US West Ham Radio Weekly NET

[TerryD]

Search out the Grits and Gravy on the Echolink app. Should be able to search the node # too I think to find it. Then just hop on and check in! Look forward to having you onboard!

 

[12poundtest]

The approval from Echolink came through in the time it took me to write that last post. So that was quick. Now to see if I can make the next net.

Is this still the time/place?

Copied from 12PoundTest above:

USA Grits N Gravy Echolink Conf and Allstar Node 41130 - Live Audio Feed Web Player Live Audio Feed

That's still the time and place Dan. Hope you can make it Friday!
Ed

 

[desl]

That's still the time and place Dan. Hope you can make it Friday!
Ed

I'm able to find the USA-GNG in the Echolink app, but I'm not able to connect to it. Is it the sort of thing that has to be turned on?

it's my first foray into echo link and my mental model for a conference is "local repeater" or possibly even "local simplex channel". My expectation was that I might be able to connect and talk to nobody or somebody if there was anyone else out there. Is this what I would expect to see on the IOS app trying to connect this morning just after 9am Pacific Time?

Thanks!

 

[Downs]

I think that node is down right now. At least it was as of last net.

 

[Prerunner1982]

I can get in through W8ILL just fine (just tried it), but I typically cannot get into the GNG server directly.
@desl when you search for GNG do you see a W8ILL showing connected to the GNG server?

 

[desl]

I can get in through W8ILL just fine (just tried it), but I typically cannot get into the GNG server directly.
@desl when you search for GNG do you see a W8ILL showing connected to the GNG server?

Contemplating this a bit more, I tried disconnecting from the office wi-fi network. I am wondering if I don't have a sufficiently public IP address or some firewall rules about receiving the UDP ports that Echolink uses. (I tried with the EchoHam client on my laptop as well to no avail.)

I'll probably try again when I get home to see if it works there. (I can control the firewall there and make adjustments).

Thanks for the help!

 

[12poundtest]

Contemplating this a bit more, I tried disconnecting from the office wi-fi network. I am wondering if I don't have a sufficiently public IP address or some firewall rules about receiving the UDP ports that Echolink uses. (I tried with the EchoHam client on my laptop as well to no avail.)

I'll probably try again when I get home to see if it works there. (I can control the firewall there and make adjustments).

Thanks for the help!

How did the home test work Dan? I'm online and connected to the GnG node (591550) now, everything appears to be up.

 

[12poundtest]

Many thanks to everyone who joined us last night for the OB Amateur Radio Net. The first Friday of each month is 'New Ham Q&A' night which always leads to great conversations. Last night didn't disappoint.

Here is a short summary of the net.

Check-ins:
N7PHY - Ed (net control)
W7BR - Brent
N0IV - Mark
K7IEX - Tyler (in NM on his way to expo east)
K7XPO - Brien
WD6TED - Ted
KK6RBI - Josh
KN4HSX - Ray (out camping in Hot Springs VA)
W8ILL - Will
VK2DY - Robert

Announcements:
- Check the OB site for link to new app testing opportunity.

*** If anyone is interested in getting their technician class license consider contacting Brien - K7XPO. He is kicking off an online class soon. ***

Here's a short summary of our conversation topics, not in any particular order. Feel free to reach out to any of us for more information.

- Antenna analyzers as indispensable tools while building our home and field antennas. Rig Expert and MFJ devices were both mentioned with good reports. I personally run a RigExpert AA-30.ZERO plugged into an Arduino Uno. Not convenient in the field but super fun at home.

- The question of ham license testing and VE status came up. Brien K7XPO is applied to become a VE and Mark N0IV is a VE (volunteer examiner). A few of us expressed interest in getting involved in the VE program as well. Brien mentioned conducting exam sessions at rally's / expos which I find interesting.

- Similar topic, it was asked what is the advantage of upgrading from technician class. There are different views of course depending on a persons interests and what they hope to get out of ham radio. Tyler mentioned it is nice to see what others are doing with their equipment in order to see what is possible. This brought up examples such as SDR (software defined radio) and APRS (automatic packet reporting system).

- APRS - Brien gave us an interesting example of using APRS to send a text message home from a location with no cell coverage.

- 1.25 meter band (220MHz) - Interesting topic to come up. There are not many radios available for 220MHz so few people use the band. However, Josh KK6RBI mentioned using 220MHz radios on the trail to avoid interference from a plethora of unlicensed operators on 2 meters.

- Is HF radio a legitimate tool for getting word out if you are stuck in the wilderness? Discussed the pro's and con's and general fun of operating HF.

- and so much more! I have more detailed notes if anyone is interested.

Thanks everyone! Hope to catch you on the net next week.
Ed - N7PHY

 

[ru108]

Reminder about the weekly OB Echolink net tonight. I'll be your net controller for tonight's topic which is TIRES - what do you run and why? As usual, pretty much anything else will go as well. Hope you can join us.

Who: All licensed Amateur Radio operators are welcome to check-in.
Time : 17:30 hours PDT/2030 hours EDT
Where : Echolink Node 591550 (USA-GNG) known also as Grits N Gravy, DMR TG 1137550 and Allstar 41130

Anyone can listen only here www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/29437/web

73! Shane, K5TIN

 

[digitaltree515]

I'll be linking up our local ARES repeater via AllStar tonight for the net. I'm the only OB member here, but we have a lot of operators local with a lot of knowledge. We also have a handful of idiots, so I apologize in advance if that presents an issue. If it does, I won't link the repeater again and will stick to using my personal node. Regardless of how it goes, please let me know, before or after the net if this'll be a no-go in the future. The repeater is W4ECA in Guyton, GA, AllStar node 45029, Echolink KK1JE-R.

73, N0IV (Mark)
Personal AllStar node 42900

 

[ru108]

Shouldn’t be a problem, Mark.

 

[digitaltree515]

By the way, the only reason it took me more than a few hours to unpack and clean the truck after my last trip was because I jacked my back up really bad. But Matt (KN4MMA) likes to give me static.

Let me know if you guys want me to keep linking up my repeater here. I'm more than happy to, even though there aren't many off-road oriented guys here. But there are a few.

N0IV

 

[12poundtest]

By the way, the only reason it took me more than a few hours to unpack and clean the truck after my last trip was because I jacked my back up really bad. But Matt (KN4MMA) likes to give me static.

Let me know if you guys want me to keep linking up my repeater here. I'm more than happy to, even though there aren't many off-road oriented guys here. But there are a few.

N0IV

I thought the repeater link went well Mark. If it's not a hassle for you I'd encourage continued linking. Sorry to hear about the back, those back roads will get you. Take care!

 

[ru108]

Sounds like Matt kids because he cares, lol. That is one of the signs of a true friendship in my book.

As for the repeater linkup, I agree with Ed 100%. It worked great, so keep at it. We’ve got repeaters in VA and KY that link as well, so it’s really not an issue. We talk about all kinds of things each week, so there’s a chance that it could stir up more interest in your neck of the woods and give y’all the opportunity to hook up with new people locally.

 

[Downs]

Dang i missed the tire net. I was on the road getting a used washer to put in my place and im still unfamiliar with using an ECHOLINK repeater not on my phone Haha.

 

[digitaltree515]

I thought the repeater link went well Mark. If it's not a hassle for you I'd encourage continued linking. Sorry to hear about the back, those back roads will get you. Take care!

Provided I'm home on Friday for the net, I'll keep linking it up. There'll be the occasion that I'll be off grid or otherwise unable to link it. I've setup a remote access page via DNS so I can access it anywhere I have an Internet connection.

And amazingly, the roads didn't get my back. Destroyed it in the military, and threw it out this past time by sitting in the bed and drilling through the end caps to install bed stiffeners. Had about a solid week where I could barely walk, and was sleeping on the couch because laying in bed hurt too much. Having a bad back sucks. A lot. But that's what's awesome about vehicle based exploration and camping; if I don't do something stupid, my back can handle it and it let's me get out still.

 

[12poundtest]

Provided I'm home on Friday for the net, I'll keep linking it up. There'll be the occasion that I'll be off grid or otherwise unable to link it. I've setup a remote access page via DNS so I can access it anywhere I have an Internet connection.

And amazingly, the roads didn't get my back. Destroyed it in the military, and threw it out this past time by sitting in the bed and drilling through the end caps to install bed stiffeners. Had about a solid week where I could barely walk, and was sleeping on the couch because laying in bed hurt too much. Having a bad back sucks. A lot. But that's what's awesome about vehicle based exploration and camping; if I don't do something stupid, my back can handle it and it let's me get out still.

That sounds about right. Hang in there!

 

[12poundtest]

Hello fellow overlanding Hams. I'll be net control this Friday and would like to discuss off-road radio gear. What communication gear do you run when traveling off-road? Do you run APRS? Non-ham gear? If you could install anything, what would it be?

I hope you are having a good week and can join us for the weekly net.

73 - Ed - N7PHY

Who: All licensed Amateur Radio operators are welcome to check-in.
Time : 17:30 hours PDT/2030 hours EDT
Where : Echolink Node 591550 (USA-GNG) known also as Grits N Gravy, DMR TG 1137550 and Allstar 41130

Anyone can listen only here www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/29437/web

 

[Jeffrey Dill]

Awesome, this will be a great topic.

 

[12poundtest]

We had a really great net last night. Thank you everyone who could join in. The conversation centered around mobile communication gear. It would take me all day to transpose all the great conversation, but I’ll summarize some of the highlights. If anyone is interested in the raw notes, I would be happy to share just drop me a line.

If anyone is interested in helping us with Net Control please PM myself or any of the regular net control operators. Thanks!

Net Control: Ed N7PHY WA
Check ins:
KC3NOA Will PA
KT4OZ Terry VA
W8ILL Will MI
KI7RAM Bill NV
K7XPO Brien NM mobile
VK7VWK Randall Tasmania
KN4YFL Charlie MO mobile
K5FCO Francisco TX
KN4QNM Jason VA
W7BR Brent AZ (?)
KS4KLM Kevin VA

Will (KC3NOA) has a collection of radio gear ready for grab-n-go operation. Running (relatively) inexpensive Chinese brand radios and an interesting variety of antennas to cover HF through UHF.
Terry (KT4OZ) talked about the many features of the Kenwood TM-D710 mobile rig, which were backed up by Brien (K7XPO) and others. Probably the most relevant features are built in gps/APRS, dual receive, and ability to cross repeat. Bill (KI7RAM) asked an interesting question about mobile antennas and advantages of length and height. Terry responded with his experience running high gain vs. standard ¼ wave antennas (2 m) in hilly areas. Brien (K7XPO) checked in while traveling the backroads of NM. He carries a couple of yagi antennas (VHF, UHF) along with his SOTA setup when he travels. The rest of us passed on the rigs we run or would like to run. Kevin (KS4KLM) jumped in with a question regarding GMRS radios while off-roading. Brent brought up that OB has guidance on GMRS, CB, and Ham radio frequencies to use while on the trail.

Check out:
OB Approved - Overland Bound Comms Frequency Guide