Important: HERE is the current schedule for Bulletins, Nets and Link Connections. This schedule will soon change as described below.
Many might not know but I am not a monotonous type of person. I hate when certain repetitive or stale amateur radio activities, nets, chats etc. takes place year in and year out on the same old trend. To put it plainly - It is mind-numbing !! Therefor I enjoy making changes on a regular interval to not lose interest or have to listen to useless information over and over.
I had been thinking and that can be rather dangerous. Well I came up with a new method of broadcasting amateur radio news content. I am busy setting up a new server that will be used for broadcasting amateur radio news on demand or at a certain time. I am still working on some detail to achieve a great outcome using AllStarLink, Echolink and DMR. This setup will run parallel to the current ZS1I Hub Network which will only be used for Nets and QSO's. Listeners will be able to connect to the News Server and listen to a wide variety of content which will also include podcasts. Once I have the server operational a final implementation date will be set.
The change will result in the fact that the Sunday morning bulletin schedule will change dramatically. I envisage that only the two SARL Bulletins will be transmitted at 08h15 and 08h30 SAST on the ZS1I Hub Network. NO other bulletin or news broadcasts will be transmitted on the ZS1I Hub Network unless prior approval is granted for such broadcasts.
The idea I have is for operators to connect to the dedicated news server either with AllStar, Echolink or DMR to listen to the provided content. I will provide and list (index) of content that you can listen to and on what day and time. A nice feature would be a on demand automated digital stream that will stream content on request, maybe something for the future but for the time being, I will use the scheduled method.
Why not broadcast Amateur Radio News Bulletins on the ZS1I Hub Network anymore? It is quite easy to explain.
1. The rapid system expansion of the ZS1I Hub Network resulted in a heavy workload on the equipment of the ZS1I Hub Network and the administrators of other networks in South Africa. The SC Network is currently one of the largest networks in South Africa and carries heavy traffic at times. Control, supervision and maintenance of the network repeaters, nodes, bridges etc. at all times is of the utmost importance to ensure the smooth functioning of the network. The network consists of many other local and worldwide stations which is linked to the ZS1I Hub Network. Administrators have to take the rapid expansion, size and workload on all the system into consideration.
2. The ZS1I Hub Network is a private operated network and is not affiliated to any club, group or organization. The ZS1I Hub Network owner maintain good relations with all clubs, organizations and fellow radio amateurs, world wide. The ZS1I Hub owner therefor has no obligation to any club, group or organization when it comes to the broadcast of local amateur radio news bulletins.
3. Many national and international amateur radio news bulletins are nowadays automated. This means that the ZS1I Hub Network System (computer) automatically downloads the audio file from a web-site, cut it up into time slots and then automatically plays it on the network at given time. This is surely the way to go and does the ZS1I Hub Network make use of this helpful AllStar function. No compiling, editing and live reading of a bulletin on the air. The automation of national and international is the preferred method to transmit amateur radio news bulletins as it works great and does not result in a heavy workload on especially RF systems, equipment on the network and administrators.
4. Many large VOIP
and RF Radio Networks has taken the decision not to broadcast any
amateur radio news bulletins on their networks. There are many reasons
for this decision. Some of these networks literally have 100's of
systems including RF Repeaters connected together and it makes sense to
not broadcast any club bulletins on such networks as a local club
bulletin is meant for that specific club members and not for world wide
broadcasting. The ZS1I Hub Network has therefor also taken the decision
not to broadcast local club bulletins over the large network.
5. Restructuring of the network. Yes the dreaded word called restructuring, many hate to hear. Unfortunately we do not live in the stone age and we as radio amateurs need to stay informed of the latest technology and experimenting. Future changes to the ZS1I Hub Network will be made and some will love it others will hate it. Amateur Radio means to regularly engage in the activity, developing skills, experiment, learning new things, and finding enjoyment in the process. Sometimes we need to restructure the network, if not we will stagnate and not move forward with the times.
The above surely explain the reasons why I will discontinue the broadcasting of local amateur radio news bulletins on the ZS1I Hub Network and create a free standing Amateur Radio News Server as explained above.
Finally: As indicated the implementation date and how to use the server will be announced in a future posting when the all New ZS1I Amateur Radio News Server will be operational. Until then the current method will be still available. Test transmissions might be heard from time to time on the ZS1I Hub Network.
