Tuesday, September 9, 2025

7 September 2025 Lunar Eclipse Amateur Radio participation in South Africa

(Click on image for larger view.)

This past Sunday, 7 Septermber 2025 the Moon turned blood red — and the world was watching.

One of the most watched lunar eclipses in history went down.

A total lunar eclipse occurred at the Moon's ascending node of orbit on Sunday, September 7, 2025, with an umbral magnitude of 1.3638. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves into the Earth's shadow, causing the Moon to be darkened. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon's near side entirely passes into the Earth's umbral shadow. Unlike a solar eclipse, which can only be viewed from a relatively small area of the world, a lunar eclipse may be viewed from anywhere on the night side of Earth. A total lunar eclipse can last up to nearly two hours, while a total solar eclipse lasts only a few minutes at any given place, because the Moon's shadow is smaller. Occurring about 2.6 days before perigee (on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 8:10 UTC), the Moon's apparent diameter was larger.

This lunar eclipse was the second of an almost tetrad, with the others being on March 14, 2025 (total); March 3, 2026 (total); and August 28, 2026 (partial).

(Click on image for larger view.)

The eclipse was completely visible over east Africa, Asia, and central and west Australia. It was seen when rising over most of Africa and Europe, and when setting over the central Pacific Ocean.

The Sept. 7-8 total lunar eclipse has come and gone, treating stargazers to a breathtaking blood moon that was witnessed by over seven billion people.

Several local radio amateurs in South Africa joined the stargazers and send in images of the event.  Unfortunately the Southern Parts of South Africa was covered by clouds which resulted that the event could not be observed in this area.  None the less our amateur radio friends in other parts of the country provided images of the event. 

Images (Click on images for larger view.)





Above Images:  Christi ZS4CGR,  Luckhoff (Click for larger view.)


 Above Images:  Zayn ZR3VO, Orania (Click for larger view.)

Above Images:  Gordon ZR2GW, Port Elizabeth  (Click for larger view.)

Above Images:  Jimmy ZS1RB,  George (Click for larger view.)

Above Images: Johnny ZS3JDL,  Kimberley (Click for larger view.)

 


 Above Images:  Warren, Bryan, Dennis and others (Click for larger view.)

’n Ongewone Dubbel Frekwensie Antenna - Christi ZS4CGR


(Klik op foto om te vergroot)

Hulle sê as jy ’n probleem het, moet jy eerste die probleem definieer en dan vir die antwoord soek. Nou wat is die probleem? Dat ek twee frekwensies uit een radio wil aandryf wat te vêr uitmekaar is vir een antenna en (te naby is vir ’n 'splitter'). Hi!

Nou verskoon maar die foto’s, want my werkstafel is of my hok se tafel of my kombuis/eetkamer tafel.

Die probleem is met Burg-B / Marnet se frekwensies. Die simpleks frekwensies lê van 67.000 tot 67.125MHz terwyl die herhalers lê tussen 69.925 tot 78.6625MHx. met ’n 'off. Set' van tot 7MHz. Bitter wyd vir ’n maer mobiele antenna om te dek. Ek het voorheen reeds ’n antenna gebou wat tot vyf frekwensies van 2m tot 70cm gedek het, so ek moes nou net ’n eenvoudiger een bou met wat ek beskikbaar het.

Ter sefdertyd wil ek dit ’n 'verskuifbare mobiele antenna maak, met die mins moontlike uitgawes.

Laas toe ek by ’n smidswinkel was, het ek daar 2mm ronde plaatjies uit die afval gebedel met die om gly skarniere vir my verkyker staander te maak. Met een van hulle en ’n paar stukkies 20mm plat yster het ek ’n basis gemaak vir die monteerstuk van die antenna. Onder die voetjies het ek duodenum magnete monteer. Ek het nogal baie uitgesien na die magnete vanaf die 'communikasie winkel' (ek mag nie adverteer nie) daar uit Centurion. Nou sal julle verstaan hoe teleur gesteld ek was toe my pakkie hier op die plaas aankom en een of ander kluitkop het die magnete uit die pakkie gesteel. Vroeg die volgende dag kontak ek die winkel en verduidelik en gee foto’s van die beskadigde pakkie, nou moet ek maar kyk wat gebeur waar ek weer geld vir magnete sal kry, want om hulle nou te vervang beteken hulle kos my nou drie-maal die eerste prys (courier ingesluit).

’n Pluimpie vir my verskaffer: Daardie selfde middag ontvang ek ’n kennisgewing dat die vervangings magnete reeds by die koerier is, wat ’n vreugde. So inplaas dat my projekkie uitgestel word, is die nuwe pakkie die volgende dag hier en ek kan laai waai.



 (Klik op fotos om te vergroot)

Die magneet basis se basis Montering van die magnete.

Kyk mooi, die bout wat die magneet monteer het ’n plastiese insetsel wat deur die staal gaan en langer is as die plaat dikte, aan weerskante is daar wassers om die plastiek effe vas te druk in die staal. Die doel is om te kompenseer vir skuins vlakke op ’n voertuig sodat die magneet maksimum kontak op die voertuig het, die magneet kan dus effe kantel.


 (Klik op foto om te vergroot)

 Terloops, die magnete het 'versinkte onderkante en die boutjies (5mm) het versinkte koppe.

Terloops, die midband antenna het ek verlede maand van dieselfde winkel afgekoop, diens is puik produk is puik prys is baie goed en aflewering is meestal die volgende dag (hier na my toe).

En so lyk die antenna basis, as jy eers agtergekom het hoë hy in mekaar sit, is die ontwerp eintlik oulik en goed.

 


(Klik op fotos om te vergroot)

Nou vir die truuk om twee antennas te monteer (ek sal later die VNA prente plaas). Vir die montering het laas keer ’n geelkoper skyf gebruik, maar dit kos geld en ek sou moet Bloemfontein toe gaan vir die materiaal. Dis, maak ’n plan.

Ek wou eers soek vir ’n geelkoperstaaf sodat ek skroefdraad in die gaatjies kon sny, maar toe vang my oog ’n stuk gegalvaniseerde 'ready bar' (wat is dit in Afrikaans) en ek sien ’n nuwe plan.


(Klik op foto om te vergroot)

Hy moet maar groot bly dan kan julle makliker sien wat ek gedoen het. Ek moes die gaatjie op die antenna basis uitboor na 3,2mm sodat ek ’n sterker middel-stuk kon gebruik. Die staak het 3mm gaatjies 100mm uitmekaar en een in die middel. Op die foto het ek nog SS-moere om makliker te werk maar ek het hulle later vervang met selfsluitmoere.

As grondvlak gebruik ek die bokant van ’n 210ℓ drom wat ek op ’n staander met drie pote monteer, dit maak toets werk baie makliker al is dit nie ’n ideale opset nie. Die magneet staander moes ek omtrent 50mm verhoog omdat die kabel uit die antenna monteerstuk nie haaks uitkom nie en ek dit nie skerp wil buig nie


 (Klik op fotos om te vergroot)

Hier is die drie latte waarmee ek getoets het. Van bo na onder No 1, 2 en 3.

No 1 kom saam met die antenna, 2 Is ’n gewone 51" lat en No 3 is ’n gewone SS-vervangings lat.


(Klik op foto om te vergroot)

Net om ’n idee te gee van hoe die kombinasie lyk.

Goed, hier is nou die reeks VNA prente, ek sal hulle volgens nommer bespreek. Eerste net die enkel latte direk op die basis gemonteer, sonder die T-stuk.

(Klik op fotos om te vergroot)


Lat 1


Lat 2

Net om te wys waar elkeen resoneer sodat dit vergelyk kan word met die verandering wanneer in kombinasie. Die T-stuk verleng die antenna met ongeveer 100mm, wat die resonante punt ook sal skuif.

 

Lat 3

Nou vir die kombinasies. Moet nie na die resonante frekwensie kyk nie, die idee is om te sien wat gebeur as ek twee stokke gelyk monteer. Onthou die twee antennas moet tussen 2 en 11MHz uitmekaar resoneer (wanneer dit finaal ingestel moet word)


Latte 1 en 2.

 


Latte 1 en 3.



Latte 2 en 3.


Latte 1 en 3 met die frekwensie grense aangedui.



Laastens lat 1 alleen op die T-stuk. (vlg. Met eerste VNA prent waar lat 1 direk op die montering is.) Omtrent 2MHz verskil.

Die volgende taakie gaan wees on die twee latte uitmekaar (dus parallel) te hou en daarna om die T se onderste been te verstewig. Dan kom die 'langpad toets'

Christi ZS4CGR

Saturday, September 6, 2025

Automated AllStar, Echolink, 145.550 Mhz Simplex and DMR connection introduced to the 145.750 Mhz Still Bay Repeater


(Click on image for larger view.)

The  ZS Link Network Group is proud to announce that an automated AllStar, Echolink, 145.550 Mhz Simplex and DMR connection has been introduced to the Still Bay Repeater from Monday to Saturday in the evenings from 18h30 to 19h15 SAST thereby extending the ZS Link Network even further.  This automated connection entails that the 145.625 Mhz (88.5 CTCSS) Aasvoelkop Repeater is automatically disconnected at 18h20 SAST from the network.  At 18h25 SAST the Still Bay Repeater is automatically connected to Node 49355 ZS1I HUB (AllStar and Echolink) with an RF Link on 145.550 Mhz (88.5 CTCSS).  This connection result in stations already connected to the HUB to join the Net on the Still Bay Repeater. This connection also include the ZS1I DMR Bridge TG65511 which allow for DMR Stations to talk on the Still Bay Repeater via DMR.  Auto disconnect from the Still Bay Repeater will be at 19h15 SAST and re-connection to the Aasvoelkop Repeater is at 19h20 SAST.  We now have several options available should there be a problem with a specific system.  The next project on the list is to investigate the possibility of establishing a Direct RF Link from the HUB Network to the Still Bay Repeater similar to the current RF Link to the Aasvoelkop Repeater.

The automated connection has been tested during this past week and works flawlessly.

A big thank you to all who provided audio reports and who connected to the network system to talk to fellow radio amateurs on the Still Bay Repeater.  The connection to the Still Bay Repeater allows for any radio amateur to talk on the Still Bay Repeater via this automated link connection. 

Finally a big thank you to all the radio amateurs that is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the above stations/links/nodes.  Your commitment is highly appreciated!!

(Click on images for larger view.)

 



Friday, September 5, 2025

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!!

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Contact details of persons responsible for the maintenance of Repeaters, Links, Nodes and Interfaces with regard to the ZS Link Network Group


Maintenance of  the ZS Link Network and Contact Details:

From time to time it happens that stations/nodes/repeaters/links can cause interference or simply remain in transmission for one reason or another. If such an incident occurs again in the future, the list with contact details of persons responsible for the maintenance of Repeaters, Links, Nodes and Interfaces regarding the ZS Link Network Group can be consulted after it has been determined through which system the interference or transmission is coming.

The PDF file contains the names, network and cellphone number of those responsible for the specific system and the person can be informed that a problem is being experienced.

Let us handle each case with merit and tact without causing offense or causing unhappiness. Remember problems can occur at any time on any system. We also do not want to “lose” any station. Everyone should feel welcome to use the ZS Link Network.

Remember we are communicators. Talk to us if you experience Network problems.

Contact details will be updated from time to time.

Johan ZS1I – on behalf of the ZS Link Network Group

Group Email Address: CLICK HERE

                                                             &&&&&&&&&&&&

Onderhoud tov die ZS Link Netwerk en Kontak Besonderhede:

Van tyd tot tyd gebeur dit dat stasies/nodes/herhalers/links steurings kan veroorsaak of eenvoudig net in transmit bly vir die een of ander rede.   As daar in die toekoms weer so ‘n voorval is kan die lys met kontak besonderhede van persone wat verantwoordelik is vir die instandhouding van Herhalers, Links, Nodes en Koppelvlakke tov die ZS Link Netwerk Groep geraadpleeg word nadat daar vasgestel is deur watter stelsel die steuring of transmissie kom.

Die PDF lêer bevat die name, netwerk en selfoon nommer wie verantwoordelik is vir die spesifieke stelsel en kan die persoon in kennis gestel word dat daar ‘n probleem ondervind word.

Kom ons hanteer elke geval met meriete en takt sonder om aanstoot te gee of ongelukkigheid te veroorsaak.  Onthou probleme kan te enige tyd op enige stelsel voorkom.  Ons wil ook geen stasie “verloor” nie.  Almal moet welkom voel om die ZS Link Netwerk te gebruik.

Onthou ons is kommunikeerders.  Gesels met ons as jy Netwerk probleme ervaar.

Kontak besonderhede sal van tyd tot tyd opgedateer word.

Johan ZS1I – namens die ZS Link Netwerk Groep 

Groep Epos Adres: KLIK HIER

Sunday, August 31, 2025

Debrief: ARISS radio contact between NA1SS and South Africa's ZS9LSO on August 29, 2025, 11h35 SAST.


IMAGE: ORION ARISS 2025 - LIVE TALK TO THE ISS FROM JOHANNESBURG SOUTH AFRICA

 

Video Above:  OriesTV Video

ARISS Youtube Video available HERE

A successful direct contact with the International Space Station (ISS) via Amateur Radio took place at 11:35 CAT on Friday 29 August 2025, allowing youngsters to ask their questions to astronaut Mike Fincke, KE5AI and encouraging students to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in extracurricular activities.

Eight schools participated, with representatives from each school present at the ground station asking their individual questions. In total, 15 questions were answered by Mike from the ISS before contact was lost. The event was streamed to the participating schools and on social media.

Congratulations to Dr Gerhard Gericke, ZS6CRS and the team of dedicated radio amateurs from the Alberton Amateur Radio Interest Group, who supplied equipment and manned the ground station. The callsign ZS9LSO was operated within the school hall. In attendance at this remarkable event were all the learners of the school, teachers, and invited guests.

The SARL was represented by the President, Nico van Rensburg, ZS6QL, and Vice President, Guy Eales, ZS6GUY, who expressed their appreciation to the ground station team for making this event possible and for promoting amateur radio to the public.

Several local ZS Link Network Group radio amateurs participated in the event by recording the ARISS contact between NAISS and ZS9LSO using the allocated frequency of 145.800 Mhz.  Different radios and antennas were used.  Even portable radios were used.  

The following ZS Link Network Group radio amateurs participated:

  • Rulhof ZS4RM
  • Thys ZS1TBP
  • Gerrit ZS1KLO
  • Fred ZS5SAM/1
  • Keverne ZS1ABU
  • Christi ZS4CGR
  • Johan ZS1I
  • Deon ZS1DDM

Herewith a few videos and audio recordings:



All three videos provided by Gerrit ZS1KLO.  Thanks, Gerrit!!

Audio recordings:

  • Christi ZS4CGR recording available HERE.
  • Fred ZS5SAM/1 recording available HERE
  • ARISS recording available HERE
  • Keith ZS6TW recording available HERE 

Finally:  A big thank you to all who made this contact possible, to many to mention here.  Thank you also to all the radio amateurs that participated in this event and also those who directly recorded audio from the ISS on 145.800 Mhz.  Your participation is highly appreciated!


The AMSAT SA and SARL Meteor Scatter Communication webinar recording is now available on YouTube


Video: AMSAT SA  (Click on image to view video.)

Have you ever imagined bouncing your signal off a shooting star? As radio amateurs, we don’t have to rely on satellites or repeaters to reach distant stations—sometimes, the natural phenomenon of meteors blazing through our atmosphere gives us the perfect reflector. This fascinating technique is called meteor scatter communication. 

The AMSAT SA and SARL Meteor Scatter Communication webinar recording is now available on YouTube by clicking HEREThe webinar was presented by AMSAT SA and the SARL to promote interest and participation in Meteor Scatter Communication. The presenter was Derek Gravett ZS5Y with guest participation of Frank Schneider ZS6GE. In the presentation, Derek Gravett, ZS5Y, explains how meteor scatter works, why MSK144 has become the preferred mode for modern radio amateurs, and the practical setup you need to start making your own “cosmic” contacts. Just imagine bouncing your signal off a shooting star. As radio amateurs, we don’t have to rely on satellites or repeaters to reach distant stations, sometimes, the natural phenomenon of meteors blazing through our atmosphere provides perfect reflection. This fascinating technique is known as meteor scatter communication.

MSK144 is part of the WSJT-X suite, developed by Nobel laureate Joe Taylor, K1JT. It uses fast, efficient minimum-shift keying to capture those fleeting bursts of reflected signals from meteor trails bursts that may last only fractions of a second. With this mode, VHF and UHF operators can achieve contacts of 500 to 2 000 kilometres or more, even when the bands seem completely dead.

- AMSAT SA & SARL

Saturday, August 30, 2025

Story Time will resume on the 1 September 2025, 06h00 SAST on the "Sonsopkoms Net

Storietyd sal hervat word op 1 September 2025, 06:00 SAST op die "Sonsopkoms Net".

Die Suid-Kaapse ZS-Link Netwerk bied verskeie dienste aan mede-radio amateurs wat daagliks by die netwerk inskakel. Die Sonsopkoms-netwerk sal komende Maandag, 1 September 2025 om 06h00 SAST hervat noudat die winter besig is om stadig maar seker plek te maak vir die Lente en later die Somer. Een so 'n diens sal vanaf Maandag tot Vrydag om 06:00 soggens op die "Sonsopkoms"-netwerk plaasvind. Ons het die voorreg om na Richard ZS5RMN se Wonderlike Wêreld van Stories - Die Storieverteller te luister. Waaroor gaan dit nou alles? Richard is 'n baie talentvolle persoon en skryf sy eie versameling gedigte of kortverhale vir gemeenskaps radio en nou ook vir die ZS Link Netwerk.

Richard ZS5RMN lees elke oggend 06h00 'n storie op die lug in die week tydens die "Sonsopkoms" Net. Richard was hard aan die werk die afgelope tyd om ‘n nuwe reeks episodes van “An African Story” te skryf.

Baie van Richard se stories en gedigte kan afgelaai word vanaf Spotify, IonoFM, Apple en ander Podcast-platforms. Soek net vir “An African Story” deur Richard Mark Nicholls.

Die ZS Link Netwerk is trots om ons eie Storieverteller in die groep te hê en wil graag vir Richard bedank dat hy ons meer gaan vertel van Crazymeer, Spot en al die ander Afrika-diere in “An African Story”

Baie dankie Richard vir jou tyd en moeite in hierdie verband. Dit word hoog op prys gestel deur baie wat vanaf Maandag tot Vrydag weer gaan inskakel om 06h00 op die Sonsopkoms Net.

Onthou Maandag, 1 September 2025 is dit weer Storietyd!!

Sluit aan by die "Dagbreek Span" Oggend Net: Daagliks om 06:00 SAST behalwe op Saterdag en Sondag op die 145.625 Mhz 88.5 hz toon Aasvoelkop Herhaler. Radioamateurs kan konnekteer via ZS1SB-L Echolink, ZS1I-R Echolink, 49355 AllStar of TG65511 op DMR en die 145.550 Mhz 88.5 hz toon ZS1I Simplex HUB Link.


*****************************************************************************


Story Time will resume on the 1 September 2025, 06h00 SAST on the "Sonsopkoms Net

The Southern Cape ZS-Link Network offers various services to fellow radio amateurs who log into the network daily. The “Sonsopkoms” Network will resume this coming Monday, 1 September 2025 at 06h00 SAST, now that winter is slowly but surely giving way to Spring and later Summer. One such service will take place from Monday to Friday at 06h00 on the "Sonsopkoms" network. We have the privilege of listening to Richard ZS5RMN's Wonderful World of Stories - The Storyteller. What is it all about? Richard is a very talented person and writes his own collection of poems or short stories for community radio and now also for the ZS Link Network.

Richard ZS5RMN reads a story on air every morning at 06h00 during the week on the "Sonsopkoms" Net. Richard has been hard at work lately writing a new series of episodes of “An African Story”.

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

The ZS Link Network is proud to have our own Storyteller 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. It is greatly appreciated by many who will tune in again from Monday to Friday at 06h00 on the “Sonsopkoms” Net.

Remember Monday, 1 September 2025 it is Story-time again!!

Join the "Dagbreek Span" Morning Net: Daily at 06h00 SAST except on Saturday and Sunday on the 145.625 Mhz 88.5 hz tone Aasvoelkop Repeater. Radio Amateurs can 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.

Friday, August 29, 2025

Announcement: ARISS radio contact between NA1SS and South Africa's ZS9LSO on August 29, 2025, 11h35 SAST.


Astronaut Mike Fincke, amateur radio call sign KE5AIT, will operate the amateur radio equipment aboard the International Space Station. Mike will answer questions from students in South Africa during this live amateur radio contact.


This amateur radio contact is scheduled for Friday, August 29, 2025 at 09:35:44 UTC.
Astronaut Mike Fincke will operate the amateur radio station call sign NA1SS aboard the ISS and will call the radio amateur ground station call sign ZS9LSO in South Africa. This is a live ARISS radio contact from the Laerskool Orion in Alberton, South Africa.
You can listen live to astronaut Mike Fincke aboard the ISS on 145.800 MHz (plus/minus 3kHz Doppler shift).

The event will be streamed live:
https://www.youtube.com/@ORION2025ARISS

English is the expected language of communication in this amateur radio contact.

Questions (as time allows):

1. What does it feel like to be without gravity, and what challenges are there in a weightless environment?

2. How long does it take to readjust to Earth after spending a long time in space without gravity, and how do you adapt?

3. Does the lack of gravity affect your sleep patterns in space? How do you sleep without floating around?

4. What inspired you to become an astronaut, and what advice would you give to others who want to follow the same path?

5. How long does it take to put on the spacesuit and helmet, and how comfortable is it to wear?

6. Where does the water you drink come from?

7. What type of food do astronauts eat in space, and how is the food kept fresh?

8. In the absence of an atmosphere as we know it on earth, where does the oxygen come from that you breathe?

9. I am a very active person and would like to know how do astronauts stay fit in a microgravity?

10. Do you have any free time and how do you spend it?

11. What happens when any of the crew gets sick?

12. I am absolutely stunned at the thought of spacewalking. Does your body feel any different during a space walk?

13. How do you navigate in space?

14. What technologies do you think will make humans living on Mars possible?

15. What type of experiments are being carried out on the ISS?

16. What's the funniest thing that has happened to you in zero gravity?

17. Have you witnessed any unexpected phenomena in space?

18. How do you tell night from day—does Earth's pattern help?

19. What's the most beautiful sight you've seen looking down on Earth?

20. Do any sounds from Earth reach your station—like storms or ocean waves?

The ARISS program is aimed at students and enthusiasts and aims to inspire them in the study of sciences with this amateur radio activity. The demonstration of amateur radio communication from space invites schools and universities to make use of these educational technical resources. We invite radio amateurs and space enthusiasts to tune in to this exciting moment.

Check out the ARISS website and follow ARISS on the official social media channels for more updates.
https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html 

Images:  (Click on images for larger view.)

 

Images: Alberton Amateur Radio Interest Group

Thursday, August 28, 2025

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:

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.)

 



Closure of this ZS Link Network Blog - 29 April 2026

This will be the final posting on the ZS Link Network Blog. This blog will no longer be updated but will remain available for research an...