Great review Larry !!


Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

Just how do I say everything and keep it short..
2 thumbs up.. 2 HT's (Handy Talkie-ham slang) for under $30. OK you can quit reading .....or.....

I can hear the ham-GMRS speak now-- 2 HT's for under $30... KIDDY COMMS... NOPE-

But before I write more, a bit of a history lession. Remember the FCC? Remember they introduced FRS- Family Radio Service? 1/2 watt, fixed non removable antenna (usually about 3 inches) and some GMRS frequencies. No repeaters.. Then the FCC revised the rules because companies were marketing FRS-GMRS radios. 1/2 watt for FRS or 5 watts for GMRS. Well the FCC put a stop to that. they banned GMRS/FRS combo radio's.. About that same time, the FCC changed the rules to let some FRS channels to be able to use 2 watts.. That brings us to today and the Baofeng GM31.

The GM31's are sold in a 2 pack. Under $30. They are 2 watts, except only 1/2 watt channels 8-14 (FCC rules). They have 16 repeater frequencies. You can ONLY speak on repeater frequencies if there is a repeater on the other end and have permission to use it. They can monitor NOAA weather, Plus scan all 38 channels. The antenna is removable, and uses a SMA connector. meaning you can connect a larger antenna to them. The battery can be charged via any USB-C cable. Each radio comes with a earphone-mic jack. It has VOX (Voice operated X(trans)mitting). There is a standard Kenwood speaker-mic connection on the side that also doubles for use with the programming cable (not supplied) Programming allows setting squelch, VOX gain, 50 CTCSS and 210 DCS codes for privacy..

Common functions, can be accessed with on-off, up down buttons The only variable control is volume. The radio speaks, it's channel number, so no display is used. There is a green signal-red transmit light, the Battery has a USB-C connector and a red charging- green fully charged light. Recharging takes 4-6 hours. The manufacturer claims maximum use 18 hours monitoring. So these will get you through a 8 hour shift easy.

Now before you POO-POO the radio only being 2 watts; any other HT rated at 5 watts is heavier and more expensive. Yet 2 watts is a barely detectable by ear.. Sure, it can be measured and compared with lab quality test equipment, but you can;t hear it most times. Here in rural Kansas I can go 8-10 miles.. You can't do that in New Your City.even with the 5 watt hand helds.

A GMRS license is $35 for a 10 year period. and allows your entire family to operate under your callsign. No test is required. That is perfect for family relations named Daryl, Daryl and Larry.. you just need to teach them, "to talk, push the button, To listen you just listen".

As a commercial radio-telephone licensed operator and also an Amateur Radio operator and certified examiner; these radio's are great for daily family business use as long FCC rules and regulations are not violated. Things like shopping sprees, calling the family in for dinner, and so on. Hunting, camping and fishing. Even going into a rest stop on a family trip.. You never know when to call for help. Many of other licensed services are listening to Channel 3.. It's all described at : You MUST have a license to operate GMRS or Amateur Radio. FRS and CB are licensed free. GMRS stations can talk to FRS and versa visa, It behooves everyone especially in this age to have a pair or two ready for an emergency. Cellphone service goes down when a tornado blows through or the government turns of cellphone service like 1/6 at the DC mall. Emergency communications is in place and this is your gateway. These will not break the bank and are excellent starter radio's.
After being licensed for 57 years and have thousands of dollars worth of radio's, towers, and accessories, I find these will be my go to GMRS especially when I need communications with friends and family locally.

This will also be published on Blind Hams@ groups.io and FACEBOOK GMRS room.

Larry W8LM

Happy New year to all. I got my invite and have signed in. Kind of under the weather, but I will be fine.
Just checking out the website. 73’s

Thank you Larry for sharing. I would make one small correction. The VFW radio club will both nominate and elect officers in the November meeting. Got that straight from President Patrick.

Now as to the SSB contest you mentioned I may be interested if we can work out details to perhaps do this as club members. Of course I have to run my net at 7pm and attend the AMRRON net at 9pm, but if we all want to take a team approach it would be great to use what we have at the post. Anyone besides me up to that?

Thinking to ask my husband if he would like to do the steak dinner for New Years Eve. We will see about that when it gets closer.

Again thank you for sending this out. You mentioned that if someone needed a ride you or Terri could help? I sure hope you mean that because I see a couple of things I might want to do. Will talk later about that, but thank you for bringing it up. Also do you know Jim Lawhead? He is a club member who, like me, cannot drive. In his case he is not blind, but cannot drive. May I let him know he could get a ride? Won’t tell him unless you want me to, as I do not believe in volunteering someone without their permission.

Blessings

Patricia, KE0TGA

I have been dealing with people including Yaesu USA's manager - John Kruk on Yaesu [email protected]. I keep running into erroneous statements and well, my diatribe is attached as it? covers advances,? setbacks and future direction. Here is my diatribe and will bring everyone up to date. I bought the VERTEX's back from the Dead.. I am but one person. I will be needing some testers to shake things down. I am not going to play integrating these new repeaters at the VFW. Just driving from Mulvane is over 1/2 hour each way.? Plus there are times I can work on the repeaters when the VFW is closed.

Here is my diatribe:

On Thu, Nov 5, 2020 at 04:23 PM, John Kruk wrote:

1. The DR-2X is not designed to take DTMF codes via Fusion mode for control.-

That statement is contrary to the DR2X/DR-2XE Operating manual Page 26:
11. Remote Controls
??? Setting the remote control?
Remote control of the DR-2X/DR-2XE repeater can be performed in either C4FM digital mode or analog FM mode.

Yes, The person you're wondering about it, indeed me. I have been set back by Eye area Surgery, because of resulting Ramsey-Hunt.syndrome a manifestation of Shingles/ Chicken pox as a kid. Fortunately I did not loose my hearing. Surgery was complicated because I have 13 screws in my face around the eye socket and cheek from an aluminum? ladder collapsing under me years ago.? Additional nasal surgery is required but I'm holding off.? I'm not fine with a chisel hammered up my nose.
?
Unlike east and west coast, our only source for electronic parts to build anything is a Radio Shack. Last visit I was looking for 6.8uf and 2.2uf to build a low pass filter to inject a clean PL tone into the DR2X using a Arduino nano to? produce the PL tone. They did not have them except at 450VDC. Any time parts are needed, it means mail order.. Mouser-Digikey-Newark and at least $8.95 shipping and a wait.

Since we 1st contacted Yaesu Sales and inquired if the DR2X could be used on ALLSTAR, Prior to club? purchase we were told:
1. NO PROBLEM.
2. It's done all the time.
3. We can tell you how it's done.

The reality is- ? Our requests for that information rendered a type written 2 page overview. NO schematic, No Parts List, No specific point to point wiring and when calling Yaesu Tech Support- the answer is- We can't support any NON-Yaesu accessories attached to our products.
We have 2 VERTEX VRX7000 repeaters running DMK URIx using a RJ45 connectors to DB25. 4 active wires, plus grounds. Then USB to a Raspberry Pi2 and operating just great. The reason for their replacement is VERTEX was bought by MOTOROLA and my opinion, killed it 2-3 years ago to eliminate competition. Our last repair required jumpering burned traces on the controller card.and substitution parts. A Resurrection- as End of life is pretty final. ?

The interface- integration is a work in Progress. Because not a single? component was specified, nor any wiring diagram exists.
Anything documented in Internet-Land like the MABEL is a Kluge, and I see why. They made it work by, for instance having to sample RF output. Say what???
Their Kluge keeps the Analog/Analog or Digital/Digital switching based on input working correctly. It works because, it's a work around.

In our case- in Fly over country Kansas and? During SKYWARN weather events we want everyone to be able to talk to everyone. So our intent is to AMS(Auto mode Selection) the receiver and used Fixed ANALOG transmit.? No one monitors a frequency with digital traffic on it and an analog only radio. Our mission is to serve all..Poor or rich, veteran or not..We have area hams that only own a $25 HT and rely on using our club HF station for DXing. We have hams that only are on the air during weather events. and cannot justify a $400 digital radio.?

Our 1st integration attempt, using a CT-175 cable and a DINAH, it worked fine, but after a few days we found the DR2X locked up. No touch screen response. The Display indicated Auto receive. The Fixed Transmit jumped from Analog to Digital.. Only a Factory reset restores it.? We repeated with adding grounds and ferrites, same outcome.
Since the repeater was down and a 20 mile trek to see what's wrong with limited access times. As dialing in would not solve the frozen DR2X.. We pulled it, reverted to the VERTEX as we have only 1 pair of duplexers on site.? I have in the past month acquired a Cellwave 6 cavity UHF duplexer at my own cost, so I can further experiment at my ranch on another frequency. I received the assignment 442.00-447.00 and just re-tuned the duplexers. Next I need to make DR2X to Duplexer cables double shielded.? Time away from integration DR2X to ALLSTAR. Yet required to advance.

The current W?VFW repeaters- VHF is on Blind hams Network and used by many in the area. Our mission is to aid Veterans, Military, Families and the general public- We have a number of visually impaired hams who are members of the VFW. One runs a nation wide Net? on blind hams Saturdays and has a facebook page. Our VP is a Vietnam Vet, who lost his vision in Katrina. These people are important to me. Our UHF repeater is on K-link - Kansas Link - State wide ALLSTAR system for weather spotting- SKYWARN as well as non-emergency nets. Rumor has it, Kansas gets bad weather once in a while. 2 years ago we had over a million acres of Prairie burn in wild fires. Lost thousands of cattle, Civil Air patrol actually used that network we are part of in remote areas.? Plus our K-link machine is HT range to the National Weather Service ICT-NWS at the airport. So we can't very well retire those VERTEX workhorses till we debug, burn in and integrate the DR2X's...
?
Outstanding issues:
1.Compete a test site to independently test all aspects of our DR2X "upgrade-integration"? prior to deployment using? my assigned frequency 442.00-447.00
2. Finish the DR2X to DMK- URIx interface.. 15 pins one side 25 pins plus all the other.Necessary Components? in between
??? a. Try pin 8 instead of pin 9- on audio TT decoding and general operation. As just suggested.
??? b. If audio level changes are unsatisfactory between Digital/ analog, build an AGC circuit. I see it on my scope, but unknown in actual operation.
??? c. complete and adjust the level ARDUNIO Nano PL encoder for proper deviation for Analog TX. Since in remote, the DR2x looses PL..
3. Test DR2X with both DMK-URIx and without to see if we still have a Lockup- with switch from TX Fixed Analog to Digital. Do we have a DR2X problem?
4. After? testing & Finalizing integration. Fully document finalized hardware.
??? a. So others do not have to re-invent the wheel.
??? b. the purpose of Amateur radio is to share advancements.
??? c. provide Schematic.
??? d. Provide parts list - perhaps design an interface board instead of a perf board and hand wiring.?

At this point, given other obligations, and dumping such other projects such as rain gutters on the barn. digging a hole for Rohn25 50 foot HF tower - with tribander and G9 on top for VHF/UHF, Hauling probably 4-6 tons of additional gravel to mitigate erosion caused by cattle entering the corral and their shelter,? abandoning my erecting a Vbeam or loop for 160 meters. Prepping my tractor for winter. plus repairing a slow leak on the 5 foot tractor tire. There are some projects I will draw the line on- ARRL November Sweepstakes phone, the only contest I work besides FD.?
?
Disappointing is the YAESU design regarding analog and Digital interoperability.? whether Analog or Digital, whether wires-X or repeater operation. the selection of Digital or Analog the the audio derived should have as close as possible? characteristics such that the average ear cannot make the distinction. But apparently it doesn't.

Food for thought
A feature (AMS) the competition does not offer is not a feature if it doesn't work right. Just saying- I'm wondering, as I have not dwelled with other Digital modes, But does D-star, or DMR systems change audio characteristics when the mode changes? Or are they locked because of exactly that?? Is the true solution to lock down the Fusion repeater in Analog as that is the only commonality all 2meter/ 70 centemeter FM users have.. in order to achieve "OPEN TO ALL"

Conclusion
I've beaten this to death. any further comments, advances, failures, and hopefully successes can only happen some time down the line. Given my time configuring a DR2X operational at my ranch on 442.00-447.00, then add ALLSTAR as I've outlined and those that helped thus far..

I want to thank everyone with every comment and suggestion. Someday we may even have a BBQ at my ranch with hamburgers I've bottle fed.

I will keep in touch, perhaps in a month.. I should be able to get the virgin DR2X on the air at my ranch this weekend. -let it play a week, Since I have only 1 Comet G9 at the top of my VHF tower at 55 feet, I need to find an alternative for my FTM 2750D home station. It's one of those - you can park your car in my garage if you clean out the garage first- things.
?

From: Military & Aerospace Electronics <MAE@...>
Sent: Thursday, November 5, 2020 6:02 AM
To: rfklinge@...
Subject: [Webcast] The HyperX Processor and Software-Defined Radio Development

?

? To view this email online . ? ? ? ? ? The HyperX Processor and Software-Defined Radio Development ? ? A HyperX memory-network processor represents a massively parallel processing system composed of a grid of processing elements embedded in an array of data memory and routing units. This scalable processing fabric supports the rapid software-based development of computationally-intensive virtualized systems that might otherwise be implemented in hardware. on the HyperX computing platform and associated development tools. It's a software-based approach allowing for significant flexibility in application design and development while operating with low power consumption. Attendees will learn: Basic tenets of software-defined radio (SDR) More advanced concepts around OFDM and digital communications Features of the HyperX platform that enable these unique problem sets to be addressed more effectively than other platforms We hope to see you there! ? ? Presented by: ? ? ? Dr. Ahmed Hamza DSP Software Engineer Coherent Logix ? ? Kevin Shelby Director of SDR Application Development Coherent Logix ? ? John Keller Editor-in-Chief Military & Aerospace Electronics ? ? ? Sponsored by: ? ? ? Share: ? You may unsubscribe by clicking . You may unsubscribe at any time. Read our . ? Endeavor Business Media, LLC | 331 54th Avenue N. | Nashville, TN 37209 | USA ?

A Gal at the? VFW told me those that ordered a T-shirt, They are in and have been placed in the Ham Station room. If you want to pick them up any time the VFW is open Ask the Bar tender for the Key to the Radio Room.. Sign the Key log,? Get your T-shirt. Lock up..

Thank you-

Larry W8LM

开云体育

If nobody can help you out, they

开云体育

?

On Oct 8, 2020, at 12:19 PM, Lawrence Macionski W8LM via groups.io <am_fm_radio@...> wrote:

?I have some commercial FM radio's- I have programming cables and factory software, however software is on 3.5 inch floppies.

Anyone with an old MS dos machine that can read-3.5" floppies?

Contact me privately... w8lm at ARRL dot net

Larry W8LM

开云体育

?I have some commercial FM radio's- I have programming cables and factory software, however software is on 3.5 inch floppies.

Anyone with an old MS dos machine that can read-3.5" floppies?

Contact me privately... w8lm at ARRL dot net

Larry W8LM

I have some commercial FM radio's- I have programming cables and factory software, however software is on 3.5 inch floppies.

Anyone with an old MS dos machine that can read-3.5" floppies?

Contact me privately... w8lm at ARRL dot net

Larry W8LM

The M17 project... a new open source digital mode..