Sunflowernet.us

Net Calendar

kc5fm@... (Lloyd Colston) — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 09:06:56 -0700

If you don't use Google Calendar, [email protected]&ctz=America/Chicago" target="_blank">https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/[email protected]&ctz=America/Chicago is a link to see the nets on Sunflower at a glance.

73

Be Blessed.

--
Lloyd Colston, KC5FM
Hamshack Hotline 50052

SUNFLOWERNET.us

Everything Net with WB9CSP

kc5fm@... (Lloyd Colston) — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 16:32:59 -0700

Starting Saturday, WB9CSP has requested a general purpose net on Sunflower at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Net is listed on the Calendar. All are welcome to check aboard.

It is a net about almost everything and anything (except religion and
politics ...

Questions about the net should be addressed to the net manager.

73

--
Lloyd Colston, KC5FM
Hamshack Hotline 50052

SUNFLOWERNET.us

Central Kansas Repeater Group Net

kc5fm@... (Lloyd Colston) — Sun, 20 Apr 2025 15:25:31 -0700

SunflowerNet is connected to CKRG on DMR and Fusion.

73

--
Lloyd Colston, KC5FM
Hamshack Hotline 50052

SUNFLOWERNET.us

World Amateur Radio Day

kc5fm@... (Lloyd Colston) — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 05:35:16 -0700

SunflowerNet.us and Auxcommusa.org are connected to Allstar 2585 for World Amateur Radio Day.

#WARD #hamradio

--
Lloyd Colston, KC5FM
Hamshack Hotline 50052

SUNFLOWERNET.us

Ham.Live

kc5fm@... (Lloyd Colston) — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 08:13:32 -0700

Three things

1. Trying Ham.Live with the SunflowerNet.us effort. Much like NetLogger, there's a way to check into the net using the Almost Instant Messenger tool.

Attend a net will show you SunflowerNet ... leave your comment in chat ...

The tool is nice in that there is an email sent for the log. A growing number of nets are using this tool.

Like Echolink and Dstar have text capability, this is a way other folks on Allstar or M17, for example, can text during a net.

Try it out and let me know if you are interested in being a logger there.

help: ? [ <command> ], whoami: w [<callsign>], check-in: i <callsign> [ <callsign> ], lurkers-check-in: li, check-out: o <callsign> [ <callsign> ], check-in-out: io <callsign>, undo-check-in: ui <callsign>, logger: l <callsign>, relay: r <callsign>, frequency: f <new MHz>, close-net: close <<< is the cheat sheet to give you a heads up about what Net Control stations see.

If you are interested in being a logger, drop a message back to me.

2. https://wxwarn.affirmatech.com/ is showing a number of weather products in KS. Wind and Fire Weather in a few of the Counties here are shown. The setup and effort is free. Anyone wish to use the tool to make announcements on Sunflower? Please let me know.

After setup, clicking the settings in the upper right, one can change the State and the County in each State. Local Skywarn folks might not be interested in the entire State. I monitor Kansas and Oklahoma for SunflowerNet in the former and Oklahoma LINK in the latter.

3. On active weather days and beyond, it would be great to have stations monitoring. When I am deployed, a couple have stood up to keep an ear on the system, which is also linked to AuxcommUSA.org, with participants from the Nets mentioned in the calendar.

Please?

Thanks.

73

--
Lloyd Colston, KC5FM
Hamshack Hotline 50052

SUNFLOWERNET.us

Winter Weather

kc5fm@... (Lloyd Colston) — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 16:43:52 -0800

As you can see at https://www.weather.gov/ ... winter is not done with Kansas.

I am deployed.

Thanks to Charles, KB0SQL extra monitoring for Sunflower is happening.

Monitoring is what is needed. There are a few times that travelers and others swing by looking for contacts ... and even a call for help.

Thanks for all who are engaged and active on the system.

73

--
Lloyd Colston, KC5FM
Hamshack Hotline 50052

SUNFLOWERNET.us

Sunflowernet DMR

kc5fm@... (Lloyd Colston) — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 01:56:32 -0800

When Sunflowernet started and periodically since then, the question of why is Sunflower Net on TGIF?

This is why

Re-Bridging any BrandMeister Talk groups to another network will result in your link being terminated.

https://buff.ly/4aFib7e

Personally, I see the popularity of Brandmeister. It’s a nice well run network. The statewide talk groups make it easy to find the watering holes during disasters.

The ten minute use rule makes sense too. No one system is going to keep the channel busy busy busy.

However, Sunflower has no such rule. Except for the occasional nets, from AUXCOMMUSA, ALROTA, DEC, Skywarn, etc., the system bums along quietly.

Hope you will find Droidstar to your liking. That’s how I check into Brandmeister, FCS, and the other DMR talk groups on DMR.

73

--
Lloyd Colston, KC5FM
Hamshack Hotline 50052

SUNFLOWERNET.us

Re: Droidstar and more

wa8yxm_1@... (John Davis) — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 08:38:36 -0800

I know the early Droid Star was a bust on DSTAR but today if I set the TX-Level to ZERO.. YES ZERO I'd give it a 8-9 Not yet a 10 less they have improved since my last try

"Nothing adds excitement like something that is none of your business" Note I am not a doctor, I don't even play one on television John F Davis

Droidstar and more

kc5fm@... (Lloyd Colston) — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 04:25:40 -0800

The document is a deep dive into network radios.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QSneupAhKYQglwJj_SX8G4r4cyBBX-7IrBvOZDZu3_w/edit

I’m enjoying Droidstar. You will find information about that software.

Hope you find it useful.

73

Lloyd, KC5FM

Happy New Year

kc5fm@... (Lloyd Colston) — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 06:00:22 -0800

Happy New Year!
May 2025 bring you and your community peace and harmony!

Be blessed. 73

Lloyd Colston
KC5FM
Hamshack Hotline 50052
Arkansas City, KS
www.sunflowernet.us

Sunflowernet

kc5fm@... (Lloyd Colston) — Wed, 25 Dec 2024 12:56:19 -0800

The Telegram app has a channel for the system.

https://t.me/+GbwLefzWv1g4ODJh

73

--
Lloyd Colston, KC5FM
Arkansas City, KS

SUNFLOWERNET.us

kc5fm@... (Lloyd Colston) — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 11:01:16 -0700

Learning from other linked networks, please join
https://t.me/+GbwLefzWv1g4ODJh for the Sunflower Net.

The system is normally quiet during the day, until something happens, ex.
Wildfire outbreak in Oklahoma link where the same conditions happened in
Oklahoma.

You can use the app or the web.

73

Lloyd Colston
KC5FM
Hamshack Hotline 50052
Arkansas City, KS
www.sunflowernet.us

--
Lloyd Colston, KC5FM
Arkansas City, KS

SUNFLOWERNET.us

Re: W4GTA

kc5fm@... (Lloyd Colston) — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 04:43:48 -0700

As an operational note, with a few exceptions, Sunflower does not link to large linked systems, ex. East Coast Reflector.

The purpose of Sunflower has been a platform for a Statewide network and emergency communication.

I mention this network because one of our partners is AuxcommUSA.org and VOIPWX.net.

Members of both navigate away for sunflower to monitor.

Sometimes the others are so popular, it seems you can’t get a word in edgewise. When someone needs help, they can’t wait three minutes for the repeater to time out.

Sunflower helps overcome that with a full duplex connection on hamshack hotline and, local system users should be able to be heard over the network, at the minimum of HH. That proof of concept has been proven during a number of nets.

Nothing against other linked system; our mission is focused differently.

73

--
Lloyd Colston, KC5FM
Arkansas City, KS

SUNFLOWERNET.us

Re: W4GTA

KU4KS@... (Mike) — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 04:31:09 -0700

I was a member of TSARC in Ft. Oglethorpe, GA for about a year - outstanding club with very active, engaged members. Highly recommend following/communicating with them.

W4GTA

kc5fm@... (Lloyd Colston) — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 14:46:16 -0700

Listening to W4GTA on HH https://tristatesarc.com/club/

THERE is a broadcastify link to their system. It might be good to bookmark
for hurricane season.

They have a lot of listeners.

Lloyd Colston
KC5FM
Hamshack Hotline 50052
Arkansas City, KS
www.sunflowernet.us

--
Lloyd Colston, KC5FM
Arkansas City, KS

SUNFLOWERNET.us

kc5fm@... (Lloyd Colston) — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 11:01:50 -0700

https://t.me/+GbwLefzWv1g4ODJh

That is the link to Sunflower Net on Telegram.

The platform is useful for Skywarn users, ex. Colorado SkyHub, VOIPWX.net,
etc.

The price for using Sunflower Net remains the bargain basement price of
FREE. Please listen after connecting to avoid disruption of any
communication currently occurring.

The calendar shows the various nets gathered there.

73

Lloyd Colston
KC5FM
Hamshack Hotline 50052
Arkansas City, KS
www.sunflowernet.us

--
Lloyd Colston, KC5FM
Arkansas City, KS

SUNFLOWERNET.us

Repeaterbook

kc5fm@... (Lloyd Colston) — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 11:22:08 -0700

Sunflower Net, today, is a recognized system on Repeaterbook.

If you link to Sunflower Net, even part time, please update your listing on
Repeaterbook.com.

73

Lloyd Colston
KC5FM
Hamshack Hotline 50052
Arkansas City, KS
www.sunflowernet.us

--
Lloyd Colston, KC5FM
Arkansas City, KS

SUNFLOWERNET.us

Misinformation and Red Cross hurricane response efforts

kc5fm@... (Lloyd Colston) — Sat, 12 Oct 2024 11:00:44 -0700

As a reminder, official information is the rule to help survivors in FEMA
Region 4.

To that end, the Echolink DEC �� Disaster Emergency Communication ��
conference is connected to AuxcommUSA.org and the SunflowerNet.us system
for calls for help.

911 is the number to call for rescue.
211 is the number to call for information.
800621FEMA is the number to call for assistance, including registration.
800REDCross

73

Lloyd Colston
KC5FM
Hamshack Hotline 50052
Arkansas City, KS
www.sunflowernet.us

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Matt Trotter <matthew.trotter@...>
Date: Fri, Oct 11, 2024 at 13:29
Subject: Misinformation and Red Cross hurricane response efforts
To: <colstonl@...>

[image: 133904-GivingDay-New-Header1]

*We recognize that the negativity around false narratives is likely
weighing heavily on our own mission-dedicated team members.*

The American Red Cross is made for moments like this, and as we support
communities impacted by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, our people
are showing the care, compassion and support the country needs right now
and for the foreseeable future.

The work you are doing is making a difference and while it is being
recognized by community leaders, the media and �� most importantly ��
embraced in the communities where we serve, you have no doubt seen some of
the misinformation that is being spread about the work of organizations on
the ground managing response efforts. Unfortunately, this has included the
Red Cross.

The spread of mischaracterizations around our work is problematic for a
variety of reasons as they distract attention from the most important work
of reaching and supporting people in need. However, we also recognize that
the negativity around some of the false narratives is likely weighing
heavily on our own team members doing their best to serve the mission.

*Please know that the Red Cross reputation continues to be strong, and the
Communications team is working hard to focus external attention on the
important stories of our teams in action.* In addition, we are pushing back
to correct inaccuracies that are circulating and setting the record
straight when appropriate.

Importantly, the Red Cross teams on the ground are being received with
overwhelming gratitude and are delivering the hope and resources that are
desperately needed. Driving the mission remains our focus, and we are
making sure we are communicating that clearly and consistently.

If you have questions about how the Red Cross is responding to
misinformation, please visit our online fact check
<https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/press-release/2024/fact-check-red-cross-addresses-misinformation-amid-helene-respon.html>
.

And if you do become aware of false information about the Red Cross coming
from news or online sources, please don't hesitate to send it to me.

Matt Trotter
Regional Communications Director
matthew.trotter@...
Â© 2008, 2022 American Red Cross, All Rights Reserved.

--
Lloyd Colston, KC5FM
Arkansas City, KS

SUNFLOWERNET.us

FEMA DEC

kc5fm@... (Lloyd Colston) — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 06:00:17 -0700

Echolink DEC conference added to Sunflower in support of FEMA region 4
recovery.

DEC is Disaster Emergency Communications.

We will maintain speaker watch along with the weather talk conference

Lloyd Colston
KC5FM
Hamshack Hotline 50052
Arkansas City, KS
www.sunflowernet.us

--
Lloyd Colston, KC5FM
Arkansas City, KS

SUNFLOWERNET.us

Sunflower Net on Telegram

kc5fm@... (Lloyd Colston) — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 08:22:51 -0700

https://t.me/+GbwLefzWv1g4ODJh

That’s the link to the Sunflower Net channel on Telegram.

Free to join.

Just like the Sunflower Network, it’s free to use.

73

Lloyd

--
Lloyd Colston, KC5FM
Arkansas City, KS

SUNFLOWERNET.us