Image: ZS5RMN AllStarLink Node (Click on image for larger view.)
The AllStarLink Network is growing in South Africa
Yet again another AllStar Node has joined the ZS1I AllStar Hub Network in Mossel Bay. This time it is the node of Richard ZS5RMN from Pietermarizburg. It is located in Chase Valley, Pietermarizburg in the Kwazulu Natal province. Pietermaritzburg is the inland capital city of South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province, positioned closest to Durban and significantly further away from the Western Cape coastal cities of Mossel Bay and Cape Town.
Geographic Breakdown
From Durban: Pietermaritzburg sits roughly 67 to 90 kilometers inland to the northwest. It is an easy 1-hour drive along the N3 highway, which functions as the primary economic corridor connecting Durban’s port to Johannesburg.
From Mossel Bay: It is located approximately 1,200 kilometers away by road to the northeast. Driving between the two takes around 15 to 16 hours, moving from the Garden Route up through the Eastern Cape via highways like the R56 and N2.
From Cape Town: Pietermaritzburg is located roughly 1,870 kilometers away by road to the northeast. Driving directly between them requires a major road trip of about 22 hours across the interior of the country.
Image: Chase Valley, Pietermaritzburg. Click on image for larger view.
Pietermaritzburg offers a surprising variety of specialized attractions for hobbyists, ranging from miniature steam engineering and live-action gaming to craft markets outdoor sports tracking and Amateur Radio. Whether you are into mechanical building, model building, action sports, electronics or crafting, the city and its immediate borders host several notable hubs.
To practice Amateur Radio means to regularly engage in the activity you enjoy, outside of work or school, for leisure and personal enrichment. It's about developing skills, learning new things, and finding enjoyment in the process. You can practice Amateur Radio by setting aside dedicated time, finding resources or communities related to your chosen activity, and consistently working on improving your skills and knowledge.
Chase Valley on the Air
This is exactly what Richard has done. He has setup a DMR Hotspot and is using his DMR Radio to talk all over the world whenever he feels like it. He recently setup an AllStar Network Node at his home in Chase Valley, Pietermarizburg. AllStarLink is a world wide network of Amateur Radio repeaters, remote base stations, and hot spots accessible to each other via the Internet and/or private IP networks. AllStar software runs on a dedicated Linux computer (including the Raspberry Pi) that you host at your home, radio site, clubhouse, school, university, workplace, or computer center. AllStar is based on the open source Asterisk PBX and is released under the GNU GPL and is free for anyone to use. The core of AllStar and AllStarLink is the powerful app_rpt application and associated modules that load into the Asterisk PBX system.
The ZS6RMN Node is Alive
The allstarlink node that Richard setup links to the ZS1I AllStar HUB Network in Mossel Bay. Any radio amateur can connect from around the world to the Shari Pi AllStar node of Richard in Pietermarizburg. The SHARI (SA818 Ham Allstar Radio Interface) is a ham construction project designed by N8AR that implements a Raspberry Pi hosted Allstar node using a NiceRF SA818 embedded UHF (420 – 450 MHz) or VHF (144-148 MHz) radio module. SHARI PiXX is designed as a kit for construction and use in the amateur radio service by licensed amateur radio operators. More info on the SHARI Pi can be found HERE.
Now lets look at the ZS5RMN SHARI Pi AllStar Node particulars:
Images: (Click on images for larger view.)
Finally: The ZS5RMN 491630 AllStar Node is regularly connected to the 49355 ZS1I AllStar HUB, Mossel Bay. Next time you visit Pietermaritzburg you most welcome to use the node to talk to the World. A big thank you to Richard ZS5RMN who undertook this project and made it a reality. Well done Richard!!
It has been a while since the first issue appeared about what is happening in and around the Shack of ZS1I. This does not mean that nothing has happened during this quiet period.
Now this topic is surely not there to brag or to boast about my "doings", projects or equipment in amateur radio, but I thought to create this post to tell some of the new radio amateurs what is happening in my Shack and also to hopefully create more amateur radio activity. In the past two months I was busy with the following projects:
New equipment in the Shack: Some new equipment found their way to my Shack. How this happened I do not know. As you know me by now I do not like to boast or brag. At my age I just enjoy sharing some amateur radio related content. I do not have to impress or "buy" friendship. All I am going to say is that a new Yaesu HF Radio and Tuner is lying in their boxes somewhere in the Shack. Hint: 6m "Season" is soon to open in the Southern Hemisphere and these will be used for the magic band.
ZS1I 6 m WSPR Monitoring Station: All tests were successful and the monitoring station performed flawlessly. Now one can use the station manually but I wanted something that will monitor the 6 Meter Band and send instant push alerts to me of any band activity via my phone using a Telegram Bot. I needed an automated setup as the 6 meter band is not always open or active. To push instant Telegram alerts from a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W WSPR Station, you need to create a Telegram Bot, extract its API token, and deploy a lightweight Python file-monitoring script on your Pi. This was all done and the ZS1I 6 m WSPR Monitoring Station is running flawlessly and is ready for the 6 Meter Season in the Southern Hemisphere.
Small Projects on the Work Bench: Passive RF Field Strength Meter; "Squeakie" RF Field Strength Meter and Modified "Squeakie" RF Field Strength Meter. More information available on this Blog.
3D Printer Projects: Printing - 3 x Electronic Project Cabinets and 2 x PP3 9v Battery Holder.
Internet Woes: I still experience issues with the Internet, now on a regular basis in the Shack. Either the fiber connection and the two LTE connections would go offline for short periods. Just long enough to cause havoc after which I need to reboot all the network, router etc. It is clear that this happens more frequently then before. Annoying but that is what you have to live with in a third world country. Enough said!
Upgrading of the 49355 ZS1I HUB Node: The ZS1I HUB Node is now fully upgraded and no issues were experienced lately except when the Internet Woes kick in. I will however work on the 145.550 Mhz RF Link. The intention is to add the link radio to another Allstar Node and use this link whenever there is a need for a RF Link in the Mossel Bay area. More info to follow in a future posting.
6 Meter Beacon Project: This project is still on track, once I have installed the antennas, front end protector and solar power supply units. This must be done ASAP as the 6m season is nearly here. The current ZS1I 40m WSPR Beacon will be changed to 6 meters. More info in a future posting.
ZS1I DMR Repeater Project: The TGIF Network has been added to the Mossel Bay DMR Repeater. The ZS1I DMR Repeater has been added to the DMR Masters List and a request for talkgroup 65522 has been approved. More info on this in a future posting.
East Coast Reflector Network News: Every weekday at 05h00 SAST the East Coast Reflector is active on the ZS1I HUB Network, Mossel Bay. Casual chats and also structured Nets takes place on certain days and times. The net control stations along with the help of all connected nodes try to answer all amateur radio-related questions. Come join the ZS1I HUB week days and you will experience interesting content. Last Tuesday there was a Net and participants were asked a question about AI and Amateur Radio. Opinions expressed were very interesting and educational.
40 Meter Band Wide open this past week: Click HERE to read more. Remarkable!! I have never seen the 40 Meter Band conditions this good for such a long period.
Latest ZS1I Amateur Radio News and Announcements very popular: From time to time I publish amateur radio news and announcements on the Blog. On the 1 September 2026 issue #9 was published. It currently appears at the top of the list under Popular Posts. It is listed as number 1 of the 10 most read articles since the 1 September 2026. Thank you to all the content contributors who make the News and Announcement so popular.
Automatic Amateur Radio News Bulletins on Demand Project: The first stage of this project has been setup successfully and is working great. The second stage will be setting up permanent bulletin Internet links on the ZS1I Bulletin Server whereby bulletins will be fetched (downloaded) to the server for playback. Unfortunately locally bulletins are still handled in the old fashioned way and on different web-sites. I will have to automatically download and setup these bulletins to be served on the ZS1I Bulletin Server. A few scripts is needed to get this up and running. More in a future posting.
Okay enough for now. I enjoyed working on every one of the above.
Finally: I trust that other radio amateurs might find the inspiration to get cracking in solving issues and to experiment with what they have in the Shack. Just calling CQ CQ on the radio or having a Rag-chew does not cut if for me. Been there and done that. I need to learn, experiment, build, create, find solutions and enjoy what I am busy with in the Shack that relates to Amateur Radio. So why not get up at 04h00 in the morning work on projects till you go to work and then occupy the Shack again at 20h30 when you have spend some time with the family. It was nothing foreign to spend time in the Shack in the olden days till 01h00 in the morning. Thankfully I am retired and can now get up at 04h00 and spend the day in the shack until 20h00. Kids are out of the nest and the XYL join me in the Shack when ever she feels like it. Ya it is vice versa of cause!
Be and active radio amateur or find another hobby? We need active and dynamic radio amateurs. Amateur Radio is not a hobby, but rather an obsession if you have the KNACK!
Remarkable!! I have never seen the 40 Meter Band conditions this good for such a long period. Have a look at the list below and the time of day that the ZS1I WSPR Beacon was spotted. (Click on images for larger view.)
Have a look at the image below and specifically at the distance in kilometers. Look at the distances from 22:10 to 04:50. All local "long distances" more than 1000km to 3555 km and at night time. From 04:50 to 06:10 no more WSPR decodes until 06:10 to 12:00 when propagation changed to spotting only one local station ("short distance") ZS1VAT and only 301km. No other stations spotted the ZS1I 40 Meter WSPR Beacon. I know far to little about propagation to come to conclusions. Will have to learn more about HF Propagation if I can find the time.
1. Reminder: Do 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. NEW!! - DMR-ZA Net now on the TGIF Network under Upcoming Nets. (TG65522) World Wide
2. DMR / DVSwitch /AllStar Bridge (TG 65522)
3. ZS1I MMDVM Digital Repeater, Mossel Bay (TG 65522)
4. 145.550 Mhz Analogue Simplex RF Link Mossel Bay area.
5. DroidStar / VoxDMR Applications for DMR TG655, South Africa
6. ASL3 to Mumble Bridge PC (Mumble Client) as well as Mobile Phone (Plumble Client), Mossel Bay
7. BrandMeister - Hoseline Application (PC or Mobile Phone - Receive only.) World Wide
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.
10. ZS1I 49355 AllStar Hub Network which incorporates Echolink. (ZS1I-R) Mossel Bay
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. New Icom IC7110 Radio released for the Modern Amateur Radio Operator.
Icom has revealed the new IC-7110, a 100W HF, 50W VHF/UHF mobile amateur radio. Take a first look at the radio, high-resolution photos, and my livestream discussion with Dan VK4DNO from Icom Australia. = Hayden VK7HH aka hamradiodx.net
The Icom IC-7110 is Icom’s new HF/VHF/UHF all-mode amateur radio and the successor to the IC-7100, previously teased under the X-026 project name. Officially unveiled at Tokyo Ham Fair 2026, the IC-7110 delivers up to 100 watts on HF and 50 MHz and 50 watts on 144/430 MHz, with a detachable 4.3-inch touchscreen controller, dual-band simultaneous reception, D-STAR, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3, GNSS, USB-C and a built-in CW decoder = Temporary Offline
3. How can I create more activity on my DMR Repeater?
To
create more activity on your DMR
(Digital Mobile Radio) repeater
and introduce new functions, you must shift it from a local isolated
island into an interconnected, multi-featured digital hub.
Here
is the direct, actionable blueprint to boost user traffic and
maximize your repeater's capabilities:
Connect
to Major Networks
Linking
your repeater to global networks instantly provides a massive pool of
potential users and conversational traffic.
Bridge
to BrandMeister:
Link your repeater to the BrandMeister
Network
to give users access to thousands of international, national, and
regional Talkgroups (TGs).
Bridge
to TGIF Network:
Link your repeater to the TGIF Networkto give users access to thousands of international, national, and
regional Talkgroups (TGs).
Configure
Static Talkgroups:
Program 2 or 3 popular regional or state Talkgroups as "static"
on Time Slot 1 or 2 so your repeater constantly broadcasts
background activity, drawing locals to join in.
Enable
Dynamic Talkgroups:
Allow users to "PTT (Push-to-Talk) activate" any Talkgroup
dynamically, which automatically times out after 10–15 minutes of
inactivity to keep your repeater free.
Host
Structured Weekly Events
Random
chatter rarely sustains a repeater. Scheduled programming gives
operators a specific reason to tune in.
Weekly
Themed Nets:
Host a scheduled net (e.g., "Tech Night," "Newbie
Q&A," or "Weather Check") and promote it on local
amateur radio club websites.
On-Air
DMR Workshops:
Run a monthly "Codeplug Clinic" to help local hams program
their radios, troubleshoot color codes, and set up talkgroups.
Cross-Link
for Nets:
Temporarily bridge your DMR repeater to local analog VHF/UHF
repeaters or AllStar/ECHOLINK nodes during nets to pull analog users
into the digital space.
Deploy
Advanced Digital Functions
Modern
DMR repeaters can do much more than pass voice traffic. Activating
data features provides immense utility.
Enable
APRS Tracking:
Configure your repeater to forward DMR-APRS text and location
packets to the APRS-IS network, allowing users to track their
GPS-enabled HTs seamlessly.
Activate
SMS Gateway:
Set up Text Messaging (TMS) functions so users can send SMS messages
to cellular phones or check weather reports via automated DMR text
servers.
Parrot
Talkgroup (9990):
Ensure Talkgroup 9990 is configured as a private or group audio
check so users can test their audio levels and codeplugs instantly.
Build
Community Awareness
People
cannot use your repeater if they do not know it exists or how to
program it.
Publish
a Standard Codeplug:
Create and share a downloadable, pre-configured codeplug file for
popular radios (like Anytone or Retevis) featuring your repeater's
channels.
List
on Databases:
Update your repeater's exact frequencies, color code, and timeslot
layouts on Repeaterbook
and the BrandMeister directory.
Image: Illustration purposes.
4. A caver was successfully rescued on August 15, 2026, after being trapped at Rat's Nest Cave in Canmore, Alberta
A caver has been rescued after being trapped vertically underground at the Rat's Nest Cave in Canada, in an operation that deployed volunteer-built underground radio technology for the first time.
Rat's Nest Cave is a wild, naturally formed limestone cave located beneath Grotto Mountain Alberta.
The rescue group says a cave radio that transmits signals through rock was used in a live operation for the first time. The technology was developed by QRP-Labs and used by members of Alberta/BC Cave Rescue, which is part of Search and Rescue Alberta, in response to the difficulty of using traditional communication methods like phones, radios or GPS underground.
New Technology: For the first time in a live rescue, Search and Rescue Alberta utilized a volunteer-built underground radio system (QDX-M technology) capable of transmitting communication signals through more than 500 meters of solid rock.
"Such units are not currently available commercially at an affordable cost, so the benefits of volunteer design and construction work by cavers with electrical engineering and amateur radio backgrounds has been considerable," it says.
Images: Rescue images Rat's Nest Cave in Canmore, Alberta
Image Above: Search and Rescue Alberta and Alberta/BC Cave Rescue members along with Canmore Fire Rescue prepare to rescue a caver trapped in Rat's Nest Cave, in Canmore, Alberta
Image Above: The rescue team used a volunteer-built cave radio system known as QDX-M, which can communicate through more than 500 metres of solid rock. (Submitted by Search and Rescue Alberta)
Image Above: Rescuers enter the Rat's Nest Cave in Canmore to assist a man who became
pinned in a tight spot known as the "Psych Squeeze" on Aug. 15, 2026. (Submitted by Search and Rescue Alberta)
Images Below: Radio Equipment used in cave rescues
The QDX-M is a single-band digital transceiver kit from QRP Labs that rescue teams now adapt as a lightweight, text-based cave radio capable of piercing over 500 meters of solid rock.
What is the QDX-M?
• Single-Band Design: It operates on one specific frequency band, such as low frequencies used for ground penetration. • Power Output: It produces 5 watts of power using a low-voltage supply. • Digital Modes: It works with single-tone digital software like WSJT-X and JS8Call to send clear text messages. • Low Cost: As a builder kit, it costs much less than commercial rescue radios. How It Works Underground • Through-the-Earth (TTE) Signals: It uses very low frequencies (like 137 kHz) that travel directly through stone and dirt instead of going around obstacles. [1] • Text Communication: Rescuers type messages on portable devices connected to the radio, bypassing the static and poor audio of voice radios deep underground. • Small Size: The compact unit fits easily into a backpack or rescue go-box compared to older, bulky analog radio systems.
Recent Success
• Canmore Rescue: In August 2026, the Alberta/B.C. Cave Rescue team used the QDX-M system during a vertical rescue in the Rat's Nest Cave in Alberta. • Deep Range: The system successfully maintained clear text links through more than 500 meters of solid mountain rock.
5. Dilbert visits the doctor and his mother receives a grim diagnosis - her son has "The Knack".
The Knack" is a famous concept from "The Curse of the Engineer"— of the Dilbert animated TV series which originally aired in 1999. In the iconic opening flashback sequence, a worried mother takes young Dilbert to a medical clinic because he is "not like other kids." After evaluating him, the doctor delivers a grim diagnosis. Her son has "The Knack".
"What is "The Knack"? The doctor explains that "The Knack" is a rare, lifelong condition defined by a specific set of symptoms:
Extreme intuition regarding all things mechanical and electrical.
Utter social ineptitude in normal daily interactions.
No chance at leading a normal life.
An inevitable future where the individual is doomed to become an engineer.
The doctor warns that if an engineer ever loses this trait, the results can be completely devastating.
Today, the term is widely shared as a beloved piece of tech humor within real-world engineering communities, perfectly capturing the stereotypical intersection of technical brilliance and social awkwardness.
6. Is 6 Meters the Best Ham Radio Band???
What do you think? Is 6 meters the best ham radio band?
7. Hostile Amateur Radio Clubs?
Ham Radio Gatekeeping: Clubs Shunning Newbies
Sick of snobby amateur radio clubs icing out beginners with jargon bombs and "prove yourself" tests? We expose the ugly truth: Gatekeeping scares off 70% of newbies per-license, from Reddit rants to Phoenix club snubs, dooming the hobby's growth.
Good news: Welcoming havens exist!
8. Entrepreneur and Amateur Radio Operator Invests in the Next Generation of Problem Solvers
Image: Dr James Galm W8WTS
ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® announced today a historic and transformational $1 million gift from Dr. James M. Galm, W8WTS. An entrepreneur and amateur radio operator who spent his career solving complex energy and engineering challenges, Galm is now investing in the next generation of problem solvers through his support of ARRL.
The gift will directly support ARRL programs and activities, including the ARRL STEM education initiative within the Education and Technology Program, and ARRL’s work defending access to amateur radio spectrum through the Spectrum Defense Fund. He didn’t stop there, however. Dr. Galm expressed how important ARRL is to the future of amateur radio by designating a significant portion of his gift as unrestricted support to the ARRL Diamond Club, which supports ARRL’s general fund, and the Second Century Fund, ARRL’s unrestricted endowment fund, which will be invested and support ARRL operations in perpetuity.
James M. Galm, Ph.D., W8WTS, is from Chardon, Ohio and is a 50-year ARRL member, a member of the ARRL Legacy Circle, and an accomplished amateur radio contester. He frequently operates from PJ2T and has served as President and Secretary/Treasurer of the Caribbean Contesting Consortium, PJ2T. He also operates a popular and reliable DX Cluster at dxc.w8wts.net with both ARC 6 and CC Cluster nodes.
With his transformational gift, Dr. Galm will be inducted into the ARRL Maxim Society at the Millennium Class. He joins Margaret Valentine at this extremely generous level of giving. Valentine, along with her late husband Michael Valentine, W8MM (SK), made the first pledge of $1 million to ARRL during the Second Century Campaign.
First licensed as WN8WTS in 1975, Dr. Galm has more than 40 years of experience in engineering, research, manufacturing and product development. He holds nine patents and has published many scholarly articles in peer-reviewed journals.
In 2001, Galm co-founded LayerZero Power Systems, Inc., which grew to become the world leader in ultra-reliable AC power management equipment for mission-critical applications, including AI and machine learning, hyperscale computing data centers, semiconductor manufacturing, and financial transaction processing. The two owners sold a majority interest in LayerZero to a global private equity firm in 2025.
Dr. Galm holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering and Applied Physics, and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Applied Physics from Case Western Reserve University. He is a Professional Engineer licensed to practice in Ohio. Now retired, Dr. Galm serves on boards of directors for LayerZero and Type One Energy.
Galm's gift represents a significant investment in ARRL's mission by supporting initiatives that help develop students as innovators, protecting the future of amateur radio spectrum, and strengthening the organization for generations to come.
1. Reminder: Do 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) 1. Reminder: Do tune into the DMR-ZA Net this evening at 19h30 SAST 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. Earthquake - On 10 August 2026, at 07:34 a.m. local time, a magnitude 7.4 (Mw) earthquake struck western Colombia.
The death toll continued to rise past 200 in western Colombia after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake shook towns and cities on Monday the 10th of August, causing nearly 2,000 buildings to collapse and injuring nearly 3,000. It was the strongest earthquake to strike Colombia in 100 years and came only weeks after two earthquakes shattered Venezuela.
Members of the [Liga Colombiana de Radioaficionados -- LCRA] have deployed alongside the Colombian Red Cross to provide communications support in the wake of the Earthquake Disaster.
In Colombia, the [LCRA] uses the International Amateur Radio Union Region 2 (IARU R2) frequencies for emergency communications, as follows:
3. Ethics and Operating Procedures for the Radio Amateur, Fourth Edition
We are pleased to offer the fourth edition of the Ethics and Operating Procedures for the Radio Amateur (EOP). This edition incorporates the latest developments and best practices in the field of amateur radio. We believe these updates are essential to upholding the high standards of amateur radio and ensuring our community remains at the forefront of technological innovation and ethical operating practices.
IARU Region 1 President's Statement:
IT IS WITH GREAT PRIDE and a strong sense of responsibility that we present this new edition of the Ethics and Operating Procedures for the Radio Amateur – the first edition of our second century. For one hundred years, the IARU has supported the spirit of amateur radio: international friendship, technical progress, and service to the public. Today, more than ever, the way we behave on the air shows the values at the heart of our world-wide community.
This new edition is based on the well-respected work created more than fifteen years ago by two experienced radio amateurs. However, it is more than just a revision. It has been fully rewritten, clearer, more useful, and closer to the realities of amateur radio today. It is for everyone: experienced operators and newcomers alike. It gives us a shared basis for communication that is respectful, helpful, and enjoyable. In a time of fast technical change and global challenges, high standards are important. They help us protect our access to the spectrum and keep a positive image of amateur radio around the world.
Amateur radio is one of the few hobbies that crosses borders, languages, and cultures. This is a privilege, and it brings a duty to act with respect, patience, and courtesy. Our Code of Conduct reminds us that every contact is not only a technical exchange. It is also a reflection of who we are and what we share. This unity did not happen by chance. During a century that saw wars, political conflict, and division, the I A RU has survived because it has kept world politics off the air. Many times, there were reasons – sometimes strong – to bring the conflicts of the moment into our work together. Each time, we chose not to. I believe this is one of the main reasons we have lasted one hundred years.
I encourage every radio amateur to read these pages, to share them, and to follow them. Let us set a good example, not only for other operators today, but for the radio amateurs of the future.
We have just completed one hundred remarkable years. Here is to the next century of respectful and responsible communication!
Sylvain Azarian F4GKR President of the International Amateur Radio Union Region 1
Please feel free to download any version and to give a copy to your friends, newcomers and old-timers alike. Don’t forget, this is NOT a document for newcomers only, and this is not a document for DXers only. It is a document as well for old-timers and DXpeditioners.
4. Vyf ná byna drie dae uit sneeubedekte Drakensberg gered
Vyf mense is vroeg Donderdag uit die noordelike Drakensberg gered nadat swaar sneeu, stormsterk wind en ysige toestande hulle dae lank in uiters moeilike omstandighede gestrand gelaat het.
Some 60 years ago Ham Radio had young people joining the hobby. Now the median age is greater 65. At that same time, it was a technical hobby. Now its dumbed down to contests and operating.
QST and the Handbook are nothing compared to what they used to be.
ED. Pete N6QW is well known for his participation in the "Soldersmoke Podcast". Personally I think he has made some very valid comments which some like and others do not like. Be as it may there is some real food for thought in this video!!
6. Ham Radio's Worst Invention - The SWR Meter.
Mark the Ham Florida Man explores common misconceptions regarding SWR meters and standing wave ratio in ham radio setups. This demonstration explains how these devices measure directional traveling wave power at specific points in a transmission system and clarifies how impedance mismatches affect meter readings throughout an antenna installation.
7. Introduction to DMR: The Four Wheels on the Car
DMR asks new users to understand codeplugs, timeslots, talkgroups, and networks before they’ve even keyed the mic — and most guides bury that in jargon before you get near your first contact. This piece cuts through it with one idea: DMR is like a car, and those four concepts are its four wheels. Get all four turning and you’re on the air; skip one, and you’re not going anywhere. Part 1 of Tommy’s Guide to DMR builds that mental model — no gear list yet, no codeplug, just the four ideas you need before any of the rest makes sense.
8. Winlink Tells You What Happened. APRS Tells You What’s Happening.
Two Tools, Two Jobs, and Why Most EmComm Plans Only Cover One
Winlink is the digital mode of record for emergency communications, and it has earned that standing: its forms library is why served agencies can file, route, and audit what we hand them. But forms are retrospective by design. They tell you what happened, in a shape somebody can defend later. They cannot tell you what is happening while you can still do something about it, and most EmComm plans carry no second tool that does. This is a long look at APRS as the missing half of that capability: what it does beyond dots on a map, why it keeps working when the internet doesn’t, where its bridge to Winlink quietly breaks, what the research says about why ICS was never built to produce situational awareness in the first place, and why the ARRL’s own ARES Plan names situational awareness in its mission statement without naming a single tool that provides it. It’s long. The short version is that reporting and awareness are two faces of one coin, and most plans are carrying only one of them.
Investigation targets alleged illegal use of amateur radio frequencies in Germiston.
An investigation led by the Independent Communications Authority of
South Africa (ICASA), is clamping down on businesses operating illegally
on amateur radio frequencies.
1. Reminder: Do 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) 1. Reminder: Do tune into the DMR-ZA Net this evening at 19h30 SAST 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. Would WSPR work on DMR?
No, WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) will not work over a DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) voice/data channel. They use completely incompatible modulation schemes, bandwidths, and timing structures.
Why WSPR and DMR are Incompatible
Modulation Type: WSPR uses continuous phase 4-tone Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) at an ultra-slow 1.46 baud, designed for analog SSB audio passbands. DMR uses 4-level and 2-slot TDMA Time-Division Multiple Access with 4FSK phase modulation at 9600 baud, processed by proprietary voice codecs.
Bandwidth: A WSPR signal occupies a tiny 6 Hz slice of spectrum (inside a ~200 Hz to 2.5 kHz audio window). A DMR channel requires a strict 12.5 kHz channel spacing.
Transmission Length: WSPR transmissions are precisely timed and take nearly two full minutes (110.6 seconds) of uninterrupted carrier shifting per burst. DMR cuts transmissions into rigid 30-millisecond frames and timeslot bursts.
Decoding: Standard WSPR decoders (like WSJT-X) look for specific FSK tone sequences and timing relative to UTC seconds. Passing a WSPR audio tone through a DMR digital voice codec will completely distort and destroy the weak signals, turning them into noise or data errors.
3. Ham Radio Etiquette: Do's And Don'ts On Digital Modes [2026]
Amateur radio, minding the gap refers to the crucial practice of leaving a short, deliberate pause (typically 3 to 4 seconds) between transmissions (Overs). This is essential for digital voice and data networks to properly reset, synchronize, and pass traffic without causing system-wide dropouts.
Here is exactly why we mind the gap:
Network Synchronization: For digital voice modes like DMR and C4FM/Wires-X, data travels via servers, nodes, and internet gateways. The gap gives the network’s VoIP protocol time to release the digital stream, clear buffers, and allow other stations to key up.
Preventing "Clipping": If you press your Push-to-Talk (PTT) button and immediately start speaking, the first syllable or two of your transmission is often swallowed by the digital handshaking process. Waiting a second prevents your voice from being clipped.
Allowing Break-Ins: Leaving a pause between your overs gives other operators a chance to break in. This is especially vital in emergencies when another user needs to pass priority traffic.
Avoiding "Time-Out" Timers: Many digital repeaters and network nodes have strict time-out timers (e.g., 3 minutes). Taking a breather resets these timers, preventing the repeater from dropping your transmission mid-sentence.
Thanks to Chris M9UCW For The Thumbnail Image.
Thumbnail Image For Illustration Purposes Only
73 de Mark 2E1CEQ Ham Radio Gadgets YouTube Channel Please Like And Subscribe
4. The Internet Re-Invented - - - - Internet Killer?
In this video, I build a Reticulum RNode and prove that completely different radios — LoRa and Wi-Fi — can communicate through a hardware-agnostic networking stack. Reticulum routes traffic above the radio layer, automatically bridging dissimilar frequencies, interfaces, and modulation types. I then run it over Wi-Fi HaLow Haven nodes to create a long-range, encrypted IP mesh with no traditional infrastructure. Finally, I push it further by running ATAK across the network, demonstrating a fully open-source, decentralized communication stack in action.
"Ham" started as an insult — and the frequencies amateurs were handed were dismissed as useless. So how did they end up crossing oceans, building their own satellite, and talking to astronauts?
This is the strange — and completely true — history of ham (amateur) radio, told as one story: from an invisible prediction on paper to a hobbyist satellite in orbit.
You'll meet James Clerk Maxwell and Heinrich Hertz (who thought his own discovery was useless), follow Marconi's first signal across the Atlantic, and finally find out where the nickname "ham" really comes from — and why the famous "three friends" story is a myth. You'll see how the "useless" short waves turned out to bend around the world off the ionosphere, how amateurs made the first two-way transatlantic contact in 1923, built OSCAR 1 — the world's first non-governmental satellite — and went on to talk with astronauts in space. Plus India's own proud amateur-radio story: Gooptu, Bose, the Amateur Radio Society of India, and a Prime Minister with the callsign VU2RG
00:00 Ham was an insult? 00:35 The invisible waves (Maxwell & Hertz) 01:22 Marconi crosses the Atlantic 01:47 The first home radio builders 02:30 Radio's first traffic jam 02:50 Why they're called "hams" 03:30 The band the experts called useless 03:53 The ionosphere changes everything 04:15 Relay: the birth of the ARRL 04:36 First two-way Atlantic contact (1923) 05:23 Hobbyists build a satellite (OSCAR 1) 05:48 Ham radio reaches space 06:16 India's amateur radio story 07:06 The real pattern of the story
In Part 1 available HERE I gave a short overview of the Next Generation Amateur Radio Beacon (s) for the Southern Cape. You can read more HERE about theZS1I 6 Meter Magic Band Project in the Southern Cape Area of South Africa.
This past few weeks I have been working on the 6m CW Beacon.
As I said before this is not an elaborate beacon but more of a modular /
practical beacon.
Update: ZS1I 6 Meter CW Beacon Project (Part 2) available HERE
This past few weeks I have been working on the 6m CW Beacon building it into a project box. As I said before this is not an elaborate beacon but more of a modular / practical beacon.
The beacon is now built into the project box and ready to be installed to the antenna and power supply.
Site: ZS1I Station Shack, Heiderand, Mossel Bay License: ZS1I Amateur Radio License Note: This beacon is NOT located on a remote site which requires a separate license. The current location allows the owner to monitor and control the beacon while it is on the air.
I still need a solar power supply for the beacon upon final installation. The Delta Loop antenna needs to be lifted higher in the air. It appears that we are now on the home run to get this beacon on the air and ready for the "magic band" season in South Africa. An update article will follow once the final installation has been done and the beacon is up and running.
Images: (Click on images for larger view.)
Videos:
Notes:
1. The broken face-plate was replaced with 2 x PVC Pipe plates that I made out of 80 mm PVC gutter down pipe. It works great and I will in a future article explain how I turned the round gutter pipe into a flat piece of PVC. I used a very old pipe that needed to be sprayed with either white or black spray paint. Personally I think it did not turn out that bad.
2. The angle at which the second video was taken did not show the complete message on the OLED. If I lifted the project box then you would be able to see the full message. Apology for the bad photography.
