#8 - Amateur Radio News and Announcements (18 August 2026)

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:

80 m: 3985 kHz
40 m: 7060, 7240, and 7275 kHz
20 m: 14300 kHz
17 m: 18160 kHz
15 m: 21360 kHz
2 m: 146.520 MHz (simplex)

PLEASE steer clear of these frequencies.
 

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.

Download file HERE (PDF)

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.

Lees meer HIER 

5.  Ham Radio is in the Toilet - Pete N6QW 

 

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.

 Further reading:  What Your FWD/REV SWR Power Meter Is Actually Showing

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.

Read more HERE 

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.

Read more HERE

The Motorola Radius M100 radio that was built to last!

The Motorola Radius M100 is a classic two-way mobile radio introduced in the late 1980s. It earned a reputation for being rugged and "built to last" due to its heavy-duty die-cast aluminum chassis, high-grade commercial internal components, and compliance-level structural toughness designed to withstand harsh industrial and vehicular environments.

Design and Durability

• Tough Chassis: Built with a thick metal frame that dissipates heat effectively and protects internal logic and RF boards from physical shock and vibration.
• Industrial Use: Widely deployed in commercial fleets, public safety back channels, and construction sites where equipment faced constant movement and dust.
• Simple Controls: Offered a straightforward, no-nonsense interface (often 2 channels) that reduced mechanical failure points on the faceplate. 

Technical Legacy and Limitations

• Power Output: Typically pushed an honest 25 to 40 watts of RF power, depending on the specific VHF/UHF split.
• Programming Hurdles: These vintage units rely on legacy DOS-based Radio Service Software (RSS) and a dedicated Radio Interface Box (RIB), making modern programming a notable challenge for hobbyists. 

I have a Motorola Radius M100 VHF radio connected to the ZS1I AllStar HUB Node in Mossel Bay since 2016.  This radio is now running full output power for 10 years as a linked radio to the HUB and is connected to world wide Echolink, AllStar and DMR networks seven days a week.  This radio is being used for what it was never intended for.  It was designed as a mobile radio and not as a full time simplex or repeater radio.

I am flabbergasted that this radio is still working the way it did 10 years ago without skipping a beat taking into account the heavy duty cycle it goes through, sometimes transmitting for 1 hour or longer.  We need to take into account that this radio was introduced in the late 80's  and is a real brick of a radio.  Another important factor apart from being rugged and built to last is curtailing the heat created by the pre-driver, driver and final transistors.  Heat can be the enemy of many radios.  Incorrect heat distribution and high temperature can cause radios to fail.  In this case I chose to install an outboard computer fan (80mm x 80mm) to the heatsink of this radio.  I also installed a homebrew fan controller which was described in my article available HERE.

The fan does not run all the time but comes on when the radio is in TX Mode for longer that 30 seconds depending on the temperature in the shack an whether it is winter or summer. 

I constantly monitor the radios's output power as well as SWR with an inline SWR and Power Meter combination.   So far I have not detected any indication of lower output power or higher SWR than first measured when I installed the antenna.  Apart from making a COS modification to the radio nothing else was modified or fixed.  

The Motorola Radius M100 is an ultra-reliable, vintage analog mobile transceiver built like a tank.  It is widely praised by retro radio fans and amateur operators as a classic "no-nonsense" workhorse.  Housed in a heavy-duty metal chassis, the M100 takes physical abuse, high vehicle vibrations, and extreme field environments far better than modern lightweight plastic radios. Features exceptionally crisp, clear analog receive and transmit audio that easily cuts through noise Delivers a solid 25 watts of power (depending on the specific VHF/UHF band split), making it great for base stations or mobile setups. Most base M100 models support very few channels/modes (often just 2 channels) unless upgraded with specific logic boards.

Obsolete Programming - Requires an archaic DOS-based computer environment, a Radio Interface Box (RIB), and specific Radio Service Software (RSS like RADMBL) to change frequencies. 

Final Verdict: If you find a working unit cheap, the Motorola Radius M100 is a fun piece of radio history and a bulletproof analog link radio to have in your shack.    Let's see if this radio will last another 10 years from today forward.

Thank you Motorola for making such quality radios!! 

Images:  (Click on image for larger view.)

 

ICASA investigates illegal radio transmissions in Germiston

Image:  AI

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.

Read more HERE 

Once again the Internet has failed in the Southern Cape Area of South Africa

Image:  AI 

This is not going to be a moaning or groaning topic however I must admit that the lack of Starlink Internet is definitely felt in this fifth world country we living in.  For the past three days I have experienced sporadic Internet outages for whatever reason, this does not matter. Matter of fact is there is currently no reliable Internet service from my providers and once again let me rather not mention them.  What really matter is that there is really no alternative except amateur radio when the Internet fails.  Lots of talk about an alternative for Starlink which they say is going to be a South African Satellite Service Provider.  I can just wonder what is going on behind the scenes and how this so called "brilliant" provider is going to provide and alternative to Starlink with old satellites.  I have my thoughts about this but I will keep it to myself. Time will tell what this third world service and outdated satellites will provide as opposition to Starlink.  I doubt it this fifth world country is able to compete with Starlink.  Enough!!

Let's see what the future holds but until then I presume we must be satisfied with a firth world Internet service in this country.

Finally:  I still say we as radio amateurs need to find alternatives for the Internet and don't tell me it is HF Radio or VHF/UHF Repeaters.  I am working on a few projects that if successful will be used as alternatives for the Internet.  What are you doing to find alternatives? 

 

Let's build a passive RF Field Strength Meter (Part 1)

This is very useful test instrument that every radio amateur should have in the shack and can be built for next to nothing.  Let's look at this very handy instrument and its uses.

A passive RF field strength meter is a simple, un-powered device used to detect and compare relative radio frequency signal levels. It uses an antenna to capture RF energy, germanium diodes to rectify the AC signal into DC, and a sensitive analog micro ammeter to display the relative output level without requiring a battery.

Core Components

• Antenna: A telescopic whip or tuned dipole to pick up local RF radiation. 
• Germanium Diodes: Low forward-voltage components (like 1N60 or OA47) used for RF rectification.
• Analog Meter Movement: A highly sensitive zero-center or standard 50µA / 100µA panel meter.
• Capacitor & Potentiometer: Optional bypass capacitors to filter RF and a variable resistor/potentiometer to attenuate strong signals.

Common Uses

• Checking transmitter output and relative power.
• Adjusting and comparing directional antenna radiation patterns.
• Testing the efficiency of baluns, tuners, and antenna setups. 

I decided to build two of these instruments.  In this issue we will be looking at the passive RF Field Strength Meter version.

Diagram

Bill of Materials

2 x Germanium Doides (IN34, OA70, OA90, IN60, BAT43 or 85)

1 x 470 pF (471) Cap

1 x 10 K Potentiometer

1 x 50 uA Meter

2 x DC Power Posts (Red + Black)

1 x Piece of Veroboard (PCB)

1 x 500 mm Stiff Copper Wire (Antenna) or old FM Radio Antenna

1 x Instrument Cabinet

1 x Potentiometer Knob 

 

Construction

 

I am not going to go into detail as the diagram provides more than enough information to construct  the meter successfully.

 

Images (Click on images for larger view.)

 

 

 

Video

 

 

#7 - Amateur Radio News and Announcements (4 August 2026)

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.

Build your own unstoppable network today. Full implementation guide: 👉 https://buildwithparallel.com/product.. 

 

 

5.  "HAM" Radio? The Strange True Story  

 "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 

END. 

#1 What's in the Box / Parcel?

This guy (ZS1I) is getting like the YouTube video posters with his "What's in the Box?"  I received several requests to please continue with the series "What's in the Box?"  From all accounts these postings were of great interest to some of the readers of the previous Blog.  I will oblige in this regard and will from time to time post images and information of what is in the boxes I receive.  I am also looking at providing a review of equipment, components, modules etc.  I have not yet decided in which format to publish these reviews.  It will either be done on this blog or via a YouTube channel.  Now I must say I do not regularly buy items via the Internet.  So do not expect many posts in this regard.  Some of the equipment in the boxes is not new so do not expect the latest amateur radio state of the art equipment to be unboxed.

Lets get cracking in unboxing this item:  (Click on images for larger view.) 

 

My AllStarLink3 Node stopped working! Where do I start to look for the problem?

Image:  ASL3 Diagnostic Check Command  (Click on image for larger view.) 

I recently experienced some issues where my 49355 ASL3 HUB node went offline for some rime or reason.  The following issues were diagnosed:

• Configuration Conflict:   The node was simultaneously running legacy IAX registration syntax and newer AllStarLink 3 (ASL3) HTTP API configuration blocks. This structural overlap threw a fatal error, preventing authentication.
• Systemd Startup Crash Loop: A system update introduced an incompatible high-priority flag (-p) into the systemd configuration wrapper. The underlying version of Asterisk rejected this flag, resulting in an immediate initialization failure (status=2/INVALIDARGUMENT), forcing the Asterisk process to repeatedly crash.
• HTTP Module Bypass: While ASL3 defaults to HTTP registrations, local software variables caused the Asterisk package on this specific machine to bypass the modern res_rpt_http_registrations.so engine entirely. 

How was the above issues diagnosed?  Looking at the three issues the task to get the node up and running look like a daunting one where I will have to write a complete new SD Card.  Writing a complete new card and setting it up would have taken me several hours.  No I did not make a backup -  naughty, naughty me! 

In my search around on how to find out what was the actual issues I found the following command to diagnose the node.  I tried using Diagnostics Reports in the Cockpit but that returned - No System Reports.  Well I found the following command:  sudo asl-node-auth-check

What is the purpose of this command  (sudo asl-node-auth-check) when using it to diagnose your AllStarLink3  Node?

The sudo asl-node-auth-check diagnostic script was introduced in AllStarLink 3 (ASL3) to address complex network environments. It automates the verification of your node's local configuration, registration, and end-to-end network path. 
Here is a breakdown of what the tool evaluates when executed: 

1. Holistic Configuration Audit

    • Node Detection: Scans the active Asterisk environment to identify every node provisioned on the local machine.
    • Conflict Resolution: Cross-references file parameters to detect mismatches or syntactic syntax conflicts between config files. 

2. Deep Network Profile (IP & NAT Diagnostics)

    • Multi-Location Testing: Performs concurrent tests over both HTTP and Inter-Asterisk eXchange (IAX) protocols against three geographically separate AllStarLink server locations. 
    • CGNAT Identification: By verifying network reach-ability from multiple external points, it definitively establishes if your node is trapped behind a Carrier-Grade NAT (CGNAT) or a restrictive mobile hotspot firewall. 
    • IP History Tracker: Displays information on the last time your node’s perceived public IP address changed. 

3. Individual Node Authentication & Registration

    • Syntax Validation: Checks that the local registration strings match the valid format mandated by the network. 
    • Port Verification: Confirms that the local port defined in your configuration exactly matches the database port assigned to you in the central registry database. 
    • Server Handshake: Tests actual routing and reach-ability directly to register.allstarlink.org. 
    • Staleness Tracking: Verifies if your node registration is active and current (checking that a valid database check-in has succeeded within the last 10 minutes). 

4. Inbound IAX Reachability Test

    • Parrot Routing System: Uses the newer central "Parrot/Reach-ability" system to simulate an incoming connection attempt to your node.
    • Port Forwarding Proof: This tests if inbound traffic on your designated port can actually pierce your local router firewall and reach the node. 
If your node has a green status on the AllStarLink Node List but cannot accept incoming connections, this utility isolates the fault. 

As can be seen from the above this command is a very convenient way to diagnose issues your node might experience.  Please note that is is a very powerful diagnostic command tool and one should use it with caution.  

Here is the output of the command:

ZS1I@49355:~ $ sudo asl-node-auth-check

-----===== AllStarLink Node Authentication Check =====-----

Checking configuration:
      Info: Skipping evaluation of private node 1961
      Info: rpt.conf has configuration for: 49355
      Info: /etc/asterisk/iax.conf contains 1 registration line(s)
      Info: /etc/asterisk/rpt_http_registrations.conf contains no registration lines.
      Info: Registrations present for configured node(s): 49355
      Info: IP from https://conntest-east1.allstarlink.org/ip reports: xx.xxx.xxx.xxx
      Info: IP from https://conntest-west1.allstarlink.org/ip reports: xx.xxx.xxx.xxx
      Info: IP from https://conntest-west2.allstarlink.org/ip reports: xx.xxx.xxx.xxx
      Info: IP from udp://conntest-east1.allstarlink.org:4570 reports: xx.xxx.xxx.xxx
      Info: IP from udp://conntest-west1.allstarlink.org:4569 reports: xx.xxx.xxx.xxx
      Info: IP from udp://conntest-west2.allstarlink.org:4569 reports: xx.xxx.xxx.xxx
        OK: HTTP IP probes have consensus on the same perceived IP
        OK: IAX IP probes have consensus on the same perceived IP

Testing node 49355:
        OK: Node registration config is well-formed
        OK: Node registration type is IAX
        OK: register.allstarlink.org is reachable (via HTTP)
        OK: IAX registration state is Registered
        OK: Perceived IAX IP:PORT for this node is: xx.xxx.xxx.xxx:4569
        OK: Registered to aws-east1a-register1.allstarlink.org - xx.xx.xxx.xxx
        OK: Server-set UDP port matches bindport in iax.conf
        OK: Node registration within 10 minutes: 2026-07-31 14:11:50 UTC
      Info: Last time IP changed was 2026-07-29 09:48:32 UTC
        OK: Incoming connections to IAX from other nodes is successful
      Info: IAX ping test has a roundtrip time of 238ms
        OK: No problems detected with node 49355

ZS1I@49355:~ $  

xx.xxx.xxx.xxx - IP Addresses removed for obvious reasons. 

Errors / Warnings will be reflected in the output of the command.  From thereon you can fix the errors / omissions etc.  As can be seen I experience three issues which was solved and the node is now running as it should.   I also ensured that I made a paper format back-up of the current 49355 node setup as well as the back-up tool in sudo asl-menu.

I trust that this article might be of use to fellow radio amateurs that experience issues with an ASL3 node.  This tool really "saved my bacon"!! 

Update: The ZS1I 6 Meter CW Beacon Project (Part 3)

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 the ZS1I 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. 

Particulars of the beacon:

General:

Owner:  ZS1I

Beacon Type:  6 Meter CW Beacon

Beacon Message:  VVV de ZS1I KF15BT /B

Mode:  CW (Unmodulated telegraphy)

Frequency:  50.010 Mhz Software:

Current final output power:  +- 2 watt

Morse Code Speed:  14 wpm

 

Hardware:

 

OLED display = SSD1306 (128 x 64 pixels)

Si5351 Clock Generator (RF Generator)  Quartz crystal value = 25 Mhz

2 x Power Modules (1 x 9 vdc and 1 x 5 vdc)

7 Pole Chebyshev Low Pass Filter (LPF) 50 Mhz

Arduino Nano 328P Micro Controller

Broadband 2 w Driver Power Amplifier  

Delta Loop Antenna for 50 Mhz

Small audio speaker to listen to the morse code

Morse Code function LED (Red)

Power LED's and Switches

 

Software:

 

zs1i-beacon.ino

si5351.cpp

si5351.h

Adafruit GFX

Adafruit SSD1306

wire.h

spi.h

Adafruit OLED Library for text scrolling

 

Installation of the Beacon:

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. 

ZS1I 49355 HUB Node, Mossel Bay experienced a few issues the past two days - Now fixed!

ASL3 Node inside StarShip - AI

The ZS1I 49355 HUB Node experience a few "glitches" in the past two days.  Apart from very erratic internet connections the node would not register to the AllStar Servers and therefor not allow in and outbound connections.  I enlisted the services of AI as I did not feel like re-writing ASL3 to an SD Card and go through all the settings to get the node to behave as it should.  NO I did not make a back-up as I await an order for SD Cards.  Locally cards are way to expensive.

Well between me and AI several issues were solved and the node is now running as it should.

I apologize for any inconvenience but if you want to stay on the forefront of new technology and developments these things do happen from time to time.