Would you like to be a member of the Amateur Radio Activities / Aktiwitiete WhatsApp Group?

UPDATED 18 May 2026 - Please take note of the following posting:  

What is lately happening with / on the ZS1I Hub Network in Mossel Bay - May 2026

No more WhatsApp Groups for this radio amateur and the ZS1I HUB Network!! Real radios, nodes and only this blog will be used to keep radio amateurs informed and NOT social media!  Time we use less social media  ......  rather use the airwaves / bands instead. 

 

Oh ..... please not another WhatsApp Group.  There are so many and why would I become a member of this group?

This specific group is used to enhance real-time communication, coordination, activities and community building among radio enthusiasts.  It serve as an immediate platform for scheduling, sharing technical tips, emergency coordination, organizing field days, events / activities and fostering camaraderie beyond on-air QSO's.

Why use the Amateur Radio Activities / Aktiwiteite WhatsApp Group?

• Users can quickly organize nets, meetings, field day events, or announce SOTA (Summits on the Air) and POTA (Parks on the Air) activations.
• This group is vital for rapid alerts, sharing information on hazards, and coordinating emergency  responses.
• Members can share photos of gear, antenna setups, and technical solutions immediately, which is impossible via voice-only radio.
• New radio amateurs can ask questions and get instant answers from experienced members and can facilitate mentorship.
• This WhatsApp Group act as a complementary channel to the radio spectrum, ensuring participants stay connected and updated about upcoming events and activities.
• Radio Amateurs and Clubs are welcome to post upcoming amateur radio events / activities on this group.
• The Activities / Aktiwiteite WhatsApp Group is there to keep radio amateurs informed of radio events and hopefully create more amateur radio activities on and from the air.

Important Rule about this WhatsApp Group

Just one rule!  Post only Amateur Radio Activities on this Group.  No non-amateur radio "garbage" will be allowed and will be deleted.  Let's keep the group clean from everyday "jargon and social media junk"

How do I become a Member?

WhatsApp Group Name:  Amateur Radio Activities / Aktiwitiete
Who can join the Group:  Anybody that have and interest in Amateur Radio Activities
How do I join:  Send me an email request to join the group by clicking HERE
Info needed: Your name, call-sign and mobile phone number. 

Example of the latest postings:

1. Advert - DMR-ZA Net TG655
2. What happened to Ham Radio Video?
3. Activities on the DMR Repeater in Mossel Bay
4. APRS Prop View - New Software
5. Turn any Icom Transceiver into a web-accessible station
6. RF Connector Types
7. New - HYDRA HF Antenna
8. DXChrono Desktop Firmware release - Ham Radio Propagation and DX Dashboard
9. New WIRES-X PC Software
10. PI-Star EA7EE - Xreflector Servers
11. YCS Server Overview - Xreflector World Wide Servers
12. The 2025 - 2026 SARL Annual Report
     

Looking forward to catching you on the air and in the chats! 

2025/26 - South African Radio League - the National Body for Amateur Radio in South Africa - Annual Report

Herewith the 2025 / 2026 South African Radio League Annual Report available HERE

Greetings,

 

Dennis Green, ZS2B

SARL Secretary / Sekretaris

 

E-mail: secretary@sarl.org.za

Web: https://mysarl.org.za/

More information on the changes to the ZS1I HUB Network that will have an impact on certain services in the Southern Cape and World Wide!!

Following my announcement that several changes will take place from 1 May 2026 regarding the operation of the ZS1I HUB in the Mossel Bay area, it seems that there is some uncertainty about what will actually happen. I have received several requests to not close the AllStar and Echolink HUB in the Mossel Bay area. Several radio amateurs use the HUB on a regular basis and it will mean that they will be left out in the cold if I close the HUB.

I have therefore decided not to remove the HUB from the air, but that there will be changes is assured. The changes will not be of a significant nature and will only mean that I do not have to spend as much time managing and intensively monitoring the HUB. 

The following changes apply to the ZS1I HUB, DMR Bridge and DMR Repeater from today, 1 May 2026:

1. The HUB, DMR Bridge and DMR Repeater will no longer be connected to the Aasvoelkop Repeater full-time, but only during the "Sonsopkoms" Net (06h00) and "Sonsak" Net. (16h45)
2. The HUB, DMR Bridge and DMR Repeater will be connected to various other repeaters, nodes, reflectors and networks from 1 May 2026. These connections will occur automatically without any announcement.
3. The SARL Bulletin, Amateur Radio Today and Australian Bulletin will only be broadcast on the HUB and DMR Bridge. Should any Group, Club or Radio Amateur wish to listen to the broadcasts on their repeater or nodes they are welcome to connect and disconnect their repeater to the HUB or DMR Bridge. This is how a HUB is supposed to function. Stations connect and disconnect themselves to the HUB, DMR Bridge and DMR Repeater. This is the norm worldwide.
4. The ZS1I HUB will from time to time switch to International Amateur Radio News broadcasts. No local Group or Club News Bulletins will be allowed on the HUB, DMR Bridge or DMR Repeater except for other nets such as AWA Net, ZA DMR Net or the Sandton Power Hour Tech Talks. My previous announcement regarding the broadcasting of Club bulletins still applies. Announcements about these and future activities mentioned will be made via the Amateur Radio Activities / Aktiwiteite Whats App Group.
5. The Australian Weekly News will now be broadcast at 8:30 am on a Sunday morning and no longer in the afternoon. This will allow participants to continue participating in competitions and other activities on a Sunday afternoon without interruption and will they also be able to listen to other broadcasts on other networks should they so choose.

Enough for now. Should any entity feel that they do not wish to be connected to the ZS1I HUB for any reason whatsoever, then they are welcome to contact me in this regard. I will make the necessary changes to the system that will effect any connections and disconnections in order to cease broadcasts.

The above arrangements will make things much easier for me in order to spend more time on activities as previously mentioned. There are of course still changes that will occur but from now on I will refer to the ZS1I Amateur Radio Projects/Activities-Mossel Bay Blog in making announcements etc. 

If there is still any uncertainty, questions or suggestions I will be happy to answer them.  Please feel free to connect to the ZS1I HUB in Mossel Bay.  As already mentioned there will be further changes to enhance the ZS1I HUB in Mossel Bay.  These changes will be to the benefit of radio amateurs connected to the system.

Johan ZS1I 

Mossel Bay

1 May 2026

Quality Control - Electronic Modules and Equipment

Image:  Fixed RF Amplifier  (Click on image for larger view.)

I embarked on the Next Generation Amateur Radio Beacon (s) for the Southern Cape!! I am currently working on the 6m CW Beacon.  While it is operation on the workbench  I need  more RF power output for this specific beacon.  I had two options (1) Buy a Power Amplifier or (2) Construct a Power Amplifier. I decided to opt for the first option to buy a power amplifier.  Well it arrived a few weeks ago and as per usual I had to open the parcel.  The parcel was well packed against damage but the actual package for the power amplifier was only encased in a small anti-static envelope.  I cut open the envelope and out fell the SMA connector on the workbench.  I took the unit out and saw the the soldering was bad where the SMA connector sit.  No problem I would just solder the SMA connector back on but before I did I noticed something else on one of the fixed inductors.  It was cracked and some of the compound that surrounds the inductor was missing.  Put two and two together.  Mass production and modules are thrown into boxes without protection or before packaging into the static envelope the module is mishandled in some form.  This resulted in the damage to this specific RF amplifier.  I searched the Internet and low and behold this is not the only same RF amplifier damaged upon receipt of the unit.

Well the unit need to be fixed.  No option to return as it would take to long or get lost.  I ordered a few 33 uH inductors and fixed the worse for wear RF Amplifier.  I purposely left the SMA connector detached as I might directly solder coax to the PCB tracks when I link all the modules together. The only thing that remains is to test the amplifier to see if the magic smoke is going to escape from the unit.  Update in this regard to follow.

Images  (Click on images for larger view.)

New!! ZS1I Amateur Radio Projects/Activities Blog

This blog will be the new home of the ZS1I Amateur Radio Projects / Activity-, ZS1I AllStarLink HUB / Gateway- and ZS1I DMR Digital Repeater Blog located in the most southern part of South Africa.  Now where is this town?  Mossel Bay is a harbour town of about 99,319 people on the Garden Route, South Africa. It is in an important tourism and farming region of the Western Cape.  Mossel Bay lies 400 kilometres east of the country's seat of parliament, Cape Town (which is also the capital city of the Western Cape), and 400 km west of Gqeberha. (formerly known as Port Elizabeth) 

Welcome to the new Amateur Radio blog! Whether you are a newly licensed ham or a seasoned veteran, this space is dedicated to exploring the vast, exciting world of radio communication. As of early 2026, the amateur radio community continues to thrive, with a mix of new technology—like digital modes,  Meshcore nodes—and digital repeaters, reflectors, gateways etc. 

Furthermore this blog is  designed to support new or prospective amateur radio operators, often serving as a virtual "Elmer" to help you navigate your journey into the art of radio. Discover topics from beginner guides, operating tips and much more.  Content will also be available for the seasoned radio amateur to encourage continued activity in Amateur Radio!

(Click on image for larger view.)

The ZS1I Amateur Radio Projects / Activities Blog will provide information and articles relating to the ZS1I AllStarLink HUB / Gateway-, MMDVM Digital Repeaters and Amateur Radio Projects /Activities.

From the 1 May 2026 this Blog will concentrate more on the following facets of amateur radio:

• QRP Radio
• Antenna Construction
  
• WSPR
• CW + WSPR Beacons
• MMDVM Digital Radio (DMR, DSTAR, System Fusion)
• Satellites
• MMDVM Digital Repeaters
• Reflectors and Servers
• AREDN
• Microprosessors / Tinkering
• Homebrewing
• Creating a new WhatsApp Group called "Activities in Amateur Radio" where I will also provide more information on new amateur radio activities.

Finally: 

Once again welcome to the new, updated world of amateur radio in 2026 via this Blog! As the amateur radio enters a phase of high activity and technological advancement, this is your hub for staying connected to the latest in amateur radio.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who takes the time to read, view, and share these articles. Your engagement is what makes this blog a shared experience. If this blog resonated with you, I’d be honored if you shared it with someone who might enjoy it, too. I truly appreciate your time and attention.  It is my goal to provide valuable, actionable insights, and I hope this blog will succeed in you expectations.  Make sure to revisit the blog or even better subscribe so that you do not miss out on new content. 

 

Blog maintained by Johan ZS1I

Mossel Bay

29 April 2026

 

Under Construction!!