 06h00 from Monday to Friday.

Images:  Click on images for larger view.