In this issue of Amateur Radio News and Announcements:
1. Tune into the DMR-ZA Net this evening at 19h30 SAST
Herewith a list of different equipment / apps and images that cross transmit / receive the DMR-ZA Net on a Tuesday evening. (Click on images for larger view.)
1. ZS1I 49355 AllStar Hub Network which incorporates Echolink. (ZS1I-R)
2. DMR / DVSwitch /AllStar Bridge (TG 65522)
3. ZS1I MMDVM Digital Repeater (TG 65522)
4. 145.550 Mhz Analogue Simplex RF Link Mossel Bay area.
5. DroidStar / VoxDMR Applications for DMR TG655
6. ASL3 to Mumble Bridge PC (Mumble Client) as well as Mobile Phone (Plumble Client)
7. BrandMeister - Hoseline Application (PC or Mobile Phone - Receive only.)
8. DVSwitch Mobile Application (PC or Mobile Phone)
9. Many Analog-Repeaters and Links are connected to the ZS1I Hub Network on a daily basis. Some of these analogue repeaters will be connected to the ZS1I Hub Network on a Tuesday evening and they might also be linked to other repeaters country- and world wide. So why not link up with your local analogue repeater. You might just be able to connect to the DMR-ZA Net on a Tuesday evening at 19h30 SAST.
Finally: There are an abundance of means illustrated above to connect to the DMR-ZA Net on a Tuesday evening at 19h30 SAST. The DMR-ZA Net is an open net and all radio amateurs are welcome to join / connect to the net. Brian ZS5BR is the net controller and I would like to thank him for professionally conducting the net each Tuesday evening. Highly appreciated!!
2. ET still cannot phone home!!
The article is available HERE for those who did not read it.
Transgressions and bad operating practices are still taking place on a daily basis on many of the amateur radio bands and therefor ET cannot phone home!! Hi Hi!! Well this is to be expected if nothing is being done to amicably solve these bad practices. At least I feel a bit better after writing the article. I guess the Amateur Radio Code of Conduct is not important to some radio amateurs. However we are living in a comparatively chaotic world with increasingly less social pressure to act or think a certain way. While that freedom is certainly opening the door for plenty of free thought and fresh perspectives, it can be easy to slip into hypocrisy or self-delusion – imagining we’re one thing when we’re actually another. A code, a set of concrete standards which we can objectively understand and vocalize, not only guides us but convicts us. In a world where there’s often no one but ourselves to keep us accountable, the amateur radio code of conduct serve to keep us on track, or at the very least get us to rethink our most fundamental values.3.
3. ZS Link Network Group yearly get together.
On 18 July 2026, it is once again time for the yearly get together of the ZS Link Network Group at Blandsdrift, Mossel Bay of Jasper ZS1WT and Natasha (LV) with their two young daughters, Larissa and Linelle.
For more information about the gathering listen on the 145.625 Mhz Aasvoelkop Repeater or visit the 625 WhatsApp Group.
On behalf of myself and the family I would like to render my apology as I will not be able to attend the ZS Link Group gathering on the day. This is due to another family responsibility that needs my attention.
4. AI - The New Amateur Radio Elmer?
Yes, AI is increasingly serving as a modern "Elmer" (the traditional amateur radio term for a mentor). While AI will never replace human connection or the hands-on, practical guidance an experienced Elmers offers, it is revolutionizing the learning curve for both newcomers and veteran operators.
Why AI Makes a Great Elmer
• 24/7 Availability: You can ask technical questions about antenna theory, RF gain, or operating procedures at any time without waiting for a club meeting.
• Personalized Tutoring: AI can break down difficult concepts in multiple ways based on how you learn best, from long-form explanations to specific code snippets.
• Study Assistance: Systems can act as digital tutors, tracking where you struggle on practice for the RAE exams and generating targeted questions to improve your understanding.
Where Human Elmers Still Win
• Hands-on Help: AI cannot physically help you solder a connector, tune a beam antenna, or show you exactly how to route coax into your shack.
• Real-world Experience: Traditional Elmers provide nuanced, practical advice learned over decades on the air—such as how a specific radio behaves in a pile-up or local club politics.
More detailed information:
Artificial Intelligence functions as a 24/7 technical co-pilot for amateur radio operators by instantly analyzing complex RF data, generating code for digital modes, and explaining dense radio theory. While human Elmers provide essential hands-on mentorship, AI accelerates self-directed learning and troubleshooting.
How AI Functions as a Digital Elmer
1. Accelerated Technical Troubleshooting
• Schematic Analysis: Operators upload photos of circuit boards or wiring diagrams to identify faulty components.
• Error Decoding: AI translates obscure error messages from software-defined radio (SDR) programs or digital mode software.
• Component Substitution: The system suggests modern alternatives for obsolete transistors, capacitors, or vacuum tubes in vintage gear.
2. Specialized Software and Coding Support
• Microcontroller Programming: AI generates and debugs C++ code for Arduino or Raspberry Pi projects like antenna tuners and rotators.
• CHIRP Programming Logs: It formats large CSV files containing frequencies, offsets, and tones for bulk radio programming.
• Automated Logging Scripts: Systems write custom scripts to parse ADIF (Amateur Data Interchange Format) files for contest logging.
3. Interactive Exam Preparation and Theory
• Formula Breakdown: AI explains the mathematical relationships behind Ohm's Law, SWR calculations, and decibel conversions.
• Targeted Quizzing: The system dynamically changes its questioning style based on your weak areas in RAE learning.
• Visual Concepts: It describes spatial concepts like antenna radiation patterns, ionospheric skip zones, and polarization.
Key Comparisons: AI vs. Human Elmers
Capability |
AI Elmer |
Human Elmer |
|---|---|---|
Availability |
Instant, 24/7 access |
Subject to personal schedules |
Patience |
Unlimited repetitions |
Varies by individual |
Local Knowledge |
General geographic data |
Knows local repeater blind spots |
Physical Assistance |
Cannot handle hardware |
Helps solder and climb towers |
Safety Validation |
High-level rule reminders |
Real-time high-voltage monitoring |
Critical Limitations and Safety Risks
• Hallucinated Specifications: AI occasionally invents pinout diagrams or incorrect rig specifications, risking hardware damage.
• Lack of Safety Feedback: A chatbot cannot see if you are about to touch a charged high-voltage capacitor or improperly ground an amplifier.
• Regulatory Nuances: AI may misinterpret local band plans, emergency traffic priorities, or specific national amateur regulations.
5. Does the future of Amateur Radio lie in the GHZ Bands?
The future of amateur radio does not lie exclusively in the GHz bands, but these frequencies represent the fastest-growing frontier for technical innovation and experimentation within the hobby.
While traditional High Frequency (HF) bands (1.8 to 30 MHz) remain the beloved backbone for long-distance, ionospheric "rag-chewing" and DXing, the Super High Frequency (SHF) and Extremely High Frequency (EHF) bands (1 GHz to 300 GHz) are revitalizing the maker and hacker culture of ham radio.
The role of the GHz bands in shaping the future of amateur radio is defined by specific opportunities and challenges:
Why the GHz Bands Represent the Future of Innovation
• Massive Available Bandwidth: Traditional HF bands are narrow and congested. In contrast, the GHz bands offer vast allocations of spectrum. This massive bandwidth allows hams to experiment with high-speed data pipelines, high-definition Digital Amateur Television (DATV), and complex digital mesh networking.
• Emergence of Commercial Gear: Historically, operating above 1 GHz required advanced homebrewing or repurposing military surplus gear. The release of commercial, multi-band SHF transceivers—like the Icom IC-905—has drastically lowered the barrier to entry, bringing plug-and-play microwave operation to everyday hams.
• High-Speed Mesh Networks: Amateur Radio Emergency Data Networks (AREDN) utilize commercial-off-the-shelf wireless hardware modified to operate on amateur 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz allocations. This allows hams to build independent, high-speed wireless networks for emergency communications, capable of routing video and VoIP data over large geographic areas.
• Cutting-Edge Space & EME Communication: Modern amateur satellites and deep-space projects increasingly rely on GHz links. Additionally, Earth-Moon-Earth (EME) or "moonbounce" communications heavily utilize the 10 GHz and 24 GHz bands, where smaller, highly-directional dish antennas can be used.
• Millimeter-Wave (mmWave) Experimentation: At the extreme end (47 GHz, 76 GHz, and 122 GHz), hams are adapting low-power automotive radar ICs and telecom components to break distance records, pushing the physical boundaries of atmospheric propagation.
The Defensive Battle: "Use It or Lose It"
The greatest reason the GHz bands dominate conversations about the future of ham radio is political. Commercial telecommunications, 5G/6G cellular deployment, and satellite mega-constellations are starved for mid-band and millimeter-wave spectrum.
Amateur radio allocations at 3.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz have already faced regulatory pressures and partial rollbacks by agencies like the FCC to clear room for mobile networks. If the amateur community does not actively populate and experiment in the GHz bands, regulatory bodies will continue to reallocate this incredibly valuable spectrum to commercial interests.
The Verdict
The future of amateur radio is fracturing into a vibrant dual ecosystem:
1. The Traditionalists: Will stay on HF, VHF, and UHF for long-range voice, CW (Morse code), and global weak-signal digital modes like FT8.
2. The Technologists: Will push into the GHz bands to merge radio frequency (RF) technology with AI, high-speed computing, and advanced networking.
The GHz bands may not replace HF, but they are absolutely critical to keeping amateur radio relevant, cutting-edge, and legally protected for decades to come.
6. Is AllStarLink in Financial Trouble?
Donate Here https://www.allstarlink.org/about/donate.php
AllStarlink Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We are funded by the generosity of our community. While donations are not required, we encourage users to donate $1 per month per node (Billed annually) to keep our servers running and bring new features to the community.
