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For the new techs waiting on call signs….
I have been asked about the delay in receiving call signs from the FCC for the students that tested in our class. Terry called the ARRL, which is the VEC we use, who confirmed what I feared. The ARRL had a cyber attack last week which has rendered most, maybe all, of their computer systems inoperable. They’ve been very vague with sharing details, but hope it’s resolved soon. At this point, I think the only thing we can do is wait a little while longer. Terry and I discussed the possibility of maybe trying to file the paperwork through another VEC, but at this point that might duplicate things and who knows what else.?
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I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and wish there was something we could do, but think holding tight just a little longer might be the best option we have. Terry is going to continue to call them seeking time frames and possible solutions. I’m sure an organization the size of the ARRL is getting overran with questions and vigorously working on solutions.?
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Eric
KD0CEN |
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Linked Repeaters!
Last Thursday, Mike and I found a time we could both go to the 250 repeater site and work on linking it to the 444.425. I had been stumped several times but thought we might be a solution. Armed with a freshly built cable, we tried again. We had it functional, but still wasn't convinced the issue we were having wouldn't lock up both repeaters like it did before. So we left once again to go back to the drawing board.?
After we had left, I was looking through a manual and found a setting in the repeater programming software that looked promising. I made contact with Mike that evening, remoted into his programming computer and we found the setting. Would this be the fix? Mike found a few spare moments to return to the site Friday and blow the new programming into the repeater and power the link radio back on. So far, so good! We are linked full time between the 444.425 and 145.250. Now, the next steps... In what spare time I've had this weekend, I've been trying to interface the Arcom controller to connect to a Yaesu Repeater like the 146.940. So far, I've had no luck. The Yaesu repeaters have an automatic mode selection to allow for analog FM or fusion c4fm digital modulation. Because of this, interfacing to a repeater controller is a real pain. I think Yaesu designed these repeaters with the idea that everyone would use them for Fusion only, but that didn't happen. Arcom makes a device to add to their controllers that make this less cumbersome, but at a price tag of $175. However.... I have another possible solution that I think should link the 940 in without spending that $175. It did require I order a $15 adapter I didn't currently have, and that should be here later this week. Once I have that, we'll try plan B, and I'm optimistic that'll be a good working solution! More to come on that in the next week or so. After that, and because of the way we ended up connecting the 250 repeater, we have a controller for the 444.425 repeater that will allow us to enable Allstar and Echolink!! The only parts needed are a Raspberry Pi4 (I have one brand new in box that I will donate), a power supply and case for the Pi (approximately $15 on Amazon) and a Repeater Builder Rim-Lite interface ($50) that will connect the Pi to the Arcom Controller. If you're not familiar with Allstar or Echolink, Allstar is an awesome way of connecting any Allstar enabled node or repeater to another via the internet. It's really slick. You can also download an app on your phone that will allow you to connect to our node and use your phone as a push-to-talk device on our linked repeaters. Echolink isn't quite as robust as Allstar, but also has an app or computer program allowing access via the internet. So, we should be able to bring Echolink / Allstar to the repeaters for $65 since I already have the Pi! A worthwhile investment if you ask me!! I'll work to provide an Allstar / Echolink demonstration at the next monthly club meeting in June!? Try out the linked repeaters (only the 2 currently)! Key up or radio and give it a second before you start talking. Anytime you have a link, it takes several hundred milliseconds for the repeater to key, key the link radio, and do the same thing on the repeaters further down the chain. It's not a lot, but will certainly cause everyone to miss your first couple words or callsign if you don't give it a second.? Have a great week! Eric, KD0CEN |
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Farmers Market Saturday
I failed to mention at the meeting last night that we'd be set up at the Farmers Market this Saturday from 9am - 1pm.? Located at the Endurance Church parking lot in West Plains. I hope everyone can come out and enjoy the day putting amateur radio on display and inviting others to join us.
Eric, KD0CEN |
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Kit Building!
Our Kit Build get together is coming up in just over a week. If you are planning on joining in on the fun, you need to get your kit ordered ASAP if you haven't done so already! Several websites were suggested during last night's club meeting. Below I am listing a few ideas for kits based on low-cost and ease of assembly. You are welcome to pick one of these or explore the sites and pick something else.
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Club Meeting Tonight!
Have you ever wondered if your radio is transmitting a clean signal? Join us at the club meeting tonight and bring a radio with you. We’ll hook it up to a spectrum analyzer and see how clean the signal is! 6pm at the Howell Count Emergency Operations Center (Basement of the Howell County Health Department). See you tonight!?
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Re: New Ham Question
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On May 13, 2024, at 13:07, Dawn KF?PUP via groups.io <Dawn.RN@...> wrote:
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Eric Presser - KD?CEN
JJ - KB?PHX
Dawn KF?PUP