My current thoughts on the Meshtastic and Meshcore "hype" and why I prefer AREDN!

Why all the hype about Meshtastic and Meshcore nowadays in Amateur Radio?  Is there really a hype in this regard?   To answer the hype question I must honestly answer yes, if you look around you will literally find hundreds of videos and articles in this regard. I have been watching and reading quite a bit regarding these two entirely different open-source software projects since Meshtastic started a few years ago and Meshcore joined in later.  A few local radio amateurs in the George area setup a few nodes and some information were exchanged amongst radio amateurs in the area.  I looked into the feasibility of setting up such a mesh network at the time but came to the conclusion that it will be of no benefit to me or the general public as I was already running a AREDN ( Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network) Network on 2.4 Ghz and 5.8 Ghz in the Mossel Bay area.  The benefits of an AREDN Mesh Network clearly over shadowed Meshtastic and Meshcore.   But you are talking a lot of rubbish now!  What about emergency communications?  Surely Meshtastic and Meshcore can be used during a disaster to assist in emergency communications?

Let me explain a few reasons why I decided not to go the Meshtastic or Meshcore route and let me make it very clear that I an not against any of these open source projects.  I might in future consider to join both these open source projects depending on further development of the software, hardware and a substantial price drop etc.

Here is a few reasons why I rather use AREDN: (I will only provide a cryptic explanation.)

• An AREDN (Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network) system is a high-speed, self-discovering wireless mesh network built specifically by and for amateur radio operators using commercial off-the-shelf radio hardware. It is fully open source.  Its source code, custom Linux-based firmware, and build tools are publicly available on GitHub under the GPL-3.0 license. This allows amateur radio operators to inspect, modify, and contribute to the network's software development.
• I already have all the equipment setup for the AREDN Mesh Network including a fully functional web-site and server. It can connect to the ZS1I AllStar Hub Network and DMR Repeater and Bridge Network even when the Internet goes down.  I can connect  AREDN to any repeater, radio link, digital radio link etc for emergency communication use.
• The AREDN Mesh Network has already been successfully used during the Knysna Fire Storm in 2017 and proved that it is up to the task of providing voice, video, image, text, email and data communications. (forwarding and storage)
• The AREDN Mesh Network can be split into several mesh networks.  For example the 2.4 Ghz network can be opened for public use and a person only needs his cellphone (without a cellular network connection) to communicate to the AREDN 2.4 Ghz Network or a node in his/her vicinity.  This will allow the public important direct access communications during a disaster.  Same as Meshtastic and Meshcore but with more power and directional gain antennas for AREDN.
• Video / Images / Email and Data Communications are vital during a disaster.  AREDN can provide these with ease having great bandwidth etc. One can even "tap" into existing CCTV Cameras that might be offline or install portable cameras on tripods if there is a need for it.
• Now let's look at the cost.  For what I am getting from a Meshtastic or Meshcore node / repeater I might just as well use commercial off-the-shelf radio hardware for AREDN which is found in abundance secondhand or sometimes as give-a ways.   On several occasions I received freebee's which I used as AREDN Mesh Nodes.  Older and redundant antennas for 2.4 Ghz and 5.8 Ghz can be obtained free from many Internet Service Providers and the general public.  All the antennas I currently use was free of charge. 
• I hear you say but the Meshtastic and Meshcore nodes are small and compact and can be used with solar battery power.  Yes the form factor is small and compact but have a look at the AREDN web-site to see how small and compact some of the AREDN nodes are and they can also use solar battery power.
• RF Power Output -  As radio amateurs we are permitted to use higher power than any of the Meshtastic or Meshcore nodes can provide.  Higher power is not always the answer but it is available if needed.  Always just use enough power that is needed to make a reliable connection / contact.  I am not a QRO operator by any means but it is good to know that one can use higher power if needed.
• Interconnection of AREDN to other amateur radio equipment and networks.  This is were AREDN is shining and I have touched on this earlier.  Bridging / interconnection / linking call it what you want has become very important in this day and age.  On many occasions in the past I have talked about the  disparity in radio communications among emergency responders—often called a lack of interoperability—occurs due to incompatible hardware frequencies, differing agency protocols, and decentralized funding. Police, fire, and medical teams often use completely separate networks that cannot talk to each other directly during a crisis.  
• In my opinion AREDN is a far better and trustworthy mesh network system.  Agree there are also some areas that need to be upgraded but the AREDN Team is working tirelessly to release software and hardware updates to keep AREDN in the loop and relevant today.

Finally:  I am not against Meshtastic or Meshcore.  Each one has it's own rightful, place and uses and I think that it is wonderful technology that needs to be developed even further.  So before I jump on the "hype wagon" several changes and new features need to be released to make it an attractive option for me to use as an emergency communications tool. By all means feel free to follow the Meshtastic, Meshcore or AREDN "route".  Let's see what the future will bring in this regard.

How to Install the No-IP DUC on a Raspberry Pi for ASL3 Node 49355

Lets install the No-IP DUC from No-IP but before we do that lets look at No-IP DUC, what it is and where can I obtain more information:

No-IP/DDNS (Dynamic Domain Name System) is a service that associates a domain name with a changing IP address. ISPs often assign dynamic IP addresses, which can be problematic for hosting services such as CurrentWare for a remote setup.

No-IP/DDNS solves this by mapping the domain name to the changing IP address using client software or network device configurations. It ensures consistent access to services by automatically updating the DNS record with the latest IP address information.     

Click HERE to obtain more information about No-IP.

Let's get started! 

Make an account with No-IP and Create Host Name.

You will be able to install No-IP’s Dynamic Update Client on Raspberry Pi in just a few minutes using Terminal. 

Installing the service is simple to do, and requires little knowledge of Linux.

You will need to create a directory for the client software to be installed.

Open Terminal and type the following. After each entry press “Enter“.  

sudo mkdir /home/ZS1I/noip [enter]

ls [enter] (noip will be listed)

cd /home/ZS1I/noip [enter]

After creating the folders for the DUC it is time to download the software.

Within the Terminal window  type the following. After each entry you will press “Enter”.

wget http://www.no-ip.com/client/linux/noip-duc-linux.tar.gz

tar vzxf noip-duc-linux.tar.gz

Next navigate to the directory you created to locate the downloaded files. (/home/ZS1I/noip)

cd noip-2.1.9-1

Now install the program.

sudo make

sudo make install

After typing “sudo make install” you will be prompted to login with your No-IP account username and password. After logging into the DUC answer the questions to proceed. When asked how often you want the update to happen you must choose 30 or more. The interval is listed in minutes, if you choose 30 the update interval will be 30 minutes. If you choose 15 the interval will be 15 minutes.

Please enter the login/email string for no-ip.com  ***********
Please enter the password for user  **********
 

3 hosts are registered to this account.

Do you wish to have them all updated?[N] (y/N)  N

Do you wish to have host [one.ddns.net] updated?[N]

Do you wish to have host [two.ddns.net] updated?[N]

Do you wish to have host [three.ddns.net] updated?[Y]

Please enter an update interval:[30]  30

Do you wish to run something at successful update?[N]

sudo /usr/local/bin/noip2

To confirm that the service is working properly you can run the following command.

sudo noip2 ­-S (Capital “S”)

Notes:

To start Noip2: sudo /etc/init.d/noip2 start [enter]

Test Service: sudo noip2 -S [enter]

Check if No-IP DUC is installed:

1. Modern noip-duc version = sudo noip-duc –version [enter] (49355 not using modern version)

2. Legacy noip2 version = sudo noip2 -S [enter]

Output:

ZS1I@49355:~ $ sudo noip2 -S

No noip2 processes active.

Configuration data from /usr/local/etc/no-ip2.conf.

Account configured for:

host dmrrepeater.ddns.net

host zs1iallstar1.ddns.net

host zs1imumble.ddns.net

Updating every 30 minutes via /dev/eth0 with NAT enabled.

ZS1I@49355:~ $

Quick System-Wide Search:

ZS1I@49355:~ $ sudo whereis noip2

noip2: /usr/local/bin/noip2

ZS1I@49355:~ $

Is Social Media killing amateur radio on-the-air activity?

 

In a recent discussion with a fellow radio amateur we discussed the use of WhatsApp, Telegram and even Facebook as a means of forwarding messages, images and discussing general amateur radio content.  And then we ask why is there so little activity locally on the amateur radio bands.  In the past before social media we "forward" messages, images and related discussions by means of voice/digital communications on HF, VHF and UHF radio.  The new trend to use social media instead of amateur radio has a big impact on HF, VHF and UHF activity.  Do we rather use social media then the amateur radio bands?  

I know that certain matters cannot be discussed on the air and for that purpose social media can be quite useful.  However we need to be careful that we do not use social media more that amateur radio for amateur radio related matters.

Questions that we would have asked in the past on air or even discuss are now being asked on social media.  Who can still remember how we used Packet Radio to ask questions and learn from answers.  Are we shooting ourselves in the foot?

When it comes to using the amateur radio bands I certainly think that we use social media much more than the amateur radio bands. If this trend continues we will have no leg to stand on, once our frequency spectrum comes under threat.  I would also like to warn again of amateur radio getting too secluded and group bound. 

Unity creates strength but I get the idea that we are becoming to fragmented and group bound. We really need to guard that we do not become our own worst enemy when it comes to the above matters. I might be completely out of line here but feel that it is necessary that we take note of the above. 

Finally I would like to encourage radio amateurs to use the amateur radio bands even if it is just for a good old rag-chew.  At least that way we keep the bands occupied and active.  

Social media does have a place in amateur radio and can be useful in some instances.  I am not against using social media for certain amateur radio matters but our main focus should be to use the amateur radio bands more than social media unless we do not care that we can loose some of our bands in future due to inactivity.

Amateur Radio should be our first choice when communicating with our fellow radio amateurs.  Be smart..... rather use Amateur Radio instead of Social Media.

PS/  Don't shoot the messenger.  Rather give the above a thought and decide if it is true or false or maybe! 

What is happening to Amateur Radio in South Africa and will ET be able to phone home ?

Image:  ET phones home correctly by using good operating procedures  (Click on image for larger view.) 

The title question can be interpreted in two ways.  No need for me to explain.  I am sure that there are many South African Radio Amateurs that love the hobby and some started in the hobby while they were still kids.  On occasion I called the hobby an obsession which is a bit over the top.  But that is how I feel about the best and most versatile hobby in the World.   

However  ......  there are a few things that needs to be rectified or looked at, that is not in line with the Amateur Radio Code of Conduct or that transgress the Radio Act and or Radio Regulations.  I on many occasions have said that I am not a "policeman" and has no authority to take any action to rectify any transgressions.  I can however voice my dissatisfaction about a few transgressions as the amateur radio hobby is / should be a self regulating hobby without the need for the authorities to intervene.  

The incidents / transgressions that I am going to mention here is really damaging the image of the hobby and I am sure that this is not what we want to observe and hear about amateur radio.  Be as it may I need to get the following off my chest:

• Blatant transgression of call signs on the air  -  Have you heard the following:  "1I good afternoon."  1I is not a call sign.  The correct use of the call sign must be "ZS1I good afternoon".  The abbreviation of a call sign is a transgression of the radio regulations.
• Another transgression is when an operator calls in as "Tobie from Put-Sonder-Water, good afternoon".  Where is the call sign and who is Tobie ..... a pirate?  Even if you know the voice and the person why does he not provide his call sign when he break into / join a conversation.  At least everybody on the air will from the on-set know who Tobie is!
• The following example in my opinion is rude and I will not even try to join the conversation.  The following happens on many bands.  Right off the bat is HF.  Two friends are chatting and a third and fourth wants to join but the two operators leave no gap for anybody to join.  They just carry on talking.  Yes I know about conditions etc. but this also happens on the VHF / UHF bands and repeaters.  This is not in line with the Amateur Radio Code of Conduct.
• Since when is a cellphone call more important than an amateur radio conversation.  Have your heard the following:   "Just stand by I have a phone call."  Half an hour later the receiver of the phone call returns and expect to chat further.   This happens many times.  Switch you phone off or do not join a conversation if you expect a call on the cellphone.  Why can you not later return the cellphone call after you ended the QSO?  I have been left in the cold on many occasions and do not "come back" when the "offender" returns.  In my opinion this is out-rite rude conduct.
• "Kerchunking ..... Kerchunking!!   Need I say anything more about kerchunking a repeater?  What is so difficult to say "ZS1I testing / monitoring the 145.775 Mhz repeater"?   On several occasions I have heard somebody responding to a Kerchunker,  friendly reminding him to provide a call sign but not providing his own call sign on the air.
• Amateur Radio has a few musicians on the air as well.  They love to play courtesy, sirens and other tones on the air.  Sir / Madam your tones are a nuisance and serve no purpose at all.  You can still use your DTMF tones by setting it up not to be heard on-air via a node etc.  Nowadays there is no need to hear any tones on the air.  There are other ways to do it correctly.
• CB slang and jargon!!  I also started off in CB many years ago when CB radio just started to become popular.  Please refrain from using CB slang or jargon in Amateur Radio.   I hear many operators in amateur radio talking the talk of CB.  If you want to use slang or jargon use your CB radio for that purpose.
• Another irritating practice is when a station is talking or busy to hand over to another station and someone makes a comment over a person or in between rounds without providing his call-sign.   Why can this person not wait until it is his / her time (over) to speak.  This practice in my eyes is causing deliberate interference on the air.  Is this a practice that was used by rogue CB operators?  

I have only mentioned a few irritating transgressions which also contravene the Amateur Radio Code of Conduct.  I am sure that you can think and add more ugly "habits" that is not mentioned in this article.

Ask any older radio amateur that has been a radio amateur for many years and he or she will be able to confirm that this is not the way to operate an amateur radio station.  Yes, some of the older operators are also at fault and I do not point finger to any generation in this regard.

If the above transgressions / ugly trends continues it will damage the image of amateur radio and also chase many away from this wonderful hobby which we cannot afford under any circumstances.  

The South African Radio League Web Site provides value information on Ethics and Operating Procedure for the Radio-Amateur made available by the IARU,  Click  HERE to view.

Good operating procedures should and must always be our first priority in amateur radio otherwise ET will not be able to phone home!  👌😢 

 

Important Notification: New Annual Verification process by RadioID.net

The ID numbers used for DMR and other amateur radio digital networks are a finite resource. Due to the growing popularity of these modes, along with some users requiring multiple IDs, certain regions are expected to face ID shortages in the near future.

To help ensure that available IDs are being used efficiently, the organization in charge of maintaining the ID database will periodically verify that currently assigned IDs are still needed and that the information associated with them remains accurate.

Beginning July 1, 2026, RadioID.net will implement an annual verification process. On the anniversary of each account’s creation, it will send an email to the account holder requesting confirmation that the assigned ID(s) are still needed and that the the account information remains accurate and up to date.

If no confirmation is received, the associated ID(s) will be temporarily deactivated. If RadioID.net is unable to obtain a response after a reasonable period, the ID(s) will be removed from the database and made available for reassignment.

This process is intended to preserve the long-term availability of ID numbers and maintain an accurate database for the amateur radio community.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this process, please contact RadioID through their support page. 

Breathtaking sunrise this morning in Mossel Bay situated along the Garden Route of South Africa!

The images below were taken this morning (11 June 2026 @ 07:27) from my QTH in Mossel Bay, South Africa.  The images really do not capture the complete beauty of the sun rise because a two-dimensional photograph cannot convey lived experience, movement, atmospheric lighting, or the emotional depth of a moment. Real-world beauty engages all the senses, whereas an image flattens reality into a simple static frame.  None the less the images are better than no images at all.  

Garden Route was officially crowned the best road trip in the world.

South Africa's Garden Route was officially crowned the best road trip in the world by a global study. It achieved an impressive score of 90.6 out of 100, outperforming iconic drives like Route 66 and the Pacific Coast Highway due to its stellar visibility, low winds, and perfect driving weather. 

🗺️ The Route at a Glance

• The Stretch: Roughly 300km (about 185 miles) along the N2 highway.
• The Path: Runs directly through your area—stretching from Mossel Bay eastward to the Storms River Mouth.
• Key Highlights: The route is celebrated for seamlessly blending towering mountains, ancient indigenous forests, lagoons, and the rugged Indian Ocean coastline.

🌲 Core Attractions

At the heart of this global champion is the Garden Route National Park, which is divided into three main, unmissable sections: 

1. Wilderness Section: Famous for calm waterways, birdwatching, and outdoor activities like canoeing and mountain biking.
2. Knysna Section: Known for its lush forests, estuarine environments, and the chance to spot the endangered Knysna seahorse.
3. Tsitsikamma Section: Offers rugged coastal scenery, dramatic hiking trails, and the iconic suspension bridge at Storms River Mouth. 

🚗 Popular Towns to Stop and Explore

You don't just drive through this route; the stops are what make it special. Some of the top towns and villages along the way include: 

• Mossel Bay: The official starting/end point for the drive.
• Wilderness: Quiet, sweeping beaches and river estuaries.
• Sedgefield: Famous for its bustling Wild Oats Community Farmers' Market (go early to beat the crowds).
• Knysna: Great for oysters, lagoon cruises, and forest walks.
• Plettenberg Bay: Beautiful beaches, marine safaris, and upscale eaterie

Why not explore this world-renowned coastal drive over 3 to 7 days, discovering hidden gems and local wildlife along the way and as a bonus you might experience sun rises as seen in the image below.

Enjoy!

(Click in images for larger view.) 

 

Sad to see a decline in Amateur Radio during the Winter in South Africa?

Image:   AI  (Click on the image for larger view.) 

Having been in amateur radio for more than 30 years it is sad to notice that there is nowadays an enormous decline of amateur radio activities during the winter times.  Having said that let me just point out that this was not the case in the days gone by.  I have noticed that on-air activity is very low and in some instances exceed to exist during winter times.  Looks like radio amateurs move into hibernation.   Why this topic and what does it have to do with me? Well firstly it is just an observation on my part and secondly the decline in activity is not good for amateur radio.  I hear you say but there are ongoing activity.  Yep you correct and I did not say that in general nothing is happening in amateur radio but definitely on-air activity has declined. 

Image:   AI  (Click on the image for larger view.) 

Now tell us what was it like in the olden days during the winter.  Man-o-Man now you are talking.  Winter time was the time when radio amateurs get together on the air literally in their droves.  "Foot-warmers" nick name for tube amplifiers  and tubes of valve radios were working overtime in the Shack.  Another benefit was that the heat coming from the old valve equipment also heated the inside of the Shack.  You did not need an electric heater to heat the Shack.  With valve radios you kill two flies in the Shack at once.  O! ...  now I see what the problem is nowadays.  All the new transistor- and chip radios are cold and you need an external heater to warm the Shack if you lucky to have electrical power.

Enough!  I am not trying to say that things were better in the olden days.  I just found that there are less activity in the winter nowadays.  Are the days of spending times in a warm cosy Shack in winter now forever gone?  I hope I am wrong about all of this.

Hope to hear of more on the air and off the air (home brewing) activity during the long winter months.  If you do not want to sit in the Shack then sneak a radio into your bedroom but for Pete's Sake just be more active during the winter.  We have a saying here in the Southern Cape if nothing is heard on the air that -  "Dit is net dooie kole!"   In other words the coals that keep the "fire burning" (amateur radio going) is dead. 

To assist some of my fellow radio amateurs read more here:

Winter hibernation for your rig is a common choice, but you don't have to stay off the air! Discover warm-weather and cold-weather operating tips in the Winter Ham Radio Tips OH8STN video, or browse community perspectives on the Hibernating until spring due to cold weather - Facebook

Let's keep those "coals burning" and stop the radio hibernation!